… To be considering leaving the UK?

Well, I lived in 2 different states on opposite sides of the country and found similar issues in them. Racism is a huge issue, as is gun violence and violence in general. Also pretty ignorant and insular, in a way we're not in Europe. Education was shite in both states.

I had a green card but have let it expire. I have never had any desire to go back.

And the fact you actually have to be able to get a visa. The arrogance on these threads from people thinking the whole world will welcome them open arms. You will be immigrants, you know the same demographic so reviled over here and probably by the same posters. So much hypocrisy.

Where in Canada were they living? Canada is consistently highly ranked in global education surveys. It often outperforms the UK in reading, math, and science at the secondary level.
We’re in Montreal - DT’s have passed school age but the education system is excellent. It’s bilingual due to Quebec’s language laws.

May help.
https://iasservices.org.uk/move-from-uk-to-spain/

Yet a family I know are coming back from Canada after only a year as their children have been so miserable there and found the quality of education so poor compared to their standard local comp.

We are definitely going to go too, but it is mainly for the children and their futures. So we are most likely going to Switzerland now, followed by Ireland, Italy or Denmark. Can get jobs in all those countries. Uni in Switzerland is still free for the kids for the most part and will get them a job there later. There are a lot of Masters in English too now and same in Germany.

And long, cold, dark winters.

Agree ! We love canada , so much beautiful green outdoor space , outdoor pools in the summer , splash pads , patios with great views ! Festivals , outdoor music each each free , movies in the park - and we feel super safe here too

If I had small children and money for a good standard of living I’d definitely choose Portugal.

Small, child friendly, safe, always plenty to do no matter where in the country you decide to settle (a car is highly beneficial though if you’re rural).

Teens will still love it because of the long holidays and festivals back to back.

It depends what you’re looking for, nowheres perfect.

We emigrated almost two years ago, so it’s still early days, we’re all very settled and I do think we’ll stay here.

Positives, very good public services, good quality and incredibly cheap childcare, very good support for disabled workers, very clean, lots to do including lots to do outdoors, very safe so our children are able to be very free range. If our children decide to go to university they won’t pay tuition, so thats a huge financial pressure we won’t have. Education and child development is really valued, so education is good, chils focused, there are fewer parents who don’t value education so fewer sink schools.

Downsides, foreign cuisine isn’t as established as it is in the UK, so it’s harder to find a good Pakistani restaurant, for me personally thats my only negative.

America has a vast array of States/Towns/Cities. I can't imagine everything single inch of the US is worse than the UK.

I moved to Canada 17 years ago and do not regret leaving the UK, especially since having children.

One of the main factors is the weather and access to green space/outdoor activities that are free, all year round.

It's very child friendly with a focus on education which I don't really see in the UK.

To answer your post, OP.

I’ve always loved the idea of moving to NZ but I just don’t think I could manage the long flight, the thought terrifies me!

I have been wanting to move to one of the Nordic countries for a while though.
I have many reasons for wanting to leave the UK (Racism being one of them, though I am white British myself so haven’t experienced it on a personal level) but I have zero doubt if I were to list them all it would get people’s knickers in a twist as they would feel “attacked” and my post would get reported and deleted 👍🏻

I've lived in 4 countries, other than the UK. Only the US was worse than the UK. The other 3 beat GB hands down. Healthcare. Standard of living.

I'd be gone in a heartbeat if it wasn't for missing family.

True, but I'd be choosing my healthcare.

But yeah, I'd imagine Spain has many of the same structural problems the UK has, certainly wouldn't be on my list. ...and I'm not emigrating. I'm too entrenched in the UK.

Don't come to Jersey. It is HORRENDOSULY expensive compared to the UK. The housing prices both to buy and rent are ridiculous. Getting off the Island to travel anyway is a nightmare- very few direct flights anywhere so all holidays involve factoring in flights to London (and usually an overnight) to get connecting flights to wherever you are going. Hotels and accommodation very expensive during the spring/summer so hard for family to visit. New ferry provider to UK/France which more expensive than the last and the timings are worse. Vastly dwindling things to do for the kids as things close one by one. It's a tiny Island but commuting during school run/rush hour is terrible if you live in a rural area and have to get to town.

That said, the standard of education here is very good in all the schools, there is low crime and the Island is lovely (it's been particularly gorgeous with all the lovely weather lately).

Who shit in your cornflakes?
and what makes you think people care if you find their posts ‘wearisome’.

If it bores or annoys you, don’t read it?

I genuinely don’t understand people that go to the lengths to comment something snarky on a subject they’re clearly so triggered by.

You have to have an income of nearly 30 k and there is a set amount for children. It’s nothing like as easy as when we went to live there in 2001. You should research Inheritance and tax laws and how it will affect your finances generally.
it is true that the health care is good, but unless you have medical insurance, contribute by working there or are a state pensioner it will be costly, and health insurance may not cover some existing conditions.

It’s ok if people want that as everyone is different but no it feels too stifling to me.

Sadly the grass isn't always greener. I've family who emigrated to Aus/NZ. 25 years later they've come home! A quarter of a century there and said they always missed England! So they've returned home. Before I manged to visit them there too!

Interesting and thanks for sharing

Bit fed up of MN threads about how terrible UK is and how it's apparently so much better everywhere else

Possibly not, after a year and a half of being there we couldn’t get residency, it was all made so complicated despite our company intervening and spending lots of time at town hall.

But you also pay taxes there too. Dont imagine that you don’t pay! Tax rates are only slightly lower than ours - look them up. Then on top you pay for your healthcare and insurance. Not massive amounts, but not insignificant either.

This is why I’m telling people to do their research. I absolutely love Spain. But don’t assume moving there you will have lots more money and life will be one long holiday. There are upsides and downsides.

Yeah totally agree. I am often baffled by those who born in raised in a town haven't left, don’t want to leave and havent ever left. The world is so wonderful and big!