Advice on whether to move abroad again

[SarahBcn]

We lived in Barcelona for nearly 3 years when the kids were small. Loved it, loved the lifestyle, food, travel but came home as we thought it was always temporary, could get more job opportunities, wanted to be closer to family friends and didn’t want to always be an outsider.
After nearly 4 years back in the UK we’ve bought a house, kids are in primary (y6 and y2) we see my family quite a bit but I’ve always missed Barcelona. I just find the UK weather, crap infrastructure, everything falling apart depressing! In Barcelona we were out in the evening, meeting up with friends and outside a lot of the time. This on top of impending Farage victory, partner being made redundant, possible redundancy for me just makes me think, should so move back? I could put the eldest in an international school and the youngest in local or maybe both in local. I have friends here, it’s just that my family wouldn’t be here, but I think that’s the only thing I would miss! What do people think?

Should add my partner can work remotely and I can teach in international schools

If you can move back, I would. I don't know if there are Brexit limitations on you doing so. It's not so far in terms of seeing friends and family.

I still have 10 year residency from last time so could be ok?

Do it OP. Life is too short. Can your family visit you there?

If you can, I would move back. It sounds like you had a more active social life and generally more fun in Barcelona?

It took moving away from the UK to realise how relatively unsociable Brits are! I see my friends 1-2 times a week here whereas I was lucky to see my friends 1-2 times a month in London! Everyone was so… low energy? Especially around meeting up, organising social event etc.

I think low energy summarises it well in vast swathes of the country and it’s not just the weather aspect either - it felt a lot more social both in Denmark and Amsterdam area when I’ve lived there - and a lot more older people seemed to go out a reasonable amount too -

@Crikeyalmighty yes that’s exactly how I feel. I have friends in London which is only 1 hour from us, who I hardly see. They don’t come and visit even though we live in a fun part of the UK by the sea. I haven’t really made any friends here as people don’t seem to have time to go for a coffee - it’s more quick dashed conversation at pick ups and everyone’s knackered in the evening. Only reservation is kids - especially eldest. She’s quiet and introverted. But then she’d be moving to a new bigger school anyway in Y7 so maybe nows the time

parents getting on so probably wouldn’t come that much but we could get back 4x year to them, would feel v guilty taking grandkids away

I would do it if I were you without a second thought.

I feel your pain - I live in Bath and it’s the same situation . We came back for elderly parent reasons in 2022 but are looking at going to Netherlands again ( easier to get in as self employed if you have long standing business). I would go to Spain or Majorca for better weather but H thinks he would rather go somewhere more businessy for a few years - we also have an EU centric business . EU sales as important as Uk . The other thing is I actually found it easier to make friends ( I’m 64) as there are lots of others in the same situation from all over looking to actively make friends and hence a lot of ‘new to town’ groups of all ages. My H says he refuses to stay as the fact so many actually believe Farages bullshit blows his mind . ( and weren’t massive lefty’s either- very much in the middle)

Those who have lived in mainland Europe, would you say there is a better work/life balance? I'm just interested by the concept of London low-energy when it comes to regularly seeing friends.

Wherever you go, there you are ...

Only with better weather, a more outdoor life, cheaper housing and better food.

Go while they’re still at primary . I am in a similar position but my kids are a couple of years older and it’s extremely hard to make the decision to go now that friendships are so much more important to the eldest

Life's good for many of us in the UK. We manage to enjoy the outdoors and eat good food. OP was worried about being an outsider last time she was in Barcelona. What will change?

Having just applied for my 10-year residency in France (extension of original 5-year permit), I note that it lapses if I am out of the country for more than five years in those 10. Not sure of your exact timings or whether it's the same in Spain.

But if you're good to go, it's a yes from me!

A lot of people are very disillusioned with Britain.