Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Living overseas

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

Original poster

If you had a chance to leave the UK would you?

86 replies

GypsyQueeen · 16/08/2025 22:30

Hey,

Considering a move to the Channel Islands (probably Jersey).

Although rent/ living costs are high it will put us in the best possible financial position (mainly thinking about the kids futures - money wise).
Kids are 8, 11 and 14.

Feel like the UK doesn't have much to offer now and will only get worse when the kids are older.

Just interested in what other people think? Would you leave if you had a good opportunity for a life somewhere else?

OP posts:
Dawnb19 · 26/08/2025 23:51

If I had the money I would. Somewhere warmer would be great. I went backpacking around Australia and felt a million times better living in the sun. I lost weight, exercised more and I had more energy. I just felt better.

GlowWorm13 · 27/08/2025 00:18

No way. I love the UK.

Lou670 · 27/08/2025 06:47

I have lived in Jersey before I had children. I think you would find it claustrophobic after a while. Nice for a holiday but living there is different especially with children. I think they would get bored as all the Islands are small and can round them in a day.

Iamfree · 27/08/2025 06:52

I will be moving abroad for retirement - found a few countries (in Europe) with super low income taxes and basically no inheritance tax. Prepping now, although it won’t be for a few years but visiting places etc so I can quickly pull the trigger when the time comes.

Simonjt · 27/08/2025 06:59

Jersey, not for us, I went there for a work thing once and tagged on a weeks holiday at the end, I returned early as there was nothing else new to do.

We moved abroad, we didn’t feel the UK had little to offer us as a family, we just felt some places might offer a bit more of the things we enjoy and value. Our children were young though, a toddler and an eight year old, I wouldn’t move a 14 year old due to education (especially if they are in year 10) and from a friendship point of view.

Have you tested it out? When we were moving we used all our annual leave over an 18 month period to spend as much time in our intended counry as possible.

Natsku · 27/08/2025 07:26

I did. Moved to Finland when I was 20. Much easier decision to make when I was young and had no ties beyond family.

Never regretted it. So glad my children get to grow up and go to school here rather than in the uk (I still love the uk but schools are far far better here, childhood is better, its much safer etc. But we all love visiting the UK and I do miss many aspects of it)

whatasillygoose · 27/08/2025 07:33

It’s not an absolute no but I doubt I would move abroad. I like where I live, I like my job and I’d have to have a really good opportunity to move away.

I would absolutely never move to Jersey. I know the island well and there’s no way I could ever live there.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/08/2025 07:37

We lived in the US (Pennsylvania) for a couple of years before we had our dd.

Im very glad we did. But I’m very glad we came back.
Maybe if you go somewhere else you’ll love it, but IME it made us aware of things we take for granted in this country.

Makehaysunshine · 27/08/2025 07:38

I would. I am frightened by what this country is becoming.

Makehaysunshine · 27/08/2025 07:38

Iamfree · 27/08/2025 06:52

I will be moving abroad for retirement - found a few countries (in Europe) with super low income taxes and basically no inheritance tax. Prepping now, although it won’t be for a few years but visiting places etc so I can quickly pull the trigger when the time comes.

Which countries?

AnonymousBleep · 27/08/2025 07:40

I’m considering it at the moment. Thoroughly depressed with what now looks like an inevitable Reform win, and all the people who are pretending not to be racist but sticking crappy flags everywhere and painting roundabouts. Britain looks and feels toxic right now. The only thing stopping me is leaving friends and family, and the fact most countries are equally full of twats.

AzurePanda · 27/08/2025 07:41

Yes, and am in the process of planning for it. Two of my children have already left. I don’t have “mug” stamped on my forehead and have had enough.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 27/08/2025 07:42

Yes. I am leaving (probably). I'm married to an American and plans are in place to move there. Currently searching for a suitable property. I know America is a bit out of the frying pan into the fire but the specific area is a rural community and pretty self sufficient so doesn't get as affected by political changes but I'm also close enough to a big airport to visit family in the uk easily enough.

PersephoneParlormaid · 27/08/2025 07:42

No, i’m very happy here, as are my children.

Squirrelsnut · 27/08/2025 07:42

Not permanently. I love where I live, it's so beautiful. But I'd like to experience a few years somewhere else.

bestcatlife · 27/08/2025 07:44

I absolutely would if I could (don't have an EU passport.....) really wish I'd done it and got settled status while I could. I'm really scared about Reform, I've no doubt they'll get in. At least if you live in a poor European country you can move to any EU country you like. Where can UK citizens move to?
I would have to retrain but I'm seriously considering it. I'm in my 40's.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 27/08/2025 07:46

Nope. I could consider a temporary move (2 to 3 years) but never a permanent one.

Makehaysunshine · 27/08/2025 07:47

Squirrelsnut · 27/08/2025 07:42

Not permanently. I love where I live, it's so beautiful. But I'd like to experience a few years somewhere else.

I’d love to know where you live!

Perfectlystill · 27/08/2025 07:48

I wouldn't move to boring Jersey with teenagers!

daisychain01 · 27/08/2025 07:48

Thoroughly depressed with what now looks like an inevitable Reform win, and all the people who are pretending not to be racist but sticking crappy flags everywhere and painting roundabouts.

what has racism actually got to do with putting British flags up? Fascinated to know the logic. People can want their country to prosper and be proud of this country (at the moment national pride is at an all time low), without them being accused of racist. Every other country flies their national flag but when British people do, they are accused of racism, it's ridiculous.

TheChosenTwo · 27/08/2025 07:50

No way. Not against temporary relocation but our family are all here and neither of our mothers are getting younger, mine in particular is in poor health.
We are close to all our siblings and nieces/nephews, have great groups of friends and good jobs, our lives are actually pretty great.

Iamfree · 27/08/2025 07:56

@MakehaysunshineI think Italy they have an amazing 7% flat tax for retirees drawing pensions from abroad. Alternative would be Portugal. I have a British passport and two EU ones so I’m covered wherever I want to live in the EU, I’ve visited a few places of interest and I think I found where I want to retire

Purplecatshopaholic · 27/08/2025 08:06

In a heartbeat! UK is fucked, and getting worse. Not sure where would be better though.
i have lived in Jersey and really like it but it is very small and I wouldn’t have stayed for a long time - I worked there for a couple of years and that was enough. It’s a lovely place, I lived right on the beach. I didn’t have kids though so can’t comment on that side of life.

Strugglingtodomybest · 27/08/2025 08:07

No, I have my family and friends here, I live in a beautiful place, and I have a very active social life. I would miss my life here too much.

I would consider spending more time abroad during the winter though, I am lucky enough to be able to work from anywhere and I'm not keen on Jan/Feb in the UK.

Makehaysunshine · 27/08/2025 08:10

Iamfree · 27/08/2025 07:56

@MakehaysunshineI think Italy they have an amazing 7% flat tax for retirees drawing pensions from abroad. Alternative would be Portugal. I have a British passport and two EU ones so I’m covered wherever I want to live in the EU, I’ve visited a few places of interest and I think I found where I want to retire

That’s interesting ! For non EU passport holders, what is the rule in terms of investment and which area would you recommend? I don’t speak Italian though!