Dh says the U.K is f***** and he never wants to go back

Easy to get cheap tickets and cars aint free

I think the world seems af different place not just Britain. There is plenty of places I wouldn’t want to live. Yes there are many people accessing the country but a bigger issue may be the reform voters/protesters on some areas the flags flying are shouting racism to me.
schools yes the education system needs an overhaul due to its one size fits all mentality but I feel my children are safe compared to other countries.
Housing is expensive. Land is being built on but if you choose your area wisely it is doable.
it may help if a prime minister actually stays instead of being bullied out.
it may help if you tell us the positives of where you live in comparison.
What is important to some is different to others. My dh is not English and wouldn’t return home due to it not being as safe as here.

Things are not great here at the moment the biggest concern for me is our healthcare system which is dire for a country with so much money around

I think we have a few more difficult years ahead but it’s not as though there isn’t money here it’s just how it’s spent and managed

things will improve here we are not at war, we have good infrastructure just so much needs investment and work done rather than plans being made but right now it’s not great

London is not clean and has not been well run for ages. The centre is now becoming inner city proper, homeless people are everywhere.

This. People living in 'naice' areas are completely unaware of what is actually happening. Also add in lack of free speech (over 12,000 people arrested in 2023 alone) and the attempts of the government to reintroduce blasphemy laws by the back door (even if they know they won't get a successful prosecution and will drop case shortly before hearing). I've joined the FSU and the cases on their weekly newsletter are eye opening. I agree with your husband- if I could find a viable way out whilst keeping kids happy I would!

I think most countrys are having the same trouble as we are especially in Europe and America. Its not just the UK.
Comeback and leave him as he will never be happy here.

Rtft and get off your high horse. She said Spain/portugal

Bit like the sourceless GDP graph.

https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/5843/economics/economic-growth-stats-2/

We left the UK last year and now live in a wonderful part of the world. I didn’t realise what I was missing until we moved here. I was in the UK for a visit this month and it seemed so run down, public services a mess. I’m interested to hear from people who moved back after living abroad for a bit , if anyone joins the thread who had that experience.

I moved abroad 8 1/2 years ago. I miss my sister and father, niece and nephew I am conscious that my son and my UK family are missing out on really knowing each other and bonding.
But I believe that the opportunities we have where we are are not available in the UK. I have thought about 'what's next' after I get bored of my current role or they get bored of me and honestly it does not involve going back to UK or even anywhere in the Anglosphere or EU. The whole lot seem to be in decline and the citizenry are enduring lower living standards. I don't see any politicians with the ideas or weight to turn it around, so IMO things will continue to decline.

I moved back after many years overseas. I felt relieved to be honest, as eventually the homesickness became so intense it was unbearable the last few years. I felt I was missing so much with my family at home. The biggest adjustment was getting used to the high cost of everything, and the stunning array of choice in the supermarkets in the UK! I would spend hours wondering the aisles in awe :)

I never really felt like I belonged in the country I moved to even after many years, I had so many friends and knew the place inside out, but there was always something missing. A rootless feeling. I missed the rain, the humour and the lovely homely scenes of winter from the UK. Everywhere has its upsides and downsides, and nowhere is perfect. I guess it depends how close you are to your family, how many friends you have that you miss, and if you have a lovely life in the UK or not, and what there is to come back for.

We have recently relocated from a Caribbean island to London with our DD. We had similar worries, as where we lived was so safe etc etc.

Honestly, no regrets. London is excellent, so many jobs, so much stuff for our DD to do, the schools are fantastic and being in Europe is amazing.

The news is negative and there is poverty in the UK but not where we are.

We do have less disposable income, a much smaller place to live (3 bed house --> a 2 bed flat in London), no domestic help. But I wouldn't go back.

I'm curious where is that wonderful part of the world.

The uk is a much nicer place to live if you both have a job that pays well. Otherwise hell no.

How much is "paid well"?

We hold both EU and British passports, so we have plenty of valid options when it comes to where to live, we have considered and even trialed some alternatives, but essentially I've concluded we are best staying put.

I've had very hit and miss experiences with the NHS lately, but it does feel like efforts are being made to correct the issues (got a quick diagnostic scan on a Saturday with little fuss). Our high street has declined, but this is largely due to COVID/the rise in online shopping and WFH, my local council does have grants and schemes to encourage businesses to open up in the town, though, so they're trying. There are definitely things the government could be doing better, but I also see them trying and hope this continues. It won't be an overnight fix.

The things that I find problematic about this country are largely fixable or at least able to improve to a degree with the right will and government.

The big thing that cannot be easily changed is the climate. I would not be choosing to move to a hotter or drier country right now.

I know the UK has had its fair share of drought and wildfires lately, but we have adequate rain and ultimately our climate in temperate. We do need to improve our infrastructure, but we have the bare bones of what's needed to be resilient and safe as the globe warms.

if someone is thinking about GDP or economic robustness, doesn't aging population come into that outcome strongly?

Which country with population aging as fast as UK has grown in gdp/capita or gdp rank/capita?

The main reason UK population is growing is because people don't die as young as they used to.

Really depends on where you live in the UK. It’s not one homogeneous place.

I live in a decent area of London which suits my needs well, it’s pretty safe albeit there’s the usual
phine thefts but you keep your wits about you.

I’d say politics is very divisive though - there’s not a valid middle ground anymore.

Economically it’s not great, job market is shit and taxes will def rise in the next budget.

However, daily life continues, if you live in a pleasant area and can afford a nice house, there are good schools and services around then it’s fine.

Really depends on where you live in the UK. It’s not one homogeneous place.

I live in a decent area of London which suits my needs well, it’s pretty safe albeit there’s the usual
phine thefts but you keep your wits about you.

I’d say politics is very divisive though - there’s not a valid middle ground anymore.

Economically it’s not great, job market is shit and taxes will def rise in the next budget.

However, daily life continues, if you live in a pleasant area and can afford a nice house, there are good schools and services around then it’s fine.

Deaths are outnumbering births now.

The FSU, Free Speech Union, are not transparent about how they are funded. They're essentially a mouthpiece for right wing agitators. And of the funders we do know about, one of them is a charity run by an anti-abortion lawyer.

Don't trust a word that they say, they have an agenda, and it's not about free speech

Out of curiosity are you American? Just genuinely curious who the UK has fallen so far behind!

Could you move to a nicer part of london?

are largely fixable or at least able to improve to a degree with the right will and government.

Our government has been mucking about with a revolving door for the past ten years.

Yes this. There are an ever increasing numbers of areas that were lovely 15+ years ago but are now really deteriorating.

I would also place a bet that those saying they disagree with the OPs husband, live in places that have so far not been affected. Lucky you. It won't last forever though.

Where I live in the suburbs, in middle England and it's fine. Buses running every 10 minutes going both directions between two big cities. Big hospital a tram ride away. A&E can be a nightmare, but once past it, the care has been brilliant.

DIL has first pregnancy and the NHS have been excellent, arranging an emergency scan on a Sunday and keeping an eye on her. Cannot knock them.

Potholes - what can I say! They've filled them in around here, but now it's raining they will be back again in winter after the first frosts. Never ending issue. Plus I've navigated tons of potholes in Europe. In Rome, walking down the street, they had the biggest pavement hole which in this country would've been a criminal offence!

Dentist - I go private and pay for a monthly plan, most people who work will do the same. NHS dentistry will be gone soon anyway, but I think it should be available for kids, pensioners, out of work.

I've travelled all over Europe in my motorhome and had a wonderful time, but England is my home. It is definitely not f*ed.