To be fed up of living in the U.K. but have no other options?

[Cuppasoupmonster]

☹️

Anyone else?

Yes, definitely heard that.

Despite the problems with HSE we have had mostly wonderful experiences, with lovely caring doctors, midwives and nurses.

I think it's natural after the last six years of the country having either a COVID or political heart attack that you want to leave. Especially with the knowledge that next 18 months are going to be nasty financially. A lot of people are tired,they want something positive, and they want to be meaningful.

They do not want to have a recession, higher tax, Brexit nutters and long wait lists for the NHS. They are pissed off with it all.

Well I left, and I don't hate the UK! In fact I had an absolute ball in London for ten years (although I wasn't so fond of the twenty years in NI before that). When I started a family it wasn't so much fun so we moved to Ireland. We loved it, we moved from a tiny flat to a huge house, and very much enjoyed living there. If it hadn't been for the recession we would probably still be there, although we did hate the miserable weather. So we moved to Oz, and thank god we did because we absolutely love it! So, I'm not a UK hater, but I do feel very happy to be here. I feel like our quality of life has improved with every move, and when I visit the UK and Ireland to see family I am always glad to get the plane home to Oz again.

Lots of labour shortages here in Australia and in NZ.
The current government is increasing immigration.

What type of work does your DH do?

Might be worth looking into.

That’s the problem with Brexit, cut off just moving to another country for lots of Brits.
I don’t vote for it, but lucky enough to be a tri-National anyway. One of which make me an EU citizen still.

Seems weird that a legal career isn’t transferable but the threshold for skills can be high in many countries, so may it’s just your job isn’t skilled enough to meet immigration requirements.
if you work for a global company, you can get temporary secondments. One of my rather mediocre colleagues has landed himself in San Diego for a few years in a transfer.

@Livetoplay law is very skilled but not necessarily transferable because you qualify into the law of a particular country. The law in another country will be different to the one you qualify in. Although as an English qualified lawyer, it is pretty easy to re-qualify in Australia and NZ. Note as an English lawyer I’m not even qualified to practice law in Scotland as it has a different legal system!

@Lozzybear thanks, I am aware. There are endless conversion courses, and also the opportunity to move with a company but still work under U.K. regs
having said that sounds like OP is going to be someone who has an excuse of why they can’t use any of the suggestions posters give here but maybe with a ‘great’ job, a kid, another on the way and a disability blessings should be counted in this case…

@EmmaH2022 It's great isn't it! I miss it as much as the running. (We are talking about GoodGym voluntary work)

Sorry thread, as you were.

Around border is beautiful country so you can easily live and work in NI and spend time in the south.

Right. No idea how that works with taxes, benefits etc but thousands of people do it.

How awful, what country was that?!

Hmm, no thanks.

I quite like living in the UK. Not Scotland though because of the government there. I know, I know.

We've looked at moving abroad before but every country has it's disadvantages.

I would like to live in Scotland in an ideal world. Lower temperatures and wonderful scenery and lots of islands to visit. As an introvert I would happily live on an island in Scotland too.

As an introvert I would happily live on an island in Scotland too

Based on my experience of island life as an introvert, honestly I wouldn't recommend it. The people I know that love it most, love it because they know everyone and are involved in lots of local things. They love living somewhere where everyone is someone.

I much prefer living somewhere that I can be involved in things without the rest of the community knowing my business.

As per my username. Small island. Most do an Amish style “rumspringa” and return with children in tow.

I have hidden plenty from my community, but I’m also of an age I DGAF.

I love bumping into people I know everywhere and if that makes me a “someone”, so be it. Wouldn’t swap my community/family for all the paintings on the “museumstraat”.

I'm sure you will also have experienced significant numbers of people moving to your small island expecting life there to be something rather different to the reality, and leaving again? Sure, plenty stay. But it's certainly not 'the good life' that some people dream of. And it's not necessarily right for an introvert.

2 winters tends to see them off.

I think it’s ideal for introverts generally, but 95% turn around after a couple of years. Selling their fancy stuff cheap. 😂

It certainly isn't ideal for this introvert - I've done rather more than two winters, and experienced way too many 80+ mph winds. I'll stick to somewhere a lot more anonymous and a lot less windy 😁

I lived in Paris about 10 years ago. One my friends worked in legal for PWC in Paris after getting married. She qualified in Washington. Similarly, two Aussie housemates ended up moving to London 5 years ago. They were qualified solicitors in Australia. Despite being trained in English law, it isn't as restrictive as you assume. You just need to look harder.

Oh I almost forgot! I worked briefly in law myself and my former paralegal got herself a job in the Cayman Islands that paid over £100k. She was on £30k here. She had no partner and no children so the move was easy but there were plenty of British solicitors working out there for a few years just to make some money.

I know you’re just venting OP, but some thoughts:

I live in a European country, I’ve been here since before Brexit though and have worked abroad all my adult life. While no country is perfect and the UK has its good points, I wouldn’t swap it for where I am.

Yes Covid hit hard and the cost of living has gone up a bit, but the price rises are not as extreme, and it’s just not like in the UK where everything feels really severe and miserable, like everything is on a downward spiral. I completely understand where you’re coming from.

Having nicer weather, food, and most people being friendly and kind makes a big difference! If you’re seriously considering it then there may be a way, it depends on the country obviously.

Through my work I meet loads of people from the UK who are thinking of moving abroad, and I’m often in touch with legal professionals who advise them on the process, usually specialising in eg. tax, visas, property… With your background is that maybe something you could look into?

In your position I might also look at moving to a different part of the UK. Not sure if that appeals. Good luck whatever you do!