To think that this country (UK) is going downhill?

[gem1981]

first please let me explain I think I am quite a normal (!) person and try to have a positve attitude towards life but recently well I am getting tired of constantly trying to find the positive in our country.

I don't know if my perspective has changed since I have become a parent or if things have actually got worse... but over the past couple of years I have noticed a significant shift in people's attitudes towards the country ...

Everyone complains about all sorts, petrol prices, food prices, taxes, council tax etc.

I go to my local high street and shops are closing left right and centre, there is litter everywhere, things look generally grey and most people look miserable.

It seems that no matter where you are in society you have some sort of struggle - paying for childcare, getting your kids into a decent school, even getting an appt with your GP.

I know I am moaning too ... but I just wanted to check with you lot ... do you feel the same or am I falling into a pessimistic hole?

I am not looking for a fight I just want your honest opinions - are you happy living in the UK or do you dream of emmigrating?

Thanks

If you think OZ will be able to offer you a better quality of life ...

I have just had too many friends packing up and going to live abroad and regretting it when their DHs get overlooked for jobs, made redundant, found living in a foreign country different how they saw it when they went to visit ....

Well, Gem, you could be me writing that OP. Ever since having DD (3) I have taken much more notice of the world around me, on a local, national and international level, probably because I am responsible for another person now. Locally I find there is much more litter (including vomit and broken glass) and worse traffic with drivers who won't give way for anyone. Nationally and internationally I perceive things to be less stable than even 5 years ago.

But, the main thing I worry about is Britain's future - 10, 20, 50 years from now. I think we are f**ked tbh. We cannot be self-sufficient in our power needs, and even a few years into the future we should expect large scale power shortages; we can't possibly support the population we have on the agricultural land we have without going back to the bad days of extremely intensive farming and all the horrors that goes with it and the population is set to grow; we have little to offer on a global scale once the effects of global warming really kick in.

A very dark analysis, I know and I am sure lots of people will disagree, but I cannot see a good future for DD in the UK.

I live in a small Cotswolds town btw.

I think that it is possible to emigrate to a better life. Just read some of the testamonials on British Expats.

is the country going to the dogs then

I love living in this country and wouldn't want to go anywhere else, except for a holiday.

this country needs a different government, Labour have dominated for too long now. It needs to swing in another direction

I love living in the UK and we live in a very desireable area with low crime rates, good schools and lovely quality of life. However I hate the weather with a passion and it is increasingly expensive to live here our council tax bill is sooo high, we run 2 cars and it costs a fortune, can't bear the government and did I mention the weather?

So we are moving to S.Africa next year as have family there and I want to spend more time outdoors than in.

I want things in the UK to be better. Of course there are things I want to change. Which is why I am staying and my family are staying and why we do what little we can to try and change things for the better.

Practically everywhere too crowded

Lots of rude & inconsiderate people (viz litter, road rage, dog crap, pushiness etc...)

Lots of things eye-poppingly expensive (taxes, fuel, childcare, etc)

Widespread status anxiety

But

NHS, general tolerance towards other people, relative inclusiveness, plus much other stereotypical stuff (cricket, cream teas, unflappability in the face of disaster, altruism, etc...)

Other countries come close these days (Canada springs to mind), but none will ever replace for me. And I didn't even grow up here (English child growing up in France)

Oh and drunks/ antisocial behaviour/ obnoxious behaviour of children & young people to put into the con side.

You know, I REALLY think the bad weather this 'spring' so far is to blame for a lot of it. I felt much better earlier in the week when it was sunny and the blossom was out and the birds were singing. England really is one of the prettiest countries in the world in April, if you can get to a park or the countryside.

If only we could train the buggers not to throw litter everywhere.

When I was younger it felt like it meant something to be English/British. I felt proud to live here and proud of my country.

Now I just feel ashamed, frustrated and would be out of here in a second if I could.

It's interesting - I find that most people who moan about the UK have never lived abroad. I have lived in four different European countries and no, the grass isn't greener. Yes , the UK has its faults but so does everywhere.

I think it's the weather that's making you think negatively. A good sunny day is all you need.

bridie - litter is one of the few things that make me really really angry. It's so disrespectful and selfish...and so unneccessary.

I've lived abroad and can't wait to do so again.

OrmIrian - I quite agree, litter is one thing I really hate. So unnecessary.

Actually my husband agrees with me and he spent the first part of his life moving from country to country so he has seen what it is like to live on other continents in other countires etc.

his sister lives in the states and she came back to England for personal reasons last year and considered staying for good - she chose to go back to America because England was not like she remebered it when she lived here years ago - she thinks it has got worse

branflake totally I do need some sun ...raining here today and i look like an uncooked chip ... BRING ON SUMMER

It's foul, isn't it? We should be issued with electric cattle prods to shove at people who drop it. A mild shock to remind them what the bins are for.

Oliveoil - my family are all in Perth too. They have had some really bad weather lately! We were there in October and had some amazing storms.

And very few people have pools - water is restricted in WA and is metered, VERY expensive, so pools cost too much to run. I was surprised as I imagined most houses would have pools when actually hardly any do.

Everyone just goes to the beach

BTW I have lived abroad and also travelled to different countries.

An Australian friend is moving back to Oz after 10 years in the UK because she wants to start a family and doesn't want to
bring children up in this country.

I think our priorities are becoming distorted - with so much wrong, some family gets fined for leaving their bin lid open by 4"! It's true - I saw it in the Daily Mail!

Trouble is with SA bringmesunshine - they have snakes!

I hate snakes

@sprogger