A few places I've considered and researched so far are Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Some of these countries are worse than others when it comes to similar surveillance or civil liberties issues but they all at least appear to be very much preferable to Britain and the path it is on.
The language barrier in issue in some of these places more than others, although I am open to learning a new language. I began taking German lessons recently just for fun.
The actual process of gaining citizenship or even residency can be difficult too, especially for somewhere like Iceland from what I have learned.
It's obviously a massive decision to make and not one that can be made quickly and rashly.
I just can't see myself wanting to stay here in the UK much longer. I don't feel any kinship with this place.
Iceland IMO would only be good if the Pirate Party actually wins the election, but at the moment I think it's too soon to consider that country an option for myself. Norway, Denmark, Germany & Belgium censor websites for corporations which rules them out for me and some of them also appear to be going down the same path as the UK. I want somewhere where I can operate my websites without having to constantly suffer from a Chilling Effect, as I do currently in the UK.
From personal experience, language barrier wouldn't be an issue in Belgium for a tech job. Due to existent Flemish/French division, English often becomes the local esperanto, although it may depend on the company policy.
Yeah I imagine professionally (as a developer) my English language wouldn't be a major hurdle in many of these countries.
I think that I would have some problems socially though. Naviagting my way around the country, buying goods and just trying to talk to people would pose more of a problem.
Some of these countries are worse than others when it comes to similar surveillance or civil liberties issues but they all at least appear to be very much preferable to Britain and the path it is on.
The language barrier in issue in some of these places more than others, although I am open to learning a new language. I began taking German lessons recently just for fun.
The actual process of gaining citizenship or even residency can be difficult too, especially for somewhere like Iceland from what I have learned.
It's obviously a massive decision to make and not one that can be made quickly and rashly.
I just can't see myself wanting to stay here in the UK much longer. I don't feel any kinship with this place.