Finally It's time to leave the UK

[d000hg]

After the government's handling of covid, IR35 changes in April and Brexit, the penny has finally dropped

Not exactly the world's fastest thinker.

A bit like a Jewish chap thinking in 1948 "you know I think it's time to leave Germany, things aren't that great"

[ladymuck]

I did have a good look at NZ about 8 years ago. Felt it was too quiet for me.

At the time I didn't consider Australia as I didn't think it was my sort of place (ever the snob, me) but having spent some time in Sydney and Melbourne I can see the appeal. Still not totally sure I'd fully relocate and the point is moot as I'm too old and too poor to score the right number of points.

[d000hg]

I did have a good look at NZ about 8 years ago. Felt it was too quiet for me.

Without ever having been there, I do get the impression it would be a great place to move to.

On the one hand there's nothing to do and it means leaving everyone you know behind, and being generally cut off from the world.
On the other, things are quite pricey on Amazon.

[northernladuk]

Can't help on the advice front but if you need help moving to speed up the process we'd be happy to help.

[tazdevil]

"To Learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticise"

I think you'll find liberal multi cultural UK is a nice place seen from the other side

You might be surprised at how we prosper moving forward but if you really think the UK is such an awful place then go but don't be surprised if you end up regretting the decision

Having lived and worked in Holland and Switzerland and been to more countries than most I'm very happy and content with my Yorkshire home

[vetran]

Your women will eventually hate Dubai, one of the most sexist and racist places I have been. (I have been to SA & Brunei to work as well). You will be considered a second class citizen by the natives if they are work colleagues, you won't be considered at all if you aren't, if you are a person of colour depending on shade you will be 4th or 5th class citizen, add female to that and you are totally fecked.

its not like the 90s & 00s housing cost and creeping costs will almost eliminate the benefits.

Sponsorship in the EU will return if you are that special once things calm down.

Switzerland, the US & Australia issue Visa's if you are sufficiently accomplished or can get a transfer. Get a UK job for an international, excel and transfer. Most of the people I know that moved over were on transfer, though one friend was a world expert in horticulture.

[ladymuck]

Without ever having been there, I do get the impression it would be a great place to move to.

On the one hand there's nothing to do and it means leaving everyone you know behind, and being generally cut off from the world.
On the other, things are quite pricey on Amazon.

It's lovely, but...

I met with a friend of a friend while I was out there who had relocated. They gave me a very frank view of what it's like. In some ways, it's great. A real work-life balance ethic where people will leave the office at the right time, there's good corporate welfare and all that. However, that is dependent on the job and employer, of course, as with everywhere. Cost of living was a little more expensive but understandable considering where they are. But lots is quite backward. Their view was to think of it as the UK 50 years ago. That level of infrastructure and technology.

FWIW Wellington was much nicer than Auckland. South Island is viewed by North Islanders in the same way Southerners in the UK deride the North (and vice versa).

I'd return for a long holiday but I wouldn't stay forever.

[vetran]

Without ever having been there, I do get the impression it would be a great place to move to.

On the one hand there's nothing to do and it means leaving everyone you know behind, and being generally cut off from the world.
On the other, things are quite pricey on Amazon.

I know a few New Zealanders and they are normally a laugh like Australians they all told me it was much more exciting over here, I get the feeling it would be like joining James Herriot world.

[mattster]

I'd return for a long holiday but I wouldn't stay forever.

More or less my thoughts on NZ, too. Fabulous place if you are into outdoorsy stuff - fishing, boating, hiking - and great people as well, but it really is a long way away. Aus is just about bearable (18 hours direct/non-stop UK -> Perth now, if you can handle it), NZ is a step beyond.

I had hoped I'd be rich enough to retire 6 months up here and 6 months down in Aus (summers in each, obv). I think that would get the balance about right.

[Scoobos]

After the government's handling of covid, IR35 changes in April and Brexit, the penny has finally dropped and I'm looking at an exit strategy.

I may continue to work in the UK market but living in the UK is becoming extremely untenable.

My options right now:
- Switzerland: Thanks to brexit we can't go there right now for a contract but I'm hoping this changes in the next few months as there is demand for highly qualified professionals in my area of work.
- Dubai: Set myself up there, pay corp tax here and zero income tax in Dubai. Sure I'll have to pay for medical insurance and other services but with NHS waiting lists does it even matter?

Can't think of any other options at present?

If Switzerland is a real option, give it a go . If its just somewhere you are thinking about though, I think its impossible, you have zero rights to anything and gaining a foothold will be difficult.

If it were me, picking real alternatives it would be:

Canada - Vancouver
Dubai
Bermuda
Cayman Islands

I've worked in all the places above and been offered moves.

As you rightly say though, being tax free doesn't mean you dont have a sizable amount of your income removed - expect to pay directly for healthcare, rubbish removal, water etc etc.

It's all great, until someone gets something like Cancer (and of course I hope it doesnt happen), but pretty soon all the insurances run out.

Dubai, Cayman etc are great ideas until you get to retirement age, or develop medical conditions, then places like Canada are far better alternatives.

And cheers for triggering me, I've wanted out of the UK for decades and thought I had a shared life goal to do it, but my wife wouldn't commit as it makes her feel like she's diluting her relationship with her family and I lose on that particular choice. I've instead decided to stay and try and actually make change happen in whatever little ways I can. But I feel it, and its not a grass is greener, its a "we've become a little USA" and it really gets to me, personally.