France or UK
Posted by Waste-Monk-342@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 16 comments
Hi all, I am a European. I have been offered 2 postings. In UK close to Cambridge or in Normandy France. The job is the same and so is the pay. I have lived in neither countries but I speak both languages.
Where should I go?
gedankenauflauf@reddit
Where in Normandy is that?
Waste-Monk-342@reddit (OP)
Rouen
Browbeaten92@reddit
As others have said Cambridge is very expensive. Although France has higher taxes the same salary would go much further particularly in Normandy which is probably one of the cheapest parts of France, very rural etc. Weather is pretty similar so not much a factor. Cambridge is very economically dynamic, attractive, good long term prospects. But you will be on a work visa unlike France so tied to employer.
EllaLazar@reddit
(don't need to answer, but) do you mean european and looking for some of the advantages of being in EU or not, as to me european would include ... Serbia like. this is first criteria.
second: do you have family or will you just relocate by yourself. try to aim for where your partner has better chance to adapt, or whatever you chose, ensure they are fully onboard with such decision.
and last but not least (while saying sorry to all the lovely brits I know) as continental (european) my choice would be France too: based on experience, I know I can connect culturally with french ppl, and geographically would be closer to my family that lives in EU.
Godforsaken-@reddit
As you're seem to be a wine guy, I'd suggest to move to Normandy. Especially, if language is not an issue
BananaBork@reddit
Tbh it's not exactly hard to get wine in southern England, and like some say the variety is actually better. Only problem is it's slightly more expensive.
Outrageous-Garlic-27@reddit
Normandy is not really a place for wine.
I personally think you get much better wine in the UK, vs France. It is hard to find great wine from around the world in France, because they want to serve what is local.
kranj7@reddit
France has it's quirks and complexities, but despite it all, somehow things just work there - and generally speaking better than in the UK. Cost of living is lower in France, and while salaries are a bit lower than in the UK, you don't have as many stealth taxes. You're likely to get more value on your earnings. Also if things go wrong (hopefully they won't!), the social security system in France offers better protections.
BananaBork@reddit
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp
Cost of living is higher in France, though I can't say the difference between Cambridge and Normandy as there local cost of living is probably more relevant
Jadeqx@reddit
Following! I got those 2 options too and I'm having extremely hard time choosing which one's better
Hour_Reputation_7326@reddit
Area near Cambridge is beautiful and peaceful, I lived there in Ely, Newmarket and Littleport area.
Maleficent-Main-8470@reddit
Cambridge is one of the most expensive cities to live in the UK. University cities tend to be very focused on student life, so if you are not a student, you don’t have that many things to do or will find many friends. (I live in Oxford). The UK is going downhill at the moment… there is a lot of violence going on and things are very expensive. A cup of coffee could be 5 euros, a pint of beer 8 euros… and eating out is expensive and it is not even that nice. I have lived here for 9 years and it is not what it used to be anymore. I cannot comment about France because I haven’t visited or lived there.
Spiritual_Pound_6848@reddit
As a Brit I’d say go to France
Telecom_VoIP_Fan@reddit
Cambridge is a very attractive, ancient city. That would be my choice.
sierra771@reddit
As a Brit I’d say France because I regularly go there on holiday and love it. In the other hand if you choose to live in Cambridge it’s a cool city with lots of educated people. One advantage of our famously bad cuisine in UK is that we do import from all over the world allowing you more variety. We have some great Italian and Indian restaurants for example, also go to the wine section in a supermarket in uk and you’ve got a wines from all over Europe and the new world. In wine producing countries like France, it’s just French wines (which are great and probably what I get most frequently anyway, but I do enjoy an Argentine Malbec too). Brexit of course has made things generally more rubbish, but I’m hopeful our new government has got us on a better trajectory that leads us to step by step back into the EU. Really the location in the country is key, so it’s great you mention it, I don’t know much about Normandy though, not been there (I only know Paris, Provence, Alsace, and Bordeaux regions).
helloyouahead@reddit
France. Better food, more social benefits, likely lower costs of livings.