Originally Posted by Jaycee1

I know a lot about Australia having lived my child/youth years there before returning to the U.K. and I am fully aware of racial problems in Australia. I am not entering this with my eyes shut nor am I expecting paradise.
I have not been to Perth, yet I understand media blackouts of racial confrontation from my own town. I am not ignorant to what goes on and hope that the situation is sorted in the area you live. This is how the riots in my town began form escalation of incidents which went unreported by the local paper from fear of retribution from either sides.
We will be moving to Melbourne, joining my Dad and family and we have seen homelessness and drug abuse but compared to the tension of the waiting time bomb we are living with here, I am ready and prepared from recent visits to face the future there with my family.
J x

Originally Posted by rossfive5

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.

Originally Posted by Imveryconfused

Britain is just another country. You cannot say that all countries are the same, but most developed countries all have the same problems. Parts of Britain are nice, and parts are horrid, but city living is always more expensive. However, just like in America, where there is white flight to the suburbs, in England there is flight to the countryside, so prices are going up there too. If you are moving to England to live this fantasy life in the countryside that you saw in a Jane Austen movie, then you need to come back to reality.

Originally Posted by banjo

if this is the case then definitely head for one of the villages - you'll find more friendly faces and more community spirit than is probably possible in a sprawling mass of skyscrapers and traffic. Someone else suggested the Cotwolds....excellent choice. We're just on the edge, and yes whilst some of it isn't what it used to be, there is still much to rave about.

What line of work are you in?

Originally Posted by Sue

The OP started a legitimate post asking for thoughts and instead of informative, constructive answers we are all having a go at each other. Can we please get back to the topic at hand ..... and show how kind and helpful we British are supposed to be by answering the OP's question.

Originally Posted by lizajeanoz

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!

Originally Posted by lizajeanoz

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!

Originally Posted by London7

why puLl us up for this, yet ignore the ever DISGUSTING RACISM ON THIS FORUM????

Originally Posted by lizajeanoz

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!

Originally Posted by Beryl the Peril

Fascinating that you believe the English are not as accepting of foreigners as the Aussies - I would say the complete opposite! My son had an horrendous beginning to his school out here - simply because he was a Pommy. He got the p*** taken out of him something rotten, and it went on and on. It's only now after a year and a half that it's settled down and he has some lovely friends who know him for the fab kid that he is. Mind you, almost all of them are from other countries! I have often sensed that Perth people can't stand the English! I find I have to be so careful what I say, and how I say it! As for cracking jokes..... forget it! It is so misunderstood. I think the English are possibly too accepting of foreigners - perhaps that's why so many Brits have left to make way for the massive influx of them over the years!

Originally Posted by sinope

I think you need to think long and hard about the sort of education and influences you want your daughter exposed to. Britain is a wonderful country in many ways but IMO the education system sucks the big one and bullying is endemic even in better schools. As has been said already, if it was just you I would say go for it, but I don't think Britain is a good place to grow up right now. If you want more info on areas, house prices, schools etc, you are more than welcome to pm me (though I am no expert).

Originally Posted by TheAshleys

Just a quick note to say can we please get off the personal insults.

If I offended anyone with my posts, then I am sorry. It is a view, not aimed at any of you, but if that's the way its going to be I shall refrain from further posts on this thread.

Wherever you choose to live, I hope you are happy. I am not, so I am leaving. Everyone has their own decisions to make, and no one view is the right one.

Originally Posted by HiddenPaw

Mike, you need to swap round that last full-stop and apostrophe.