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.

I left 33 years ago. Would love to return "home", but it's just not feasible at the moment.

As someone who grew up in one country, moved to another for 20 years, and in UK for 15 years, I get it.

It's OK to want to move. Anywhere you like. Heck migration has been the thing people did for millenia before passports came along 150 years ago.

But do think of your priorities, what trade-offs are you making.

For example, places like Dubai are popular for those who value cash/ weather and not much else. No civic life participation. No freedom of speech. Your life can be uprooted any time at the whim of a tyrant.

In US, you get large everything but have to tolerate complete commercialisation of everything, I remember baseball commentary "It's a Dunkin Donuts Double-Play!" And then of course don't say anything that might upset the toddler in the WH.

On Latin America or parts of Asia, day to day life is tough. Things we take for granted - electricity, water - are not standard.

And so on..

''@KatyaKanani · Today 11:54

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

I know that :) but to me Scotland it is a place that is not ''Farage friendly''...

Right. Same as many parts of England, Wales and NI.

Pretty much same as us. Portugal is the front runner at the moment. (Have lived in Malaysia and considered that, but it's too far and too hot). Also think Ireland or Scotland would be good. At least then DS and DD would be in the same country.
Would love to live in France again though. But we have family out there, and in our case, that is not a good thing.

Errrrr you know Scotland is in the UK right??

Out of interest, why do you think Ireland would be good? What in particular?

Quite a few seem to think it's a different land......

Sadly, think Reform are just as likely to do well here in Scotland as they are in the rest of the UK.

Voting intention for reform in Scotland is at 18%. That is less than 30% in national polls but it's not miles apart.

Yes, I think you're right. Much like the rest of the UK, there are regional variations.

France is in a right mess. Their goverment is on the brink of collapsing again, which could easily force early elections and a far-right majority, as they are way ahead in the polls.
Not sure I'd risk that as a foreigner, however good the cheese.

So you’re not leaving now then?

Its hard to get visas for over 18s, as they are adults. Student visa or a standalone earning one is probably all they can get.
Think hard on where you can actually go.

Not sure I'd risk that as a foreigner, however good the cheese.

😂 Can I have some Bleu d'Auvergne with my deportation notice please?

You sound confused and flighty OP. You say the grass isn't greener and yet you think there's a better life to be had elsewhere. That's the same thing as 'grass is greener'.

You say you're speeding up plans to leave but your kids don't want to go and you don't want to leave them. You also don't know where you're going and throwing around lots of random ideas. Have you looked into the practicalities of any of it or is this a giant daydream?

You're planning to leave the UK but talking about living in Scotland. Then say that you might have to only spend part of the time abroad.

Maybe you just need a holiday ??

I’d wait a few years until both your children are in their 20’s, working, etc. Tbh, I wouldn’t base your plans entirely around them as it sounds as if your DS is also interested in living abroad -he may end up moving around a lot for a few years.

Work out where you want to be and then see when it’s feasible to move. Personally, I’d like to be on the same continent as my children but they may not settle anywhere for a while. Take your time and see where they end up.

No. We are higher rate tax payers and the tax isn't what's killing us, it's just the general cost of living. Happy to pay higher tax. I'd rather pay more and see better services to be honest. But groceries/eating out/holidays/luxuries are SO expensive compared to a decade ago and that is what's making life seem so difficult and unreasonable, and that won't be fixed by moving to a different country!

My daughter is currently living, studying and working in Japan, and while she's loving it, nationalist feeling is pretty strong there at the moment.

I'm curious about that too (Irish, long resident in the UK). I actually think Ireland has very similar underlying issues to the UK, in terms of an ageing population, housing, health care, immigration and the resulting tensions etc. Irish politics is I think also beginning to shift rightwards (we tend to be a decade behind Europe in those kinds of shifts). Though we obviously had the sense not to leave the EU I guess!

Also think Ireland or Scotland would be good. At least then DS and DD would be in the same country.

I think you need to better understand UK and European geography before you make too many plans...

My dh has to give the government £1m next week in tax. We’re waiting for the budget in a few weeks and if inheritance is up we’re off. After working his arse off he wants his kids to benefit. He’s done his bit. Enough’s enough.

I understand leaving for better salaries or because housing is too expensive but where is this utopia with low taxes & excellent public services?

I may one day & my dc might. We have other citizenship.

I'm not planning as such, but have started to look at properties in a few European countries just to get an idea of what's available.