Page 3 | I want to move back home

Dillydollydingdong · 07/03/2023 20:24

England's ok I wouldn't want to leave but I'm English and it's all I've ever known. Surely Portugal's lovely though? Beautiful weather, and it's in the EU. Civi

Dillydollydingdong · 07/03/2023 20:25

Why? Lovely weather in Portugal. In the EU. Civilized. In some ways better than the UK?

Wallywobbles · 07/03/2023 20:26

I'd not go back to the UK for love not money. Literally. I'm in France. It's been an amazing place to bring up the kids. Great work/life balance. Short commute outside of major cities. Much less gender bollocks. It's not perfect but it's been good to me and my family.

That said eldest DD is at Uni in the UK as we think it's more fun than here!

Flowersinmai · 07/03/2023 20:31

Can you get Portuguese citizenship for your DD? Or another EU passport That would greatly expand her horizons when she is an adult. It’s hard for UK only passport holders to get any kind of work in the EU after Brexit.

Crikeyalmighty · 07/03/2023 21:05

@puttingontheritz Lol!! I remember listening to a James o brien episode around the referendum time when a guy was busy on there (very much a geeezer university of life type) saying that everywhere in The EU was a shithole- where did he live? Romford- ! I don't think people get it why many try their hand via the boats. It's nearly always that they either have friends and family here and speak a bit of English or that they have been told it's easy to get work - often by gang masters taking cash off them. There are whole gangs of total arses doing this- and nearly always British too when they get caught

TaRaDeBumDeAy · 07/03/2023 22:06

Wanttomovebackhome · 07/03/2023 19:29

@TaRaDeBumDeAy Ww3? Where are you out of interest? So you wouldn’t return from a safety point of view?

Spain. No, we're probably safer here.

Springchicken75 · 08/03/2023 11:52

We woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland this morning - children said we live in the best place ever, and I looked outside and honestly couldn’t agreed more.

It’s a very special country, and although on here you getting the depressed, insular, moaning ninnies, in real life op most people on the whole have a good life here.
Some are not aware of it, be use they haven’t lived anywhere else.

GettingStuffed · 08/03/2023 12:01

I'd leave the UK if I could. Unfortunately we have reasons to stay including I'll health.We have considered the Caribbean in the past. s
it's OK if you have enough money but for those at the lower income end it's really harsh. People are freezing in their homes because there's not enough money to hear and eat.

meanwhile the rich are doing everything they can to make themselves richer.

Crikeyalmighty · 08/03/2023 12:13

@Springchicken75 it's not a matter though of being negative. The Uk can be a great place to live if you live in a very nice area, highly paid jobs ( or enough cash for it not to matter) have plenty of money, have secure housing and assets and can afford to pay privately for things. For many others though it simply is one massive struggle to just get by . no matter how lovely the countryside is or the weather being temperate.many people who you may perceive as being negative, have lived elsewhere too, but live here at this time for practical , family, work and financial reasons rather than it necessarily being 1st choice. It's not being negative, it's being honest about how you feel. Just as you say negative people probably haven't lived elsewhere, I would say that applies to many who are positive too. They haven't seen how things work elsewhere and the UK is their norm .

1984Winston · 08/03/2023 12:22

Wanttomovebackhome · 07/03/2023 19:28

@1984Winston Whereabouts, out of interest? How did you find it there?

I lived near Coimbra, I loved it but I hated being different to everyone else, it was OK for the ex pats being retired but I was a teenager and there wasn't many jobs about, most of my class mates moved to other countries. I missed my family and now I have children of my own I'm glad they are growing up here even though its far from perfect

Springchicken75 · 08/03/2023 12:33

Crikeyalmighty · 08/03/2023 12:13

@Springchicken75 it's not a matter though of being negative. The Uk can be a great place to live if you live in a very nice area, highly paid jobs ( or enough cash for it not to matter) have plenty of money, have secure housing and assets and can afford to pay privately for things. For many others though it simply is one massive struggle to just get by . no matter how lovely the countryside is or the weather being temperate.many people who you may perceive as being negative, have lived elsewhere too, but live here at this time for practical , family, work and financial reasons rather than it necessarily being 1st choice. It's not being negative, it's being honest about how you feel. Just as you say negative people probably haven't lived elsewhere, I would say that applies to many who are positive too. They haven't seen how things work elsewhere and the UK is their norm .

But that is the same the world over. There are ghettos in France, Sweden etc. of course it’s easier to live anywhere when you are wealthy,

I think you are also missing the point that we have one of the most generous benefits system in the world too.

The U.K. is generally a safe, fair and comfortable county to live in, with heaps of history, culture and incredible access to world class museums and galleries - for free.

whumpthereitis · 08/03/2023 12:44

it’s true that every country has good and bad qualities, but depending on your circumstances and preferences it is of course possible to have a better life outside of the UK.

The UK’s positive qualities do not mean it’s a place that someone would choose to live if they have the choice. For some the negatives are going to outweigh those.

I left the UK once, and I’m currently here on because of a work contract. We do have a leaving date and personally I am looking forward to going.

Crikeyalmighty · 08/03/2023 13:57

@Springchicken75 but people who struggle aren't usually rushing off to galleries or museums especially if they don't live near city's that have lots of them. Benefits generous? Now that's a very mixed bag- they can be to some extent if you have kids and rent- but one big problem is unless you have social housing rents in many if not most parts of the country are vastly outstripping allowances- so people end up using money meant towards bills and food simply to keep a roof over their head- and if you don't have kids but aren't disabled , you are pretty much stuffed. We have one of the lowest pensions in Europe - high house prices and high cost of living. Everywhere has advantages and disadvantages I agree- but the UK isn't some kind of utopia unless you are in a seriously good position and this aspect has got worse.

Springchicken75 · 08/03/2023 14:41

I have lived all over the world , there is nowhere quite like home. Family. Roots. Security. Getting old in s strange country that isn’t yours is not fun, but lots of people don’t think so far ahead.

DutchKatje · 08/03/2023 15:47

Can you move to another EU country? I would have a long break in the UK before you decide.

We’ve lived and worked all over the world, when I was in far flung places I did miss ‘home’ but not when living in Europe, I feel very at home there. After a while, you sort of realise how much better it’s organised. I love the transport system, education, scenery, food, way of living.

Also I have two dd’s and listening to radio 4 this morning about the high cost of childcare in the UK, brought it home how life has become harder for women here.

In short, we came back, regretted it and are leaving again. Our dc don’t want to stay here either so that is a deciding factor for me.

Crikeyalmighty · 08/03/2023 16:58

@DutchKatje We are waiting to see result of 2024 election- if the Tory's are in again I think we will leave 'again' -

WisteriaLodge · 08/03/2023 17:04

Springchicken75 · 07/03/2023 19:40

I think many people think life is so much better everywhere else. It’s an affliction. But that is most definitely not the case; every country has its issues.
The U.K. in my view is a safe and beautiful country, and we love living here. We have lived overseas for years so we can directly compare. Nowhere is perfect but there is nowhere quite like home in my experience.

So very true, despite the problems at the moment ( which country hasn't?) I'm sick of the UK bashing on MN, no it's not perfect, nowhere is, but it's dear old Blighty and I love it.

puttingontheritz · 08/03/2023 21:04

Dear old Blighty? Are you not even a little embarrassed? I'm cringing on your behalf.

DutchKatje · 09/03/2023 11:18

@Crikeyalmighty I agree about the Tories but I’m not impressed with Labour wanting to grow the uk economy but ruling out rejoining the single market. I do get why they are saying that, it’s just disappointing.

WisteriaLodge · 09/03/2023 11:44

puttingontheritz · 08/03/2023 21:04

Dear old Blighty? Are you not even a little embarrassed? I'm cringing on your behalf.

Nope...not embarrassed at all, you can bugger off if you don't like it

Crikeyalmighty · 09/03/2023 11:45

@DutchKatje I totally agree but I don't think that's what will happen- I think if they get in there will be negotiations and it will be called something different but end result will be the same. The right wing press will have a field day if they say they are and they need some of those red wall seats back in order to win

IsThePopeCatholic · 09/03/2023 11:56

Only come back if you want to live in a country that is broken, divided, uncaring, expensive, cold, corrupt. If Labour get in next year, it might be worth checking in again, but it’s going to take a long time to sort out this mess.

anunlikelyseahorse · 09/03/2023 22:28

I like Portugal but all countries have problems.
Op, so much depends on where you want to live in the UK.
Gangs and feral yoof are a pain in the neck, but gang culture is not just a UK issue, it's pretty much a global issue I have friends in Marseilles, Hamburg and Madrid, they all worry about gang crime, and schooling (managing behaviour over teaching is more than a UK phenomena). There's problems in Greece, and so many in the hospitality industry got completely screwed over during covid, many lost their livelihoods.
Yes our roads are full of potholes, but again potholes aren't uniquely British,
I enjoy catching up with my international friends, because we all moan (and laugh) at the same questionable politicians, and mess our respective countries are in. It's so easy to think the grass is greener, but it rarely is. (The Nordic countries might be the exception to the rule, but I don't know is Scandinavia a utopia?) New Zealand and Australia have issues, again I have friends in both countries and I assure you there are problems and pressures over there too.
I mean if money is no issue you can pretty much guarantee a nice life anywhere, but let's be honest for most of us, wherever we live, there's plenty of shit to wade through. It's just do you want to wade through it in a warmer or colder climate as that's what it really comes down to.

Densol57 · 09/03/2023 22:48

I had the chance to live in Arizona. I moved over there and hated it ! Could not wait to come back to the UK.
Then I debated moving to Spain, but their taxes would have cost me a lot extra per year - so I shelved that idea.
Im now happy with the UK and I travel around 75% of the year all over the world which suits me :)

CantStopWontStop0 · 09/03/2023 23:22

Wanttomovebackhome · 07/03/2023 13:47

I want to come home…to England
I want to raise my Dd, in the British culture.
I want to feel at home and not find everything so hard.
People think I'm nuts to even consider it at the moment.
Am I? Is England really that bad?

It's hard to make a standard living here