Page 29 | Dh says the U.K is f***** and he never wants to go back

Chippednailtoepolish · 2026-08-26T13:55:07+00:00

These were his words this morning. We live abroad in a place where a lot of people are coming to live, escaping the uk and America. He says with everything on the news, the way it's going and what the people coming to where we are tell him, that we'd be mad to return. Is he being realistic? I want to return to be with family desperately and have a strange feeling that I need to do it soon Would we be mad to return at this time? If yes, then when!

ToddlerTime45532 · 27/08/2026 14:05

Hermione101 · 26/08/2026 19:47

I’m an expat and wish I never moved to the UK. I have children here, when they are finished school will take their 3 passports and leave. Then I will leave too.

It is managed decline and shambolic. I am embarrassed when my family comes to visit because everything is so shabby and the quality of life is so much lower than back home.

We’re high earners, zone 2 London, kids in private school etc…doesn’t make a difference. Your husband is right.

Well, you need to move house then. We're in zone 3 in London and it's absolutely gorgeous and not shabby.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2026 14:05

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:01

I don’t think sad
I don’t think happy

I think… disbelieving and / or… well calling people “insufferably smug” does indicate at least low level negativity towards us!

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I appreciate your feedback 👍

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:06

As I say… good luck with the job hunting @EvangelicalAboutButteredToast .

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2026 14:07

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:06

As I say… good luck with the job hunting @EvangelicalAboutButteredToast .

👍

Ilikesundays · 27/08/2026 14:12

On the plus side: crime is low and gun crime practically non-existent. The NHS is still working (though there are regional variations). Culture is second to none in the world. Free education at a good standard (again, regional variations) up to University. Lowish unemployment rates.
on the minus side: a very divided nation in political terms with prominent extremist views both left and right openly expressed. Cost of living is high. Student debt is very high. Taxes forecast to rise.
Up to you!

EnglishRose26 · 27/08/2026 14:30

Ilikesundays · 27/08/2026 14:12

On the plus side: crime is low and gun crime practically non-existent. The NHS is still working (though there are regional variations). Culture is second to none in the world. Free education at a good standard (again, regional variations) up to University. Lowish unemployment rates.
on the minus side: a very divided nation in political terms with prominent extremist views both left and right openly expressed. Cost of living is high. Student debt is very high. Taxes forecast to rise.
Up to you!

This is a very fair and balanced summary.

I would add it has the most beautiful countryside, and temperate climate which is going to become more essential as the climate heats up. There is safety here and the justice system is the best in the world. Free healthcare is free and accessible to everyone, which has become incredibly rare even in very rich nations, and the history of course.

Our infrastructure is holding out relatively well when you compare to Italy, some part of France, Greece and other western countries. I could not believe the state of some of the areas struggling there.

Downsides to all of this, and of course you pay through the nose for all of this, but then so do the Swiss, Danish etc. We are not alone in high taxes!

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:31

Ilikesundays · 27/08/2026 14:12

On the plus side: crime is low and gun crime practically non-existent. The NHS is still working (though there are regional variations). Culture is second to none in the world. Free education at a good standard (again, regional variations) up to University. Lowish unemployment rates.
on the minus side: a very divided nation in political terms with prominent extremist views both left and right openly expressed. Cost of living is high. Student debt is very high. Taxes forecast to rise.
Up to you!

I love this thread and agree wholeheartedly and also, like the other poster, love the climate (admittedly I’m in the SE) and all the beautiful green space.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2026 14:39

This has just been mentioned on the podcast I was listening to OP.

https://www.gallup.com/file/analytics/703244/WHR2026Report.pdf

Its the World Happiness report and ranks the UK at 29 and Spain is 41 I think.

Sartre · 27/08/2026 14:41

I honestly think anyone saying this is a right wing nut spending too much time on Rupert Lowe’s YouTube channel.

The UK is one of the safest countries in the world and anyone living here should feel incredibly lucky.

strugglingwithlife · 27/08/2026 14:45

Sartre · 27/08/2026 14:41

I honestly think anyone saying this is a right wing nut spending too much time on Rupert Lowe’s YouTube channel.

The UK is one of the safest countries in the world and anyone living here should feel incredibly lucky.

Omg 🤦‍♀️

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:48

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2026 14:39

This has just been mentioned on the podcast I was listening to OP.

https://www.gallup.com/file/analytics/703244/WHR2026Report.pdf

Its the World Happiness report and ranks the UK at 29 and Spain is 41 I think.

Edited

Out of 147…. Pretty good!

Whatafustercluck · 27/08/2026 14:53

FlyingCatGirl · 27/08/2026 10:48

We get frequent news stories about disability benefit fraud! It's like anxiety and depression, it's one of those that doctors and assessors can't disprove because there's no test for it.
Many of these kids with ADHD are fit and healthy but they they are being conditioned to think otherwise and work like all the adults that currently work and live normal lives with ND.
People are using lanyards for queue jumping, that's why the theme parks are stopping acknowledging them because the disability lines for rides etc wete getting massive due to tons of families with fit healthy kids joining the queues.

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They're not using sunflower lanyards for queue jumping. I suspect you mean Ride Access Passes. But neither are they using those for queue jumping - that's not how it works. When are you going to admit that you're actually completely ignorant and ill informed?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 27/08/2026 14:58

Lol at the OP's DH moaning about immigration to the UK when he himself is an immigrant elsewhere. He probably doesn't see the irony.

The UK has its problems, undoubtedly, and we will probably leave if a far right government comes in. But DH and I have lived abroad in various countries and there are pros and cons everywhere.

Overall, I don't find the UK to be a bad place to be. But if you don't want to come back, then stay where you are - nobody else really cares.

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:58

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 27/08/2026 14:58

Lol at the OP's DH moaning about immigration to the UK when he himself is an immigrant elsewhere. He probably doesn't see the irony.

The UK has its problems, undoubtedly, and we will probably leave if a far right government comes in. But DH and I have lived abroad in various countries and there are pros and cons everywhere.

Overall, I don't find the UK to be a bad place to be. But if you don't want to come back, then stay where you are - nobody else really cares.

not the sharpest tool is he

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 27/08/2026 14:59

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 14:58

not the sharpest tool is he

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It would seem not!

Missohnoyoubetterdont · 27/08/2026 15:04

Chippednailtoepolish · 26/08/2026 15:46

So it is true? I don't understand how people's opinions can be so vastly different about the same country. This is the confusing part

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Because people’s experiences and expectations are vastly different? I live in the Lakes. It’s beautiful, pretty much crime free, really outdoorsy lifestyle, great small schools. I love it but I wouldn’t like in parts of Birmingham for example because it would be very different to what I want in a home/area. You can’t possibly believe all of Spain/Portugal/dubai is the same. There’s crime and problems everywhere.

thatsgotit · 27/08/2026 15:07

Theendoftheroll · 26/08/2026 15:36

I am on the SE. Good job, both children thriving and happy at fab schools, love in a beautiful market town but within 40 mins of London. Sunbathing in my lovely garden as I write this .

i absolutely do NOT think England is “fucked”

Good for you, but I suggest you check your privilege. Presumably you realise this isn't how everyone lives?

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 15:07

thatsgotit · 27/08/2026 15:07

Good for you, but I suggest you check your privilege. Presumably you realise this isn't how everyone lives?

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🙄

Missohnoyoubetterdont · 27/08/2026 15:10

thatsgotit · 27/08/2026 15:07

Good for you, but I suggest you check your privilege. Presumably you realise this isn't how everyone lives?

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🙄😂

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 15:11

Missohnoyoubetterdont · 27/08/2026 15:10

🙄😂

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Ridiculous isn’t it!

TourDeChance · 27/08/2026 15:14

I would avoid the News for a start. Then come back. The UK is great in many regards.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2026 15:15

Im not sure why the people who have the finances to live in the places with lots of amenities, beautiful surroundings and zero crime and so irritated by the people who can’t afford to live there too. It does smell a little bit like a bubble.

tartyflette · 27/08/2026 15:16

Theworldsgonemadagain · 26/08/2026 16:18

What about everyday crimes, burglary, assaults, car theft, vandalism. Most people don't bother reporting lower level crimes now like criminal damage as they know nothing will be done about it. Shoplifting offences are up 5% sexual offences are up 8%. Most people don't get murdered, luckily. Most people are concerned by crimes that affect them day to day and these are increasing. Antisocial behaviour being one of the main ones.

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If your car or house is damaged by criminal behaviour you must report it if you want to claim for the damage on your insurance.
If you don’t report it (more fool you) you will not be able to claim recompense.

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 15:17

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 27/08/2026 15:15

Im not sure why the people who have the finances to live in the places with lots of amenities, beautiful surroundings and zero crime and so irritated by the people who can’t afford to live there too. It does smell a little bit like a bubble.

No one is irritated by those living in shit holes as your describe where you live @EvangelicalAboutButteredToast !!

We have put down our experience. And that’s it.

Theendoftheroll · 27/08/2026 15:18

Some balance from @Theworldsgonemadagain Most people don't get murdered, luckily. 😆