Around half a million people leave the UK to live abroad each year. A survey by the British Council showed 72 per cent of 18- to 30-year-olds would consider living and working overseas, with cold weather, the high cost of living, extortionate childcare, a lack of work-life balance and even poor romantic prospects among their motivations for leaving the country. The i Paper’s Expat Files follows Brits who have taken the leap and settled elsewhere, detailing the ups and downs of their journeys.
Hillary Miles, 65, from Manchester, has spent the last four years living in Igalo, a coastal town surrounded by beaches along Montenegro’s northern coast. Here she tells Silvia Marchetti how she has embraced the simple life.
Of all the countries in Europe, I never thought I’d end up living in Montenegro. I visited the country for the first time seven years ago with my late husband before he passed away. I fell in love with the charming coastal towns, secluded beaches with few crowds and picturesque harbours. When my husband died five years ago, I had a nervous breakdown and realised I needed a fresh start and a break from my stressful job as a private health business consultant. I felt I had to leave Manchester and I wanted to be in the Mediterranean. Not having any grandchildren made the move easier.
