Dh says the U.K is f***** and he never wants to go back

[Chippednailtoepolish]

These were his words this morning.

We live abroad in a place where a lot of people are coming to live, escaping the uk and America.
He says with everything on the news, the way it's going and what the people coming to where we are tell him, that we'd be mad to return.
Is he being realistic? I want to return to be with family desperately and have a strange feeling that I need to do it soon

Would we be mad to return at this time? If yes, then when!

He's right. Uk is a laughing stock

You are all over Mumsnet… relentlessly negative about… everything.

How long has life been this crap for you @EvangelicalAboutButteredToast ? Have you always lived in the shit hole that you seem to think you live in? Never been inclined to move?

Eh?
Well, a nano second googling would let you know that these issues arise in Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Sweden etc etc. And certainly Spain ‘and’ Portugal where the OP is now. I assume they got your criteria of not being ‘400 years behind the rest of us’?

Though you have at least made it clear what your personal agenda is…..

It’s the basic rate tax payers who feel the burden of their tax most. But it’s usually the higher tax payers who moan about it most. We pay a lot of tax but we are unusual in that we don’t really mind. We have a nice life and all our needs are met. If we had to pay a bit more tax that wouldn’t change. I do have friends who moan about tax when we meet. They are all well off - one has multiple investment properties. The tax that really gets their back up is IHT, but honestly, you’ll be dead so you won’t care and your DC will be retired so they’ll either have made it in life or not by then. So what does it matter?

Of course not. Prove it on here. Even mnhq have said posters such as the one below calling people bots are more of the issue.

Some are just really bad at hearing other people’s experiences that are different.

So you have been made redundant and not found anything months later - doesn’t occur to you that that is probably contributing factor as to your unrelenting bleak view of the country? Your life is a bit shit so you presume that everyone else in England’s is (and those of us that aren’t are just being “insufferably smug”?)

Your kids attend shit schools?

Of course. Literally every thread. Every single thread of Mumsnet I am posting on moaning about the weather. Moaning about head lice. Having a moan about the price of cheese… or, I am active on political threads feeling absolutely exasperated about the fucking mess the country is in.

Geez bit relentless with this personal stuff. The job market isn’t great you know.

@DosPerros used the word “fuck” on a different thread this morning

I know

but this poster thinks the country is shit through and through. Fair enough.

But those of us who don’t think that… she says we are “insufferably smug”

Yes it's awfully dismissive. If you are at all dismayed with the UK and think it has changed for the worst you are dismissed as a bot, an idiot who gets their entire world view from GB News, etc. I am not a Reform voter, I detest Farage, I'm proud of the place I'm from, have lived here my entire life. If you say you think things have declined or feel rougher you are derided as bashing the UK. It's terribly snobby honestly.
There have been major cuts to every service imaginable, council budgets, police numbers, drug and alcohol support, youth services, on and on. And in places that are already deprived this is playing out all around, visible to see.

Calm down Nige.

Oh please don’t pull out your soap box again about Rachel reeves 🥱

The news will always show you the worst things that are happening, and you probably live in an echo chamber of people with similar views..
We are low earners with a lovely life here, no issues with accessing the NHS when needed, recently got a NHS dentist, lovely countryside nearby, and I haven't witnessed any violence, we just get on with our lives, our family and friends are ok too.
Yes the UK has problems, like anywhere, but I wouldn't leave.
Many people enjoy complaining, watch far too much sensationalist news, and get caught up in Facebook propaganda posts.

Despite being a small country, people's opinions will vary hugely, depending on area, income, health etc etc. I have a good job, my kids go to nice schools, we live in a lovely house, have good health and can get a GP appt w relative ease. I also prefer living in a culturally diverse city, and have never felt unsafe. If I were less fortunate, I would undoubtedly have a different take on things.

Do you believe everything uour husband says. Isn’t it apparent he doesnf want to come back and that’s why he’s saying it.

Funny that’s this has been ambushed by disgruntled higher rate tax payers who resent what they see as forking out for others. London bankrolls the whole country so it would be like London saying we don’t want to pay for nurses in wales, no police in Cornwall and no benefits in the north.

And yet every day
Millions of people volunteer
Are treated in the NHS
9 million children will go to school next week
If you are seriously ill an ambulance will get to you within 8 minutes (current average time)
There are over 140,000 miles of footpath, 7.000 square miles of national park and 27,000 public parks in the UK.
Libraries, many galleries and museums are free for all.

Not all a 'fucking mess' after all.

Both things are true. It’s crap but it’s still ok if you’ve reason to be here.

And we are the third most sustainable country in the world.
https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/country-leading-world-sustainability-estonia

PMSL 🤣

That's because its the media.

People don't want to watch stories on fluffy bunnies and cute cats. They want murder, and pain, and drama!! So that is what is shown on the news.

Scaremongering and drama based on something that only makes up a tiny portion of UK life.

I am fortunate to live in an extremely beautiful and peaceful part of England, and we have a very good life here. Lots of friends and loved ones, which means a great deal to me (although I know it may not matter to everyone for different reasons)

I would much, much rather be here if the shit really hits the fan than overseas.

So from a purely safety point of view, and knowing my country has the ability to defend itself and us, and the many things we take for granted here, like free health care and a community that will step in and help the vulnerable I find reassuring. I also trust those around me will pull together, if for example Russia did its worst, or some other rogue country. When times are globally very strained, the safest place to be is at home (for me)

I am sorry to also add, as a life long pacifist it feels odd to say this, but I do find our nuclear deterrent increasingly comforting.

I’d stay away OP!

We sit in the top 5% category of earners here in the UK, taxed to the high heavens….

Live in a 3 bed terrace because house prices are so high where we live! NOT London!

other complaints we have about the UK

Child care is so high made more sense for me to work part time.
nothing works healthcare wise so have to shell out for private dentist and private medical even though we pay ALLLLLL that tax.
we don’t want to privately educate our DC but the local state primary has a leaking roof and is covered in scaffolding.
elderly grandparent waited over 15 hours for an ambulance on the floor after a fall.
same grandparent spent their last Christmas in hospital because care packages unavailable - not sure I’ll ever get over this! Ward they were on was also mixed sex and cramped.
Drug dealing on e-bikes rampant in our city
knife crime getting worse in our city
city centre is dirty like it needs a good wash, can’t sit outside a cafe without being harassed for change
drunks/drug addicts sprawled on benches in our city.
standard of driving in our city has lowered over the past 10 years
constantly changing prime minister!
horrible vibe and racism on the increase.
council don’t empty/bins as often as they did.

we’ve seen a major decline since Covid and I just can’t see it improving!

on a positive note things we like…

great coffee culture now in the UK lots of small interesting independents have opened up also the same for restaurants and food markets.
access to cultural/ heritage sites still affordable.

unfortunately we probably have to stay as DHs job is tied to this country. Would def leave if it was an option!

You need to do your own research, not base your decision on opinions of strangers.

If your DC's safety is a concern then research crime stats in UK Vs where you live now. Find the facts, not the news, which is always biased.

We are planning to leave the UK when my son is 18-20 and able to stand on his own 2 feet. I worry about his safety but not overly as we are in a small city and he's quite sensible. we'd leave sooner but in Cyprus where we want to move to education opportunities are poor Vs UK. But it is a much safer country.

I hate the erosion of free speech here in the UK, I have to watch what I say to people because I'm afraid I'll get a knock on the door from the police.

I hate the government that is focused on taking my family's money to give to other people so they can live the life of Riley while barely lifting a finger. They have no plans for economic growth. The cost of living is forever rising and rising while wages on the private sector stagnate. There's going to be an implosion when today's 30-40 year olds retire and find their workplace pensions are not enough to live on.

Our NHS is rubbish and our healthcare is slipping well behind other developed nations, social care is out of reach except for the minority.

Our young adults are struggling desperately to find work and can't so remain dependent on their parents, which is fine of parents can afford to keep them but many can't. This will get worse for a number of years before it gets better due to AI, but you will find similar elsewhere.

And even if a different party is elected next time it will be a decade before we see any noticeable improvement.

On the other hand, banking is good, there is very little corruption, banking sector isn't corrupt, food is cheap, education is very good until 18. Culturally I fit, there's so much to do no matter what you're interested in you will find others who are your interests.