To ask why you live in the UK?

[Hungryhippo12]

I will start off by saying I love the English countryside, the beaches, most of the people but I’m having a hard time deciding if it’s worth living here anymore. We’ve got the opportunity now to move abroad and I know the grass is not greener and I’ll be incredibly sad to leave but….

We pay a huge amount of tax (top tax band) and it’s not spent on tangible things we benefit from- for example I have no problem if it goes into the NHS or to people who can’t work etc but it’s not; millions of pounds gets spent on things that do not improve the lives of people in our country and then they wonder why people become resentful of paying all the taxes we do.

My children can’t just go out and play as knife crime is rife where we are , as is bullying, fighting and uploading the video etc

Everything seems disproportionately expensive as compared to earnings- for example, rent, mortgage , bills etc out disposable income is a lot smaller than say ten years ago despite earning a lot more.

I love our community, I strangely love the English weather but I’m finding things hard. There were riots in the city near where we live last week. The country just seems abit broken and a lot of unrest.

I read posts on here - especially ones about private school VAT - and people seem angry, hateful of those with more and kindness
seems to have been lost.

Is this just what England is now?

I listened to someone in the radio saying they’d choose this time and the U.K. to live in. And I feel the same. I do have another really good place I could live where I’d likely be equally happy. But I feel lucky to be here in the U.K.

Although it’s London that is the major draw for me so it’s a city to my wishes match

We live in a beautiful, low crime location, have a fabulous quality of life and earn a great income from jobs we love. After living abroad in Europe, the US, NZ and Australia, returning to the UK was definitely the best decision for us (one Brit and one non-Brit)

Worst case scenario you come back.

You may not be able to return. If you have children and you want to return but your partner/husband doesn’t and refuses to do so then you may be stuck there. I have a friend in this situation and I’ve read of other women trapped like this.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it but do keep that possibility in mind and discuss it.

Although op it doesn’t matter what I prefer it’s what would be right for you

Maybe NZ would be, it wouldn’t for me for a few reasons but we’re all different

Although there are big problems in the UK at the moment. All of the UK is not like that and all countries have their issues.
I live here because I was born here, have family here etc.
If you earn so much why don't you move to a safer, nicer area?

Do let us know when you find that magic land…

There are loads of places in the Leeds area that sound nicer than where you live. Why don't you move?

I used to live in North West Leeds and found it very pleasant.

Are you English, OP? Do you have family here or any friends/family in NZ? Also would you be moving kids over as well? I was born here and for the first time in a long time (14 years!), beginning to feel a bit of hope. I have campaigned actively over the years for more funding in public services, getting private companies out of the NHS etc etc. I think the Labour govt is more 'open' to listening and also always comes under greater scrutiny compared to the Tories, so hopefully things will improve. I agree with you on the way our taxes don't go where they should, have been wasted on vanity projects and ideological policies. Perhaps you should move areas first? Of course, your job will affect how you feel particularly if you are dealing with the aftermath of knife injuries. It's bound to have an impact.

Spent my early 20s working as holiday rep, lived in a few different countries. Absolutely loved it. Wasn’t bothered about putting down roots and always ready for the next adventure.

Came back to the uk due to some family issues. Only meant to stay for 6-8 months and took a job in an office, was accidentally very good at it and worked my way up to management. Met a lovely man and ten years later we have a mortgage and a couple of cats, both have decentish jobs, I do still get to travel with mine, not paid massively well but enough that we don’t struggle and can get a 2 week holiday somewhere hot each year as well as nice meals out and gigs. We’re happy and we have a good network of friends and family nearby. Life in the UK is good for us.

Not the life I ever thought I’d have. I always had a vision of living in Barcelona or Paris when I was in my 30s, definitely not in the UK and thought of being tied down to a property or one person felt suffocating.

I was born here. I doubt I could forge a career abroad.

i rather like the UK and the weather suits me. I like the fact that British people are rather tolerant and sensible, and on the whole, not given to extremes.

Our politicians have massively fucked up the major things they were meant to ensure, such as adequate affordable housing, access to healthcare, decent education that suits various abilities and aptitudes. You know the list.. That pisses me off

ByFlakyHazelTiger · Today 14:47
England is a shit hole. I want to live somewhere else

Well off you go, then!
And anyone else who does not like my homeland can bugger off, too.

I wouldn't move to NZ because its so far from family and friends. I have family abroad and I feel sad that we don't get to see them often or spend time with them. My kids barely remember some of them. I know they have felt isolated being away from family at times as well (I know this might be a bonus for some people!!)

Why are you so butt hurt ffs.

Because I love my country. It has it's problems, but I hate to hear people disparaging England (or Britain)
I certainly do not live in a 'shithole' and no, it's not a wealthy area.

Nowhere is a Utopia. It's very easy to assume 'the grass is greener' but very often other countries are just as lacking in nutrition as the UK!

I love living in the UK. It has issues and problems but after travelling to other places I still consider this country the equivalent to 'The Shire' in Lord of the Rings.

Safe landscape, no animals to kill you. Lovely seasons, fairly safe weather. Most of us are free to live how we please aside from financial constraints, freedom of travel, education and health care for all. Women can do as they want without being tied to men. Where I am the people are nice and its low crime.

Obviously there has been a rise in cost of living, public services have been run down and it isn't sunny all year, but I always feel like I'm home when I return to the UK from elsewhere.

I spent a bit of time in the Canadian wilderness a few years ago. Was beautiful and amazing and I loved it but I was also very aware of being 'prey'out there to bears and wolves etc and unfamiliar bugs and plants. Our English countryside seems very safe in comparison.

Because I was born and educated here, my family are all here and I have a good job here. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. My husband has some silly notion of moving to a country we both love in a few years but when I look at the logistics of that, it's simply not feasible.

Oh dear, I live in Scotland and it’s not perfect but I love where I live. Lots of countries around the world appear to feel they have issues with exactly the same things as the UK. You must have so many options, apologies if I have missed it but why wouldn’t you consider just moving somewhere else in the UK?

Living abroad is great until something bad happens like you get raped

As can happen everywhere....

Paris police investigating gang rape of Australian woman (bbc.com)

I presume because she has been approached about a job in New Zealand but would have to go out and actively seek opportunities in the UK?

Well yes but where she lives sounds like it is a much more stressful place to live than a lot of places in the UK.

Not until this thread had I considered moving to a different location on the UK - I assumed it was all similar so very glad I asked! But there’s people ok here who sound like they live in lovely places. So yes I think we need to think of relocating in the UK or moving a little further from where we work and just commute further to work.

I have a friend who grew up near Glasgow and is now a paramedic in rural New Zealand. I know she loves it and loves the community she is part of but when her DM was terminally ill she took a years sabbatical from her job to come back to the UK to look after her. Our lives are so complicated and multifaceted, no decision presents a perfect solution. I hope you find somewhere you can be happy.

I spent a bit of time in the Canadian wilderness a few years ago. Was beautiful and amazing and I loved it but I was also very aware of being 'prey'out there to bears and wolves etc and unfamiliar bugs and plants. Our English countryside seems very safe in comparison.

Cows are the most dangerous animals here I believe.

Wasn’t there a spate of buzzards attacking runners somewhere in the UK in recent years?