Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Hello (new here)
I'm an American, who has been living in Australia for the last 5 years. I'm in the process of moving back to the U.S., (following a marriage ending - and family there, blah, blah), but having a very difficult time coming to terms with going back to the U.S. I have always had a desire/dream/fascination with living in the countryside of England, and keep thinking maybe I should head there instead. I have a daughter, 8, who's coming with me. There's a lot a like about Australia, but after 5 years, just tired of living so far away from everywhere else I'ld like to experience. I have grown sons that live on the east coast of the U.S., so the U.K., is pretty convenient.

Is it recommended/difficult/impossible/mad for a single mother in her (late) 40's to live happily, educate her child well, and get the occasional date in the english countryside is the question I am asking?

Thank you for your input and honesty!

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

I have no idea how easy or hard it would be for you to get a visa to live in the UK. If you repost this on the "moving back to the UK" forum, there are loads of Americans living in the Uk who post there who can probably help more.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Not sure what advice i could give, even though i am in a similiar postion to you, (single mother mid 40's) but hey just think of it as an adventure. As for what England is like its really a matter of opinion and you'll find lots of posters on here with varying views. Just wish you luck in what ever you decide.

regards

lolly

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Yes, you are mad. It sounds like a romantic idea. Unless you have a fair amount of cash, you are not likely to be able to afford a nice (expensive) cottage in the countryside, and the cities are dismal. If your 8 year old daughter goes to one of the many state schools in the suburbs, she is likely to be bullied and teased about her accent after the initial fascination wears off. The English are not as accepting of foreigners as the Aussies and kids can be cruel. Sorry if I have offended anyone, this is what I have experienced to be true, but maybe you will be one of the lucky few. The reality of living in the UK is very different to the romantic view portrayed in story books.

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

I don't think your mad to want to go and give it ago.My son is an Aussie and prefers uk to here.Like everywhere it will depend on where you live and your expectations.All of my Aussie children were the better for it. Good luck with it all
by the sea side

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

:D I knew I'd push someones buttons. Too easy.

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Hello there,

Have you read any of Billy Bryson's books? It would be good to read about another American's views on Britain, why he moved back to the U.S., and then back to the U.K. again, to the Yorkshire countryside.

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Nothing to do with pushing buttons mate, for a long time on this forum I've pussy-footed round a lot of posts, but bored with that now. I expect that's what you are doing too.

Besides, when I saw the location under your avatar, I knew you had to be jesting about the U.K. being sh*t :D

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

No you're not mad. I think the UK is a pretty good place to live. We didn't leave it because we thought it was rubbish. We fancied a new experience of living elsewhere for a while.

Have you got any area's in mind yet?

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

You need serious money behind you. If you have a nice home here you will be shocked at how little those dollars will buy you in the UK. Then there is that minor detail of the weather.

It completely depends on your circumstances, how much capital you will have to take with you, what you do for a living, where you plan on living in the UK and so on. There are advantages and disadvantages to everywhere.

Get some good advice, do lots of research and if at all possible do a reccie before committing. There are an awful lot of us that are going to or have gone to great lengths to get to Oz. Speaks for itself really.

Sue

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Yes, I'm having one of those days too. Fed up of only saying the nice things. Actually I don't hate the UK. I happen to think the countryside is stunningly beautiful. But why live there? My advice is to go there for a nice long holiday, maybe a working holiday, even better, working from home. I would say go for it if it did not include the kid.

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?

Hey 600,000 eastern europeans cant be wrong

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

That's how I meant to word it. Don't rush into it, especialy as it also involves your child.

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

Ive lived in London for the past 14 years -irish born. The english countryside would be a lovely place to live but with a drawback - the english themselves. They are the most withdrawn, judgmental, strange group of people I have ever met - after the lovely happy friendly Australians you are used to I think you would find it hard settling in England.
Louise

Re: Am I MAD To Want to Move To The U.K.?
 

If i was from the USA and wanting to live in the UK to experience country cottages etc I'd head for wales..... rather than England.
You can get much closer to the romantic ideal there than you can in the British countryside (too expensive!) and you'll have more of a chance of being near the beach and the mountains... Try North Wales.

The locals can be a little "anti-English" but it's mostly harmless fun rather than bullying. I'm not sure how they (oh generalisation crazy) feel about Americans! ;)

As for immigration... I've no idea... Sorry.