Where in Western Europe to move to?

even if by some miracle your mother would be able to move, it doesnt change anything for you. you would only be able to visit her, but not stay with her. from the age of 18 youre considered an adult and thus have to apply for permits, etc on your own.

Amusing thread.

In response to the original question, I would have to vote for Amsterdam too, as some posters did before me. The city has a very strong and ambitious arts scene and obviously the Dutch are some of the most tolerant when it comes to gay issues. Amsterdam is a multicultural capital city where just over half of the people originate from different countries and cultures. Most of the architecture in the city centre stems from the 'Golden Age' (when the Dutch sailed the seas from South America to Asia, eventually defeated by the British, unfortunately, as you'd be correcting people in Dutch rather than English now).

For your mother, the Dutch speak very good English, I think with the Swedish some of the most fluent in Europe (other than England of course). About teaching English I don't know, although teachers at high schools etc. are in high demand and I assume foreign teachers are just as wanted (I once had a French guy as English teacher, his accent couldn't be funnier).

I don't know about visas either but that's a matter of searching online, government websites will be your best bet. Spain wouldn't be my first choice as a) people generally have a low proficiency in English and b) the country has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe. The English issue also goes for Italy, Portugal and most of the southern countries (France included).

Good luck making your decision.

Ruth - Hey, can we move on already? I've apologised numerous times and said I would change my behaviour.

Staying in Australia: It's definitely an option, in fact today my mum sent me an article about it having the second highest quality of life in the world after Norway, so she's obviously considering it as well. If I had a choice I would be traveling around as much as possible - I don't like the concept of a fixed home.
Who knows, maybe Europe would irritate me as much as Australia does, for different reasons, if I moved there. But there is the attraction to the unknown, and we both are interested in experiencing something different. We've also been to Europe many times and we enjoy the vibe - it's easier to connect to Europeans than Australians for me, most of the time. One thing I love about Australia is the friendliness.
I also love Asia, and living in Japan for a while would interest me, but my mum isn't interested. Taiwan, maybe. She did like Hong Kong, which is probably similar.

ForHoover - Thanks for your thoughts, I enjoyed Amsterdam when I visited. :o)

Not to be picky or get too far off point but Lonely Planet is actually 75% owned by the BBC and therefore could be classed more as a British company than an Australian one, despite it being setup in Australia. Just had to point it out :)

c. are in high demand and I assume foreign teachers are just as wanted (I once had a French guy as English teacher, his accent couldn't be funnier).
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official schools (elementary & high school) demand proficiency in the native tongue of the country. the only possible exception are private language schools and universities (depending on the subject).

japan is totally out for living there. they have extremly tricky conditions since they do not want foreigners. most teachers in private schools there are those through those JET programs and usually younger people who stay for a year or two and then move on.

japan is totally out for living there. they have extremly tricky conditions since they do not want foreigners. most teachers in private schools there are those through those JET programs and usually younger people who stay for a year or two and then move on.

This isn't true. Not sure why OP is so set on her mother going with her but the OP herself could easily get a WHV for Japan if she wanted to try living here.

Of course Japan doesn't meet virtually any of the requirements in the OP but it certainly isn't out on terms of visa.

And even without the WHV this place is still fairly loaded with foreigners teaching English. Plenty of them who have been here for a very long time. Maybe there aren't as many as there were 20 years ago but it is hardly an option that is completely out of the picture.

ptf, yes, it would be possible for the OP, but it seems the OP is not able to move without her mother for one reason or another, thats why it doesnt seem to be an option.

the OP seems to mention quite often that if i understand correctly shes not able to travel/live anywhere unless with her parents, so one has to take that into consideration when suggesting/visa issues, etc.

Yeah but given that she wanted

*A place in Western Europe
*In face a place in Italy, Spain or France
*A bohemian community
*A significant immigrant presence

None of which would apply to Japan then it seems to me the fact that Japan has even been raised means that she has absolutely no idea what she really wants.

So I'm just pointing out that visa issues are not a big deal for her in Japan.

And depending on her mother's qualifications she could possibly get a job here (with a visa) if she wanted to (which she doesn't).