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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Question: Would you emigrate again? Regret or not?....discuss

66 replies

chinwag · 27/08/2007 08:19

It's something I have considered but don't think I could leave my family, and not sure the kids would cope.

I am interested to hear you views.

OP posts:

Othersideofthechannel · 30/08/2007 12:30

Thanks mylastrolo.

As you say on the violence front there has a been a particularly horrific incident recently. I am also aware that the gap between the v rich and v poor has grown over the last 20 years.

But is that sort of thing restricted to the UK? I don't know anything about Canada, Aus and NZ but in the US the above are big problems.

Drugs... difficult to escape them anywhere. I guess the main thing is being able to provide other reasons for living for your children. Not easy in deprived areas anywhere in the world.

I have my own reasons for wanting to live abroad but apart from UK house prices they are all because of positive things about France rather than negative things about UK.

Just trying understand the people who think 'Gotta get out of here, where can I go'

Nightynight · 30/08/2007 18:04

hi expat, we are in Bavaria.
It suits some, for me the sticking point is the schools, which were criticised by the UN this year.
But, there are significant advantages. at last, we have got a middle class lifestyle!! ie we live in a house with double glazing and central heating, have a car, and can afford to buy nice food and new clothes and pay our bills. Also, because of proximity to Alps, we can do swanky things like snow sports on the cheap. I could never manage that in the UK, as a single parent.

I want to go back to France. Different culture, horrible bossy bosses (my worst fear!) but fab food, cheap(ish) houses and the school system is better.

alipiggie · 30/08/2007 18:10

Done it twice now and no intentions of coming back now. Currently living in the US and loving it here. About to start work next week for the first time in 6yrs so all rather daunting. Prior to that went to work and live in Holland which was also a great pre-child experience. My boys were only 2 and almost 4 respectively when we moved here so they had no trauma of leaving friends. Although having said that children are so adaptable as long as you can get them out and about and meeting new friends. Colorado is amazingly child friendly (100 times) better than where I was in the UK and weather beats Scotland hands down. Waves to Expat .

mylastrolo · 31/08/2007 00:09

It's interesting everyones slant on things thanks chinwag for starting this thread.

sunnydelight hope your father is improving. Have just lost my mum RIP on 20th of July last day of term . Now my Dad is elderly and on his own it is very hard being so far away.

I suppose we have never had family help or back up and this makes us very self sufficient as a family and hence possibility of Canada. we will have to see.

drosophila · 31/08/2007 00:36

Statistically immigrants and their offspring have higher incidence of depression, addiction and unemployment.

I emigrated to London in 87 and have a few regrets. I never feel I belong anywhere really. I feel a little isolated. I feel very insecure too. I have nothing against London (except the expense) but it just doesn't feel home and then when I go back that doesn't feel home.

Desiderata · 31/08/2007 00:41

mylastrolo · 31/08/2007 00:41

drosophilia sounds to me like you haven't found the right place yet. personally i think you pretty well know within 6 months if it's for you or not. same as in a new job well that's my philosophy . works for me so far i think

drosophila · 31/08/2007 00:54

Maybe. I don't know I think it's the distance from your family and what you are comfortable with.

Penny drops???

Califrau · 31/08/2007 00:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twentypence · 31/08/2007 02:19

No regrets here - I moved to NZ before children so I haven't got a comparison.

About being an RE teacher - the important thing in NZ is to be a registered teacher, the subject seems less important if you are happy to relief teach, or maybe teach RE in several schools.

hellish · 31/08/2007 02:29

Im near Ottawa, Canada, been here with 2 dds for a year now and we love it. Let me know if you want any info on schools, life etc in Ontario.

KTeePee · 31/08/2007 10:05

Drosophilia, i know what you mean about nowhere feeling like home any more (though I feel a lot more settled here now since my kids started school and I got to know more people - though most of my close friends seem to be Scottish or immigrants like me!)

An irish writer once said the only place she felt at home was on the ferry in the middle of the Irish sea!

DarrellRivers · 03/09/2007 19:33

Very interesting thread.
I was always of the mind that people emigrated to 'find themselves' or becasue they were unhappy in one country.
I love the UK and always hated the idea of moving country because couldn't understand why people would be happier in a different geographical area, as actually I think happiness is of your own making.
However , I am now really excited about the prospect of going to live somewhere like Canada for a few years, for exactly that reason that you don't want to look back and think 'what if'.
Now I am really happy with my family, job etc and I think you can find the same happiness in a new country (well i hope so)
We shall see how the planning goes over the next few months and see what happens, but hopefully looking forwards to a few years in Vancouver

chocchipcookie · 04/09/2007 13:41

I think it helps to remember that most countries vary a lot. I get so sick of the whole categorising of the US in terms of 'drugs and guns.' We live in the midwest and I can honestly say I feel far safer here than I did in the UK. Everyone leaves their houses unlocked and where we are there is no burglary, literally I've never heard of any or car theft.
Having said that I would prefer to be in a more international community/city where there are other expats or people who have travelled. Lots of our neighbours don't have a passport. It's a small town, everyone knows your business - which is also why it's so safe... You have to take the rough with the smooth.
I have also lately been incredibly homesick, triggered I think by my dd being born six months ago. My DH is American and we will stay here permanently but having my dd brought that home to me. She's going to grow up with an American accent and never know so much of what I knew as a child. I really missed my family, friends and M&S more than ever.
I go back to the UK at the end of this month having not been back for a year and I am desperate to go. At the end of the day the UK still feels like home to me though a little less so each time I go back. Has anyone experienced this?

mummyfixit · 04/09/2007 15:26

I would love to emigrate. We are seriously considering moving to Malta. You have the climate, people are more laid back and seems to me a more relaxed and enjoyable way of life.

I read the Malta newspapers. There are no daily shootings, children killing each other etc etc.

Going to Malta soon to look at property and job prospects. Cannot wait. We have a DS who is 2.

primigravida · 04/09/2007 15:56

It's a difficult one. We moved to the UK from NZ at the beginning of this year and are having our first child here next month. There has been positives and negatives to our experience (missing friends and family, weather not as good etc. vs. travel opportunities and better pay for DH). I don't regret moving to England but at the same time we've both made the decision to move back to New Zealand next year as we feel that it will be easier with a small child to have more of a support network and we just miss NZ too much to stay away any longer. That said we're also talking about moving to Canada for a couple years in five years time, so who knows? It really depends on what makes you happy, I guess.

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