anyone moved overseas because the cost of living is too high in the UK???

[myermay]

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I think it depends largely on where you want to go and what your options will be there. Moving overseas can be very hard. Things are often quite complicated and being such a long way from family can be very difficult during a crisis.

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We have moved to Brussels as my dh has a two year secondment. He accepted the post and we decided to move out here for the reasons you have stated - we have a huge mortgage in order to get a reasonably sized house for a family of 4 - no spare cash - buying value stuff from supermarkets - no luxorys etc..
My dh worked very long hours in London and then a long commute with delays several times a week - it was horrible.

Belgium is a fairly expensive area to live but not as bad as the south east in the UK. My dhs job also gives us good extras whilst were here. The big benefits are in quality of life - they are more laid back here - transports better - more family orientated. We just have more time together and less stress.

I am not sure if we are going back - there are things we miss but the benefits outway them at the moment. I do miss my family but they are only a few hours away so its not too bad.

Hope this helps.

We moved abroad for partly financial reasons, partly quality of life reasons, and partly chasing a dream.

It isn't always cheaper to live abroad but this depends what you end up doing, how many financial obligations you have, and what day to day expectations you have.

You have to think that you could be arriving in a new society at the bottom rung and end up struggling in much the same way as you are now. Investing in a rental property in the UK can help you make your money work for you after moving, so that you know you always have some money coming to help you get started and an investment in the UK to fall back on if you move back or need to cash it in.

It is very difficult to be away from family and friends (those who know you well and know how to support you), especially when times are tough. And for me the long winters have been difficult, although I think that's a case of lack of sunshine bringing me down! I know it isn't the same but skype has been a life saver for me. I have really hated missing out on seeing my nephew and my friends' children growing up - skype doesn't help there .

This is hypothetical, of course, but also think about whether you are strong enough as a couple to cope with massive changes to your lives. If the UK stress is already causing problems between you, moving abroad could multipy that pressure many times over especially in the short term, until you are settled. You have to have the same dreams. If one of you has even the slightest reservation and the other one is keen, that tiny difference could open in to a chasm when times are hard. And if you are 'alone' in a new place how will you cope if you are having problems between each other. You will need to be each other's only allies - I say that bit from experience!

We moved back to Australia, after 11yrs in the UK, mostly for quality and cost of living. We enjoyed our time over there, but couldn't afford to live in an area of London we liked, with good schools, and when we moved out of London to a lovely area, we both had to commute. Once dd2 was born, we couldn't have afforded 2 in childcare so it seemed a good time to move back to Australia. I grew up here but hadn't lived here in a long time, but we have found it so family friendly. In the UK we needed 2 full-time incomes to manage a mortgage etc but here I only work part-time, and the first 6mths we managed ok on 1 salary. Middle income earners get more help from the govt here I find, even with the parenting allowances being means tested and there are childcare rebates if you are working. There is at least more of an incentive to work, even part time, didn't find that in the UK.
For us it was a good move, but I wasn't moving to a new country, I at least knew how things worked here and could access any useful benefits straight away.
But having had my children in a country where I had no family, I do understand how difficult that can be, especially if you have been used to their help & they are no longer just around the corner.
Every country has its pros and cons, and no where is perfect. But I think you're better to at least try then always wonder and stay where you are, unhappy.

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I moved abroad 4 years ago for health reasons, I have found the settling down very difficult especially as we all had to learn a new language.

Having said that it has been great and we all have risen to the challenge, but the most difficult thing has been the loss of my very good friends and close family. I don't think I'll ever get over it and its one of the reasons I now want to move back to the UK.

I wish you luck what ever you decide to do.

good point about the language, bubblesqueak. Learning a new language from scratch can sometimes make you feel even more isolated.

It's also worth thinking about the impact of the move on your DC. The younger the better, I think. My DS was 2.9 when we moved and adjusted after a couple of months of naughtiness (which I believe were a reaction to change). I moved countries a few times when I was a child, and the most difficult time was when I was 12, just started secondary, had made new friends, and becoming a stroppy teenager.

If you want to move to Oz to make things easier financially, look very carefully at where to go. We have been in Sydney since last June and although we absolutely adore it, as do the kids, and our quality of life is miles better (OH works shorter house, shorter commute, far more fresh air and exercise etc.) we have been a bit taken aback at just how expensive it is.