Who has quit the UK and ended up coming back?
Discussion
Another thread has prompted me to contemplate this issue.
I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
Manks said:
Another thread has prompted me to contemplate this issue.
I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
I lived overseas for just under two years, and ended up coming back.I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
In the end, you never quite fit in anywhere but here. The best bet for settling somewhere else would be aus, NZ or America. which would all be nice, but in the end, the people will prob get on your nerves too much.
Anywhere else, and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Sure at first this is great, many ex-pats end up with a bit of a 'god syndrome', but after a while it does get a bit boring, and you realise that you won't ever fully fit in. Some people like this, most don't though.
Where had you been thinking of?
cmackay81 said:
Manks said:
Another thread has prompted me to contemplate this issue.
I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
I lived overseas for just under two years, and ended up coming back.I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
In the end, you never quite fit in anywhere but here. The best bet for settling somewhere else would be aus, NZ or America. which would all be nice, but in the end, the people will prob get on your nerves too much.
Anywhere else, and you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Sure at first this is great, many ex-pats end up with a bit of a 'god syndrome', but after a while it does get a bit boring, and you realise that you won't ever fully fit in. Some people like this, most don't though.
Where had you been thinking of?
I suppose the US comes closest. San Diego area maybe?
Manks said:
Another thread has prompted me to contemplate this issue.
I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
....so money does not buy you happiness.....I am pretty sure I would be able to re-locate somewhere nice with that sort of dosh but to be honest with that amount of cash I would always keep a property in the UK and and have another one or two properties abroad and drift between them all as the mood takes me.....I think you friend had other "issues" other than being able to settle in any one place.I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
madala said:
Manks said:
Another thread has prompted me to contemplate this issue.
I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
....so money does not buy you happiness.....I sit here in my office with a fleece on, mindful of the fact that we now have about nine months of shocking weather to look forward to before getting a few humid days, some sunshine and a few thunder storms. Not to mention chavs, the economy and tax. My thoughts drift again to emigration.
But a friend of mine emigrated and he's found himself a bit nomadic. He had twenty or so million pounds to relocate with but he has been from one country to another. I fully expect to find him back in the UK before long.
Anyone else quit the UK because the grass was greener, only to find out it was not?
Manks
madala said:
I am pretty sure I would be able to re-locate somewhere nice with that sort of dosh but to be honest with that amount of cash I would always keep a property in the UK and and have another one or two properties abroad and drift between them all as the mood takes me.....I think you friend had other "issues" other than being able to settle in any one place.
If you are emigrating to avoid tax - well worth doing on £20m - keeping a property here is tricky.I'll be relocating soon, either living in Israel or working in Israel and then probably live in Spain or Cyprus. Might flitter about for a few years but will keep a property in the UK.
As much as the UK get's on my moobs, it is a lovely country with some very nice people and places, it will always be home
As much as the UK get's on my moobs, it is a lovely country with some very nice people and places, it will always be home
The grass is always greener... Then you get used to it and look for more so you end up looking elsewhere again. Thats my theory.
Take a pay rise as an example. You take it and think WOW that extra £xxx a month is awesome. 6 months later your used to spending the extra cash and want more.
there will always be a snag.
My uncle and aunt emigrated to Southern Portugal to seek cheaper cost of living & nicer weather etc. Returned 8 months later becasue of a lack of a job market.
You have to bear in mind that countries with a low cost of living almost always have a low GDP. As a result wages are lower and often so is the level of infrastructure and services such as Healthcare, Education etc.
You might visit a country for a holiday and think its everything soooo cheap and you can buy a big house and live in luxury but once yourr on a local's wages youll see the cost of living is relative.
And anyway the weather isn't so bad. I'll take mild all year round with a dash of rain over the monsoons / droughts / frequent flooding / hurricanes / 24hr daylight / 24 hour darkness / tsunami's / earthquakes and volcanic eruptions you'll find in other countries.
Take a pay rise as an example. You take it and think WOW that extra £xxx a month is awesome. 6 months later your used to spending the extra cash and want more.
there will always be a snag.
My uncle and aunt emigrated to Southern Portugal to seek cheaper cost of living & nicer weather etc. Returned 8 months later becasue of a lack of a job market.
You have to bear in mind that countries with a low cost of living almost always have a low GDP. As a result wages are lower and often so is the level of infrastructure and services such as Healthcare, Education etc.
You might visit a country for a holiday and think its everything soooo cheap and you can buy a big house and live in luxury but once yourr on a local's wages youll see the cost of living is relative.
And anyway the weather isn't so bad. I'll take mild all year round with a dash of rain over the monsoons / droughts / frequent flooding / hurricanes / 24hr daylight / 24 hour darkness / tsunami's / earthquakes and volcanic eruptions you'll find in other countries.
Friend of mine moved to Antigua and came back after 18 months. He wasn't wealthy so set up house in the native community, said that as a European everyone thought he must be rich and tried to rob, scam or just plain beg him for money. He gave up going to local bars etc and couldn't afford to go to the tourist places regularly.
He said it's a beautiful place for holidays or if you're very rich though.
He said it's a beautiful place for holidays or if you're very rich though.
Edited by Big E 118 on Friday 17th September 13:08
My girlfriend's Australian so I see it through her eyes.
This country may often be cold and wet but that means we have verdant green areas like the Peak and Lake Districts.
It may be dark in the winter but the flip side to this is that it's possible to sat in the garden enjoying a beautiful evening at 10 at night in the summer.
There may be 60 odd million of us but it's still a very open and beautiful country.
It may be full of Chavs but in all honesty it's no worse than anywhere else and we do have the added advantage that if you want to avoid them it's pretty easy to do so as they're corralled in easily identifiable areas.
We also have thousands of years of history and two hours in a plane can take you to one of any number of places with different languages and histories (and beers). Jump in a plane in Australia and two hours later you're still in Australia.
I've nothing against Australia, in fact in a few years time I may well be living there, but at the moment this place suits me just fine.
This country may often be cold and wet but that means we have verdant green areas like the Peak and Lake Districts.
It may be dark in the winter but the flip side to this is that it's possible to sat in the garden enjoying a beautiful evening at 10 at night in the summer.
There may be 60 odd million of us but it's still a very open and beautiful country.
It may be full of Chavs but in all honesty it's no worse than anywhere else and we do have the added advantage that if you want to avoid them it's pretty easy to do so as they're corralled in easily identifiable areas.
We also have thousands of years of history and two hours in a plane can take you to one of any number of places with different languages and histories (and beers). Jump in a plane in Australia and two hours later you're still in Australia.
I've nothing against Australia, in fact in a few years time I may well be living there, but at the moment this place suits me just fine.
Left the UK in Feb 2003, for many reasons, many of which are even more valid (to me) now. Lived in Portugal until two years ago. Still have property and a business there, which provides a small income. Now living in rural France. Came for a long break (12 months) and stayed. Bought a small property. We love it here. Have both French and ex pat friends. Petrolheads and others!
Cannot see myself going back to live in the UK. I visit quite a few times each year to see family, which is OK, but I would say the the general state of the country is worse than when I left, and despite a new goverment, it's not likely to get any better short or long term.
All countries have their issues, so it depends what your priorites are and what you want out of life. Right now I like France. I like my neighbours, I like the empty roads, I like the lack of crime (rural France), I like the weather (seasons), I like the fact that I can drive to the Pyrenees in two hours, the Med in two hours, Barcelona and Northern Spain in 3.5 hours (for contrast and tapas), I like Toulouse, the rugby and my Land Rover in the winter.
France is a tough place to be starting out in your career or business, but pretty good if after earning hard your peak income years are history, or you have sufficient capital then it has lot to offer.
Cannot see myself going back to live in the UK. I visit quite a few times each year to see family, which is OK, but I would say the the general state of the country is worse than when I left, and despite a new goverment, it's not likely to get any better short or long term.
All countries have their issues, so it depends what your priorites are and what you want out of life. Right now I like France. I like my neighbours, I like the empty roads, I like the lack of crime (rural France), I like the weather (seasons), I like the fact that I can drive to the Pyrenees in two hours, the Med in two hours, Barcelona and Northern Spain in 3.5 hours (for contrast and tapas), I like Toulouse, the rugby and my Land Rover in the winter.
France is a tough place to be starting out in your career or business, but pretty good if after earning hard your peak income years are history, or you have sufficient capital then it has lot to offer.
I grew up in the UK and spent 16 years overseas before returning in 2008.
It's been a challenge to re-integrate, especially I'm older now, more stubborn, less tolerant, less willing to adapt my ways to suit others, and less able to invest time in re-establishing relationships and networks.
Frankly, a large proportion of the people I come across, and certain aspects of British culture such as the quickness to judge and strong peer pressure to conform to certain social norms, feel completely alien to me. Fortunately, I spend a lot of time in London with access to a diverse international community - living and working in a smaller British city would be almost unthinkable (Edinburgh is one honourable exception).
That's not to say I'm unhappy with the move, and there were compelling reasons to do so: the richness and depth of public discourse, of the media and of artistic life; professional opportunities; access to continental Europe; the beautiful countryside; not to mention, this is a great place to be a petrolhead.
It's been a challenge to re-integrate, especially I'm older now, more stubborn, less tolerant, less willing to adapt my ways to suit others, and less able to invest time in re-establishing relationships and networks.
Frankly, a large proportion of the people I come across, and certain aspects of British culture such as the quickness to judge and strong peer pressure to conform to certain social norms, feel completely alien to me. Fortunately, I spend a lot of time in London with access to a diverse international community - living and working in a smaller British city would be almost unthinkable (Edinburgh is one honourable exception).
That's not to say I'm unhappy with the move, and there were compelling reasons to do so: the richness and depth of public discourse, of the media and of artistic life; professional opportunities; access to continental Europe; the beautiful countryside; not to mention, this is a great place to be a petrolhead.
Rouleur said:
Have you thought about moving to somewhere rural? Having some space and peace and quiet around you might make you see this country differently
My thougts exactly. I see countless threads on here complaining about the state of the nation, prices of goods/services, vandalism, chavs, noise, etc, etc. These people often seem at the end of their tether after years of unhappiness and I just think, move house!Moving to the other side of the world is not the only solution - often there may be somewhere slightly closer to home that would resolve most of their immediate problems. Moving abroad simply results in a different set of problems.
As someone else pointed out - there are many simple pleasures to living here that are often overlooked.
I've lived abroad, it's a nice adventure but don't think I'd consider making a permanent move abroad.
Edited by Risotto on Friday 17th September 13:39
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff