Would you come back to the UK?

[MoaningLiza]

DH and I are currently living in the ME (teachers). We've been here for just over a year, with the view to return to the UK in 2024.

We miss our family and possibly want more children but the thought of returning terrifies me! The rising costs of living, the energy crisis etc! People are barely surviving alone living.

If you were in our position, would you return to the UK?

I’d take a wait and see approach.

You've got a good year before you need to consider it. But tax free lifestyle? I'd do at least 5 years or whatever was needed to build up a big financial cushion to bring back with me.

It depends what your household income is going to be. If you're coming back to live in London - I wouldn't personally, with the current mortgage rates and high rents.

We're in the SW with decent income, remote working and a low mortgage so are doing ok at the moment. Not everyone is barely surviving.

I assume you are a drama teacher with that over the top remark?
My people I know are just getting on with their lives rather than ‘barely surviving’.

Depends if I enjoyed the ME, and probably where you are.
I lived in the UAE and did not enjoy it but we did boost our savings while there so I don’t regret it. It was easy enough to live there, reasonable health care etc.

We did eventually come back to the UK but had a few other stops in between.

I think you have to weigh it up, is your ME lifestyle as you wish, can you have more children there, can you visit family more?

Depending on the country, I would not have gone there to begin with.

There is a great divide in incomes etc in this country, so there are those comfortable even with energy price rises and the cost of living, and many struggling.

To work as teacher? No, not unless you are teaching in Scotland.

We repatriated 3 months ago and I wouldn’t recommend it at the moment. But it is not true to say people are barely surviving

I would stay longer and save money. Your salary and working hours will be less attractive in the UK.

I’m out of the Uk. In Europe. I will not come back for as long as possible for the following reasons in no particular order
The NHS - it’s on its knees. The healthcare here is much better. My bil has just waited two years for a shoulder operation. My mil has arthritis in her feet - waiting potentially 8-9 months to be seen.
The weather and standard of living is much better here. Trains are on time, people pick up their dog poo, I can go out at night and not be worried about coming home alone on public transport, crime is low
There is more but this is enough to be going in with!

I would not go back yet if I were you, save up a good healthy deposit for a house over the next 3-5 years, have a baby or two (don't give birth on NHS) and then go back once the government has changed and we don't have the joke of the Tory party in power.

No, I'd stay! Especially if you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi

I'm in a similar situation to you OP except I've been overseas for 5 years and planning to return next September although part of me isn't keen to because of the current chaos.

I'd say 5 years is enough time to build up a good deposit while the UK sorts itself out (if you're in the UAE it's worth staying 5 years for the gratuity) and try to visit family a few times a year (assuming you get a flight allowance?). It's definitely tough though being far from family and friends

Nope, definitely not. I'd do a few more years then move on to somewhere else.....which is generally what I do. You'll need a decent amount in savings to come back and live comfortably and that doesn't usually start until year 2. This will be especially true if you come back and rent as unless you're still on the electoral role at a UK address you may need to pay 6+ months up front.
While you're in the UAE life is pretty easy so enjoy the bubble as long as you can .... its tough coming back (my next move is in January and can't wait).