[-=TSL=-]

But where?

Where would be your ideal home in the world? Preferably somewhere with low taxation? Or maybe a stable future economy? Whatever it may be, cos I'm on my last nerve with Mr. & Mrs. Brown..

I like Singapore (great city - high car tax on powerful cars), Switzerland, Hong Kong, or Monaco (tax haven - have you seen the price of an apartment?!)

For me, the idea of moving country has never been so real until now!
Go on.... choices?


TSL

[chrisbin]

I have always loved Aus/NZ when I've visited....unfortunately they are so damn far from everything/everyone else....

Singapore is good, but a bit limited imho....Hong Kong great for a visit but wouldnt consider living there...

Whilst I've enjoyed visiting many places around the world, I've always been happy to return to the UK to be honest....even with our current rulers (certainly not leaders!).....

[peterg1965]

For me it is the US. Land of the 'free'. More specifically San Diego, California, it has everything I want. Given the right set of circumstances I would be out of this country like a shot. The UK has very little to commend itself in my view. Ten years of socialist rule, excessive social engineering, taxes upon taxes, political corruption, police state, Rip Off Britain to name but a few of the negative aspects of life in the UK today.

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

For me it is the US. Land of the 'free'. More specifically San Diego, California, it has everything I want. Given the right set of circumstances I would be out of this country like a shot. The UK has very little to commend itself in my view. Ten years of socialist rule, excessive social engineering, taxes upon taxes, political corruption, police state, Rip Off Britain to name but a few of the negative aspects of life in the UK today.

Agreed...but its difficult to find anywhere where you can avoid more of the same imo......

[-=TSL=-]

I know what u mean chrisbin, after a great holiday to the best locations in the world I still come back to England with a smile... cos its HOME!

But the more I think of it, the UK offers no great benefit over other countries u listed above.. UK is where family, my friends and house are, and as long as theyre here, I'll always love coming back.

But theres so much going wrong right now with tax/legislation/government that it feels that I'm the only one that sees the country's destruction!

What to do..

TSL

[-=TSL=-]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

For me it is the US. Land of the 'free'. More specifically San Diego, California, it has everything I want. Given the right set of circumstances I would be out of this country like a shot. The UK has very little to commend itself in my view. Ten years of socialist rule, excessive social engineering, taxes upon taxes, political corruption, police state, Rip Off Britain to name but a few of the negative aspects of life in the UK today.

I definitely agree with your views of the UK, it is becoming harder and harder to be proud of being a resident here! But I feel the US has many of the problems the UK has, corruption, crime, but it only seems better cos they've been going on for so long!
And in terms of making a living there with the weak dollar and the lower average income than UK, I feel it would only increase my problems!
Parts of Asia have a standard of living comparable to the UK, but its a huge step to move out there!


TSL

[beemerbird]

Interesting thread you've started here TSL.

I like many am currently pissed off with many issues regarding this country, but having travelled abroad quite alot over the years, I have to say it is always good to come home. I cannot agree that the US is the 'land of the free' I'm afraid, there are many reasons why not IMO. Canada (BC) is very nice but more politically correct than it is here which would drive me bloody mad.

Is it a case of the grass is always greener? I couldn't imagine living in London (sorry guys) but that is purely because I wasn't born there. Great place to visit though. I have a good standard of living up here, live in a low crime area, the local authority is very good and we are not charged the 'earth' in restaurants/bars/cafes etc. Fortunately I stepped onto the 'housing ladder' some years ago otherwise I would not be able to make the comments I just have. It is this current Government's policies that have created my apathy towards this country at the moment.

I can only give an example of the healthcare that is available in this country through the NHS from the cancer treatment my father received in 2007. As a family we cannot praise the NHS enough for everything that they did. I appreciate it is often a postcode lottery, however again the area I live in is leading the way in cancer research and treatment within the NHS.

I'm sure they're are many reasoned arguments for and against living in Blighty, but taking everything into account I'll stay put. If money was no object I maybe would spend some time abroad and the rest here?

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by chrisbin

I have always loved Aus/NZ when I've visited....unfortunately they are so damn far from everything/everyone else....

Singapore is good, but a bit limited imho....Hong Kong great for a visit but wouldnt consider living there...

Whilst I've enjoyed visiting many places around the world, I've always been happy to return to the UK to be honest....even with our current rulers (certainly not leaders!).....

Im with you mate, as much as our goverment is full of wankers and couldnt organise a piss up in a bewery i still love it and its my home, i have lived abroad which was fun but was glad to come back to blighty!

Carlos

[NathanJT]

Plans are already being formulated for the Mrs and I to move over to the Isle of Man. House prices and fuel are higher BUT Income tax is capped at 18%, their equivalent of Council Tax is about 1/3rd of what we pay AND they're not dictated to by the robbing ***ards in London!

Crime? Hardly any at all!
Public services? Brilliant!
Quality of life? FAR higher that the UK!

Plus, NO SPEED LIMITS!!!!!

[Dave_3]

I have lived abroad for over 10 years. Seen both sides of the fence.

I am planning on returning soon.

Every place has its own realistic pluses and minuses.

You would have to factor in many things if living abroad.

• Different language - how fluent are you ? This will really determine how well you fit in and follow what is going on - socially, politically etc.
  
• Different Laws/accepted Procedures/Bureaucracy for almost EVERYTHING - which you have to learn and accept (no point moaining "It isn't done like this back home"). You have to totally recalibrate/learn so many small day-to-day things. It might appear similar to the UK but will be different.
  
• You will need to integrate into the culture - no point staying in a cliquey ex-pats circle (what did you move away from the UK for ?).
  
• Different culture - in people's behaviour, deportment, expectations and outlook.
  
• You will not have your present family/friends around [your parents will grow old without you - you won't see friends and family grow up/marry/have kids/get old/die - or only fleetingly].
  
• You will not have a collective set of older memories with anyone local [Different childhood/university/memories/experiences, from a different place, culture and time]. No chewing the fat.
  
• If you have kids - they will grow up totally integrated and the new country will always be their home - makes "moving back" a whole minefiled of emotional problems. They can be like fish out of water back in your home town.
  
• Almost every other country you pay for all medical things. You'll need insurance.
  
• Tax is different - VERY, VERY rarely better.
  
• Want to do anything you have to do it by yourself until you get to know people - no popping around a mates and borrowing stuff, or asking for a hand.

Sounds slightly negative, but just plaing devil's advocate. It can be a right hoot and certainly broadens your horizons.

UK is not that bad. It is not so anodyne or homogenous as many other countries. Some things I agree have gone to pot, but it is still an open and vibrant culture (very creative - music, art, humour, TV, sport, pubs etc.). And we still have very free civil liberties - other countries have rules as long as your arm about things and need identity papers even if you move into the next town.

Strangely ... I now call home the country I am not in at present ... Why I need to come back before I end up in limbo.

D.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Im with you mate, as much as our goverment is full of wankers and couldnt organise a piss up in a bewery i still love it and its my home, i have lived abroad which was fun but was glad to come back to blighty!

Carlos

I agree Carlos (strange new habit )

I sometimes wonder if the amount that we complain about life's little annoyances is directly related to our personal success and wealth.

Lot's of things about UK life trouble me. Mainly not the government, but the degeneration of our society and the lack of respect, work ethic and direction we seem to be instilling in the younger generations (yourself apart Carlos).

Having said that, I think we need to remind ourselves often that we are INCREDIBLY lucky to live in a country where we can still achieve a decent, secure and safe family life through hard work. There are several billion people in the world who wouldn't even be able to comprehend the luxuries that we take for granted every day.

[CD]

im quite content with england, yes it has it problems and i think its all too easy to go on and on about them forgeting the good points. A lot of people are leaving the uk every day ( im sure the figure i read somewhere was 90 a day ) and quite a high percentage end up coming back home basically what im saying is the grass isnt allways greener on the other side guys

[squeezebm]

While we're being all patriotic - I love this country and am proud to be british think thats why i need an Aston

I have this country to thank for giving me a good service thru the NHS which apparently saved my life 18months ago and the chance to work hard and earn a decent living

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by CD

im quite content with england, yes it has it problems and i think its all too easy to go on and on about them forgeting the good points. A lot of people are leaving the uk every day ( im sure the figure i read somewhere was 90 a day ) and quite a high percentage end up coming back home basically what im saying is the grass isnt allways greener on the other side guys

This is alot of what I was saying Chris, and yes I'd read that figure about people leaving the UK. Many have returned, even from places like Australia. It's a whole different ball game going abroad for a holiday as opposed to actually living and working in a foregin country.

Simon (NFS) made some good points about still retaining the ability to raise a family and be successful in a secure enviroment. I'm all for respect being instilled in our youngsters as well (the onslaught of PC hasn't helped in this respect IMO). I still like to believe that in this country we retain our values of fair play, freedom of speech (mute point) and on the whole we are a democratic society. When it comes to assisting foreign countries in need of aid of any description, which country invariably is either one of the first to offer assistance or is asked - think you'll find it is us (Iraq aside - different issues).

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by squeezebm

While we're being all patriotic - I love this country and am proud to be british think thats why i need an Aston

I have this country to thank for giving me a good service thru the NHS which apparently saved my life 18months ago and the chance to work hard and earn a decent living

Calvin - you do have a heart

Cue Land of Hope and Glory

Anyhow, glad you are still alive

[NFS]

Originally Posted by squeezebm

I love this country and am proud to be british think thats why i need an Aston

[chrisbin]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

I agree Carlos (strange new habit )

Phew.....so long as its not just me!!

[beemerbird]

I ain't religious by any means but Jerusalem I do like

Take it everyone knows it has bugger all to do with Jerusalem itself?

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

[330cdsport]

This thread is starting to make me feel all squishy inside

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

This thread is starting to make me feel all squishy inside

Compressed shit?!

[NFS]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

I ain't religious by any means but Jerusalem I do like

Take it everyone knows it has bugger all to do with Jerusalem itself?

Isn't it about Jesus supposedly visiting England on account of it being the best country in the world ever?

Originally Posted by William Blake

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green
And was the holy lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen

And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills

Bring me my bow of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire
Bring me my spears o'clouds unfold
Bring me my chariot of fire

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land"