Is anyone else planning to leave the UK?

Or another way of looking at it, as tax is a smaller percentage than you take home, you've done really well out of the UK and now you want to leave to dodge tax on a fortune you've earned or acquired.

Yes, I've noted a shift towards the right, and there have been attacks on migrants and ethnic minorites. There is also a housing problem. All these issues are increasingly common throughout Europe.

No, it's mostly nice here. It has its problems but so does every where. Please let me know what country in the world is immune from inflation, war, rising cost of living, racism, decline in public services, climate change and poverty?

The very few affluent egalitatarian countries with very high standards of living versus the UK have their own challenges. Do you want to pay the tax rates in Norway? Live next door to Russia in Finland? Find out exactly how multicultural and inclusive Denmark is? If you already have the wealth and qualifications required by Switzerland then your life is pretty good now.

I'd rather stay and spend my energy solving problems than flounce. Also the key to a happy life is having a close community around you. It's very hard to build one from scratch in a foreign country even if you do have a job on the ground there. Many immigrants I know - even the ones who are happy with their choice - experience loneliness and miss their circle, their family their language and not having to constantly culturally adapt to the new country.

Yes, @teacupzs. I’d love to live in that country too, if someone can tell me where it is?!

All countries in Europe are having significant problems.

Ageing populations are a big issue everywhere in Europe that means higher taxes for the foreseeable

I'm not planning as such, but have started to look at properties in a few European countries just to get an idea of what's available.

I may one day & my dc might. We have other citizenship.

I understand leaving for better salaries or because housing is too expensive but where is this utopia with low taxes & excellent public services?

My dh has to give the government £1m next week in tax. We’re waiting for the budget in a few weeks and if inheritance is up we’re off. After working his arse off he wants his kids to benefit. He’s done his bit. Enough’s enough.

Also think Ireland or Scotland would be good. At least then DS and DD would be in the same country.

I think you need to better understand UK and European geography before you make too many plans...

I'm curious about that too (Irish, long resident in the UK). I actually think Ireland has very similar underlying issues to the UK, in terms of an ageing population, housing, health care, immigration and the resulting tensions etc. Irish politics is I think also beginning to shift rightwards (we tend to be a decade behind Europe in those kinds of shifts). Though we obviously had the sense not to leave the EU I guess!

My daughter is currently living, studying and working in Japan, and while she's loving it, nationalist feeling is pretty strong there at the moment.

No. We are higher rate tax payers and the tax isn't what's killing us, it's just the general cost of living. Happy to pay higher tax. I'd rather pay more and see better services to be honest. But groceries/eating out/holidays/luxuries are SO expensive compared to a decade ago and that is what's making life seem so difficult and unreasonable, and that won't be fixed by moving to a different country!

I’d wait a few years until both your children are in their 20’s, working, etc. Tbh, I wouldn’t base your plans entirely around them as it sounds as if your DS is also interested in living abroad -he may end up moving around a lot for a few years.

Work out where you want to be and then see when it’s feasible to move. Personally, I’d like to be on the same continent as my children but they may not settle anywhere for a while. Take your time and see where they end up.

You sound confused and flighty OP. You say the grass isn't greener and yet you think there's a better life to be had elsewhere. That's the same thing as 'grass is greener'.

You say you're speeding up plans to leave but your kids don't want to go and you don't want to leave them. You also don't know where you're going and throwing around lots of random ideas. Have you looked into the practicalities of any of it or is this a giant daydream?

You're planning to leave the UK but talking about living in Scotland. Then say that you might have to only spend part of the time abroad.

Maybe you just need a holiday ??

Not sure I'd risk that as a foreigner, however good the cheese.

😂 Can I have some Bleu d'Auvergne with my deportation notice please?

Its hard to get visas for over 18s, as they are adults. Student visa or a standalone earning one is probably all they can get.
Think hard on where you can actually go.

So you’re not leaving now then?

France is in a right mess. Their goverment is on the brink of collapsing again, which could easily force early elections and a far-right majority, as they are way ahead in the polls.
Not sure I'd risk that as a foreigner, however good the cheese.

Yes, I think you're right. Much like the rest of the UK, there are regional variations.

Voting intention for reform in Scotland is at 18%. That is less than 30% in national polls but it's not miles apart.

Sadly, think Reform are just as likely to do well here in Scotland as they are in the rest of the UK.

Quite a few seem to think it's a different land......

Out of interest, why do you think Ireland would be good? What in particular?

Errrrr you know Scotland is in the UK right??