… To be considering leaving the UK?

[globalnomad25]

We have been considering leaving, even if only for a few years. Many of our clients have already gone or are planning it, and some of our friends too.

I’m not sure where we’d go: UAE, Portugal, Jersey, Ireland, Canada, Australia? We don’t currently want to move to the US, even though that would probably make the most sense from a business/client point of view.

For those out there who have already left, how has it gone? Was it a horrible mistake or are you glad you did it?

For those also thinking about it, where would you go?

Kids are school-aged and smart and used to international travel as our work already takes us all over, although they’d miss their friends (as would we). We aren’t English so our family is already based all over the place, although we visit them frequently.

Who shit in your cornflakes?
and what makes you think people care if you find their posts ‘wearisome’.

If it bores or annoys you, don’t read it?

I genuinely don’t understand people that go to the lengths to comment something snarky on a subject they’re clearly so triggered by.

Don't come to Jersey. It is HORRENDOSULY expensive compared to the UK. The housing prices both to buy and rent are ridiculous. Getting off the Island to travel anyway is a nightmare- very few direct flights anywhere so all holidays involve factoring in flights to London (and usually an overnight) to get connecting flights to wherever you are going. Hotels and accommodation very expensive during the spring/summer so hard for family to visit. New ferry provider to UK/France which more expensive than the last and the timings are worse. Vastly dwindling things to do for the kids as things close one by one. It's a tiny Island but commuting during school run/rush hour is terrible if you live in a rural area and have to get to town.

That said, the standard of education here is very good in all the schools, there is low crime and the Island is lovely (it's been particularly gorgeous with all the lovely weather lately).

True, but I'd be choosing my healthcare.

But yeah, I'd imagine Spain has many of the same structural problems the UK has, certainly wouldn't be on my list. ...and I'm not emigrating. I'm too entrenched in the UK.

I've lived in 4 countries, other than the UK. Only the US was worse than the UK. The other 3 beat GB hands down. Healthcare. Standard of living.

I'd be gone in a heartbeat if it wasn't for missing family.

To answer your post, OP.

I’ve always loved the idea of moving to NZ but I just don’t think I could manage the long flight, the thought terrifies me!

I have been wanting to move to one of the Nordic countries for a while though.
I have many reasons for wanting to leave the UK (Racism being one of them, though I am white British myself so haven’t experienced it on a personal level) but I have zero doubt if I were to list them all it would get people’s knickers in a twist as they would feel “attacked” and my post would get reported and deleted 👍🏻

I moved to Canada 17 years ago and do not regret leaving the UK, especially since having children.

One of the main factors is the weather and access to green space/outdoor activities that are free, all year round.

It's very child friendly with a focus on education which I don't really see in the UK.

America has a vast array of States/Towns/Cities. I can't imagine everything single inch of the US is worse than the UK.

It depends what you’re looking for, nowheres perfect.

We emigrated almost two years ago, so it’s still early days, we’re all very settled and I do think we’ll stay here.

Positives, very good public services, good quality and incredibly cheap childcare, very good support for disabled workers, very clean, lots to do including lots to do outdoors, very safe so our children are able to be very free range. If our children decide to go to university they won’t pay tuition, so thats a huge financial pressure we won’t have. Education and child development is really valued, so education is good, chils focused, there are fewer parents who don’t value education so fewer sink schools.

Downsides, foreign cuisine isn’t as established as it is in the UK, so it’s harder to find a good Pakistani restaurant, for me personally thats my only negative.

If I had small children and money for a good standard of living I’d definitely choose Portugal.

Small, child friendly, safe, always plenty to do no matter where in the country you decide to settle (a car is highly beneficial though if you’re rural).

Teens will still love it because of the long holidays and festivals back to back.

Agree ! We love canada , so much beautiful green outdoor space , outdoor pools in the summer , splash pads , patios with great views ! Festivals , outdoor music each each free , movies in the park - and we feel super safe here too

And long, cold, dark winters.

We are definitely going to go too, but it is mainly for the children and their futures. So we are most likely going to Switzerland now, followed by Ireland, Italy or Denmark. Can get jobs in all those countries. Uni in Switzerland is still free for the kids for the most part and will get them a job there later. There are a lot of Masters in English too now and same in Germany.

Yet a family I know are coming back from Canada after only a year as their children have been so miserable there and found the quality of education so poor compared to their standard local comp.

May help.
https://iasservices.org.uk/move-from-uk-to-spain/

Where in Canada were they living? Canada is consistently highly ranked in global education surveys. It often outperforms the UK in reading, math, and science at the secondary level.
We’re in Montreal - DT’s have passed school age but the education system is excellent. It’s bilingual due to Quebec’s language laws.

And the fact you actually have to be able to get a visa. The arrogance on these threads from people thinking the whole world will welcome them open arms. You will be immigrants, you know the same demographic so reviled over here and probably by the same posters. So much hypocrisy.

Well, I lived in 2 different states on opposite sides of the country and found similar issues in them. Racism is a huge issue, as is gun violence and violence in general. Also pretty ignorant and insular, in a way we're not in Europe. Education was shite in both states.

I had a green card but have let it expire. I have never had any desire to go back.

As long as you have an in demand skill getting visa's is normally pretty easy.

No not necessarily it’s far more complex than that. Also many countries (UK included apparantly ) don’t want huge numbers of immigrants even with desired skills. Many immigrants trying to get into the uk have desirable skills.

Developed countries are fighting over net tax payers, it’s not so difficult to get visas for most places. It’s just a weird quirk of Labour Britain where net tax payers aren’t wanted, which I think might be colouring your view a bit here and giving you the wrong impression.

Except that she clearly stated that she is not considering the US… 🙄

@globalnomad25 This may be a non-starter for many reasons but have you considered Mexico? Some of my employees are located in a couple of different states in MX so I have a unique second-hand understanding of it from a local perspective. There are some areas that I would stay well away from but there are also a lot of wonderful places to live. It also has a large expat population*️⃣ and is relatively easy to get a visa. Would also make emigration to Canada and the US easier and cheaper if you ever consider them in the future.

*️⃣Historically it’s been retiree ‘snowbirds’ but digital nomads are on the rise.

It really is. I've done it a few times. Even in the UK sponsoring skilled works to come in is pretty easy. Although with this government it is getting harder and harder to find skilled people who want to come. South Korea seems to be the in place for young developers to want to go at the moment.

Nope. Define a net tax payer, desirable skills and the countries fighting over them.

Doctors for example. UK doctors are going to work all over the work.

In my industry talented young coders can pretty much work where they like and they seem welcomed. Although AI may change that.

The brain drain is a real thing.

Obviously pensioners heading for the sun, or manual workers less so.

As someone who lived in Canada and is married to a Canadian (who has family there)....don't move to Canada. The unemployment is high, housing is incredibly expensive and it can sometimes be hard to see a GP. Cost of living is very high as well.