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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a teeny bit relieved that we left the UK!

98 replies

Cadpat · 20/10/2010 22:40

I have namechanged for this, as I know I am probably going to get flamed!

DH got a job in Canada and as a family we took a big income cut (from a dual income to single income) and moved over this year. Originally I didn't want to leave the UK, but I a beginning to feel really relieved that we left when we did, especially when I see and hear about the scale of the coalition cuts.

We have also managed to buy a really nice house which we would have never been able to afford where we lived in the UK, and even with the paycut life just feels a lot more stable here.

That said, I feel a bit like a rat leaving a ship though! AIBU?

OP posts:
Funnys5FootUnderThePatioGarden · 20/10/2010 22:42

YANBU, I am so glad that we don't live in the UK anymore and not just because of the cuts. We left 12 years ago and would never move back

larks35 · 20/10/2010 22:42

Yah boo sucks to you!!!

sprogger · 20/10/2010 22:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

virginbolleaux · 20/10/2010 22:44

No.. but I am so happy to be back despite everything. It's amazing in the UK. We are significant losers. But it's good to be back.

nigglewiggle · 20/10/2010 22:44

Good luck to you - you smug git [hwink].

Original poster
Cadpat · 20/10/2010 22:44

Funnys5, I spent the first few months here moaning about how much better the UK was... I am having to eat my words though. I just feel happier here now, and even the customer service is so much better!!

OP posts:
larks35 · 20/10/2010 22:44

Grin was joking.

However as an expat please don't take too much interest in how GB is run without you. Ain't nothing worse than an expat trying to run the country!

Original poster
Cadpat · 20/10/2010 22:45

Larks, no I am not trying to run the UK, I promise (I sent in my vote though, does that count?) Grin

OP posts:
ForMashGetSmash · 20/10/2010 22:48

YABU...but not really because it's personal...I have the chance to move abroad and I can't bring myself to take it. Even though it would mean more money, bigger house etc. I feel my extended family and roots are worth too much to dump in favour of a house with a pool.

If I had not the massive family and deep connection to my village then I would go...

Funnys5FootUnderThePatioGarden · 20/10/2010 22:49

Cadpat talk to me about customer service.....in the UK it was/is shocking. We are in the Channel Islands and life here is just so much easier

Original poster
Cadpat · 20/10/2010 22:52

Funnys5, I hadn't realised how much I was used to the awful customer service in the UK, until I tried to return something here. I was all primed and defensive with my reasons for the return, and all they said was, well, when is it convenient for us to come and collect it?

I was flabbergasted!!! Also, people actually seriously smile and talk to you on the buses!

OP posts:
Funnys5FootUnderThePatioGarden · 20/10/2010 22:54

yes Cadpat I know just what you mean, just a general lack of agro. It's great [hsmile]

virginbolleaux · 20/10/2010 23:04

Formash, you should think about it more, if it's a wonderful opportunity

You have describing it as "dumping.. for a house with a pool" as if you are trying to convince yourself that's what it would be.

It's not like that. If it's a move forward I'm sure your family would be pleased for you. And if your roots are so deep they won't die. Are you sure you're not.. just a little afraid?

I honestly do think that people who say "it would be great to work abroad but there are x y z reasons why we can't" -- basically they don't want to, or are nervous of the leap.

I am glad to be back but by gosh I am happy we had that experience.

Chynah · 20/10/2010 23:14

I am just very jealous! thats all :)

ForMashGetSmash · 20/10/2010 23:36

Not afraid at all...I'm just a home lover...I love the culture here...the fashion, the entertainment, the architecture...in the area of the oountry where I would have to live, it all looks the same...very modern and shiny...HOT and no real hEART to it somehow... Im not saying "It would be great to work abroad" We have the chance...not taking it.

Original poster
Cadpat · 21/10/2010 00:56

ForMash, I see where you're coming from. But tbh, that is exactly how I felt when DH told me about the job he got. We lived in the prettiest seaside village and it was a huge wrench to leave village life for a city.

However, just thinking about how we would have had to struggle back in the UK, even with two decent incomes, and comparing it to what we have here, there's just no comparison.

FWIW, we don't have a pool :) We do have a beautiful garden though. And I feel safe even in the city. Where we lived in the UK, I would never have felt safe enough to have no locks on the gates. Here, no locks. I thought it was a myth that Canadians left their houses unlocked, but its actually true.

That said, it a very personal choice, and you are best placed to know what's best for you.

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 21/10/2010 00:59

YANBU- I considered it a couple of years ago, and my dad (pretty much only family) was reasonably keen to come too, but DH didn't want to know- no real reason, just didn't! So I guess we are staying here, in gloom and doom land. Sigh.

BlueGreen · 21/10/2010 01:29

OP, It is nice to read that you are happy with the chooice you made. I have the option to move to Canada(Alberta, Calgary). As fiance is Canadian and he says it would be perfect if I could move there with him as life over there is a lot better. You get decent salary, decent house and people are all considered, nice and smiley. Now, people will say " well of course he will say this as he is Canadian". He lived in few countries(England, Saudia, Qataar, Cyprus and list goes on) due to his work but prefers to settle in either Canada or USA(Santa Barbara). I'm now actually thinking of moving there :)

NickOfTime · 21/10/2010 02:39

anyways, i'm in alberta, canada

Original poster
Cadpat · 21/10/2010 04:05

BG, I very much recommend Calgary, the zoo is excellent :)

NoT, where in AB? I live in Edmonton! Looks like Alberta's the popular destination around here...!! And I totally get what you mean, we've been camping to Jasper already a few times this summer, planning to head to Banff for skiing soon too.

I like Edmonton because it feeds my shopping habit, and its only 5% tax Grin

OP posts:
thelittlestkiwi · 21/10/2010 04:32

I feel the same- although I'm not in Canada. Not saying we won't ever go back but the cuts and job redundancies seem like an anti stimulus to me. So we'll stay here for the next few years and enjoy living near the beach (if we ever manage to buy a house which is hard here)

mathanxiety · 21/10/2010 05:40

Cadpat, have you heard of Winter? [hwink] Buy your snow shovels as soon as they arrive in the shops.

ForMash stay where you are. Those soulless places suck the life out of you. Not worth it at all. Although I'd definitely say go for it if you were heading for Canada I've never heard anyone say a bad word about the place.

BaggedandTagged · 21/10/2010 06:06

I'm glad I dont live in the UK at the moment, but mainly because everyone is so depressed about everything. That said, I always think I'm going to return one day because my soul belongs in London.

Being an expat is a good life, but I sometimes wish we had a bit more idea of how long we'll be here and where we're going next. It does make you "live for now" though. I also wish there was a theatre Grin

re expats trying to run the country from afar, I dont vote in Uk elections because I think it's a bit unfair to vote when I dont have to live with the consequences of that vote IYSWIM.

frakkinstein · 21/10/2010 06:53

I'm trying to decide which is worse atm. The crap in the UK or the strikes here with stealth cuts...

Merlion · 21/10/2010 07:10

I'm also glad we're not in the UK at the moment and whenever I speak to anyone back home they always say don't come back. That said we will go back at some point because it is still home and there are many things that I love about it just that at present we may as well make the best of our experience here for however long it may last.

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