If you’re a British expat living abroad, or an expat from abroad living in Britain…

[Coffeeandbourbons]

Can I ask where you now live/moved from, whether you would move back, and what you like/dislike?

I’ve only lived in the U.K. but for about 2 years have been increasingly thinking about leaving, for what are probably obvious reasons (weather, expensive housing, general quality of life in decline).

We have to stay put for another 3 years at least so I can finish my professional qualification (currently on mat leave, with 2 years left to go when I return to work) so want to use that time to do some homework on what might suit our family.

TIA

For you, once, yes.

I’ve previously lived in Germany but live in England now and am contemplating a move back to Germany or maybe trying Canada or NZ. We have enough points for the Canadian skilled worker visa and I have family there but DP needs to finish a qualification before we move anywhere. SIL is in Argentina which is tempting for the scenery but there aren’t the same job opportunities in mine and DP’s sectors.

Ha, around Toulouse is where my mum is!
She was a mortgage and loan broker and saw some dire situations, families of 5 living off one minimum wage income, about to lose their house because of debts and stuff like that.

And overall, unless you're an engineer at Airbus, prospects to earn good money are rather limited around there. At least there's Airbus, many smaller cities / towns don't even have that.

(And don't start me with Paris suburbs, I think I'd take Oldham over any area in the 93)

I was trying to quote @Notanevillandlord but failed haha

Moved to the USA. Now have US citizenship. Absolutely love living here and would never move back

Why on earth would you wait 10 hours?

What was she supposed to do, go to A&E and wait for 10 hours there?

I get it OP, the current state of NHS is the biggest reason why I’m not planning to move back to the UK anytime soon. The idea of getting sick and having to wait for weeks for an appointment scares me.

I moved to Melbourne in my twenties pre kids with DH, both from the UK. Lived there for a long time and loved the lifestyle, the weather in particular (even though it's the worse weather in Australia) whilst pregnant with DC2 DH told me he had been feeling homesick post a recent holiday back home and he felt it was time we left Australia and went back to reconnect with family etc and he wanted our DC to grow up with family around them.

I was very sceptical for various reasons (mainly around salary/lifestyle for the kids/weather/housing) however I agreed as felt it was worth trying if.

We moved back in late 2020 during covid lockdown (Australia's border closures didn't help matters) and now we are moving back in June, thank god we are citizens.

The UK is a shitshow, I genuinely can't believe that I thought for one minute that this would be a better place to raise my children!

Okay it was Christmas night and DH and I had both had a few drinks so couldn’t drive. I kept phoning back and was told to sit tight it was on its way. We tried to get a taxi but have you tried to get one on Christmas night for an hour round journey, to come ASAP? Impossible in a small town. Luckily the steroids took the edge off so we just about managed until they arrived. But it was horrible.

@orangesoda36 i think you’ve definitely made the right decision. Good luck with your move you lucky thing!

@Notanevillandlord with regard to taxes I currently don't pay taxes because as a single parent of two DCs my income isn't enough to be taxed. Taxation is on a scale of income and other commitments. The tax system is complicated, payments for gardeners, cleaners and tutors can be off-set against your taxes. Once my DCs leave higher education I'm sure I'll start having to pay my way. I am self employed and I do pay 22% of my income each month in social contributions which are the equivalent of my social security payments. Of course there is no NHS in France so the government only contribute up to 70% of medical costs and we have to buy a top-up insurance to cover the rest. My low "council tax' is because I live in a small hamlet with few amenities, it's higher in the towns.

I think like other countries the retirement age has to be raised because it's an ageing country and people are living longer there just isn't enough money in the pot for everything.

I don't dislike the UK, I love London and the North East where I originate from I just can't identify with the country I left with the country I see now. I'm also very happy in the country I've chosen to spend my life.

Well I know for sure I wouldn't have sat at home for 10 hours when anything could have happened. At least if you are in A and E you are triaged and in the right place if something goes wrong. Don't know why I should even have to explain this.

Did you read my last post?

Oh yes I see it now. I tend to read chronologically and respond. Obvs I need to really all before hand.

@brittanyfairies thanks for that sounds like you have a good and fair life in France. It's one of my favourite countries and I like to visit it often.

I'm about to move to Turkey soon. I have dual nationality. I'm 57 so its more of a retirement plan for me personally.
I love the UK and will miss things I'm sure but there are now many things I won't miss. Long gloomy winters, big Council tax bills, gas and electricity being some sort of luxury for many, fresh quality ingredients costing a fortune, not being able to see a doctor for weeks.
Turkey isn't perfect as nowhere is. I've spent enough time there over the last 25 to see its faults but it is an enormous and seemingly endless country and public transport is brilliant and so cheap. Food isn't as cheap like it used to be but I'm vegetarian so love the huge choice of fresh produce. The people are generally kind and open and welcome you into their hearts and lives.

@Zerrin13 you are so lucky, Turkiye is my favourite country in the world. I have a holiday home there and spend all summer there. My intention is when I'm retired to split myself between Turkiye and France. Where are you going to be settling?

''@Luredbyapomegranate · Yesterday 00:18

Immigrant implies a permanent move, which is not the case for many on this thread. Ex-Pat is a catch-all term.''

Nope.

Again an ex-pat is someone who goes to live in another country on a temporary, short-term basis usually for work reasons.

Most of the people commenting here are immigrants: people who have permanently settled in another country.

''Ex-pat'' is a loaded term because things like Brits who live in places like Spain or France permanently will conveniently call themselves ''expats'' while in the same breath complaining about immigrants who move to the UK, especially if they are non-white...

Let's call a spade a spade.

Sorry for the late reply! I was under 30 at the time so could do residency under the IEC work visa. The LMIA route may be the best route for over 30s - I believe that involves finding employment and then the employer proving that they needed to look outside of Canada to fill that role

To all those disagreeing with the 'immigrant' label ... I know many British people who live in Australia (permanently) who refer to themselves as ex-pats, never immigrants.

So glad you love Turkey too. I will be in the Fethiye area. France is lovely and I would also like to spend time in France and Spain but have Turkey as my base.

Yup. There are a lot of negative connotations with the word immigrant. Ex pat is much more 'palatable'.

But that is a whole other thread....