[Stealth]

I'm contemplating moving to Europe (somewhere) during the next few years.  Just thinking about it right now, but it's looking real good.

What i'm wondering from you, is this:

We have a very large community here, and very spread out.  I'd like to get an idea of what I'd be able to make living in *wherever you live in Europe*, what the cost of living is like, standard of living, average home cost, etc...

just help me out here.  My job position would be somewhere between Network Administrator, and Information Technology Manager.  For a small to medium sized company (from 25-500 employees)

Thanks in advance

[Kosh]

Where do you live now? Why do you want to move?

[BloodEagle]

Maybe the place he lives in has a 'Home Owners Association'.

That would be enough of a reason to kill yourself, actually.

[Wanderer]

Europe is a very varied place. Just where are you headed for?

[Stealth]

not sure where i'm headed.  probably either england or norway, but i'm open... kind of depends where good jobs are

and i'm considering moving because i want a change.  i can't get tied down in one place for too long

[Mefustae]

Might I suggest Poland? I know nothing about it, but they send me a bucket of krill whenever I recommend someone.

[vyper]

If you come to the UK beware that you will have to have serious I.T experience under your belt to get anything serious.

Home ownership is likely to be easier within the next few years as prices are slowly but surely starting to slow down, and even drop (albeit in small percentages). Depending on the area you can go from £125,000 for a semi-detached 3 bed up to 250,000.

Living costs are reasonable so long as you don't live in London. Bread costs anywhere from 40p up to £2 depending on the store and whether it's Organic or not. M&S are expensive but offer higher quality, Asda is literally Wal*Mart and offers cheap prices but questionable quality. 

There is a very "rights and responsibilities" culture in the UK that makes smoking about as bad as spreading AIDS, and  makes owners of large cars look like child murderers. Thanks Tony. That being said it's very possible that by the time you move a new government will be in and the pendulum will have swung the other way.

Also note that because of increasing hysteria and opportunism by the authorities, it is likely we will have a half-arsed I.D card system in place by 2010.

[BengalTiger]

Might I suggest Poland? I know nothing about it, but they send me a bucket of krill whenever I recommend someone.

+1

Warsaw is a pretty nice place (and WAY different than the US, so if you want change, you'll get tons of it).

[Mika]

Might I suggest Poland? I know nothing about it, but they send me a bucket of krill whenever I recommend someone.

The mob?

[Mobius]

Uhm...Italy?

Weather, people and average home cost are all various...can you be more specific? What do you want, exactly? Good weather, acceptable level of criminality, monuments to visit...?

[Hazaanko]

Northern part of the Netherlands (Vriesland) if you can stand the cold - is a beautiful place with awesome awesome awesome people.

Rotterdam is a nice upbeat city.  Lots happening there.  Might get shot wandering into the Moslem community if you're an American though.  o.O

Eastern Belgium - amazingly beautiful terrain, and really 'backwoodsy' cities.  I'd stay away from central and western Belgium for the most part though.... .... ..

Germany is... well, its Germany.  Austria is cool too.

But if I had to move anywhere in europe (at least the places I've been) it would be Deventer, Netherlands.

[BloodEagle]

I'm not sure if it counts, but you should move to Rapture. 

[Polpolion]

Go to the Netherlands.

[Rictor]

Here's my pitch for Serbia:

The women are hot, beer costs about $0.7/liter and you'll be looked upon as a handsome, worldly billionare because you happen to come from outside of the country. And, to top it all off, they've recently made great advanced toward wiping out cholera and dysentry.

[Flipside]

I'll agree with Rictor that most of the women I've met that come from Serbia seem to be pretty stunning in looks.

[IceFire]

Interesting move there Stealth.  Sounds like quite an adventure.

If its IT that you're interested in maybe Ireland is a good option as well as I've read a few articles about Ireland's up and coming IT hotspot.  I forget where the development is taking place but might be worth a look too.

[Janos]

Monaco.

[Stealth]

yeah IceFire, i just want a change; once i get my bachelors, i'll have 7 years experience as an IT manager, i'll have numerous certications under my belt (right now already have MCP, MCSA, MCSE, CCNP, etc.), and i want to move somewhere to start a new life.  whether i permanently settle there or not, i haven't decided yet.

shoot, who knows... 2 or 3 years from now i may settle down and get married... i don't plan to though ;0

i've already made a large move like this once.  at 13 years old, from South Africa to America.

[Alex Navarro]

Spain?  we need your money...    . He he.

Now, seriously, here in Canary Islands we've a good weather. Low crime. I think 

[TrashMan]

hehe..Eaurpe is a big place. you got quite a pick.