Who's an Ex-Pat?
Discussion
Looking at the strike thread, I wondered how many people on here are or have moved from their home country. Why did you do it? have you/would you go back? To where?
I'll start:
I'm british born, went to America with work for about 9 months, then came back (USA was only a temporary thing)
Worked near Leeds for a further year and a half with the same company, then got the chance to go to Italy.
I like it here because daily life is a lot better, I'd consider going back to the UK, but it'd have to be for at least twice what money I'm on now.
I'll start:
I'm british born, went to America with work for about 9 months, then came back (USA was only a temporary thing)
Worked near Leeds for a further year and a half with the same company, then got the chance to go to Italy.
I like it here because daily life is a lot better, I'd consider going back to the UK, but it'd have to be for at least twice what money I'm on now.
I'm an ExPat, living in Switzerland. Been here nearly 3 years, don't miss the UK one bit.
I worked for a Swiss company in the UK and had the opportunity to move- didn't take too long to come to a decision...
For me it's the best of both worlds- Switzerland is now home, but so is the UK having grown up there.
I worked for a Swiss company in the UK and had the opportunity to move- didn't take too long to come to a decision...
For me it's the best of both worlds- Switzerland is now home, but so is the UK having grown up there.
British born and raised, went to work in Germany for a while with a British firm. Lived in Edinburgh for a while afterwards and realised what a steaming turd it was. Subsequently moved back to Germany as a contractor. Next move will be Canada in a few months with no work lined up.
I can't see myself living in the Uk long term but may buy a house there for the sake of having a place when I go and visit family and mates.
The difference in between them in terms of quality of life is enormous.
I can't see myself living in the Uk long term but may buy a house there for the sake of having a place when I go and visit family and mates.
The difference in between them in terms of quality of life is enormous.
Edited by digger_R on Tuesday 3rd February 11:07
I left about 3 years ago, travelled in Asia and Australia then worked for a while in New Zealand. I'm currently in France but looking to go away to Asia again soon. I wouldn't really count myself as an expat because I'm not permanently settled anywhere else, but no intention of going back to the UK.
I think the main reason is still that I feel I have a lot more world to see, so I'm drawn to that rather than repelled from the UK as such. But the direction the UK has taken in the last few years certainly makes that decision a lot easier. That direction as I see it very authoritarian and intolerant. Partly due to the Labour government but I really don't see much appetite to change that in most people who live in the UK anyway.
I think the main reason is still that I feel I have a lot more world to see, so I'm drawn to that rather than repelled from the UK as such. But the direction the UK has taken in the last few years certainly makes that decision a lot easier. That direction as I see it very authoritarian and intolerant. Partly due to the Labour government but I really don't see much appetite to change that in most people who live in the UK anyway.
AJS- said:
I really don't see much appetite to change that in most people who live in the UK anyway.
True, everyone says "I'll move if things don't change" but so far I've not seen any mass migrations and nothing has changed.Moved to New Zealand nearly 5 years ago, never looked back. Love the place
.Born in Edinburgh, brought up in Lyme Regis. I then moved to Bath and lived there for a few years and got the opportunity to move to Germany, that was 12 years ago and each time I go back to the UK I can't wait to head back to Germany again. I find that quite sad but that's just the way it is, I don't like the UK any more, sure there are still some beautiful areas and some nice friendly people, but I think they are in the minority these days 
I'm 31, around half of my mates have moved to Spain / U.S. / Austrailia / Thailand etc ...
The gang in the pub on a Friday night was getting smaller and smaller, there and at work all I used to do was complain about living in the U.K. I'm well travelled and was fully aware that the standard of living and quality of life wasn't as good as elsewhere. I lived in the North West and got fed up with the constant rain and damp. I always knew deep down, even as a boy, that I'd never end up living the rest of my life in England so when my Norwegian missus asked me to move to Oslo I didn't hesitate.
I'm from Liverpool, so maybe it's the whole 'We're not English, we're scouse' mentality, but living in Preston, Lancashire was too much so I had to go.
I miss going to the footy and seeing the folks as often, but that's it. I've quite happily turned my back on the U.K. and that's only taken 12 months.
Of course most folk love the place, but I always felt it just wasn't for me.
The gang in the pub on a Friday night was getting smaller and smaller, there and at work all I used to do was complain about living in the U.K. I'm well travelled and was fully aware that the standard of living and quality of life wasn't as good as elsewhere. I lived in the North West and got fed up with the constant rain and damp. I always knew deep down, even as a boy, that I'd never end up living the rest of my life in England so when my Norwegian missus asked me to move to Oslo I didn't hesitate.
I'm from Liverpool, so maybe it's the whole 'We're not English, we're scouse' mentality, but living in Preston, Lancashire was too much so I had to go.
I miss going to the footy and seeing the folks as often, but that's it. I've quite happily turned my back on the U.K. and that's only taken 12 months.
Of course most folk love the place, but I always felt it just wasn't for me.
Worked for 10 years for one of the "Big Four" in London. Came to Tokyo in 2002 for three years and am still here.
Due to come back to the UK in 2010, but a lot will depend on what the economy looks like by then. OH would like to go back home and settle down (she moved out to Tokyo to marry me in 2006 and hasn't managed to get paid work since), but will have to see.
Due to come back to the UK in 2010, but a lot will depend on what the economy looks like by then. OH would like to go back home and settle down (she moved out to Tokyo to marry me in 2006 and hasn't managed to get paid work since), but will have to see.
Why did you do it:- Better quality of life, better money, better experience and better opportunities to further my career faster than back home, sun, no tax...and some other stuff but I think you get the idea
Have you/would you go back:- At the moment I may not have a choice, seems everyone is facing redundancy out here although I remain optimistic. I plan on staying here for a few years then moving on elsewhere, Canada or maybe America seems like a go-er to me.
To where:- If I were made redundant I'd take the money, go travelling around the far east for a year then come back to the Middle East after things had settled down.
Have you/would you go back:- At the moment I may not have a choice, seems everyone is facing redundancy out here although I remain optimistic. I plan on staying here for a few years then moving on elsewhere, Canada or maybe America seems like a go-er to me.
To where:- If I were made redundant I'd take the money, go travelling around the far east for a year then come back to the Middle East after things had settled down.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff