Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
May 10th 2017, 5:04 pm
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Brighton UK
Posts: 173
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Hi all,
I've been in New Zealand since '95, when my dad took me & my sister to live in New Zealand because he wanted a new start in life. Now naturally I have only dim recollections of life in Britain, as I was very young when I left. I know many people say the country has gone to pot, and may even be past fixing, and I'd be better off here in New Zealand. However in all my years here I've always had a yearning to return, and a lack of connection to NZ. I've talked about leaving several times and done nothing more than get my passport. I believe my indecisiveness on going or staying has been more a fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what would happen if I left over the certainty of staying.
That said, has anyone else here settled back home after a childhood/early adulthood spend away? If so how hard is it to get used to different slang/accents, money and sometimes reversed seasons? Did locals consider you an outsider or constantly tell you that you should have stayed and/or should go back? Basically how hard is it to settle? From my own research it seems pretty tough to get banking, doctors etc set up when you have no records/past in the UK because you left as child when parents took care of that.
I've been in New Zealand since '95, when my dad took me & my sister to live in New Zealand because he wanted a new start in life. Now naturally I have only dim recollections of life in Britain, as I was very young when I left. I know many people say the country has gone to pot, and may even be past fixing, and I'd be better off here in New Zealand. However in all my years here I've always had a yearning to return, and a lack of connection to NZ. I've talked about leaving several times and done nothing more than get my passport. I believe my indecisiveness on going or staying has been more a fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what would happen if I left over the certainty of staying.
That said, has anyone else here settled back home after a childhood/early adulthood spend away? If so how hard is it to get used to different slang/accents, money and sometimes reversed seasons? Did locals consider you an outsider or constantly tell you that you should have stayed and/or should go back? Basically how hard is it to settle? From my own research it seems pretty tough to get banking, doctors etc set up when you have no records/past in the UK because you left as child when parents took care of that.
I am English but I grew up in Rome. After 35 years in Rome I came back to the UK. I had ZERO problems with banking, doctors, car insurance, rent and everything. Probably because I have a British passport, like you do.
It was not hard for me to get used to the slang, life etc. It did take me a couple of years. The worst things are the weather and the food. I am not planning on staying here for ever because I want to live in Europe.
Hope this helps.
Vivien
Last edited by Foffion; May 10th 2017 at 5:06 pm.
If you can't find good food in Britain you aren't trying very hard.
May 10th 2017, 9:59 pm
#49
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
"He" has a pink Venus symbol next to his user name, like you do. 
FWIW I have always been rather underwhelmed by Italian cuisine in Italy - meat with no veg, "salad" being nothing but a plate of lettuce, etc. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough either?
FWIW I have always been rather underwhelmed by Italian cuisine in Italy - meat with no veg, "salad" being nothing but a plate of lettuce, etc. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough either?
Last edited by Pulaski; May 10th 2017 at 10:01 pm.
May 10th 2017, 10:08 pm
#50
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
Posts: 3,388
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Apologies to Foffion. I can't see those little gender signs without my glasses on.
May 11th 2017, 12:06 am
#51
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Posts: 118
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Hello,
I am English but I grew up in Rome. After 35 years in Rome I came back to the UK. I had ZERO problems with banking, doctors, car insurance, rent and everything. Probably because I have a British passport, like you do.
It was not hard for me to get used to the slang, life etc. It did take me a couple of years. The worst things are the weather and the food. I am not planning on staying here for ever because I want to live in Europe.
Hope this helps.
Vivien
I am English but I grew up in Rome. After 35 years in Rome I came back to the UK. I had ZERO problems with banking, doctors, car insurance, rent and everything. Probably because I have a British passport, like you do.
It was not hard for me to get used to the slang, life etc. It did take me a couple of years. The worst things are the weather and the food. I am not planning on staying here for ever because I want to live in Europe.
Hope this helps.
Vivien
May 11th 2017, 5:19 am
#52
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,993
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Re the clothing budget... I must be a lot poorer (or stingier) than all the other posters here, but when I am in England I start my shopping in the op-shops. There is an excellent variety of them in most towns and cities, with some good quality clothes. Some crap, too, as you'd expect; but I think our Celtic Prince shouldn't ignore them, especially if he hasn't got much money to play with.
May 11th 2017, 5:29 am
#53
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Posts: 118
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
I may have to do the same - at least in part. I probably ought to have held off on buying the ticket, but I decided to follow my heart and not my head this time and make the best of it come what may.
May 11th 2017, 7:56 am
#54
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,006
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Exactly. While there is a lot more variety, and quality in many areas, for cuisine and food availability in Britain compared to 30 or 40 years ago, still cant even remotely compare to most parts of Italy. That is the problem of having lived in Italy, afterwards almost any country you go to you miss the Italian cuisine- especially if moving to the UK or USA.
May 11th 2017, 8:00 am
#55
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,006
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Interesting, as for me I find I eat more vegetables when in Italy though usually needs to be ordered separately compared to being an additional add-on to a menu item.
May 11th 2017, 8:06 am
#56
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,006
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
A NINO is ordinarily issued at 15 years and 9 months, shortly before you legally become required to pay NI contributions at 16. old.sparkles, you may be thinking of a Child Reference Number or Child Benefit Number, which is allocated to a child when their parent is in receipt of child benefit for that child. AFAIK this is the same format as a NINO and therefore becomes their NINO when they come of age.
In short, it might be worth for the OP to check whether he already has a NINO if his parents were claiming child benefit for him before they left for New Zealand.
In short, it might be worth for the OP to check whether he already has a NINO if his parents were claiming child benefit for him before they left for New Zealand.
Or can they apply beforehand from abroad or using Uk address ?
May 11th 2017, 8:12 am
#57
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,192
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
They would need to be in the UK. It's based on residence, not citizenship.
May 11th 2017, 8:16 am
#58
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Brighton UK
Posts: 173
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
You need to apply from the UK. I applied for my husband, you can do it online and it takes a couple of minutes.
May 11th 2017, 10:44 pm
#59
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Location: Nebraska by the Sea
Posts: 987
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
Exactly. While there is a lot more variety, and quality in many areas, for cuisine and food availability in Britain compared to 30 or 40 years ago, still cant even remotely compare to most parts of Italy. That is the problem of having lived in Italy, afterwards almost any country you go to you miss the Italian cuisine- especially if moving to the UK or USA.
May 12th 2017, 7:57 am
#60
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,006
Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad