AIBU to have concerns about returning to UK

[madchocolatemum48]

We are in the process of moving back to the Uk. Dh's job mainly, but I would like the kids to 'know their roots' too.
The more I read about the UK at the moment I am beginning to wonder if it is really such a good idea after all.
We have a nice house in a quiet village. Kids are at a good school. Life is a little hum-drum but nothing major to complain about.
I'm concerned about schools, areas to move too, crime, politics. Practically everything really.
Is it as bad as the newspapers make out????

We made the decision to move back to UK. It wasn't a clear cut thing, just pros slightly outweighing cons.
I do miss things about living overseas and there are lots of things that irritate me about the UK but it is home.
It was the right thing to do. We live in the South West and its lovely. The South East feels like a foreign country to me now!
Step away from the Daily Mail and look at local news online instead.
PS fancy house swap?!?!

Just moved to Norway from London, and it's fine :) It was a huge culture shock coming back after 5 years in cities, but I've adjusted now to the rural life I grew up with. I think it very much depends on what you are looking for in terms of place to live. UK is great for adventure, shopping, fast paces lifestyle and lots of experiences, there's 1000 opportunities. Scandinavia is great for outdoors and a relaxed life, free school/college/uni and an overall better education system. NHS and health system here (not sure about Sweden and Denmark on this) is pretty much the same.

We've been back here for a year now, and my English other half is struggling. No idea where to end up eventually, jobs for me is better over there, but I really feel it's better for our baby to grow up here! Hard choices these things, and it costs everything to move. I can't stand the nanny-state and my son would probably be taken away due to health and safety risks, as I plan on raising him Norwegian-style! :P Also, we don't have chavs here! But I looove all the adventure in England, it can get a bit boring here! You've got to write a huge pros and cons list, do house swap - but ultimately follow your heart rather than your head, if you want to be happy =)

If you're anywhere near Ålesund, PM me! ;)

xx

Quint - you were utterly miserable in Norway, as was your (I think) younger son. You were desperate to return to the UK and now the pair of you are still miserable. First it was Norway's fault, now it's Britain's fault; I say this kindly but maybe your family's unhappiness has causes that are nothing to do with the society you live in.

I once lived in the most beautiful part of the UK with mountains, forests and lakes to match anywhere in Scandinavia and I was pretty wretched but it had nothing to do with my environment.

I'm getting a bit pissed off with people slagging off England; anyone who doesn't like it has no need to come here because we have plenty of people longing to bring their families, their skills and expertise to live here. Anyone who wants to leave; well be my guest.

True, misery can be found in uprooting, Cate. Sometimes trying to undo the damage causes other new miseries. We were not unhappy in Britain before we left. Life has thrown trouble after trouble our way since we left, and we thought problems would be solved by returning, but we were wrong.

I am not sure why you are trying to discredit my experience of international moves by referring to my personal problems and unhappiness, which are not related at all to what I have mentioned here.

As you know, my problems were related to double taxation, tax returns, running a business in a different country, bullied children (for being differently brought up") and dealing with my demented mother, neither of which are relevant here!

You're the one who's brought up your personal problems and unhappiness, Quint. Take responsibility for your well-being and stop blaming and discrediting England.

What i have said is not discrediting England. I am sharing my experience, as are many others on the thread.

Throwing past threads from years ago in my face again and again is odd.

I bloody love the UK. I feel completely rootless and odd anywhere else.

Pressed enter too soon. I meant to say, it obviously has its faults and problems and quite often (during the recent elections for example) I completely despair. However when I think of the realities of emigrating I know I couldn't do it. I spent six months in New Zealand years ago and thought I could live there, and started thinking seriously about it. But I couldn't do it in the end. I'd feel like a torn up tree.

I have heard the expression You grow where you are planted
I think for some Plants/people that's true, but some plants/people only grow well in their own soil.
So maybe I'm more geranium than exotic orchid..

housingheadaches - where did you decide to move to or rather how did you decide? We have decided to return but will both have to find jobs and 2 in school so in theory the whole of the UK is open to us and when you look at it like that it is bigger than one thinks and finding it hard to narrow it down to a shortlist