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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask if you have/intend to emigrate from the UK?

108 replies

wanderingcloud · 21/03/2019 10:28

Just that really!

We move to Egypt in August and we are buzzing with nervous anticipation! Most important stuff is sorted for us now so just patiently waiting to get on the flight out.

Would love to hear from others who have done it. Where did you (or will you have) moved to?
How have you found it so far?

OP posts:

NCforthis2019 · 21/03/2019 10:38

I moved to the UK years ago. Beat thing I’ve ever done.

NCforthis2019 · 21/03/2019 10:38

^^ best

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 21/03/2019 10:40

We move to Egypt in August

Interesting choice, do mean emigrate or relocate with work? Do you have any links with Egypt? Speak the language? Will you take on Egyptian nationality and give up a British passport?

americandream · 21/03/2019 10:44

Not in a million years.

Very happy to stay in my country, and whilst I love travelling, I will never leave it. Ever.

I know a few people who have moved abroad, and are perfectly happy, but I know more people who moved and ended up very unhappy. Some came back to the UK, some are stuck in the country they moved to, unable to return, for many various reasons.

MinervaVause · 21/03/2019 10:47

We left the UK 7 years ago. I can’t even remember being nervous about leaving. I just remember the excitement and thinking that the day of our flight couldn’t come quick enough.

We love it here. The dc don’t remember the UK at all and this is their home. I don’t see us ever going back. We’re going to Oz for a couple of years soon with dh’s company but we’ll definitely be coming back to NZ after.

Good luck with your move.

JacquesHammer · 21/03/2019 10:48

I would absolutely love to.

However it would negatively impact DD's relationship with her dad and step-mum so it will remain nothing more than a dream for me.

spanishwife · 21/03/2019 10:51

Moved to Spain. Could never ever move back to England now - it just isn't compatible with my lifestyle or general outlook on life. Reading miserable comments on Mumsnet reminds me of that every day!

I have a great quality of life. My husband is Spanish though and I was already close with his family and friends here, so was an easier move than it would be for the average brit with no existing ties. Also lucky to be able to work here and earn a good salary in my chosen career. Without that support system and being able to have a career, not sure I would have made the move.

spanishwife · 21/03/2019 10:52

Egypt is an interesting move - not heard of that before? What are the reasons for choosing Egypt?

JillGoodacre · 21/03/2019 10:56

We moved to Kuwait five years ago this August. We love it here but it's not perfect. There is a huge difference with regards to how people of different nationalities are paid and the paperwork for simple things is ridiculous. However I've found the majority of local Kuwaitis to be lovely , kind and generous people as are the people from all over the world that live here. I've made friends (and so have my kids) with people from so many different nationalities and cultures. The weather is lovely on the whole but the summer is dreadful as it hits mid 50s! We've got a fabulous lifestyle and it's the best thing we've done.

scaryteacher · 21/03/2019 11:02

Been in Belgium for 13 years for dh's jobs. Will be moving back to UK in October and am really looking forward to it.

PregnantSea · 21/03/2019 11:05

Moved to Australia a few years ago. We love it, don't think we'd ever move back to the UK.

ginghamstarfish · 21/03/2019 11:06

I've lived in several different countries and a lot of what you get out of it depends on how and where you live .... I know people who as expats have lived in 'compounds' with other foreign residents, did not learn the language, nor mix with local people. That's a shame I think, and unless you make some effort to mix, learn the language, get out and experience 'normal' life,then you will not have the full experience of that country and culture. Just my opinion! It's a great experience anyway to live in another country.

KC225 · 21/03/2019 11:09

Moved from London to rural Sweden (DH Swedis) four years ago and I am desperately unhappy. I would give my right arm to move back to London and have open neighbours, friends and access to good schools.

Good luck OP.

SeaToSki · 21/03/2019 11:15

Moved to the US years and years ago. Love it. But had a mindset that going back to the uk wasnt an option for me, which made me suck up the early annoyances and challenges and figure things out. Other friends who had the mindset of “Ill just try my best and see” didnt adjust as well.

Frustratedfrenchie · 21/03/2019 11:20

We've been in France for 3 years. Love it! Kids are bilingual and attend a private school for hardly any cost when compared to the UK. We set up a successful business and just bought a house. We'd have never have been able to do it in the UK.

AdoreTheBeach · 21/03/2019 11:24

I did - 28 years ago and love it (though it does rain a lot, upside are beautiful gardens year round)

poppym12 · 21/03/2019 11:27

Not yet sadly.

A few family type things to get sorted then I'll be gone.

WestBerlin · 21/03/2019 11:34

Yes. Dependent on my husband’s job (military) we’ll be leaving in 2020 or 2021, and will eventually end up in the US.

QueenKong101 · 21/03/2019 11:34

10 years in Hong Kong, and both kids born over here. I think we always assumed we'd move back to the UK eventually, but that seems increasingly unlikely, and, to be honest, not hugely appealing any more.

Damntheman · 21/03/2019 11:50

Moved to Norway 12 years ago. I'm very happy here, I love it! The only negative at the moment is the anxiety Brexit is causing over status..

TantrumAndMeltdownNegotiator · 21/03/2019 11:54

Moved to the UK 20 years ago, first few years can be a struggle and I laughed at people who said you have major wobbles at 2,3,5,7 and 10 years, but I did, almost to the date.

I miss the climate where I grew up (tropics) but a wouldn't move back, as I've made my life here and I love it.

As PP said it's all about your mindset, if you have going "home" always as an option in the back of your mind, you'll never fully adjust to your new life.

Original poster

wanderingcloud · 21/03/2019 12:37

Egypt just happened to be the first international job I was offered!

That sounds flippant but it's true. We have been at rock bottom really and a series of events just seemed to reach a point where we decided to fulfill our ambitions of travelling.

We have no family or links to anywhere outside the UK. We're very much our own little unit; extended family (whilst very lovely and have good relationships) have never lived close to us to really have much to do with us. We're very self sufficient in that sense.

I was looking for somewhere with good relocation and salary package, low cost of living and scope for us to experience a totally new and different culture.

OH and I have started to learn Arabic and the kids have joined in though they will have lessons once they start school so I'm sure they will soon surpass our efforts!

OP posts:

Mistigri · 21/03/2019 12:43

Moved to France 20 years ago. Always thought I might return to the UK someday. That's become increasingly unlikely tbh especially as neither of our teens is interested in studying in the UK.

ShanghaiDiva · 21/03/2019 12:51

We left 24 years ago and have lived in Germany, Austria and have now been in China for over 10 years. We are going back to the UK next year. The time overseas has been both exhilarating and frustrating - sometimes it really is same shit, different bucket.

stevie69 · 21/03/2019 12:55

Nope, absolutely not. I love it here

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