If I could live mortgage free in England as I do here, I would go back as my lifestyle would be better there in the same position.

You could if you were prepared to live 'up north'

There's a clue in this sentence as to why that wouldn't work "I would go back as my lifestyle would be better there"

This is interesting, as I have evaluated our situation in a similar manner. I cannot think of anywhere in England (where I would consider living), that could offer what we have here - in terms of countryside (inc national park), great beaches, city, community, diversity (suburbs/villages/people), arts/festivals, sports - the list goes on!

Only teasing you

Are you on the case IE xmas dinners

As long as you're not even slightly overweight you should be ok - otherwise you'll be sneered at and ignored as a bit of a feral not worthy of his attention because of your social status/weight problem

Just added to my 'to do' list - to the top, of course

The New Forest!

Ouch. This could be juicy!

we went back for a visit last year to introduce our new (4 month old)daughter to her extended family- previous visits have always been hedonistic and we really enjoyed them.

With our daughter, I found people in London really aggressive towards the concept of babies- generally people seem to expect them to spoil their day, and so are rude and unhelpful.
Some were nice, but the majority were rude and ignorant.
People complained in a[LIST][*]restaurant about us bringing our daughter in...guess we were only meant to eat takeaways on street corners.[*]London Underground staff just watched as I carried my daughter and stroller down a flight of steps....they were 'not allowed to help'.[*]Security staff at Heathrow just watched as I struggled with bags- but they did switch off the conveyor belt as I was holding up the queue. This at least stopped more possessions crashing into my bag contents which they had tipped over the conveyor belt.
...etc etc

Here in Oz, I think it is the more Mediterranean approach to families and kids are welcomed. Last weekend we took our daughter on a weekend away and everyone wanted to hold her- random strangers!

We have just booked a trip back to UK see family this year and I will be interested to see if I feel the same with a lively toddler, and am relieved to be home in Oz.

Totally agree with you! Not that I've been back since we arrived, but I remember it well. When I arrived here, I kept asking if it was OK to bring children in (pub etc) and they looked at me as if I was mad :
People (even grumpy old men) seem to find them charming (mostly!!) rather than annoying or an inconvenience

I must be a little bit feral round my belly then

How dare you live in such an affluent area! You should sell up immediately & buy somewhere more in keeping with your overweight feral belly
I'm disappointed in the thin, well groomed and well educated real estate agents who obviously sold you a home in the wrong area.

Glad to hear that Badge's standards are up to my own.