Moving abroad has made me realise how bloody dire the UK is

[MattHancocksPrivateNurse]

We moved abroad 4 months ago and after the normal wobbles and adjustments I am now shocked at how different (and much better!) life is. We have considerably more spending money despite paying for private school and healthcare (which are much much better than the UK). It’s safer, considerably cleaner, better public services and much better food quality.

already I can’t see us ever going back and already want to explore somewhere new eventually! But if anyone is feeling low and despondent about the uk which we really were and gets an opportunity (or has a transferable job) I would 100000% recommend looking into it.

i wish we had done it 10 years ago tbh. AIBU to never come back bar the odd visit to see family and friends?!

@lessglittermoremud

No-one has any issue with the OP doing what she wants, and moving abroad, but laying into the UK and basically labelling it a stinky old dump is just out of order.

What an intelligent response, you totally won me over

There are lovely people in the UK. But it's a sinking ship, the economy is on a decline and it's best to get out if you can

Very entitled take - if you’re white, educated and straight Oman will be great for you. Just make sure you’re not too bothered about human rights or how those doing low paid labour jobs are treated.

I didn’t say anyone did have an issue with it…

Yes, you do that. Middle east is soooooo much more stable and problem free.

I lived in Oman many years ago pre children and was part of an Omanisation project. I was teaching English in a company that also had engineers from the UK teaching BTECs. It was a 3 year project that meant the company would gradually manage on its own without us. I remember it being rubbish pay though for the language teachers and very good pay for the engineering teachers.

It's not problem free. The orange man didn't exactly improve the situation. But I know where I'd rather be

Oman! I thought you were going to say Switzerland or something.
I cannot imagine moving to one of the hottest places on earth. That climate is not for me. I'm a rare Brit who actually loves the rain and have been worried about the lack of it.
Where in the UK did you live? There are obviously lots of lovely parts and some not so much.
Do you not miss your family and friends?
Does your proximity to Iran and the instability in the region not worry you?

These sorts of posts always amuse me. As they’re written to intend to brag. But all I see when I read it is a family that was too poor in the UK to have a good life and have become economic migrants.

And you find that….amusing????

Schools in the UK (basically any medium-big country) can vary according to where you are. But you do realise that relatively speaking education in the UK is very, very good?

www.theguardian.com/education/2026/sep/08/england-teenagers-outperform-peers-in-most-countries-in-maths-reading-and-science

If you report a sexual crime against you, you are likely to face criminal charges. Even sexually abused children are at risk of prosecution for acts committed outside marriage.

Each to their own, but I prefer to live in a country which has something approaching a basic level of human rights.

Yes, because despite wanting to brag about how great they are doing, and all they’ve just shown they can’t afford the life they want in the UK. So it’s funny as it’s so telling. Don’t get me wrong, I think people actually being poor anywhere is terrible. But they weren’t poor here, they just couldn’t live the lifestyle of very high earners which they clearly want to do - at the expense of slave labour in their chosen destination, where they pay no tax to contribute to anyone else’s quality of life

Nailed it.

Marital rape isn't a criminal offence.
Men can marry more than one partner. His first wife has no say in this in national law.
Fathers are the sole legal guardians of any children.
Husbands can divorce their wives unilaterally and immediately by verbal or written repudiation without needing to state a legal cause or go through court. Women cannot do this - they have to go to court.
Under Omani personal status and family law, a wife is legally expected to obey her husband.

Women lack lots of freedoms that men 'enjoy'.

Also, I’m not saying your new country won’t be a wonderful fit. But when people move abroad, anything before say the 12 month mark is often called the “honeymoon” phase. Basically where everything that seems good is actually GREAT! And everything slightly less good is just OOH - AN INTERESTING CULTURAL DIFFERENCE.

Now of course many people who live abroad don’t even enjoy the honeymoon phase. So you’re doing well there. But right now I’d say it might actually be a bit too early to make definite judgements about how much of a fit it might be long term. A lot of the stuff that seems crap about the UK - the education system, the weather, the boring chain stores, the constant grumbling about politicians, the bland but comforting food … can all seem quite appealing again given time.

A woman is statistically much more likely to experience a stranger attack per capita in London than in Muscat

Does anything get done in the UK regardless if you report it?

Well good luck. At least its good to have some counter flow!

No surprise there. I've been saying for the longest time that white British men are the most dangerous demographic to be around but the right wing members of the forum get very upset at me for saying it. Truth hurts I guess.

People have always left the UK! But lots of people are also moving back here after time away. And certainly loads of other countries want to be here permanently. I know loads of Aussies, European and S. Americans who are here and chose to be here long term…its swings and roundabouts.

Well I'm kind of surprised if Oman is so fucking amazing why everyone want to move to grubby awful UK instead.

I'm sure you're having a great experience, butmy concernswould be... Are you working? If no, is your marriage quite solid? Even so, how would you fare if your relationship broke down?