Is anyone else planning to leave the UK?

[AuntieMeemz]

Everything we gain, earn or get is taxed and we are not seeing the benfit we would expect from it. We have a government that is not representing all of us.
I have always taken a keen interest in current affairs, in the UK and abroad so it's not a rash decision (and i don't want to trigger a debate about my reasons for leaving). I have learned when it is time to walk away.
Even before all this, we had decided to leave the UK, but we are speeding up plans. Is anyone else doing the same?
The grass will not be greener on the other side (have lived in 3 other countries when i was younger). We will be working on line for our last couple of years before retirement.
'We' means DH, DD (18 )and DS (21). DH totally onboard. DD and DS not, so we can't just leave them.

Yes, we are going as soon as we can. Definitely as soon as our kids at at uni, preferably beforehand though if we are able .

I live in Sweden where the taxes are high, the difference is that we can see where the taxes go and it really benefits all of us. We have very generous parental leave, heavily subsidised childcare, heavily subsidised elderly care, affordable healthcare, good work/life balance with more holiday days than the UK, schools are free (including food and transport), public transport is free for children and retired people, pensions are higher than the UK. Yes, there are issues in Sweden too, but taxes aren't one of them. I earned more when I lived in the UK and paid less tax, but I am much better off in Sweden.

No you are not wrong. Most people can't relocate.
And it's hatd work to do. We moved to UK under EU rules +20 years ago and settling is expensive in a foreign country.

As others have pointed out, it’s not that easy to just move to another country. You usually have to have some type of skills etc to qualify, if you’re not already a citizen of another country. At 18 and 21 your children will not be considered dependents and would need to qualify on their own even if they were on board with the idea. However it might actually be easier for them - there are various options for them to go on working holidays which could potentially turn into something permanent.

But as others have also said, there are similar problems everywhere.

Thank you. I sometimes feel like it’s an alternative universe with some of the stuff I read on here 😂

Most of us are not the mobile ultra-wealthy, but schmucks stuck on PAYE with a house and kids who are sitting ducks for tax rises, whether they be on savings or property - ie your own flippin’ home.

You'll be amazed at how much the country improves when you stop reading the news.

MN is an alternative universe.
Leaving for another country is for the few.

We can do it because we hold EU pasports and are native in the language we relocate to.
Oldest two children have finished at university and we have a flat in a city with job oppotunites for us. It still cost us savings.

Can’t see the point, 1 thing for sure, the move alone will be an expense!
Other countries seem just as variable as UK atm. Bro has lived in France for several yrs & always singing praises about their health system…lo& behold that’s all crumbled lately?! I’ve lived in 3 others, although it’s interesting, they’re just different.
”Better the devil you know”, in the end! is my honest opinion.

Where is it you think will allow you to live there while presumably working remotely for your current UK employers but magically paying less tax and having a government that represents you? Will you even have any voting rights?

And if you’re two years off retirement and have two young adult children whom you ‘can’t leave’, why bother?

Or is this just a massive, performative flounce and you have no intention of emigrating?

Bye then 👋

Keen to hear where you are going. I feel the same way and Reform getting in would probably be a tipping point. It does feel like a slippery slope and I am not sure I want my DD growing up in this country any more. It makes me sad, but I feel that the Government despises people like me (middle class, earn decently, not mega wealthy, pay my fair share, do not claim anything etc) and my standard of living goes down year on year.

Almost tempted!!! Can't get an effing driving test booked in the local area where I live!! Surely other countries like Germany are not having these same problems?!

I moved abroad 20 years ago and we are actually considering coming back to UK for retirement. Tax and inheritance rules can be much worse in other EU countries. Climate change is really concerning too - Spain and Italy are having much more frequent extreme weather. Brexit has really made moving so difficult these days. My dd (and I ) are EU citizens, so she will have free movement at least.

We've started talking about it in a way we never have before. Once our older children are through uni - it would be too disruptive to move at this point - then it's definitely an option for us with DH and the kids having dual nationality. But I wouldn't go unless we were all willing to move together.

Why would Scotland be better, surely it's still the UK?

All countries in Europe are having significant problems.
Germany seem to be cracking down on migration at the moment.

Even if I was minded to, I don't think many countries would want a pisspoor 70YO with a raft of health issues.

At the moment we are waiting for our girls to finish uni, and find their feet, decide where they think they may settle, and then we'll think about whether we stay here, or go home.

No, never. I love the UK, I love being English. I love my country. I have a lovely life.

No, I wouldn't dream of it. I'm very happy in the UK. I love to travel, but this is my home.
Obviously there is plenty that isn't as it should be. The huge levels of wealth inequality, the worrying state of the NHS, social care and education, but I'm fortunate enough these things don't cause me hardship personally and at least I'm able to pay into the system and do my bit through my work to alleviate it a little for others.
I feel the UK has given me a great deal. My education, and that of my children, medical care when needed etc.
I love the natural beauty, the soft light, the seasons, the history, the diversity, the common points of reference with other people who live here. And every person I know and love is here too.

No, although we could as DH and DCs have dual citizenship and as teachers we could easily get jobs in international schools.

I’m happy with my lot but I’m probably considered a MN scourge being both a public sector worker with a gold plated pension coming my way, and a parent of a child who has an EHCP and in receipt of DLA and thus a reason why the country is in the mess it’s in (slightly tongue in cheek there!).

As a PP said, it’s lovely to see such a balanced view. I too feel the world is ending on here recently!

Some very interesting thoughts here. I have stayed a few months in USA, and preferred home. I also stayed 3 months in Australia, and preferred home. We don't earn enough to qualify for a lot of residence visas for most other countries.I did like living in France though. I also really loved living in Japan! Never been abroad and lived in comfort, so it's always been on a shoe string. We are def not rich, but have always saved and spent all our money on travel. No iphones, tablets, no nice car, no airfryer etc etc in our house!
I absolutely agree that most UK problems are the same in every country, and i know for sure that the grass is not greener. However, that does not mean there isn't a better life elsewhere. Some countries have lower tax and sometimes better services too.
We will probably have to go for a 'snowflake' existence, and only spend part of the time abroad. Having looked at how tied in we are in the UK, it's complicated (renting out property, mortgage, taxes etc etc). I think DD and DS will be more open to leaving after they've tried to get a job! DS very much wants to go back to Japan and work in Japan (he's now been once with family and once on his own).

As others have said, thanks to Brexit our options are now severely limited - Ireland and that's about it.

If Reform get it I might claim asylum somewhere though. The issue is that I'd probably go to Germany and AFD might get elected there, so frying pans and frying pans!

I don't actually think it's that bad here and at least the government is grown up compared with Boris and Liz Truss even if they are making a hash of balancing the books. It's different for young people who can't get jobs though.

Nope