Originally Posted by LouiseD

Hi Issie - I think that every situation is different. Most people see the UK for what it is - some good points, some bad but would just like to try something different. Others love it here and would never consider leaving. Others like us, listened to negative news reports and believed that Australia would offer us some kind of sanctury.

Whilst I blame only myself for believing this and being so naive, I do think that the TV and newspapers should take some kind of responsibilty for what they are reporting. I (and others) put in a complaint to GMTV this week because of their feature Up Sticks to Down Under. They presented a picture of gloomy, grey UK, then cut to a picturesque Australia complete with happy family, sunny skies and beautiful beaches. To me this is nothing short of brainwashing - and unfortunately it does work. People do listen and believe. We may be thick, stupid or silly but thats the power of the box in the corner - why else do advertisers pay a fortune to market their products there. Fortunately GMTV must have listened to our complaints because they did issue a warning to viewers on Friday that emigrating isn't for everyone.

I must repeat though that I do blame only myself for being sucked in and not seeing through the hype. Bloody idiot I am

Originally Posted by Mrs Best

I can sort of relate to what you are saying.

Maybe some of us have to justify our leaving somewhere by "trashing it" - so to speak. We see "problems" that are not really there - or are blown out of realistic proportion by the press.
I think I am guilty of doing this - it made me feel better about leaving!

Originally Posted by king kong

A lot of it is the Brits preoccupation of wanting to be some where in the sun and thats why the likes of GMTV flog the idea to death .
What some of the people want is the uk and everything it offers ie great pubs ,castles ,history ,in the sun .It doesnt exist and sitting on the beach is enough to bore the pants off a person after a fortnight let alone doing it for 40 years .

Originally Posted by bramblebush

Before leaving the UK 18 months ago, I was caught up in the whole negative thing, everywhere I went people were moaning about the country and the government, immigration, youth culture, lack of respect. crime, safety etc, etc

Me and OH were feeling really unhappy about the way the country was and worrying about where it would all end and surely something terrible would happen soon (again, etc, etc)

So, we jumped ship before it sunk, whatelse could we do, it was a really bad situation - apparently

Now I have this feeling of betrayal, I feel that I started running and when I finally stopped to look round nobody had followed, all those people that hate it there are still living there, in the 18 months that I have been gone nothing has changed

I gave up my home, job, moved my children and they all carried on like normal as if none of these terrible things are happening at all and it was one big joke

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter or resentful and I'm not directing this at anyone in particular it is just that I can't explain the feeling any other way.

We are now stuck in limbo, we don't regret leaving but have this strong feeling of wanting to return but are now scared of making the wrong decision

I know that none of you can tell me what I should do but I would appreciate any sort of feedback, perhaps some of you can relate to this feeling

Originally Posted by bramblebush

Before leaving the UK 18 months ago, I was caught up in the whole negative thing, everywhere I went people were moaning about the country and the government, immigration, youth culture, lack of respect. crime, safety etc, etc

Me and OH were feeling really unhappy about the way the country was and worrying about where it would all end and surely something terrible would happen soon (again, etc, etc)

So, we jumped ship before it sunk, whatelse could we do, it was a really bad situation - apparently

Now I have this feeling of betrayal, I feel that I started running and when I finally stopped to look round nobody had followed, all those people that hate it there are still living there, in the 18 months that I have been gone nothing has changed

I gave up my home, job, moved my children and they all carried on like normal as if none of these terrible things are happening at all and it was one big joke

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter or resentful and I'm not directing this at anyone in particular it is just that I can't explain the feeling any other way.

We are now stuck in limbo, we don't regret leaving but have this strong feeling of wanting to return but are now scared of making the wrong decision

I know that none of you can tell me what I should do but I would appreciate any sort of feedback, perhaps some of you can relate to this feeling

Originally Posted by Big Pete

Its not a conspiracy , its just happening slowly and slower than what you predicted .

The country is still struggling on and on the surface looks much the same , However when you look under the carpet so to speak there is many things that are chipping away , which will in time lead to the inevitable crumble !!

I am sure many would love to follow you , i know when i say about getting away everyone says i dont blame you , if i could afford to i would etc,etc.
So its more a case of most are heavily in debt in the Uk stuffed with Mortgages or in rented accomodation which they cant just get capital enough in order to do the major move !!!

In 18 months let me think Hmmmmmm whats changed ,,,
1/ Rates have gone up 10%
2/ Countrys gone NO Smoking crazy
3/ Taxation added to virtually everything , The UK is going through a sort the worlds global warming problem by itself !! With taxes added to on land fills and flying and well anything they can !!
4/ Rubbish collections changed to once a fortnight .
5/ Another 1 million immigrants have appeared , and added further drains on the dentists, hospitals ,housing etc..
6/ House prices have gone up even further about 10 - 20% in some areas .
7/ Hospitals have severe MRSA outbreaks more regularly
8/ Numerous BIG Manufacturing Companies have closed or relocated production to the Far East
9/ Food bills rose by about 10% added costs of Haulage costs and taxation on the packaging and stuff i imagine.
10/All Computers and accessories cheaper than ever ,likewise all electric goods
11/The country is now officially multi racial ,a trip up town can very often be like a International airport waitting lounge .
12/England football team still useless.
13/Weather seems to be warmer in general but wetter ,from Last November til this March has been so wet ! Add to this the warmer weather been a lot of Mossies and creepy things that normally were killed by our frosts ! so summer will be interesting ?
14/All utility bills have risen its getting so expensive to live and a lot of people work there socks off to make a living.
15/Finance is so easily achieved with low interest rates so lots of new cars and the country is favouring the buy now pay later way of life .
16/Credit cards given away like confetti , Uk has i believe one of the highest debt ratios per person than anywhere in the world , dont know if thats true or not ? heard it somewhere .
17/Crime is on the increase with more violent killings happening.
18/Have heard some towns now have micro chipped rubbish bins and if you dont recycle you get fined .
19/Coastal holiday resorts in serious decline and so dull and gloomy ,had poor summer seasons and it shows .
20/Road congestion getting worse ,travelling distance gets harder and takes longer
21/Government planning to introduce road toll charges , and even planning a car meter so they charge you by the mile on when you drive.
22/Cigarettes now up to £ 6 a pack in some places
23/Pint of Beer about £ 2.50p
24/Litre of Petrol £ 1
25/Road Tax on 4x4 vehicles now £ 400 a year
26/Many small shops in our town forced to close as Tescos , Asda, etc and excessive rates and rents are driving them out of business
27/TV licence £165

Hope this helps you ?

Originally Posted by bramblebush

Me too !!

Originally Posted by Elvira

And the significance of 'nice weather' is highly overrated.

Originally Posted by jad n rich

You comments about food, taxes and and bills are laughable, given what some of that costs here

Originally Posted by Big Pete

Its not a conspiracy , its just happening slowly and slower than what you predicted .

The country is still struggling on and on the surface looks much the same , However when you look under the carpet so to speak there is many things that are chipping away , which will in time lead to the inevitable crumble !!

I am sure many would love to follow you , i know when i say about getting away everyone says i dont blame you , if i could afford to i would etc,etc.
So its more a case of most are heavily in debt in the Uk stuffed with Mortgages or in rented accomodation which they cant just get capital enough in order to do the major move !!!

In 18 months let me think Hmmmmmm whats changed ,,,
1/ Rates have gone up 10% The average council tax rise in 2006 was 4.3%.
2/ Countrys gone NO Smoking crazy Great idea, will help some give up and save others from second hand smoke, about 5 years behind many other more progressive places.
3/ Taxation added to virtually everything , The UK is going through a sort the worlds global warming problem by itself !! With taxes added to on land fills and flying and well anything they can !! It needs someone to take the lead and show the way, good that the UK is doing it.
4/ Rubbish collections changed to once a fortnight . To promote recycling
5/ Another 1 million immigrants have appeared , and added further drains on the dentists, hospitals ,housing etc.. Most of the immigrants are the ones working in the hospitals etc keeping them afloat
6/ House prices have gone up even further about 10 - 20% in some areas. I remember the good old days when we complained about prices going down.
7/ Hospitals have severe MRSA outbreaks more regularly. As do many other countries - resistant bugs are a fact of life
8/ Numerous BIG Manufacturing Companies have closed or relocated production to the Far East. Same as for any western country, you want the cheap computer then expect it to be made overseas
9/ Food bills rose by about 10% added costs of Haulage costs and taxation on the packaging and stuff i imagine.
10/All Computers and accessories cheaper than ever ,likewise all electric goods
11/The country is now officially multi racial ,a trip up town can very often be like a International airport waitting lounge . Nothing wrong in that, makes UK life more interesting
12/England football team still useless. no argument there
13/Weather seems to be warmer in general but wetter ,from Last November til this March has been so wet ! Add to this the warmer weather been a lot of Mossies and creepy things that normally were killed by our frosts ! so summer will be interesting ? see (3) above
14/All utility bills have risen its getting so expensive to live and a lot of people work there socks off to make a living. Promotes energy efficiency
15/Finance is so easily achieved with low interest rates so lots of new cars and the country is favouring the buy now pay later way of life .
16/Credit cards given away like confetti , Uk has i believe one of the highest debt ratios per person than anywhere in the world , dont know if thats true or not ? heard it somewhere .
17/Crime is on the increase with more violent killings happening. In murders per capita the UK has less than the US, Australia, Canada, Germany and around the same as Spain & France.
18/Have heard some towns now have micro chipped rubbish bins and if you dont recycle you get fined . You really have a bee in your bonnet about recycling don't you?
19/Coastal holiday resorts in serious decline and so dull and gloomy ,had poor summer seasons and it shows .
20/Road congestion getting worse ,travelling distance gets harder and takes longer
21/Government planning to introduce road toll charges , and even planning a car meter so they charge you by the mile on when you drive. In response to your complaint (20) above
22/Cigarettes now up to £ 6 a pack in some places
23/Pint of Beer about £ 2.50p
24/Litre of Petrol £ 1 promotes fuel efficiency and public transport
25/Road Tax on 4x4 vehicles now £ 400 a year - should be controlled by the price of fuel
26/Many small shops in our town forced to close as Tescos , Asda, etc and excessive rates and rents are driving them out of business
27/TV licence £165 amazing value

Hope this helps you ?

Originally Posted by Cape Blue

Boy are you going to enjoy yourself in Spain

Originally Posted by Big Pete

11/The country is now officially multi racial

Originally Posted by Eric Hitchmo

Marvellous isn't it? "I don't approve of people from other "races" being here, so I'm off to the Mediterranean".