Why are some happy.....
 

Reading in forums like USA, Australia and NZ made me think a lot.
Especially why people want to emigrate and how they decide where to and why some people are really happy with their choice and others are totally unhappy and desperate to go back home.

What makes some people happy with their choice and other not, is it better preparation, different reasons for going, lower expectation, younger...or what is it??

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

Often wondered the same thing. A few people I know have left the UK and returned quite quickly, from different countries, so it is not only those who go to Oz or Nz or Spain. The main thing I can hear is that they honestly thought that it would be the same as being wherever on holiday and living their UK life with a bit of sun! Maybe a very simplistic attitude but they weren't stupid people!
Thay haven't grasped the fact it is a NEW country, different culture, way of life, attitudes etc.
The ones who have gone and stayed and loved it, seem to have thrown all their previous expectations out the window and embraced whatever has been thrown at them specifically because they have accepted it is totally a NEW country.
Also those that have travelled and lived abroad find it easier to make the move again, and I am one of those with itchy feet ready to roll again!

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

got a feeling the older you get and the longer you have been away from home then the more you want to get back.........especially when your parents start getting on in age..........you really don't realize how beautiful the UK is until you have gone and returned for vacation a few times

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

Isn't that something similair to what the previous poster was saying? People go on vacation somewhere and they want to live there? Once you've been away from the UK it is a vacation when you go back and all of a sudden it becomes desirable? Just the same in reversed reverse :D!

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

I agree i think you have to go with an open mind and few expectations but i think there are just so many other influences it's impossible to put a finger on exactly why it works for some people and not others.
I've travelled widely and find myself living in the US now and to be honest the sooner i can leave here the better. Previously to here i lived in Italy for three years and despite initially not speaking a word of Italian loved the whole experience. My life in the US is so much easier day to day and i have all the luxuries i could of never imagined in the UK or Europe but still find myself deeply unhappy living in the US.
Hopefully i can move back to the UK early next year but i know it won't be for long (itchy feet, too much of the world left to see). I never disliked the UK and had a very comfortable life, i just had the opportunity through work to move abroad so took it. Reading the other threads it's easy to focus on individual things that you like or dislike about somewhere but ultimately i believe they are individually not the main reason you are happy or not in your choice.
Everywhere has the same problems, so if you dislike something in one place you will surely find it when you get to your new destination plus countless others. I think being happy with your life before you decide to move helps make the move a success. To move and expect everything to be wonderful is surely a disaster. Living abroad is far harder than living in your own country but also very rewarding in countless other ways. All IMHO

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

So very true!

But also, many people don't realise what they've given up until it's gone...

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

Various reasons...
In my case I was quite happy living in Britain and never really wanted to leave in the first place. Unfortunately we had no choice in the matter as
my partner's visa expired.

I'm sure many people also suffer the grass-is-greener syndrome, believing
others countries offer a better life than Britain. When they realise 'same shit different place', I think the feelings of dread and regret start to creep in.
The fact is, Britain isn't really that bad after all and that becomes glaringly apparent after a few months abroad.

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

They say happiness is an inside job. Partly that is true. We are no happier in Australia than in the UK (Chester). Why - because we traded deep friendships, family, culture, Europe, architecture, and mobility for sunshine. It all comes down to the weather and how much that means to you. If it means more than they above, then you'll love Australia.

However, much of it is LOCAL. It depends where you live in the UK and exactaly where you plan to move to. I remember when I moved from the north west to Bournemouth years ago. My quality of life doubled. Now it is somewhat less than when I lived on the south coast of the UK for the reasons above.

The 'quality of life statistics' mean nothing to individuals. It all depends on exactly where where you live, what you gain and what you lose.

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

[QUOTE=ShozInOz]They say happiness is an inside job. Partly that is true. We are no happier in Australia than in the UK (Chester). Why - because we traded deep friendships, family, culture, Europe, architecture, and mobility for sunshine. It all comes down to the weather and how much that means to you. If it means more than they above, then you'll love Australia.

QUOTE]



"traded deep friendships" for sunshine.............I have said this before and will say it again......it is people and the relationships that you have with them that decides the quality of life you have......cars,houses,boats ect is just STUFF and not worth a crap........great post karma sent

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

For the many people who move because of a spouse (i.e., married to a non-UK citizen), it's often a crap shoot depending on where you move to. So whether they are happy in another country may not (for them) be a function of their personality so much as what part of the country their spouse comes from. Of course you can always move, but if you have kids often being close to your spouse's family is a priority.

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

I'm so glad that I've found this out though......

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

We moved to the USA because of my husbands work and it was a wonderful opportunity to see a bit of the world. I've been very happy here, absolutely no regrets. As someone else mentioned, we fall into the category of getting older and missing the kids, grandkids and friends.

I don't see anything wrong with trying out living in another country for a few years, it certainly broadens the outlook, but just make sure you leave yourself enough money to get back. :beer:

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

Yes your right, Having or making friends in OZ in Banned, OZ has no culture or architecture, The Sydney opera house the world greatest piece of architecture does'nt exsit. Travel to Europe is illegal. There is no mobility we all still travel around in horses and carriages. All we have in sunshine nothing else. :(

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

I think alot of people move because they're stuck in a rut. Once they actually arrive in the new country they realise the rut wasn't that bad after all and want to go back!

Some people move because they think they'll free themselves of their problems, unfortunately it doesn't work like that....problems tend to come along for the ride. Again those people will probably want to move back once the realise they have no support in the new country.

Some people are drawn by the chance to be materially better off, only to realise they were far richer surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends.

I think there are some very key personality traits necessary to become a successful happy immigrant:

Ambition/Drive
Confidence/knowing who you are/grounded
Adaptability
Openess
Resilience/able to bounce back fom set backs and not ponder on faliures
Ability to make connections/friends
Sense of humour

Re: Why are some happy.....
 

I've lived in USA for 26 years ... except for 3 years spent back in the UK almost 16 years ago. My parents are gone and most of the family are strangers but I find as I get older I daydreaming about being back 'home' ... funny - I've been in the USA longer than in the UK, but London is still 'home'. I don't think it has anything to do with relocation so much as the thoughts 'I'm middle aged, what have I missed all these years ... ' I am, for the most part very happy with my lot in life, not desireous of change, and one naturally remembers the 'good times'.

I also have observed that the standard of living in England is considerably better than it was in the 70's and as societies often do, leapfrog over one another. There used to be a huge gap between me and my siblings, but I notice they retired younger than I am able and enjoy many things that I cannot.

I think we naturally compare :rolleyes: