Originally Posted by
volosong
If you can get UK citizenship, you can settle on a permanent basis anywhere in the Commonwealth. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, to name the most desirable ones. Even Gibraltar, North Ireland, ir Scotland. I hear there's great cycling around Christchurch and the climate in Perth is very similar to San Diego. How much more perfect can that be? Except for distance from family, that is.
I'm also (echoing Boudicca) not sure this is true any longer, at least not universally-- though it used to be. Certainly not true for citizens of Commonwealth countries other than the UK. UK citizens do have right of residence anywhere in the EU I believe, but I think would have difficulties with countries like New Zealand, Australia, or Canada for that matter.
Back squarely on-topic: if ever I could afford it, I would return to my birthplace -- the Cowichan Valley region of Vancouver Island, preferably by the sea. Spent my first four decades growing up, living, working there (latterly based in Victoria) before a career move brought me out to Southwestern Ontario. Been here (SW ON) twenty+ years, but it ain't home. The southeast coast of the Island has, to my mind, everything (with one exception) going for it: mountains, ocean, rural areas, a decent-sized city, and some of the best year-round cycling (mountain, road, and touring) I could imagine. Oh, and a lot less rain than Vancouver (hee hee!). Another plus: my mother, sister, niece and her brats all still live in the area.
The one exception? Bloody cost of living, especially housing.
Oh well; maybe I'll find a way.