All This Talk of Emigration
Poll: All This Talk of Emigration
Total Members Polled: 319
Discussion
Been seeing/hearing a lot about emigrations from the UK recently. Sadly it seems to be mostly from the people that add most value to society too.
"The grass is always greener" etc, but the extent of degradation of the quality of life here over the last 10-15 years has been quite stark in so many ways.
Personally I've done well in the UK and am approaching retirement so won't be emigrating for work/life. However, I don't see much potential for my kids so would actively encourage them seeking a better life elsewhere. Got family in Canada and Australia.
What's your position and what do you want to do?
"The grass is always greener" etc, but the extent of degradation of the quality of life here over the last 10-15 years has been quite stark in so many ways.
Personally I've done well in the UK and am approaching retirement so won't be emigrating for work/life. However, I don't see much potential for my kids so would actively encourage them seeking a better life elsewhere. Got family in Canada and Australia.
What's your position and what do you want to do?
I'd go - but the wife is already 4000 miles from her family and would like to stay in a country that has direct flights back to them. That gives us Canada as an option, as there is no way either of us would want to move to the US.
It's cold in Canada, so I'm not sure she'd cope with that either.
I'd like to give New Zealand a go, and the points system there works well for me in my profession. But I don't know if I'd actually go, even if the wife was keen.
It's cold in Canada, so I'm not sure she'd cope with that either.
I'd like to give New Zealand a go, and the points system there works well for me in my profession. But I don't know if I'd actually go, even if the wife was keen.
Our small consultancy was recently bought by a much, much larger consultancy. One of the first things I did was read their policy on international transfers. Very tempted to start the ball rolling on a move to Canada, likely Vancouver.
Nowhere is perfect and I'm sure there are things I'd miss about the UK, but we're very much on a downward trajectory. Canada is absolutely vast with only 40m people and they're a bit less politically insane than the US. Plus, it's absolutely beautiful and I love the idea of having proper seasons as opposed to just overcast drizzle.
Nowhere is perfect and I'm sure there are things I'd miss about the UK, but we're very much on a downward trajectory. Canada is absolutely vast with only 40m people and they're a bit less politically insane than the US. Plus, it's absolutely beautiful and I love the idea of having proper seasons as opposed to just overcast drizzle.
I'd be off like a shot if I were in my twenties & nothing to keep me around. Brexit has damaged my business severely & I can't see that improving any time soon. Kids & work are keeping me put, so I'm now thinking abut retirement to France once the heirs are off my hands. Lucky me I have an Irish passport & speak French, so it might be encore un Anglais si'installe au soleil.
Edited by President Merkin on Friday 17th February 11:47
Patrick Magooagain said:
What about us that's already gorn?
I'm guessing that's the "I'm off" option; applies to me as I'm currently living/working in eastern Europe whilst on assignment for my employer until summer. About to start having discussions about what happens next and it's my intention to go to another location, whether on assignment or local terms. Not against returning to the UK but I like the change an international posting gives. Everywhere has pros and cons; right now I don't see myself returning to the UK for quite a while.Sitting in my in laws house in Madrid has revitalised the idea I had a year or so ago to move here but the problem is post Brexit companies don't seem interested in UK engineers which would have been no brainers previously.
And I'd need to be willing to take a big pay cut (like 50%) whilst cost of living is around 75%.
All that for the sunshine I'm currently sitting in.
And I'd need to be willing to take a big pay cut (like 50%) whilst cost of living is around 75%.
All that for the sunshine I'm currently sitting in.
Voted ‘love it here’ as generally do love a lot about living in the UK (naturally there always things that would be good to change and things do seem to have taken a bit of a downward turn these last few years).
Saying that I’d always be open to the idea of emigrating, but would be more likely to make a move further into the countryside than change of country.
Saying that I’d always be open to the idea of emigrating, but would be more likely to make a move further into the countryside than change of country.
Ive been debating for a couple of years.
Came close to the UAE just as covid broke and it all fell through, then again about a year ago when I was pipped at the very last post (which is totally fair enough)
Also considered the new allowances from Western Oz but not so sure about that.
I would really like to live and work in the US - ideally Florida but NY state also appeals - just a case of finding the right opportunity etc.
Came close to the UAE just as covid broke and it all fell through, then again about a year ago when I was pipped at the very last post (which is totally fair enough)
Also considered the new allowances from Western Oz but not so sure about that.
I would really like to live and work in the US - ideally Florida but NY state also appeals - just a case of finding the right opportunity etc.
We wouldn't at the moment for several reasons:
One of which is that both myself and my wife are doing really well with our careers here. My wife is from the EU and has worked her way up into a senior position over here which she would never had managed back home, despite English being her second language. I doubt either of us would be able to earn anywhere near the same abroad as we do here.
The second is that I'm rubbish with languages. I can speak a bit of basic French, but thats about it. Certainly nothing that would get me a job above being a cleaner or a labourer in another country. If we just looked at English speaking countries, Australia does not appeal to us at all, and the US would be very difficult to emmigrate to for visa reasons and only semi-appeals to us. I have no doubt Canada would be the best option, but unsure about the weather.
Lastly, we feel fortunate that we have a good life as things stand right now and don't need to look elsewhere. We recently completed the build of pretty much our dream home in a really nice village, way out in the 'shires where there is almost no crime, beautiful countryside, no undesirables, lovely pubs, nice neighbours, no traffic jams, kids can play out without any worries, the local schools are great, and so on. I work in London, and commute for a few days every other week, so I also get to enjoy that side of life.
But, I think we would certainly consider moving to somewhere in the EU once we approached retirement. There are lots of places over the channel where the quality of life, and the weather, is much better than over here. Our son has both EU and UK citizenship (due to my wife) and he is free to live and work in any EU country unrestricted in the future if he wishes. He has a distinct advantage over most other UK citizens in that respect.
As a more general point, I agree with others that this country is on a downward slide and has been for some time. It is sad to see. I hope things can be turned around, but I'm not holding my breath. The UK is still a terrific place, and I still maintain that London is one of the greatest cities in the world. It really does depend on where you live though, so many areas and towns are becoming run down, rough, or undesirable.
One of which is that both myself and my wife are doing really well with our careers here. My wife is from the EU and has worked her way up into a senior position over here which she would never had managed back home, despite English being her second language. I doubt either of us would be able to earn anywhere near the same abroad as we do here.
The second is that I'm rubbish with languages. I can speak a bit of basic French, but thats about it. Certainly nothing that would get me a job above being a cleaner or a labourer in another country. If we just looked at English speaking countries, Australia does not appeal to us at all, and the US would be very difficult to emmigrate to for visa reasons and only semi-appeals to us. I have no doubt Canada would be the best option, but unsure about the weather.
Lastly, we feel fortunate that we have a good life as things stand right now and don't need to look elsewhere. We recently completed the build of pretty much our dream home in a really nice village, way out in the 'shires where there is almost no crime, beautiful countryside, no undesirables, lovely pubs, nice neighbours, no traffic jams, kids can play out without any worries, the local schools are great, and so on. I work in London, and commute for a few days every other week, so I also get to enjoy that side of life.
But, I think we would certainly consider moving to somewhere in the EU once we approached retirement. There are lots of places over the channel where the quality of life, and the weather, is much better than over here. Our son has both EU and UK citizenship (due to my wife) and he is free to live and work in any EU country unrestricted in the future if he wishes. He has a distinct advantage over most other UK citizens in that respect.
As a more general point, I agree with others that this country is on a downward slide and has been for some time. It is sad to see. I hope things can be turned around, but I'm not holding my breath. The UK is still a terrific place, and I still maintain that London is one of the greatest cities in the world. It really does depend on where you live though, so many areas and towns are becoming run down, rough, or undesirable.
I think there's money to be made chartering all those illegal migrant boats that go back across the channel empty.
Drop off a load of Albanians here, pick up a load of middle-class families from Labour strongholds for the trip back to Normandy. They can't afford to pay as much as the Albanians due to cost of living increases, but anything is better than an empty boat, right? That's just good business.
Drop off a load of Albanians here, pick up a load of middle-class families from Labour strongholds for the trip back to Normandy. They can't afford to pay as much as the Albanians due to cost of living increases, but anything is better than an empty boat, right? That's just good business.
Voted "Remain" because
I love it here
Loads of family here
Loads of friends here
Kids all doing well at work (or about to start work) and I want to be around for them and the grandkids
Fortunate to have a well paid job so would probably need to take a pay cut if I moved elsewhere.
What I can see me doing is buying a Villa either in Florida or Spain/Morocco and staying there 2 or 3 months per year. A couple of freinds are at the semi-retirement stage and this seems to be working well for them.
I love it here
Loads of family here
Loads of friends here
Kids all doing well at work (or about to start work) and I want to be around for them and the grandkids
Fortunate to have a well paid job so would probably need to take a pay cut if I moved elsewhere.
What I can see me doing is buying a Villa either in Florida or Spain/Morocco and staying there 2 or 3 months per year. A couple of freinds are at the semi-retirement stage and this seems to be working well for them.
shirt said:
Patrick Magooagain said:
What about us that's already gorn?
Bloody natives, going abroad and stealing their jobs!But yeah put me down for ‘already gone and likely never coming back’
wiffmaster said:
Our small consultancy was recently bought by a much, much larger consultancy. One of the first things I did was read their policy on international transfers. Very tempted to start the ball rolling on a move to Canada, likely Vancouver.
Similar here as the company I worked for had a California office. However a colleague spent a four years in the New York office but the company screwed up the green card so she had to come back to the London office.Edited by Cotty on Friday 17th February 14:39
We went over to Canada for a few years - came back "temporarily" when FiL was very sick - I managed to get a 12 month contract in the uk. but with one thing and another never went back .
I enjoyed it and had much better work / life balance, and would go back , but residency has lapsed and I don't want to have to go through all that again.
my eldest is about to graduate medical school, I fully expect her to go overseas as some point, probably Oz or NZ
I enjoyed it and had much better work / life balance, and would go back , but residency has lapsed and I don't want to have to go through all that again.
my eldest is about to graduate medical school, I fully expect her to go overseas as some point, probably Oz or NZ
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