to leave the UK to give my kids a better chance in life

[anychocswilldo]

I have 2 little dc and my dh and I are seriously talking about emigrating. This country is on its knees and this is surely only going to get worse. I'm just interested in your opinions, or if anyone has left UK, any advice. Would my kids and my dh and I have a better quality of life in a country like Canada, Australia or New Zealand or is it a grass is always greener myth that other countries offer more. Leaving my mum and other family behind would b very difficult for me, would the sacrifice be worth it?

Well there is no NHS or benefits system to fall back on....

The country is not on its knees!

What makes you think it's better anywhere else? Do your research very very thoroughly before you make a decision like that.

Well if you want to go, go. But go for legitimate reasons, not silly things like 'the country is on it's knees'.

Just FYI though, I have a friend who emigrated to Aus and regretted it since she got there.

As bad as things are here it's still better for most people that commonwealth countries.

Only you know the answer. YANBU to consider it, but there are a lot of miserable expats out there who realise that the reality doesn't match up to the dream. Once you take the weather/geography out of it life won't actually be that much different. You'll still have to work, pay a mortgage/rent and other bills, juggle work with childcare (but with no family to help). As with all countries, there is no such thing as a national 'culture'. What you see on TV only represents a small part of it. The lifestyle you live will depend on where you end up, what job you/your DH end up doing and the people you mix with, just as it does here in the UK. Also, while the cost of things in say Australia may be cheaper (e.g. house prices, etc) there's a lot you have to pay for over there that you get for free in the UK. You really, really need to find out a lot more about all these countries and what living there involves. Also bear in mind that you may find it harder to emigrate than you think, as there are quite strict requirements.

My DSis emigrated with her DH. He loves it, she hates it. They're both right. Only you can make that call.

It depends what quality of life is for you.

All three of those countries have tightened up on entry requirements quite tightly in recent years. Either you or your DH would have to have the correct qualifications and a career (with experience) in a particular field which is in short supply or be sponsored by an employer or relative.

I'd suggest looking at whether you'd qualify to emigrate first before deciding on whether the quality of life is any better.

I posted something very similar a month or so ago, was thoroughly fed up of DH not being able to find a better job, economic doom and gloom etc and wanted to go to NZ/Canada/Oz.

Someone said "same shit, different bucket" and that has really stuck with me. And actually there's a lot about the UK that I really like that you don't get elsewhere. But then I'm not really fussed about the weather, I like seasons and not a fan of being fried alive 365 days a year.

On it's knees?! This is a global problem you know. Why don't you try Greece? It's lovely and hot there.

Weel - judging by those daytime "Move to the Sun" progs with whatserface, the cost of living in Australia isn't much less.

I like seasons, too

I'd try and analyse what you don't like about it more specifically (e.g. weather? difficulty making ends meet? attitudes?) before wondering whether somewhere else might fit the bill.

There seem to be a rash of these posts lately, but what they often seem to have in common is the desire to get away from it all, but it's not clear what they are getting away from.

Plenty of people have a great life in other countries, if they have the money, the career and so on right. Others hate it and miss their family. I don't think there's a right answer unless you are a bit more specific.

And yes, the country in not on its knees

I wouldn't want DCs who don't understand what football is.

Why does everything need to revolve around your DC anyway? They could 'make do' here same as other kids!

FGS visit the country you are thinking of emigrating to first, several times if possible. And join the British Expats forum for some 'been there done that' opinions. And be aware that most of the western world is experiencing the same economic problems as UK and actually, the UK is weathering the storm relatively well. If you want economic stability I recommend moving to China, but you might not like the labour laws out there.

If this country is "on its knees", I can't help but feel that it's not helped by the mentality of certain people that think "I know, I'm not happy with what I've got here, I'll go elsewhere!"

Cost of housing in Sydney = one of the highest in the world. It comes more expensive for an average house than London and New York. And the surburbs are at risk of bush fire.

Canada. Depends on where you live. Again Vancouver has one of the highest house prices in the world. I'd say how you cope with very low temperatures would be a big factor if you live elsewhere in Canada (including Toronto/Montreal).

New Zealand and Australia. I'm assuming you are going to want to see family at some point. Think about how cost of visiting back to the UK (especially with young children) or not seeing your family would effect you.

Depends on where you live in Australia, but can you cope with hot Aussie summers? They sound nice in principle but regular 40C heat (and having to cover up) gets tiresome very quickly.

Can you cope with Aussie tv. Especially on a Saturday when its wall to wall sport ALL DAY ON EVERY CHANNEL.

New Zealand is beautiful, but you can easily feel like the middle of nowhere too, especially on the south island. Oh and don't forget earthquakes and volcanoes.

Having spent time in all three (lived in Oz for 6 months, have relatives in Canada, good friends who have emigrated to NZ), I can honestly say "same shit, different bucket" applies. And spend a long period of time in any before committing. A holiday is VERY different from moving.

I have lived in several countries, and while I loved living overseas, the one thing I learnt is that there are pros and cons to living anywhere. There is no such thing as the "perfect" society.

You sound a bit naive tbh OP - need to do a lot more research and really think things through.

Oh, and I have been to countries that are "on their knees". The uk does not fall within this category.

I think my main reason for considering it is because I worry about the kids future ie jobs, buying houses etc. Dh and I are both qualified in areas that should enable us to get visas. I agree there is a lot to think about and we r only at the talking stage. Btw I'm not trying to bash the UK, I'm very proud to be British, just exploring options. I'm also aware this is a global problem, thats why I'm wondering if it would be different anywhere else.

I posted a similar question a couple of months ago. DH's contract will be up at the end of May and if there's no prospect of it continuing then we may consider 2/3 years abroad.
However, we'd see it as a short term 'adventure'. We'd rent out our house and would keep a fall back pot of money. The difference is that the country we would escape to is one we know well, we would certainly get jobs and we know lots of people there already.
I think without certain things in place it would be a case of same shit but with a better view. And I'd still do loads of research before uprooting.

I wish my mum had fled this hole when I was a kid. Now I can't escape it as she needs me..
What about Singapore/SE Asia? :D

Depending where you live in Uk is it worth considering moving to another area?

We lived in London up until last summer and moved to Norfolk. DS is just coming up to 5, he is in a lovely little primary school and hopefully there will be none of the angst of secondary school heartache.

Ever the drama queen I just had visions of the met banging on my door saying your son has been stabbed etc etc and although aware there will be different problems / issues in our new area, they don't seem as frightening.

The day time progs about moving to Aus are interesting to watch and give a good idea what To expect.

Seriously anychocwilldo look at what they are actually recruiting in, as its surprisely limited. I was shocked last time I looked. Even for things like teachers and health professional they have cut down A LOT.

www.cic.gc.ca/english/
www.immi.gov.au/
www.immigration.govt.nz/

I moved to Australia in 1999 and came back in 2003, biggest mistake/regret of my life if you and your children can get out there I would strongly recommend it.
There are no benefits however, there is living away from home allowance you can offset your rent against, there is very reasonable private health care, not like USA at all and there are jobs for young people without the need for university.
All my friends who still live out there and have had children feel it is worth giving up child benefit, tax credits etc because you are encouraged to keep what you earn and the standard of living is good for families, even min wage families.
As for seeing your family it depends how close you are, ask yourself honestly how often do you see your extended family ? We see my parents 4 times a year and his maybe once. My cousin just deleted me off facebook because her father died (my uncle) and basically she didn't feel we made enough effort to grieve with her - she is a 7 hour drive away and hadn't contacted me in 7 years prior to my uncles illness, so my attitude is bugger them, yours I appreciate might be closer and that will be the crux of the matter I guess.