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Living overseas

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Original poster

I Hate London

338 replies

JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 05:48

We've been here as a family for three years now. We moved from Auckland, New Zealand. I can't be the only expat that spends every day regretting the decision?!

Apart from the shopping and the proximity to Europe/US for holidays, I can't think of one thing that's better here than we had at home. The place is a filthy ghetto! The general attitude/reluctance for people to actually put in a hard days work is astounding. I won't even mention the schools, are DH is a supply teacher and the stories I hear are beyond me.. I fear for his safety daily.

I miss my house on the beach! Time to pack it in and go home I think.

OP posts:
Oblomov18 · 02/07/2018 06:51

People serving in my local Sainsbury at the tills are very friendly, so much so that sometimes I wish they'd be less so, and just scan my shopping quicker because I'm in a rush, having just finished work and needing to pick up Ds2 from school!!Grin

Have you not found the SN care of ds very good in the UK? We are well ahead of say France, who almost don't believe in ASD and ADHD!

GorgonLondon · 02/07/2018 06:52

mydog yep, as another born and bred Londoner I agree it's generally a friendly place. I chat with people on tunes, buses,shops etc.

OP it's probably because you go around looking at people like they're shit.

My grandpa spent all 100 years of his life in London and never stopped finding new things to enjoy. My dad is 75 and is the same way.

Nevertheless, if you can't manage to find anything to enjoy in one of the most diverse, complex, historical cities on earth, there is no point in anyone trying to advise you otherwise.

Theworldisfullofgs · 02/07/2018 06:52

Well maybe that would explain why you are having difficulty. It's a pejorative word here.
Where are you in London?

Everyone has choices - maybe move if you are unhappy.

Oblomov18 · 02/07/2018 06:55

Staffs? Peak District and Snowdonia? I appreciate its not Christchurch or beaches, but Christ, if you can find some beauty there- a nice walk and a pub lunch, then you Really are lost!

Original poster
JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 06:58

@Vitalogy better than here with the Pakeha Grin

@GorgonLondon I don't ever look at people 'like they're shit', quite the contrary. I'm used to British people staring at me like i'm a hybrid... must have never seen a PI before!

OP posts:
Candyflip · 02/07/2018 06:59

hybrid
We don’t use such derogatory language in London. You really need to go home.

Original poster
JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 07:00

@Oblomov18 Have definitely enjoyed Wales and Ireland for a visit. Not doable for my DHs job though. Seems to be London or Birmingham.

OP posts:
LemonJ · 02/07/2018 07:01

I've been to New Zealand. I found a lot of people to be racist and sexist. It seems this one is also quite a moaner who can't see the positive In things.

JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 07:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Mrswalliams1 · 02/07/2018 07:02

London is wonderful. Seems like it's time for you to jump on a plane.

Original poster
JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 07:02

@LemonJ 'this one'?? Sounds a bit racist there, bro.

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/07/2018 07:02

Blimey you have got it bad.

Lostwithinthehills · 02/07/2018 07:03

I'm used to British people staring at me
I don’t understand why anyone in London would be staring at you because of your appearance, I thought it is supposed to be an enormous melting pot of people from all over the world.

I also don’t understand why a Maori would reclaim the word ‘ghetto’ when it’s origins relate to Jews living in Venice.

Candyflip · 02/07/2018 07:05

Um. You don’t know my ethnicity. Seeing as London is the most multicultural place on the planet, you will never guess? But carry on with your oppressed narrative, probably works better in your backwater.

Discotits · 02/07/2018 07:08

Where in London do you live?

VanillaSugar · 02/07/2018 07:08

I lived in the South Pacific for 3 years and I'd like to say that the majority of Maori/Pacific Islanders are very different to the OP.

FrancisCrawford · 02/07/2018 07:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 07:09

@Lostwithinthehills It's not 'a' Maori, just Maori. Same reason why African American's have claimed it, they know the struggle, we have a shared history of oppression. Meaning of words change over time, what about the word gangster? Or thug? Those don't relate to us, but you still use it to describe my people. Walk in my shoes or my kids before you make an assumption about how people look at us.

OP posts:
sleep5 · 02/07/2018 07:12

This is just a population density thing. As you'll know already, Auckland has a low population in comparison but is spread over the same land area as London. People with more living space are friendlier wherever you are in the world.

If you can't cope with the transition then you should move to a less densely populated area. You'll find shops a lot friendlier in small towns easily commutable from London.

I know plenty of kiwis who have moved to London. They spend the first year exclusively with a social circle of fellow kiwis and whinging about how everything in NZ is so much better. Gradually they realise that nobody's interested and that NZ is a tiny country on the other side of the world of little significance here -- or they just return home.

Though there do seem to be a lot fewer young kiwis here these days with Eastern European migration consuming the low paid bar and farm jobs.

Original poster
JamSandwiches45 · 02/07/2018 07:12

@Candyflip I don't care who or what you are. I can refer to myself as a hybrid if I want to. Not your business. Take offence to it if you want!

@VanillaSugar Ever heard of 'mark of the plural'? I don't go around saying 'most whites are not like you', I don't stand for my entire race, why even say that?

OP posts:
TerfsUp · 02/07/2018 07:13

Please do go asap.

Lindy2 · 02/07/2018 07:14

Well, millions of people love London. Including visitors from overseas.
If you don't like where you are living then do something about it. Just whinging about a place in a forum but staying put is pretty ridiculous.
Let someone else take your place here who actually really wants to be here.

Oblomov18 · 02/07/2018 07:17

Why would any Londoner take any notice of Maori? With such diversity in London.
Reasonable diversity even here, in Surrey!
And l come up to London for the day, to hospital appointment every 3 months, (and have done for 20 years) as I am actually doing this week, and love the diversity of London and it doesn't bother me.

Ethelswith · 02/07/2018 07:18

I have kiwis next door. They leave litter in the front garden (food packaging, bottles general trash). Can't wait for them to leave!

Especially if they're hating it here.

Though I suspect they're not hating it. Just as not everyone hates London. But those that do really need to move to somewhere they do like. Doesn't have to be back to NZ. Could be to a different part of London (lots more space in the outskirts) or out of town completely. Including to the coast, if you can find a house you like in a place with decent commuter links.

3DSpex · 02/07/2018 07:19

I’m a Londoner and love it here. But I can see why anyone wanting a slower pace of life, smaller community, rural or beach living etc would hate it. No brainer.

Did you have different expectations of London before you moved here?

I liked Auckland for a short holiday (visited before) but I’d be bored stiff living. Swings and roundabouts.