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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

… To be considering leaving the UK?

567 replies

globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 13:17

We have been considering leaving, even if only for a few years. Many of our clients have already gone or are planning it, and some of our friends too.

I’m not sure where we’d go: UAE, Portugal, Jersey, Ireland, Canada, Australia? We don’t currently want to move to the US, even though that would probably make the most sense from a business/client point of view.

For those out there who have already left, how has it gone? Was it a horrible mistake or are you glad you did it?

For those also thinking about it, where would you go?

Kids are school-aged and smart and used to international travel as our work already takes us all over, although they’d miss their friends (as would we). We aren’t English so our family is already based all over the place, although we visit them frequently.

OP posts:
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Eaglemom · 05/07/2025 17:04

No judging whatsoever but I truly can't abide faffers. You want to go, then go. Make a decision on the destination and have a nice life. Thats the end of it surely.

Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 17:02

potatotomata · 05/07/2025 16:56

We’re in Singapore - been great, planning to stay longer - kids doing well an enjoying it

We can travel back and forth at least 1-2x per year to UK so yes it’s far but not impossible

Accommodation is the biggest cost and you’ll both need EP - probably the trickiest unless one of you would qualify for Onepass

Thanks so much. I actually lived in Singapore for a couple of years - albeit about 20 years ago! - and loved it and we already know a few families who live there, so it’s high on the list!

School-wise, do you have any advice? I was thinking Dulwich College may be a good option if we want to keep a broadly British curriculum (at least initially).

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SerendipityJane · 05/07/2025 17:02

Genevieva · 05/07/2025 14:00

I think she’s British but not of British descent.

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We'll find out eventually.

BunnyLake · 05/07/2025 17:00

I’ve said it many times but if I were wealthy I would go back to Switzerland. Unfortunately I would need to win the lottery.

Kay286 · 05/07/2025 16:59

Also worth bearing in mind Canada has clamped down on immigration it’s actually pretty tough to get permanent residence right now - took us 4 years . Have friends that have been here and working 4 years and they are no where close …. As don’t have the required points to be called for a place .. so you may not even qualify

Natsku · 05/07/2025 16:59

Bluebellwood129 · 05/07/2025 16:46

What do you mean by 'standard of life'? I l know plenty of people living in the Nordics who have what I consider to be a very average quality of life .

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Depends on what you consider to improve your standard of living, doesn't it? For me it's decent schools, good working conditions and a decent safety net for if you need it, and never being far from nature even in cities. Finland has does for me, even if it has declined in many ways over the last decade.

Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:58

Crushed23 · 05/07/2025 16:40

I emigrated last year due to stagnant wages in the UK. I have to say that I absolutely loved living in the UK! So I can’t get my head around the daily “This country is awful, where should I move to?” threads. It can’t have changed that much in the year I’ve even gone?!

That being said, the quality of life here from earning literally double what I was earning in London (for the exact same role at the same company) vs a COL that’s only 30-50% higher, has been great. I’m able to live in a prime central neighbourhood (equivalent of Knightsbridge / Mayfair in London), travel more comfortably- business class for long haul, nicer hotels etc. and still have plenty left to save, overpay on my UK mortgage or throw into my pension.

So for me it has 100% been worth it.

Good luck & keep us posted!

Thank you so much! We still like the UK - we def don’t think life is ‘awful’ here - but just looking at other options too especially as we know others leaving. If we can have the same quality of life in another country and manage to save more £ for our kids’ uni fees at the same time, it could be attractive!

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Dufff23 · 05/07/2025 16:58

What are Italy’s new non dom rules?

Jc2001 · 05/07/2025 16:57

BMW6 · 05/07/2025 13:42

Aren't you rather assuming that these countries want you?

But really, you're not British to start with and have family all over (presumably globally) so I'm sure you have enough information from your global family to be able to make informed decisions without needing input from here! 🙄

These "we are leaving UK" threads get very wearisome. Honestly, no-one cares. Off you pop, have a nice life, byeeee

You clearly care enough to open a thread on the subject and post a long winded comment.

potatotomata · 05/07/2025 16:56

We’re in Singapore - been great, planning to stay longer - kids doing well an enjoying it

We can travel back and forth at least 1-2x per year to UK so yes it’s far but not impossible

Accommodation is the biggest cost and you’ll both need EP - probably the trickiest unless one of you would qualify for Onepass

Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:55

Meetmeundertheclock · 05/07/2025 16:54

@globalnomad25 , I do not live or work there but was offered a job with a London accountancy firm, years ago.

Thanks, I will do some Googling!

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Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:54

Poppins21 · 05/07/2025 16:18

People with high educational levels and assets are pretty much welcome anywhere. We no longer live in the UK and our standard of living is much better. To the OP if it makes sense for your life and business do it- depending on your assets and income maybe Greece or Italy with their new non dom rules as Portugal are phasing theirs out?

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Thank you!

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Meetmeundertheclock · 05/07/2025 16:54

@globalnomad25 , I do not live or work there but was offered a job with a London accountancy firm, years ago.

Wexone · 05/07/2025 16:52

Mrsbloggz · 05/07/2025 13:31

And very high taxes.

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it's because of their high taxes they have this quality of life. Public services are excellent

Dufff23 · 05/07/2025 16:51

@globalnomad25 if you’re outdoorsy, you may love Canada, my bf from school settled there and would never come back, I’m always seeing photos of her kids playing in the snow, cross country skiing, canoeing you name it.

I’ve been an ex pat and honestly, maintaining links with people you value is of prime importance - distance matters for that, particularly as everyone ages and people get sick.

even quite significant amounts of extra tax aren’t as important as having places you love, and people you love that are easy to get to.

TwigletsAndRadishes · 05/07/2025 16:51

MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 13:23

The Nordic countries have an excellent standard of life.

They used to. Very high taxes but a very good quality of life. Not so much these days, although they still have the very high taxes.

Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:50

heldinadream · 05/07/2025 14:10

I would not move anywhere currently without factoring in climate change.
I have a relative living in Portugal for about ten years now. They love it, BUT are considering coming back to the UK at least partly because the summer heat is becoming unbearable and ramping up year on year. Some places in the world will soon be almost uninhabitable. Don't ignore that fact.
The weekend we had about 30 degrees, they had over 40 in some places. It's only going to get worse.

I think that’s a good point. I do worry about that - things are only going to get hotter and more unpredictable weather-wise.

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Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:49

Meetmeundertheclock · 05/07/2025 14:09

Does your business benefit from UK standards like Accountancy or Law? Cyprus might work out.

Thanks for this. I’d not considered Cyprus yet - do you live there?

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Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:49

CeaselesslyIntoThePast · 05/07/2025 14:08

MN is full of posts declaring they want out of the UK usually following some sort of political decision they deem makes the UK the worse place in the world. I suspect most don’t go. It’s another form of flouncing.
You can’t realistically choose a country to move to like you are picking a holiday cottage.

I think that’d probably true for a lot of people but, for us, this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction. We’ve made a number of preparatory moves already. We still really like the UK and have enjoyed our time here and have made great friends, but otherwise don’t have any major ties to here other than our kids’ schooling so it makes sense to maximise our quality of life both in the short and longer term.

In other words, we still think the UK is a great place; it just may no longer be the best place for US.

But I’m very aware that there will be pros and cons to moving, just like there is to anything, so really keen to hear from people who’ve done it already.

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SerendipityJane · 05/07/2025 16:48

Radionowhere · 05/07/2025 13:19

What nationality are you OP?

These posts amuse me. Intricate details about reasons for leaving, but weirdly the one most important fact in providing advice is missing.

Bluebellwood129 · 05/07/2025 16:46

MiloMinderbinder925 · 05/07/2025 13:23

The Nordic countries have an excellent standard of life.

What do you mean by 'standard of life'? I l know plenty of people living in the Nordics who have what I consider to be a very average quality of life .

Savoury · 05/07/2025 16:43

Yes climate change factors into my reckoning @heldinadream
I’ve had the experience of having ash fall on me in a Portuguese restaurant one lunchtime. The staff told me it was happening lots now but they didn’t remember forest fires as children. It can only go one way. But if you’re mobile you can return if it gets worse.

Original poster
globalnomad25 · 05/07/2025 16:42

FunnysInLaJardin · 05/07/2025 13:59

we moved from the UK to Jersey 27 years ago and have never looked back. You will need a licensed job to be able to rent decent housing though.

What do you both do professionally?

Oh Jersey is definitely one of my current favourite options and I’d love to know more about your experience. I think we may need to start off as a ‘registered’ renter though. Am I right in thinking we need 5 years for full work rights and 10 years for qualified? I hear the schools in St Helier are good too; like JCG?

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Weekmindedfool · 05/07/2025 16:41

I would suggest you start with the practicalities of which countries you would actually be eligible for a visa for and what it takes to get one given your line of work and take it from there.