Curse of the Expat
#46
Lost in Space





Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Stockport, Cheshire, UK
Posts: 804












Yes, I've found this too. Although some people (usually strangers) start by asking 'why did you come back?' as soon as I say it's because I missed England, they seem really pleased. I wonder if most Brits secretly want to feel proud of their country but get conditioned by the negativity. I don't know if that's right, but I have been quite touched by the genuinely happy reactions people have when they realize you came home because you think Britain is better than wherever you were.

#47

I had an incident last Saturday where a Brit challenged me, why I was leaving Canada. She then went on to tell me that there is no jobs, the country is going the pan and finally i wont be able to ski again like I would in Canada. After telling her that both my OH and I don't ski, she went on to slaughter me for not doing the sport " why I don't ski". At that point I politely told her to shut up and walked away.


#48
Forum Regular


Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Toronto To Skipton Yorkshire
Posts: 88


good for you, yes i had a woman go of on me because I had never been out to Calgary, they just don't understand the vast size of the country to start with. And I don't ski either can't afford it.

#49
BE Enthusiast





Joined: Feb 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 983












There`s always one, Back2UK, and I reckon you found her!

#50
Forum Regular




Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 291












Hey back2uk ... That response you had was very typical of the attitude I had before leaving Canada. I would never want to offend anyone so I kept my reasons very vague ... In the end I stopped telling people I was returning.
I am not interested in moose hunting, snow shoeing, skiddoing, ski-ing or ice hockey!
A couple of canadian friends emailed me to say that they found the jubilee concert was bland and they wanted to see more footage of the royal family. Maybe parts of it were less interesting than others but the lighting, the atmosphere and the fireworks were amazing.
I know we have problems with the economy and the weather is not that great at the moment, but we have a stunning variety of scenery, history and culture, wonderful buildings, traditions, amazing theatre and the arts.
Not to mention the BBC ....
I was worried about the high cost of living but have been pleasantly surprised. I can buy cheese without taking out a bank loan! I have just paid £10 for an eye test (actually I think tesco do them free of charge) and I paid £80 in 2010 in Canada. Fresh flowers for £3 or less. Bramley cooking apples, lincolnshire sausage, fresh lamb, Creme fraiche .... great food labeling and lots of low fat options....
I am not interested in moose hunting, snow shoeing, skiddoing, ski-ing or ice hockey!
A couple of canadian friends emailed me to say that they found the jubilee concert was bland and they wanted to see more footage of the royal family. Maybe parts of it were less interesting than others but the lighting, the atmosphere and the fireworks were amazing.
I know we have problems with the economy and the weather is not that great at the moment, but we have a stunning variety of scenery, history and culture, wonderful buildings, traditions, amazing theatre and the arts.
Not to mention the BBC ....
I was worried about the high cost of living but have been pleasantly surprised. I can buy cheese without taking out a bank loan! I have just paid £10 for an eye test (actually I think tesco do them free of charge) and I paid £80 in 2010 in Canada. Fresh flowers for £3 or less. Bramley cooking apples, lincolnshire sausage, fresh lamb, Creme fraiche .... great food labeling and lots of low fat options....


#51

I had an incident last Saturday where a Brit challenged me, why I was leaving Canada. She then went on to tell me that there is no jobs, the country is going the pan and finally i wont be able to ski again like I would in Canada. After telling her that both my OH and I don't ski, she went on to slaughter me for not doing the sport " why I don't ski". At that point I politely told her to shut up and walked away. 


The person you were being lectured by sounds as though they are unable to see that we are all different and what floats one persons boat does not float another's.

#52

Hey back2uk ... That response you had was very typical of the attitude I had before leaving Canada. I would never want to offend anyone so I kept my reasons very vague ... In the end I stopped telling people I was returning.
I am not interested in moose hunting, snow shoeing, skiddoing, ski-ing or ice hockey!
A couple of canadian friends emailed me to say that they found the jubilee concert was bland and they wanted to see more footage of the royal family. Maybe parts of it were less interesting than others but the lighting, the atmosphere and the fireworks were amazing.
I know we have problems with the economy and the weather is not that great at the moment, but we have a stunning variety of scenery, history and culture, wonderful buildings, traditions, amazing theatre and the arts.
Not to mention the BBC ....
I was worried about the high cost of living but have been pleasantly surprised. I can buy cheese without taking out a bank loan! I have just paid £10 for an eye test (actually I think tesco do them free of charge) and I paid £80 in 2010 in Canada. Fresh flowers for £3 or less. Bramley cooking apples, lincolnshire sausage, fresh lamb, Creme fraiche .... great food labeling and lots of low fat options....
I am not interested in moose hunting, snow shoeing, skiddoing, ski-ing or ice hockey!
A couple of canadian friends emailed me to say that they found the jubilee concert was bland and they wanted to see more footage of the royal family. Maybe parts of it were less interesting than others but the lighting, the atmosphere and the fireworks were amazing.
I know we have problems with the economy and the weather is not that great at the moment, but we have a stunning variety of scenery, history and culture, wonderful buildings, traditions, amazing theatre and the arts.
Not to mention the BBC ....
I was worried about the high cost of living but have been pleasantly surprised. I can buy cheese without taking out a bank loan! I have just paid £10 for an eye test (actually I think tesco do them free of charge) and I paid £80 in 2010 in Canada. Fresh flowers for £3 or less. Bramley cooking apples, lincolnshire sausage, fresh lamb, Creme fraiche .... great food labeling and lots of low fat options....



#53

Thank you for your replies
Guinness: Some people really make me laugh.
Jemima55: I have since heard its her character.
Moggiemiss: Unbelievable attitude.
I had a Canadian phone me saying that she watched all of the Diamond Jubilee on TV. She loved it all.
I need a eye test but I shall wait until I get to the UK. Its $110 here. I can't wait to purchase flowers, we have so much to be grateful for in the UK.
If1: Yep your right, furthermore we all moved for different reasons and mine is not same as hers.
Guinness: Some people really make me laugh.
Jemima55: I have since heard its her character.
Moggiemiss: Unbelievable attitude.
I had a Canadian phone me saying that she watched all of the Diamond Jubilee on TV. She loved it all.

I need a eye test but I shall wait until I get to the UK. Its $110 here. I can't wait to purchase flowers, we have so much to be grateful for in the UK.
If1: Yep your right, furthermore we all moved for different reasons and mine is not same as hers.


#54

I just moved back to to Scotland just over a month ago. I liked the US but the medical costs were an issue. Some people on here will bash me for coming back for the NHS. The few people I have spoken with, repairmen,sisters friends etc all say "why did you come back here"?
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.


#55

I just moved back to to Scotland just over a month ago. I liked the US but the medical costs were an issue. Some people on here will bash me for coming back for the NHS. The few people I have spoken with, repairmen,sisters friends etc all say "why did you come back here"?
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.


BTW you are bound to have days...even weeks/months...when you feel unsettled.

#56
BE Forum Addict






Joined: May 2012
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 1,654












My British friend here thought I was crazy to think of moving back! Because we are going only in 3 years time due to the fact that hubby wants to work longer until he retires, I have told him to keep our intents secret to ourselves now except our families back home! I do feel a little unpatriotic with Canadians when I think that I am planning to return. However, very few of them ever phone me, it is always me doing the running so I should not feel like that
What also works here with neighbours is to tell them you miss family - Canadians understand that!

What also works here with neighbours is to tell them you miss family - Canadians understand that!

#57

I just moved back to to Scotland just over a month ago. I liked the US but the medical costs were an issue. Some people on here will bash me for coming back for the NHS. The few people I have spoken with, repairmen,sisters friends etc all say "why did you come back here"?
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.


How can anybody who has not had our experience possibly make any valid points on coming back to live here?
I remember somebody had a thread on here before I came back it went something like this:
Mr Gloom: What the hell did you want to come back to this hellhole for?
Returnee: This is my home and I love it.
Mr Gloom: This country is going to the dogs, blah blah blah.
Returnee: Have you ever lived in another country then?
Mr Gloom: No.
Returnee: Well then............

#58
Just Joined

Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 24




It's what happens when you get laid off, or can't find work, or can no longer afford to stay in the flat you have bought/rented that can be hard to weather compared to here.

#59
Just Joined

Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 24




I just moved back to to Scotland just over a month ago. I liked the US but the medical costs were an issue. Some people on here will bash me for coming back for the NHS. The few people I have spoken with, repairmen,sisters friends etc all say "why did you come back here"?
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.
They think life in America is fantastic and no problems etc. Having been out the country for over 25 years I am feeling a little out of sorts. My daughter and her son want to move here. When I told the repairman about my grandson moving here he couldn't understand it. He was saying stuff like "theres nothing here for anyone etc etc etc. Made me feel like she shouldn't come with him. I guess I am missing them and anyway I know I am rambling. I just feel unsettled but maybe that is the curse of the expat? Some days I feel like getting on a plane and heading back and other days I feel settled.

And put it this way, having experienced both, better the NHS in Scotland than the one in England. At least up here it is well funded and fit for purpose.

#60

All the replies made me feel much better with decision. My brother also told me that all the doom and gloom people have never LIVED in the US. If you have a great job and lots of money the US can be a great place to live, but things are tough over there for the "working poor". I love not having to own a car! Of course a car would be nice but I can walk just about everywhere and the bus and train station are a few minutes walk. I saw a nursery nurse job advertised and have applied, the interview isn't until June 26th but hoping I get hired as it would be ideal. I have an interview this Tuesday for Aldi, not my ideal job but if I get it, great. I have put out several cvs and registered with the job center last week so I think I will find employment soon. I found a NHS dentist and registered with the doctor. I had enough money to pay rent and am in a flat central to everything. My sister lives close by. I went down on the bus to Dunoon last week to spend some time with my parents so as long as I can secure employment soon I should be fine. Thankyou for all the positve responses
My daughter has her UK passport and is now in the process of applying for one for her son.

