Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Jan 22nd 2011 | 8:26 am
#46
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 353
From: Alberta to Kendal
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
A poster on a different forum recently posted that the UK was dirty and everything was vandalised, I had to comment that he was surely talking about a different UK than the one I was recently in. To be fair to these people I think recent immigrants or those leaving the UK in the very near future only want to see the negatives as it makes them feel better about what they are doing. They will also criticise something in the UK but accept the exact same thing in their new country, it's a coping mechanism.
I did find Doncaster to be pretty dirty when I went up there but generally down south it was no different to this area.
I did find Doncaster to be pretty dirty when I went up there but generally down south it was no different to this area.
Jan 22nd 2011 | 8:55 am
#47
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,610
From: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Ooh lillybilly, I didn't realize you were in Buxton. I've considered that as a possible place to live as well as Cumbria. What's it like?
Last edited by sallysimmons; Jan 22nd 2011 at 8:59 am.
Jan 22nd 2011 | 9:53 am
#48
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 107
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Easy people, I wasn't looking for a fight just pointing out a few things about the UK that people who have been away for a while wouldn't know.
I've stated a few stats that will cover a wide section of society and although they seem a little severe they are quoted weekly in the national press. Granted, the NE is suffering worse than most but the whole of the UK is in a bad way. I actually mentioned the NE because a few previous posts made it relevant! Also, if economic predictions are correct then things will get a lot worse before they get better....are you suggesting interest rates definitely won't reach 8%, 9% or even 10%? Like I say it depends on who you listen to!!
I started my own business in 2006 and have managed to make a go of it through some very tough times (the toughest in the UK since 1939) and it is still a good, profitable and viable business today, trust me I am not the pessimist a number of you are suggesting.
Anyway, I hope my post has helped some of you make your decision and either way I wish you all the best.
Be Lucky!!
I've stated a few stats that will cover a wide section of society and although they seem a little severe they are quoted weekly in the national press. Granted, the NE is suffering worse than most but the whole of the UK is in a bad way. I actually mentioned the NE because a few previous posts made it relevant! Also, if economic predictions are correct then things will get a lot worse before they get better....are you suggesting interest rates definitely won't reach 8%, 9% or even 10%? Like I say it depends on who you listen to!!
I started my own business in 2006 and have managed to make a go of it through some very tough times (the toughest in the UK since 1939) and it is still a good, profitable and viable business today, trust me I am not the pessimist a number of you are suggesting.
Anyway, I hope my post has helped some of you make your decision and either way I wish you all the best.
Be Lucky!!
Last edited by gazmfc; Jan 22nd 2011 at 10:01 am.
Jan 22nd 2011 | 10:23 am
#49
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Of course no one can say that interest rates wont reach 8,9 or 10% but they are far more likely to reach those heights in Australia as they aren't far away as it is. To go from .5% to 10 is an enormous climb.
The economic predictions depend very much who you listen to, I haven't heard anyone (even the Daily Mail) mention things being bad for 20 years as you mentioned earlier, most seem to be talking about 2 or maybe 3 years.
Some assume you are a pessimist possibly because you have given the absolute worse possible scenario, most people would tend to give a more balanced view perhaps.
I would have thought your first post would put the fear of god into anyone thinking of going to the UK to be honest
The economic predictions depend very much who you listen to, I haven't heard anyone (even the Daily Mail) mention things being bad for 20 years as you mentioned earlier, most seem to be talking about 2 or maybe 3 years.
Some assume you are a pessimist possibly because you have given the absolute worse possible scenario, most people would tend to give a more balanced view perhaps.
I would have thought your first post would put the fear of god into anyone thinking of going to the UK to be honest
Jan 22nd 2011 | 10:23 am
#50
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 353
From: Alberta to Kendal
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
I was born and bred in Cumbria,its a beautiful part of the country,but very isolated from every where else.We are going back,but not to Cumbria.Maybe next door and a bit more central with access to the M6.But never the less a lovely part .
Jan 22nd 2011 | 10:42 am
#51
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,610
From: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
We won't be anywhere remote - my mum lives in a remote spot in Cumbria and I couldn't handle it. If we go there, we'll live in Kendal. Easy access to the M6, mainline train service and lots of shops and restaurants, a buzzing arts scene, and right between the Lakes and the Dales (my personal favorite spot). We loved it when we were there.
But we'd also consider Skipton, Ilkley or the Peak District. And who knows, we might just up sticks and go to Devon!
But we'd also consider Skipton, Ilkley or the Peak District. And who knows, we might just up sticks and go to Devon!
Last edited by sallysimmons; Jan 22nd 2011 at 10:44 am.
Jan 22nd 2011 | 10:46 am
#52
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,227
From: Welly UK to Welly NZ to Welly UK
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Easy people, I wasn't looking for a fight just pointing out a few things about the UK that people who have been away for a while wouldn't know.
I guess you hadn't considered the fact that people returning have family, friends (and of course BE & the internet
) to keep them abreast of UK life........ those folk coming home have probably thought it through just as much, if not more than the decision to emigrate in the first place. Good luck in NZ.... I love it ...but its not my 'home'
I've stated a few stats that will cover a wide section of society and although they seem a little severe they are quoted weekly in the national press. Granted, the NE is suffering worse than most but the whole of the UK is in a bad way. I actually mentioned the NE because a few previous posts made it relevant! Also, if economic predictions are correct then things will get a lot worse before they get better....are you suggesting interest rates definitely won't reach 8%, 9% or even 10%? Like I say it depends on who you listen to!!
I started my own business in 2006 and have managed to make a go of it through some very tough times (the toughest in the UK since 1939) and it is still a good, profitable and viable business today, trust me I am not the pessimist a number of you are suggesting.
Anyway, I hope my post has helped some of you make your decision and either way I wish you all the best.
Be Lucky!!
I guess you hadn't considered the fact that people returning have family, friends (and of course BE & the internet
) to keep them abreast of UK life........ those folk coming home have probably thought it through just as much, if not more than the decision to emigrate in the first place. Good luck in NZ.... I love it ...but its not my 'home'I've stated a few stats that will cover a wide section of society and although they seem a little severe they are quoted weekly in the national press. Granted, the NE is suffering worse than most but the whole of the UK is in a bad way. I actually mentioned the NE because a few previous posts made it relevant! Also, if economic predictions are correct then things will get a lot worse before they get better....are you suggesting interest rates definitely won't reach 8%, 9% or even 10%? Like I say it depends on who you listen to!!
I started my own business in 2006 and have managed to make a go of it through some very tough times (the toughest in the UK since 1939) and it is still a good, profitable and viable business today, trust me I am not the pessimist a number of you are suggesting.
Anyway, I hope my post has helped some of you make your decision and either way I wish you all the best.
Be Lucky!!
Jan 22nd 2011 | 10:55 am
#53
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 353
From: Alberta to Kendal
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
We won't be anywhere remote - my mum lives in a remote spot in Cumbria and I couldn't handle it. If we go there, we'll live in Kendal. Easy access to the M6, mainline train service and lots of shops and restaurants, a buzzing arts scene, and right between the Lakes and the Dales (my personal favorite spot). We loved it when we were there.
But we'd also consider Skipton, Ilkley or the Peak District. And who knows, we might just up sticks and go to Devon!
But we'd also consider Skipton, Ilkley or the Peak District. And who knows, we might just up sticks and go to Devon!
Jan 22nd 2011 | 1:27 pm
#54
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,610
From: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
I'll buy you a drink at the Brewery Arts Center and you can fill me in on where to go and what to do!
Jan 22nd 2011 | 3:42 pm
#55
Lost in Space
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 804
From: Stockport, Cheshire, UK
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
We are looking in Broadbottom which is incredible. It is so pretty and has the most amazing community. The houses are small as it is an old mill town so we're finding it difficult to find somewhere big enough. Otherwise we will live in Marple Bridge and then we have very easy access to the Peaks. We'll keep you posted.
And Broadbottom is only 15 mins into Manchester on the train but you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. People were swimming in the river last summer! It's truly worth a visit. I go to baby group there and I have already found myself a few friends! One girl is from Australia, one from France, Ireland and locals too, just a lovely mix. They even had a mardi gras this year for the gay people in the village. Amazing!
Jan 23rd 2011 | 12:38 am
#56
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,610
From: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
It looks lovely there (just had a quick look on Streetview). For us, I think it's a bit too close to where my husband grew up though. I think he'd like to try somewhere different.
Thanks for the info on Buxton and good luck finding a home!
Thanks for the info on Buxton and good luck finding a home!
Jan 23rd 2011 | 1:01 am
#57
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
to be fair i think this also applies to the rest of the world right now...
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
Jan 23rd 2011 | 3:33 am
#58
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Hi Lilybilly,
Thansk so much for the post. Really encouraged me. I am an expat who moved with the family from Canada to UK about 2 years ago. I came bacause of job.
Sometime you hear all the negatives and you begin to wonder if you made the right decision, but your thread has really encouraged me!!!!
UK has its positves too. NHS, culture, milder weather (at laest compared to Canada where we lived). It is so easy to fly to europe for a decent vacation at a reasonable price!!!, it seems my quality of life has also improved in UK as well!!
Thanks
Thansk so much for the post. Really encouraged me. I am an expat who moved with the family from Canada to UK about 2 years ago. I came bacause of job.
Sometime you hear all the negatives and you begin to wonder if you made the right decision, but your thread has really encouraged me!!!!
UK has its positves too. NHS, culture, milder weather (at laest compared to Canada where we lived). It is so easy to fly to europe for a decent vacation at a reasonable price!!!, it seems my quality of life has also improved in UK as well!!
Thanks
Jan 25th 2011 | 1:33 am
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 222
From: Southport
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
oh thats good to know there is only a few minor things.
I find the Brits very friendly people compared to other nations.That is one thing me and my OH miss so much about the UK.He would say "it takes me hours to cut the grass" and it was because everyone going by would stop and talk.Here no one even gives a nod never mind 5 mins of their time to chat.That is some thing we are looking forward to so much ,a good laugh with the Brits
I find the Brits very friendly people compared to other nations.That is one thing me and my OH miss so much about the UK.He would say "it takes me hours to cut the grass" and it was because everyone going by would stop and talk.Here no one even gives a nod never mind 5 mins of their time to chat.That is some thing we are looking forward to so much ,a good laugh with the Brits
Yet I live in a very busy road in Southport and wouldn't know my neighbours across the street if i tripped over them! I think it probably proves you need to go out of your way to get to know people in the community, if thats not stating the bl*****ng obvious too much! lol
Jan 25th 2011 | 2:01 am
#60
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 353
From: Alberta to Kendal
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
I have heard that parts of Canada are very friendly,but other parts ...they would speak one day and walk past you in the street the next.Very strange.When we went to Peachland BC the people were so friendly and chatty,,but like any where you have to make an effort too.
We have lived here for 10yrs and have some nice friends,but have gone through a ton finding them.Alot are there for the taking but never for the giving. We are very social and like the get togethers and the BBQ's,but after a while you get fed up of inviting,inviting and never get as much as a call afterwards.......sick of it!
I hope we find a lovely community that is friendly back in the NW
We have lived here for 10yrs and have some nice friends,but have gone through a ton finding them.Alot are there for the taking but never for the giving. We are very social and like the get togethers and the BBQ's,but after a while you get fed up of inviting,inviting and never get as much as a call afterwards.......sick of it!
I hope we find a lovely community that is friendly back in the NW
