Originally Posted by Milana_Rosemont (Post 9094912)

I am 20 and supposedly moving to the Caribbean in March, but more than anything I want to go HOME. I'll be 21 in June and I've lived overseas since I was 13. All I want is to be in London, walking the streets of Hammersmith where I grew up and Reigate where my parents live. March 2012 I've decided. I'm going home.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096517)

Depends - could be payment in kind (gardening, dog-walking, vacuuming).

Mind you, the shed does get pretty cold this time of year, and bathing in the fish pond would be an experience as it's got about 6 inches of ice covering it at the moment.

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9095286)

I have debated it myself on and off, mainly as it is just my son and I here, but I know for children here is safer and better, hence tough decision.

I lived in Reigate and went to school there, and I loved London living near hammersmith and spending many a day around that area when I lived in London for 4 yrs and when ever I went back to visit. So I hear you on missing it all.

I would not move back there mind. My folks live a bit higher up than that, 3 hrs away, so I'd move to that area (IF I ever do), plus London is not a place to raise a family.

I still love it here and know I will miss here greatly if I did move back.. so I am not making that move or doing anything hasty just yet, but not completely ruling it out in the future either though I keep returning to the decision of I am never leaving Canada as here is better and I am never bored here! I can honestly say I did get bored back in the UK though and too often. I am getting my Citizenship shortly too after 4 yrs of living here, and my Son was born here.

Originally Posted by nalah (Post 9082018)

Hi All - scary indeed. I left the UK in '93 on secondment to Malaysia following the death of my first wife. Lived in Malaysia for 5 enjoyable years and met my wonderful wife there. We moved to Oz in '98 for work reasons. Oz was ok in but never really settled even though business was successful In dec 2009 we moved back to Malaysia as the wife's mum was poorly she unfortunately passed away in Oct last year. So we now have to decide where to live. We had always planned on NZ (we have Oz PR so also NZ PR) but we are now tempted by the UK but SCARED of making the wrong decision. For business NZ is the way to go as I have a good reputation in Oz/NZ. But I would love to go home (I think) where we have family and friends and my wife has loved it every time we have visited. We are going back for 5 weeks in Feb and I am hoping something happens to either tell us UK is the place we want to be OR puts us off and we head off to NZ. BIG BIG BIG decision - returning to Malaysia was a mistake (other than the family aspects) and we don't want to make another one. We dont want to ping pong we REALLY want our own house again.. I know no one can really advise just wanted to share with other scared people

Originally Posted by Milana_Rosemont (Post 9095462)

I just want to do some menial Londoner thing like get on the tube at Ravenscourt Park and go into the city. Places I love.

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9095492)

Now there are child gangs operating around London, pretty scary and worrying if you have children, I noted it starting up as I was leaving the UK back in 2007.

I am more for the dual citizenship that I will soon have, and with the view of.. we can live here. Though as many a friend says now and before I left the UK, chances are I will visit the UK but never live there again, and will want to live just in Canada.

I know I'd miss here if I went back there indefinitely, and am not willing to cut off all my ties to Canada.

Originally Posted by Cumbrian Lass (Post 9096131)

yes thats exactly what i am feeling too ! I have a beautiful house which we had built.......i really love it.But like you,whats a house without the friends and family round,its just a shell with no life.
We have been looking on rightmove to see what we can get for our money.The houses are no where close to what we have here,for the same price.But after months of thought,i dont care any more about the house,i would rather live in a hut and be happy. We have the house up for sale and hope to be back in the UK this year ......take care;)

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9096567)

Gangs have always been around, its just that you didn't notice them, they just seem to get worse, I dont like them either.

Never say Never, many have moved to Canada and thought they would live there forever, but many have gone back home, over time attitudes and reasons can change, at least with citizenship you have choices, thats the good thing.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096082)

The challenge with the internet is that it is open to anyone (so people who are poles apart get to "meet" who otherwise would never cross paths), the written word is devoid of facial expression and intonation that would otherwise indicate that a question is tongue-in-cheek, or simply a Devil's advocate type suggestion rather than a deliberate "You are shallow" insult, and that among the online community you find people who are maybe a little too thin-skinned.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096517)

Depends - could be payment in kind (gardening, dog-walking, vacuuming).

Mind you, the shed does get pretty cold this time of year, and bathing in the fish pond would be an experience as it's got about 6 inches of ice covering it at the moment.

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096585)

yeah i had concerns over the same things for a little bit but then got realistic.. i hardley thing i am going to be hanging around the places a bunch of 16 year old teenagers are... there are gangs everywhere , in every country, just depends on the neighborhood you are in... all the time i go back i dont see gangs everywhere.. yet every time i would turn on the tv in florida i would hear about a shooting ...... crime is everywhere...... just try to avoid it as u do now.... (: Good luck

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9096593)

Ohhh Barb its seems its got a Spa too hahahaaaaa

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096601)

Don't forget the ice rink. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096601)

Don't forget the ice rink. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096618)

my bloody back yard looks like and ice rink right now in S.C. and my car went off into a ditch the other day and the closest shop is 12 miles away... wish i could just nip up the corner shop.. no such luck.. lol

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 9096643)

Brrrr :lol:

Made me feel quite gulity for moaning it was nippy outside this morning taking Dd to school. I came home and watched the Today show and saw all the weather int he East :o It's looks awful, no way I'd want to dig the weather. :fingerscrossed: Hope it doesn't last too long.

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096647)

me too, i dont mind the cold or even a bit of snow but the ice is scary, i spun out and did a 180, now my car is on the side of a country road in a ditch i should be able to drive it out but have to wait for the ice to clear and for my neighbor to give me a ride to it later... as my mom just happens to be away in england for 2 weeks lucky bugger... calls me to tell me she is having a pot noodle a bag of pork scratchings and a fruit corner yogurt.. hahaha

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096647)

me too, i dont mind the cold or even a bit of snow but the ice is scary, i spun out and did a 180, now my car is on the side of a country road in a ditch i should be able to drive it out but have to wait for the ice to clear and for my neighbor to give me a ride to it later... as my mom just happens to be away in england for 2 weeks lucky bugger... calls me to tell me she is having a pot noodle a bag of pork scratchings and a fruit corner yogurt.. hahaha

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096647)

as my mom just happens to be away in england for 2 weeks lucky bugger... calls me to tell me she is having a pot noodle a bag of pork scratchings and a fruit corner yogurt.. hahaha

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096656)

Blimey, I can't imagine a more nauseous combination. :blink:

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9096661)

Your Mum is in my Heaven... Pork scratchings... I hope she gets through a few dripping cobs before she leaves, I love them too hahaaaaaaaa...
I love your Down to earth comments.

Originally Posted by Milana_Rosemont (Post 9095603)

I can relate - I love Canada. I lived two years in Victoria, BC as a child. It is an ideal place to grow up. Also from 13-14 I lived in Australia which I also enjoyed. It's a shame London has become so dangerous and so spoiled, because it is truly the most amazing place in the world.

As far as boarding school goes, were you at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School?

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096666)

hahaha thanks, whenever we are there we go into the city centre in birmigham and track down the man that makes the hot pork baps with apple sauce, they are bloody lovely....

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9096599)

Exactly!

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9096686)

who said anything about hanging around places where 16 yr olds are? Who says you had to. Gangs are everywhere, are they? I don't think so. Some countries and places are certainly worse than others, someone on this forum posted stats on crimes globally, maybe some more insight into that may help broaden the mind to it and see how bad some countries are compared to others. Africa for one has a high level of violence but you don't have to hang around any 16 yr olds to find it.
In fact, it tends to find you, how many innocent people got attacked for minding their own business and not being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Some do get attacked in their own homes too you know.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9096517)

Depends - could be payment in kind (gardening, dog-walking, vacuuming).

Mind you, the shed does get pretty cold this time of year, and bathing in the fish pond would be an experience as it's got about 6 inches of ice covering it at the moment.

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9096686)

who said anything about hanging around places where 16 yr olds are? Who says you had to. Gangs are everywhere, are they? I don't think so. Some countries and places are certainly worse than others, someone on this forum posted stats on crimes globally, maybe some more insight into that may help broaden the mind to it and see how bad some countries are compared to others. Africa for one has a high level of violence but you don't have to hang around any 16 yr olds to find it.
In fact, it tends to find you, how many innocent people got attacked for minding their own business and not being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Some do get attacked in their own homes too you know.

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096688)

wow calm down.... just saying its everywhere you make it sound like you get off the plane n the UK and are surrounded by gangs... no where is perfect...

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9096699)

Wonderful...

I wasn't trying to irritate you, but they are all around us, its a case of living in the right place, we all see you point, we are talking in generalities, not trying to upset you or anyone, still gangs are nothing new, Im always careful where I go and Im very aware of my surroundings.

And Yes people break into homes, gangs or not.

To be honest its nice that you like Canada, Ive heard some negatives about Canada on this site over the past year but today Ive heard two Very Positive comments, thats wonderful.

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9096708)

I am aware they are around us.. thankfully not in my neighbourhood now as I avoided Surrey like the plague a year or so ago, now I quite like it here, they are more active in Vancouver instead, and come up from Abbotsford commonly.

So of course they are all around us, to some extent. But some places are certainly at higher risk of it and have it much worse.

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9096708)

So of course they are all around us, to some extent. But some places are certainly at higher risk of it and have it much worse.

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9096714)

I might be moving to Surrey. :ohmy:

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9096723)

Wrong Surrey hahahaaaaa Surrey BC Canada, or are you just pulling our legs...

Originally Posted by wonderfulperson (Post 9096705)

I am calm :)

Was just stating a point, and having lived in London myself and worked there I can honestly say, no it is not a safe place to bring up a child and personally I'd not want to. America is also not as safe as Canada, and believe all you want on it, it always has been more dodgy down there but then it is a much bigger country too so I am sure that is a big factor of it.

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9096733)

LOL!!

Noooo I thought the poster said all the child gangs were in Surrey, England which is to be avoided at all cost.

I keep thinking of Oliver, Fagin and The Artful Dodger. :lol:

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9096697)

:rofl:

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9096733)

LOL!!

Noooo I thought the poster said all the child gangs were in Surrey, England which is to be avoided at all cost.

I keep thinking of Oliver, Fagin and The Artful Dodger. :lol:

Originally Posted by hayleyatfla (Post 9096748)

hahaha i was watching oliver twist at christmas, watch your pockets.. lol j/k

Originally Posted by aviva (Post 9096744)

So, do you think the Koi hibernate under the ice?

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9096763)

Koi? Ice? Think I have missed a post here...........:unsure:

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9096760)

Oliver (the musical) is one of my favourite films (not to say movie anymore ;))

I went to the theatre in London years ago to see it too, I think it was The London Palladium and I wondered how they were going to do all the different scene changes on a stage and they did a fantastic job, it was wonderful. :thumbsup:

http://www.oliverthemusical.com/

I would highly recommend it, and you know what? I think I am going to bloomin' well go again this year!!! :thumbsup: