If you moved to another country but then came back to the UK, what were your reasons?
Posted by Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 131 comments
Interested to hear from people who moved to a different place away from the UK but then decided to come back.
What were your reasons? Was it culture, economy, missing home or anything in general that made you come back?
RetroRegretso@reddit
Australia wasn't for me. The idea was good but the reality was disappointing. It was expensive, lots of casual racism and sexism, I missed having pubs and nice walks, I like the heat but at times it was silly. I just prefer England.
Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit (OP)
Care to expand on racism?
RetroRegretso@reddit
I'm sure you've heard of racism before today!
Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit (OP)
I meant specifically there what happened
DB2k_2000@reddit
John Oliver YouTube video calling Aus the most casually racist place ever mmc.
Puzzleheaded-Talk-63@reddit
He's wrong.
LloydRainy@reddit
I lived in Aus for 10+ years. The casual racism is off the charts; in day to day speech, recruitment, govt authorities, door staff, everywhere. But it’s like they don’t even realise they’re doing it. It’s not like US racism, which is outwardly hostile and aggressive. It’s passive. Unintentional. Ingrained into every aspect of life. I love Australia, and the Aussies, but man, are they still feeling the hangovers of colonialism
RetroRegretso@reddit
This sums it up nicely. When I first visited, I naively assumed that Aboriginal culture would be widely spread over there but the hate they get is off the charts. But even more than that, despite the place being a huge mix of different races and cultures, it was still the old white guys who were dominant with their backwards outlook.
Puzzleheaded-Talk-63@reddit
I think what you call 'hate' is resentment at the Aboriginal grievance inddustry, which costs taxpayers a fortune. If 'Aboriginal culture' is not 'widespread' this would be owing to UK settlers 250 years ago
drivelhead@reddit
What state?
Thats certainly not been my experience in WA.
LloydRainy@reddit
I do have to say, though, I LOVE WA so much. It’s my second home. And some of my favourite humans in the world are from this country. It’s no diss to the people, per se. I discussed this at length with locals, and for the most part, it was defo unintentional. Not like proper racists. More unwitting. I guess, until things are pointed out to you, you don’t realise if everyone else is doing it. Like the UK in the 90s…
LloydRainy@reddit
NSW, Qld, and WA. Though, WA was the least so. But still, like I said, it’s almost not intentional. Just ingrained… May I ask, are you a POC?
g00gleb00gle@reddit
Australia is really bad for it.
Own-Jeweler3169@reddit
Idk why people downvoted you, typical snide redditors, it was clear what you meant.
SnoopyLupus@reddit
I’ve posted this before, so apologies to anyone who gets deja vu, but I lived in Wellington for 8 years. and here’s why I moved back:-
I missed the countryside, all the historical places to visit, the old high streets, big towns with their own histories and cultures, stately homes, castles, and little villages, the canals and rivers, pub culture and the beer here, the sheer wealth of things to do from art galleries to theatre to orchestras to rock concerts, the closeness to many other countries for holidays. New Zealand had beautiful scenery and was fabulous for hiking but when you wanted to do something else it wasn’t a very exciting place. Plus I can still get beautiful scenery and great hiking in England.
And Bourbon biscuits. Actually, it was mostly the bourbons.
quarky_uk@reddit
I lived in NZ for about 11 years (Auckland). I missed the culture here, the people, and I earned more than twice as much moving back. Actually, I earned more in £ than I earned in $ there.
I do wonder what would have happened if I stayed, better or worse? Not sure, but I do feel happier here. Not a knock on NZ, plenty love it though. Personally, I preferred Australia (Melbourne).
I missed Custard Creams, but was surprised to see them in Coles last time I went to Australia. Not sure if you can get them in NZ now, but suspect so too.
Own-Jeweler3169@reddit
I love the idea of Australia, but cannot stand the insects and critters trying to kill me, either because they're hostile, or jump scare me. I would be perma-paranoid.
Puzzleheaded-Talk-63@reddit
You are already paranoid to the point of parody.
Melodic_Amount_5117@reddit
I really do not get the appeal of New Zealand. Yeah Lord of the rings put the country on the map but that's really just about it.
lolploxzomg@reddit
They are the worst biscuits!!
TimeTimeClock@reddit
Aw I grew up in Wellington and have been in the SW for 10 years. I think about going back from time to time!
SnoopyLupus@reddit
I’m there right now! Got made redundant so having a bit of a holiday. I have lots of family here, and a few friends.
I love the place so much. But I’m still more at home in England.
TimeTimeClock@reddit
Amazing! I was last there to visit in 2019. I like the not-so-glitzy, not-so-commercial, not-so-crowded feel of Wellington high streets and suburban malls! A bit sad about all the buildings still waiting to be fixed after the big earthquake.
Also a bit sad how expensive a block of Whittaker's is. What's really expensive over there right now that I can bring back for my mum and dad? I was thinking shampoo but it turns out it's kind of expensive here too. My sister asked for a bunch of kid's toothbrushes.
SnoopyLupus@reddit
I worked at Stats NZ on the waterfront for a few years. Big green cubic glass newish building. Newish didn’t mean earthquake proof. A staircase collapsed and the top floor dropped a bit. They knocked the whole thing down.
I dunno about what to bring back. The one food I’ve missed from nz is hell pizza. Wrath, add anchovies, forked tongue sauce. Had it twice since I’ve been back. But it doesn’t travel.
TimeTimeClock@reddit
Ah sorry I mean my parents are in NZ. Like what would you bring from the UK. Sorry I'm forking for ideas- one year I was desperate and brought jam. The NZ customs people were like ... You desperate. Who brings jam into NZ.
Oh! I love stats NZ. Great resources for nerds.
Jin-shei@reddit
Family. Our daughter changed her mind at the last moment, and the parents were getting older.
Cautious-Toe-863@reddit
For most people the inability to obtain PR.
itshanito@reddit
I moved to Korea in November 2019 to teach English. Moved straight after uni. I came back home in December 2021.
I came back just because I felt it was time - just turned 25 and didn’t have a career or transferable skillset. It was a really tough decision - in Korea I built a life for myself. Great social life, I was in a situation that was quickly developing into a relationship etc. I decided to sacrifice all of that to go back to the UK.
Fast forward today, I feel more confident professionally, having worked in corporate sales roles the last few years. But something is still missing. I am hoping that within the next 2-3 years I relocate. Admittedly, I’ve never felt fully comfortable being back home.
EasilyExiledDinosaur@reddit
They were probably in a financial position to make it feasible.
Express-Ad9716@reddit
Tried western Canada. Mostly a lovely bunch of people but I found after a while there's simply not much going on. It's very diverse in terms of population but the irony is that culturally it's pretty dead. The cities (honourable exception to Victoria) are concrete blocks gridlocked with cars with hard to walk central cores awash with unhoused often with addiction issues, like nightmare Milton Keynes.
It won't come as a surprise that it gets chilly there, I didn't really mind that, January in alberta would be -20 but sunny so was in my opinion nicer than January here.
However the problem was it's not just January you have to deal with! Winter lasted, often from mid October right into may . Then click your fingers and it's forest fire season and the air is poisonous.
The first couple of years skiing filled a hole but after that i started getting more and more bored. Holiday is far more limited so it's not like I could just go hide out abroad either! .
Ultimately I missed everyday things most, decent supermarkets (we have it far better than you'd think) , public transport that whilst unreliable actually exists! The ability to take your dog to the pub, the pub, music, history and yellow stickers in marks and Spencers .
I loved the national parks, lakes, wildlife and wide open space away from cities , many of the people are very nice especially in the crappy provinces like Saskatchewan but they are definitely more earnest and serious than us Brits , far less chatty and definitely not as funny or up for banter(or at least that's the case I found out west).
What really sealed it was the day I arrived back home the car rental guy at the airport took the piss out of me within 30 seconds. God it felt good to be home!
Striking-Two-746@reddit
I agree with everything you said here! I’m in Invermere, BC so not far from Alberta.
GlueSniffingEnabler@reddit
Wow can’t believe I see someone mention Invermere here! Been on holiday there twice and loved it! Has made me seriously consider emigrating
Striking-Two-746@reddit
Invermere is amazing for a holiday. It’s frustrating as hell to live here due to the property and rental markets and lack of health care. We have to do a 3-4 hour round trip once or twice a month for family medical reasons, including my son’s orthodontist. The nearest place they deliver babies is Cranbrook which is an hour and a half away.
My son is unlikely to stay here after high school grad, so we’ll put the house up for sale by the Spring of that year which is five years away. If it was only my decision, it would be up for sale already. I wish I had posted on the local FB group to ask for pros and cons before making the move.
Express-Ad9716@reddit
I mean, it's basically Alberta if you look at the number plates!
Striking-Two-746@reddit
Haha! True!
Strong_Access_8179@reddit
I think Canada is generally pretty dead culturally unless you're in a major city, and most major Canadian cities have major affordability issues by now. The UK seems to have a lot more going on, and it doesn't hurt that more people are living in a smaller area, and that it's not so far to travel to other cities. For example, I'm travelling from Birmingham to Cardiff in a couple of months to see a band I love, and that's really just a day trip, but if you're in Calgary and there's an interesting event in Toronto... it would be, at best, a multi-hour, very expensive flight.
We've also got most of Europe accessible from the UK within a few hours by plane, whereas in Canada you've got more Canada, the US (no thanks right now), or maybe, at a stretch, Mexico or the Caribbean, which are far enough away not to make for a good weekend break.
Honey-Badger@reddit
Yeah I live in Montreal now and honestly we've just in the past week seen the last of the snow.
Pen_dragons_pizza@reddit
I once moved to Australia for 6 months thinking that I could make it my home as I was sick of the UK.
Turns out it’s not all that different, all the problems I had with the UK still existed in Australia, yeah it had nice weather and interesting animals etc but it still pissed me off the same way.
The only place I have been that I felt could give me a fresh start was Norway. It just felt like a slower pace of life, more spiritual even though I am not religious but probably the calmest and care free I have ever been in my life.
Going for a walk in the fjords just made me realise that all the things I worry about mean f all.
Then I came back to the uk and all that dread and bullshit returned.
Aggressive_Chuck@reddit
Living in Norway isn't walking in the fjords no more than living in England is walking round the lakes.
Available-Nose-5666@reddit
May I ask your reasons for leaving Australia? I’ve known a few people who move there then return after 6 months
Odd_Sir4792@reddit
Lived there for a year. Biggest downside for me was that it's full of Australians.
luckless666@reddit
I’ve always heard distance is one of the big factors
Animosus5@reddit
I’m Aussie but live in the UK and yeah, the distance and time zone difference from everything is extremely difficult. I toss up moving back from time to time but realise that I’d be giving up so many friends that would be difficult to see regularly and keep in contact with
HappyVagabond1989@reddit
Hi! I know this is random, but can you check your chat requests? Thanks!
luckless666@reddit
My partner is Kiwi and we’re considering a move over there for climate - ruled out NZ as economy is awful (not that UK and Aus are much better but cost of living to earnings are)
8rummi3@reddit
Distance for me. Knowing that I would only be able to actually see family and friends once per year (at best). You have to watch people's lives through the lens of facetime and photos people sent over. It was tough
MaizeGlittering6163@reddit
I lived in Norway for a few years. The long winters were the clincher in the end I just couldn’t face another. Building a social circle very hard too. However the endless summer days spent in the fjords and mountains were magical
Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit (OP)
What were issues in australia?
8rummi3@reddit
High food prices, housing is somehow worse than UK if you want to live in a city
Jimmyj84@reddit
You don't miss the AUS weather?
neilm1000@reddit
The 'interesting animals' might be one!
Jimmyj84@reddit
Hi what problems did you have in AUS?
-captaindiabetes-@reddit
How has it changed so much you barely recognise it? Like in what ways?
Turbulent_Basket9502@reddit
I lived in the Middle East for 10 years and came back a few years ago. My parents were getting old and falling apart. I hadn't seen them for 2 years due to covid travel restrictions. So I came 'home'. They're older and frailer and it was absolutely the right decision. I want to be around them. I miss the middle east but get to go back frequently to visit friends.
Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit (OP)
Were you in dubai?
Turbulent_Basket9502@reddit
Oman then Abu Dhabi.
Own-Jeweler3169@reddit
How was it? I want to move to the middle east, due to your money going further, QOL etc. but I am still quite young, so want to get everything out of my system before settling over there.
Turbulent_Basket9502@reddit
Quality of life is excellent, very safe and easy. Everything open after 5 unlike the UK. However money doesn't go further, it's very expensive but if you're sensible and earn well you can save a lot. As you're still quite young get into a professional career, a few years under your belt in the UK then think about it. Get a job offer while you're still in the UK then move over.
Own-Jeweler3169@reddit
Yes, I meant that if you earnt 30k in the UK compared to UAE, then due to tax, you would have a better QOL.
I already have 4 years full time experience, have another 2 years of my degree then I will be looking for other opportunities, the issue is the job market is so tough here, without a degree, I feel like I jsut get passed over, despite having very significant experience for my age, it's not blue chip level, so it's hard to break in to that without many connections.
Left-Indication-2165@reddit
I moved to United Kingdom, I have visited several times in the past with varying duration of time but I will just chip this in that I have seen lots of locals with many negative comments about here which is fair. I do have my own reservations to some things here in comparison to where I am coming from, however it’s much better here, and I do believe things are much manageable here in contrast to many places that people think are better. It’s easy to lose sight of what you have because it is in your face daily but the truth is the Uk is a lovely place with equally lovely people.
Jimmyj84@reddit
So you prefer the UK than AUS?
Left-Indication-2165@reddit
Yes 100% Only one country I will choose to live again outside the Uk but for my own sanity I can’t say it here.
Jimmyj84@reddit
Thanks. You don't miss the AUS weather?
g00gleb00gle@reddit
It can be to hot.
-AngelOfTheNorth-@reddit
Really nice to hear a positive opinion from the other side here. You’re right - we in the UK love to bash our home (I’m sure the same is probably true in many/most countries) but we really do make an art of it. But in reality, even though some things have gotten worse in the past decade or two, they still are pretty okay comparatively and I’m grateful for it.
Striking-Two-746@reddit
I haven’t gone home yet, but I desperately want to. I left home (Glasgow) in 2006. In lived in Germany, spent time in a few countries, then I’ve been a permanent resident of Canada since the start of 2013. My child was born in Canada (partner is Canadian).
It was a fun adventure for years, but the older I get, the more homesick I get. It’s also hard to be away when family members are ill or pass way. I miss my sister and other family. I miss life long friends.
I also miss the concerts, festivals, comedy scene, my culture in general, train travel, affordable flights around Europe, adorable food, phone and internet plans, affordable housing. People still in the UK will think I’m out of touch with the current price of things but I’ve done the comparisons and it’s still more affordable than Canada. Even an ISA has five times the amount of contribution room as a TFSA, it just doesn’t roll over.
Express-Ad9716@reddit
No man, your right Canada is crazy expensive for everything except energy and American consumer goods (but even then, how many TVs do you need?!) People always point out how the fuel is cheaper there , which yes is true but also you are driving all the time much further distances so buying more! In the UK you can often just walk
zomofo@reddit
Sorry to hear that. I’ve been in Canada since 2010 and feel the same. I’m looking for jobs back in the UK but it’s hard to keep up the motivation and not let inertia take over. I have more of a life here at the moment after all. Unfortunately no partner/kids for me but it does give me more freedom, obviously.
I hope you’re able to figure things out, whether it’s moving or getting over the homesickness. It’s tough!
GALM-1UAF@reddit
It was work. I was an English teacher in Japan and while I loved living there, it was a dead end job and didn’t want to be a teacher all my life there. So I came back and pivoted into tech. Though it’s always at the back of my mind that I would like to move back there with a better job and fully enjoy life there in a more fulfilling career.
Myopic_Mirror@reddit
same, moving back to the UK from Japan this year
Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit (OP)
Did they pay you well for english teaching?
GALM-1UAF@reddit
At the time it was ok as I could save some money over the years I was there. The exchange rate isn’t great for yen to pounds these days so would be more difficult earn good money. There are far worse places to work and we got yearly bonuses until we didn’t.
Desperate-Drawer-572@reddit (OP)
How is cost of living
Maximum-Particular28@reddit
I've been in Sweden for 13 years and have not moved back, but really would like to.
It is entirely personal, I have found it hard to fit in, find friends and master language. All of these things make you feel an outsider and over time it wears you down. Home sickness increaes and the visits back are the main things I look forward to.
That said, it has been great for us as a family and I think my kids will hate me for moving them back. They are not interested in it at all.
Defiant_Practice5260@reddit
Lived in Australia for 4 years. Melbourne is very Mancunian, so it didn't feel too much of a culture shock, either going out there, or returning. I may still have been there now if it weren't for the government changing the visa rules at the time.
PresterJonny@reddit
In 2000, when I was 17, I went to Tenerife with a mate for a week. Ran out of money after a couple of days and got a job washing glasses in a bar. Rang my Mum to tell her I wasn't coming home. She strongly disagreed and told me she'd pick me up from Luton Airport as planned... I did what I was told.
GlueSniffingEnabler@reddit
🤣
splatts32@reddit
I lived in NZ for 8 years and have been living in Melbourne for the last year. We're moving back to the UK in a couple of months.
I really don't like the feeling of always being an outsider. Not getting references and jokes because of not growing up in either country.
Yes NZ is beautiful, and Australia has decent weather. But after a while it just seems bland, especially Australia.
A big pull back is obviously family and lifelong friends. I can't wait for my 4 year old boy to grow up around my mates kids for example.
harsh-therapist@reddit
I moved to the US for a couple of years, it was to do with work. I came back as my time with that particular workplace was done/visa expired. Was still with the same company, just transferred back.
Not for any particular reason, actually really loved where I was working and staying. Great people, great culture, awesome food. I could have gone for the full citizenship, but I couldn't guarantee my company would have made the job transfer permanent.
WatercressCrafty3350@reddit
Spent two years in Italy. Loved my time there but it wasn’t home. It’s a place that’s great for a holiday or if you have retired and don’t need to work but the work culture is very different. Came back to progress in career and because of family and friends. Brought an Italian back with me though and we’ve been married now for 20 years.
prustage@reddit
This may seem trivial, but it's what I called the "Blue Peter Syndrome"
No matter how well you get on with all the people you know in your new culture, how deep the friendships, how similar the views, there is one thing you cannot share - your childhood.
You can go to any person in the UK and mentions certain things and they will know exactly what you are talking about. Even though I didn't watch Blue Peter much, I know that most people would know what you meant if I mentioned it. The same goes for certain foods, school experiences, childhood games, kids TV shows, celebrities, the local chippy - the entire culture you grew up with.
In other countries you can share the "now" and the future, but their childhood culture will always be different to yours.
It may seem unimportant, but it is a part of what you are and it is what you miss and can even be the thing that takes you back.
apeliott@reddit
My mate moved from Wales to Australia for about five years and became Australian.
She moved to Scotland after that because she missed the lush countryside and her husband is Scottish.
I also moved away but I can't see myself ever returning.
Jimmyj84@reddit
Hi who didn't like AUS?
apeliott@reddit
We both liked it.
h00dman@reddit
I was 6 months old when my family and I moved to Germany.
I was 7 years old when we moved back to the UK.
My reason was I was a kid and my parents were still in charge.
RhubarbCrumble8105@reddit
Lived in the Netherlands for 7 years - returned to the UK. Why? - if I ever want to buy a house, it's approx triple the chance I can actually do so - I missed friends & fam - Work ; noone takes forgeiners seriously. You're at the bottom of a big pile & it doesn't matter if you've done brilliant things with fab references & many certificates, they'll still find a reason to be upset you don't have a native accent. - Friendliness! UK can be wonderfully friendly. NL has a highly individualistic culture - Friends - again, everyone in mid 30s have friends from their school/college etc& really aren't interested in being actual friends - Bring the forgein novelty ; it gets SO BORING having the same basic conversation about how someone went to London once (I'm not from anywhere near London) and their great gran was Irish and oh isn't the weather just awful (as it walk through sideways rain in NL too). There's this native superiority complex that seriously grates on you. After the same 2 comments, noone can be bothered speaking to you. Very superficial reactions. - Struggling to express freely- even if you're pretty fluent - hard to make jokes! - Countryside! We are spoilt for countryside in the UK - A sense of humour!
I'm not a patriot but - you gotta move away to really see things for how they are. If you've never left... how would you know? Moving away meant I understood home better than ever. It ain't perfect but I'm very happy to be back!
AdventurousFeed7825@reddit
Family
Working-Arm-6896@reddit
I left London to live in Vienna, Austria for 18 months. I loved Vienna (this was the 1980s) but I was working under the table and felt that I had to go back to UK to "get a proper job." So, I did. And ended up leaving again 6 years later and have lived in the US my whole life. I dont particularly feel English (my mother was Austrian) and there wasnt really a reason why I came back and when I did, I realized I didnt want to stay.
rictay44@reddit
Lived in southern France for nearly 20 years. Came back to the UK because there was no work for my skills anymore.
Particular-Quit-630@reddit
Came back to start a business.
AirsickChimp9@reddit
I lived in Beijing for around 3 years. I came back to the UK for a holiday in February 2020…
Odd_Sir4792@reddit
I moved to Canada (Toronto) for a year, loved it, had a job offer and would have stayed but couldn't sort the visa.
silentv0ices@reddit
Since university I have moved around the world with work, UK has always remained my home so when I wanted a stable life l settled down here.
Flat_Slip4673@reddit
Family, plus the sorts of creature comforts you can only get in a developed country
LevelOneForever@reddit
I’ve moved away 4 times and always come back. I love the UK and envision living there permanently in the future… but it’s a big interesting world… why not try somewhere new for a bit?
The_Gene_Genie@reddit
Spent two long, horrible years in New Zealand, still suffering with the aftermath. It's nice to look at, but it's duller than ditch-water living there, the people are xenophobic and close-minded (especially, ironically, the white South Africans that fled the end of apartheid to the only apartheid-friendly country going), there's no culture to speak of, entertainment and tech are decades behind.
Went back on a trip recently, since my family live there for some godforsaken reason, it solidified my choice to leave that hole behind
eth0izzle@reddit
I moved back from Mauritius to London ~5 weeks ago. We were there just over 2 years.
ClarifyingMe@reddit
My contracts were finished and I had caring responsibilities.
Untitled_tray@reddit
Currently moving back to the UK. We want to start a family and want our families around us to share the burden/joy. I earned more in the UK, which is a factor. Most of the things I miss are to do with familiarity, old friends, Sunday roasts, football on a Saturday.
NoCherry606@reddit
We moved back home for this too.
Friends - only want to do non-kid stuff which isn't possilbe for us.
Family - one set of grandparents is useless, the other is around 4 to 6h per fortnight.
Safe to say we should have stayed in Australia and will be heading back ASAP - family guilt tripping is the worst.
Jimmyj84@reddit
Hi did you prefer the AUS weather?
NoCherry606@reddit
Not so much the weather - but the lifestyle. Early bed, early risers, outdoors a lot.
And the safety.
The UK, like much of western Europe, is far less safe than Australia. I can walk around most of Sydney without shitting myself at 3AM. Same can't be said for London.
Jimmyj84@reddit
Thanks
Curious_Ad3766@reddit
If you earned more in the UK and have more friends and family here, can I ask what was the reason for moving abroad?
Untitled_tray@reddit
Partner had a good job offer that put her education to use. I always wished id traveled when I was younger, life was flying by in the UK doing similar things and change is good.
Soniq268@reddit
I moved to Singapore then to Australia, I was overseas for about 17 years (I’m 44 now) I came back to the UK in 2021.
I left Australia pretty much as soon as the borders opened back up, Aus shut down hard during covid, I split up with my Aussie partner, my visa had no route to PR (althou that changed and in 2022 I would have been able to apply for PR but it would still have taken a minimum of 2 years to get and I’d have had to stay with the same employer), all that combined I just wanted out of Australia, I was over it.
My then employer created a role for me in the UK so I moved back with them which was a super soft landing after such a long time away.
I met my now wife soon after I got back and am still here, fairly settled but would be up for moving again for the right opportunity.
gggggenegenie@reddit
Easy. Our child was born when we lived and worked in Italy. We stayed on a year but felt it important for grandparents to see her grow up. Hence we came back.
I'm now at the point where they've grown up now, so am tempted to go back overseas to work!
Conscious_Cat_6204@reddit
I did 1 year working holidays in Australia and New Zealand back to back. I came home because my longer term visa application for NZ was rejected. Tbh, I preferred living in Australia to NZ anyway so I wouldn’t have stayed there long term. NZ just felt too much like home (except I didn’t know anybody) and I saw all I wanted to see in NZ while I was there.
Jimmyj84@reddit
Hi do you prefer living in AUS than the UK? Why and why not?
Yermawsbigbaws@reddit
Moved to Australia thinking it would solve all my problems. Turns out everything that was an issue back home is the same here.
All the things people complain about and are workers about are the same in the UK as in Australia.
It's really your mentality I realised that makes or breaks a place for you. If you wake up every day hating where you like you won't have a great experience. If you wayle up every day appreciating where you live you will.
Morning back to settle down and have kids really and have support from parents and have shared experiences with my friend (then getting married and having kids).
I have made friends out here but it's not the same as the 20 year relationships I babe but with friends back home.
Australia is far from everything so you are not holidaying outside of Australia really and once you have visited the main places in Australia everywhere else isn't much different.
It was deciding if we make a life in Aus or head back home and make a life in the UK. I wanted my life to be long weekends in Europe, Christmas with my family, beer garden with my best friends, having kids grown up similar to how I did.
There is no better place, only the tradeoffs you make. The people I have found who are dead set on not returning didn't have great lives back home and are glad to escape.
You really need to try moving somewhere else to see what your life is like, if I didn't I would always have thought it was my surroundings which were the issue but now moving away I realised it was my attitude to live. I'm glad to be moving back and will try and appreciate everything I have in the UK.
m-Oeck@reddit
Lived in NZ for a couple of years, then Australia for a couple of years, only came home as we didn't get the Canadian working visas in time.
Been back for 10 years or so, now have two small hoomans and a doggo.
86 days and we leave the UK again, moving to Thailand once we sell all our worldly possessions for the second time, initially for 2 years, most likely more.
WrongExplanation1065@reddit
Too many foreigners
Historical_Project86@reddit
I spent 2.5 years in Madrid in the '90s. I'd still be there if my company didn't bring me back to make me redundant. I could have gone local but then would have had to move out of the centre.
maceion@reddit
I spent 3 years in Canada, then returned to U.K. as it was not possible to care for my mother when she was old from 6000 miles away.
LockedOut2222@reddit
I moved to Canada for a job. Contract was only 2 years and I intended on coming back after that. Then COVID hit 6 months in and I felt like I didn't get a chance to really experience the country. I needed to get out of that job though, so got different visa status and another job while working on permanently staying.
I loved the country, had started to build a life there and it was somewhere I could do the career I really dreamed of. There was a lack of opportunities in the UK for this career type. I didn't want to have "start over" again. Got permanent resident status.
Then something traumatic happened. I wasn't handling it well. I started looking at jobs in the UK out of curiosity. I finally came to the conclusion that life is hard and if hard things happened I don't want to be separated from my family by a large ocean. Other things were factors too e.g. still feeling like I didn't quite fit culturally, how expensive it was to buy a house, lack of paid time off and hustle culture, how expensive/difficult travel was to Europe (I missed how easy it was to fly a couple of hours at low cost to a European city). I don't work in my "dream career" now but I don't care because other things are more important.
oraff_e@reddit
I moved to NZ in 2005, and back to the SW in 2022. I actually didn't want to go to NZ in the first place, I moved out there because my parents wanted to when I was 12. Did all my high school and uni etc out there, started working a bit, always planned to come back, finally managed it when we got out of lockdown and the borders opened.
I'm in NZ atm for a holiday and tbh I don't regret the move at all, it's so boring here. Pretty sure if I didn't already have a degree I'd be screwed trying to get into university in the UK due to the different education system.
AppearanceDizzy7006@reddit
Friends, music scene and the weather believe it or not
BrewtallyCozy@reddit
I moved to America when I was 8(I think?) and moved back in 2015.
My mum moved back in 2014. I tried to stay in the US by myself. For me I moved back because my family were all here, I couldn’t afford my own medication (Obamacare was great but Trump was lurking in the background), I didn’t feel safe either as shootings were becoming more frequent.
UK is my home. It’s where my family is and it’s where my heart is. I can see my family in person, I can afford my medication. I also don’t have to worry about being shot at randomly. I might sound American (sometimes Scottish to some… not sure how), but England is home. I have been called crazy and mentally ill for moving back, but unfortunately America is not great as it’s made out to be. People are being sold lies… Visiting and living out there are two different things
AdAffectionate2418@reddit
I lived in South Africa (Cape Town) for a couple of years. Love the place/food/culture/people and also loved my job (i was L&D manager so was doing impact sourcing, career development etc - and then people in worked with over there were much more eager/ambitious than the groups I had in the UK).
Moved back when we decided to have children. Whilst Cape Town is pretty safe, there is definitely an edge to the place (had a friend get robbed at gunpoint in front of his wife and kids). Of course we could have moved to a gated community - but that comes with it's own issues.
Ultimately, we wanted a safer and more egilitarian environment for our kids to grow up in. The scars of apartheid make that difficult for an expats in SA.
clrthrn@reddit
Currently abroad, considering moving back for family but we will likely stay here. Moving home would be a step down in almost every respect - salary, quality of life, schooling, quality of childhood, healthcare etc -all except having family nearby.We're in the EU so not far to come back and visit thankfully.
genxerrr@reddit
Moved to SEA for ten years. Too hot, too polluted, and too much visa hassles. None of those issues here.
Evil_Martin@reddit
Left the UK to live in Australia, lived there for 8 years, became citizens, had our first kid there, then that’s when the enormity of being on the other side of the world and having no family support kicks in. We had a tight group of friends who had kids around the same time, but nothing like being around family. So when my company asked me if I wanted to move to the London office we took it. Spent 8 years in London, got itchy feet again and now live in Singapore, but it’s coming to an end here too soon.
Unusual_Sherbert2671@reddit
Haven't come back yet but more than likely once I've made enough money here.
Working hours are longer and word style is rigid
ErinClaymores@reddit
Moved away with work, moved back during COVID which made us realise how far away from family we were and ready to return. Made easier by the instability of the country we were living in.
jacobite22@reddit
I moved to Australia then left after 5 months. Was very difficult getting a job when you factor in visa sponsorship etc. Main driver was missing people though. Theres no support network at all in a new country. Even familiar faces I used to see etc became nostalgic. Maybe if I'd stick it out I would have settled but I felt yeah I want to move but I dont want it enough to stick it out. Like you have to really want it to make it work and I realised that the want wasn't worth the things I missed
neilm1000@reddit
Work. Contracts ended.
NLFG@reddit
I went to university in Australia, possibly with a view to moving there permanently. I had a half sister out there, along with my late half brother's family. (Both of my parents were ten pound poms) I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Sydney (and the life style) but after three years I wouldn't say I was homesick exactly, but given the hoops I'd have needed to jump through to get permanent residence, I wasn't devastated to come back home.
If I'm honest, I missed my mates and I missed living (relatively) in the centre of the world compared to Australia.
And frankly, I think it turned out pretty well, given that my parents would probably have tried to move out, and my dad was diagnosed with skin cancer shortly after I came back (that he later died from) and so I've got no idea how they would have been able to move out which would have left my mum on her own here.
AirlineSevere7456@reddit
I've worked in the US and Portugal on short term visas and eventually came back, but the work being temporary is the main reason for coming back. My home never changed so that helps.
finemayday@reddit
The Country was great for a holiday and even on extended holidays we loved it so much, but day to day living lacked nuiances and comforts we were used to in London, lasted 3 months, luckily easily sold our furniture and belonging so didn't need another container shipment back to London.. It was my birth country, and my husband also struggled to cope with the local language when people stopped politely accomodating English and fell back on speaking their first language.
Fun-Opportunity9656@reddit
Oil industry dried up
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