Time to depart...

[Sysman]

You're contractors right? You already get paid too much compared to writers.

With that attitude, do you really expect any worthwhile contributions?

Don't bite the hands that feed you?

[expat]

If I was younger I'd have already gone. This country has nothing to offer. As it is I was hoping to retire to France in a few years time but with the current state of the £ that's looking even more unlikely.

I had already gone, decades ago. I'm back for romantic interest, but only that gets me back every weekend. Jesus I must love her. You wouldn't catch me back otherwise.

Both kids from previous marriage have come back to their native UK and worked for a few years but both are now thinking of leaving again; tossing around phrases like "I have given it a fair chance but Britain's not for me" and "I think I'd feel happier in XXXX" etc. Can't argue with them.

Lockhouse, why not try a trial move with work for a while, without burning any boats? that way you keep saving, in Euros en plus, and get a chance tp check it out in more depth. You may love France as a mistress but will you see her in the same light as a wife? I found it very different.

[ace00]

I left many years ago. Most of Europe appears way richer. On my visits back to the UK the most shocking thing is the level of poverty I see. The place seems to be going backwards. Dirty, grimey.

I agree - and also travel from say, Shanghai to London. It's shocking. The minute you step off the plane at heathrow (which honestly resembles a 3rd World airport). Though to be fair, I'm sure there's plenty of nice villages and small towns outside of the major cities. Thing is as a Londoner (former) I feel more at home in Brussels, Bangkok or Berlin than Bishops Stortford.

[expat]

I used to live in Australia and within 30 minutes of coming back I knew I had made the biggest mistake of my life.

My sister and her husband emigrated to NZ a few years ago. They are now back for up to 5 years for family reasons. Definitely a case of "now I remember why I left".

[TheFaQQer]

I would leave in a shot if I was allowed to.

So, why aren't you allowed to leave?

[SirSickboy]

Is it time to leave the UK?

It depends on what you're looking for. I know 4 people who recently (the last 2 years) who've emigrated to Oz. They've all come back to UK. Once the honeymoon wears off, wherever you live the reality is you've got to get up, go to work and pay the bills. I think some people believe that the act of emigrating will change their lives for the better.

Given all the economic doldrums at the moment is it time to get out and try another country?

In short, no. The economic doldrums are global so upping sticks to another country is not going to give you a better life. You're putting yourself at an immediate disadvantage by pitching yourself against a workforce that understands the local culture far better than you'll immediately be able to. This probably differs region to region, but i've also been told that Brits are looked down on in Oz and getting that 'dream job' is pretty difficult with employers favouring the native workforce over poms.

Have you thought about it? Why? Why not? where to go? etc etc.

Yup, thought about, started acting on it a few years ago.

Plan B was to buy up a wreck in Eastern Europe and convert the barn into a guest house. Got as far as buying the place then the rip offs started rolling in. Bills for work started mysteriously going up, tossers would try and screw money from you any way they could etc etc. The obvious language barrier and abject poverty made sure I was always seen as a wealthy Brit who was prime for ripping off.

The wreck is still there but to be honest i've not been over there for 3 years and my interest in the 'good life' is gradually waning. The birth of my son put me off of living in and renovating a property that spewed sewage into the basement at the slightest drop of rain.

[SallyAnne]

When I hear people say that it's time to leave the UK, it makes me sick to my stomach.

Since when did money become more important than the country we live in?

For generations our ancestors have fought to protect our land - to give us a country where we could live, raise families, and be safe.

That still applies doesn't it?
I mean is it so bad here that we are fighting for our lives? No.
Is there a famine? No of course not.
Our house prices are no longer jumping through the roof. Boo ******* hoo.
Does that mean we abandon ship and leave the poor to rot?

Suggesting a mass exodus on a forum like this...possibly the top 5% earners in the country....I just find it disgusting. It's people like us who should be working out where we need to direct our money to help the most. It's people like us who should be ploughing our money into banks, into buying things from small businesses, into eating out as much as we can, into spending...primarily I'd have thought on our loved ones who'll be struggling at the moment.

I've not seen one thread on here yet which said "How can we help?"...this really saddens me.


Anyone who leaves this country in it's greatest time of need, should never be allowed to return. They should be tret as deserters....after all, that's what they are isn't it?

[expat]

I agree - and also travel from say, Shanghai to London. It's shocking. The minute you step off the plane at heathrow (which honestly resembles a 3rd World airport).

I've been in the airport at Cartagena, Colombia, as shown in the film "Romancing the Stone": TBH it's Heathrow that looks like that, not Cartagena.

Every weekend when I come back, there is something not working somewhere on my route - and it's always Heathrow, not Frankfurt.

I've started going from Heathrow or Birmingham, and getting there by train. Bad idea: not once has the train been on time. And "cancelled" is definitely not what you want to see on your way to the airport.

[thelace]

We considered Australia, but there are too many things that can kill you over there, it's a long way from the grandparents, and it's closer to tay.

I was offered a gig in Brisbane a few years back...

10 minutes research told me that the 10 deadliest snakes live in the area.

As a severe snakeophobic, that was the end of that!

[expat]

When I hear people say that it's time to leave the UK, it makes me sick to my stomach.

Since when did money become more important than the country we live in?
..........
Anyone who leaves this country in it's greatest time of need, should never be allowed to return. They should be tret as deserters....after all, that's what they are isn't it?

I don't agree but well done for single-handedly expressing the opposite view, and doing it well.