Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
#151
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
For the OP a link to a site that compares world health rankings. One of the best I've seen.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/w...ealth-rankings
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/w...ealth-rankings
#152
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
For the OP a link to a site that compares world health rankings. One of the best I've seen.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/w...ealth-rankings
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/w...ealth-rankings
#153
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
#154
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Depends on where you are in UK. London is not the same as a remote Scottish island or Bradford !
#155
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
What I find strange is people will say to me 'no' you shouldnt come back things are so bad but then asked them if they are thinking of leaving the country and its a definate no. I think they just like to think up problems. I admit that there are places were things are difficult but if the Government got off its rear end and did something instead of fiddle farting around it would be a whole lot better.
#156
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
I know, plus Denmark seems to be at the wrong end of a lot of those tables., in stark contrast even to Sweden and Norway. Really interesting information, worth a long look. UK alcohol deaths surprised me.
#157
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
My view is that by most measures, a logical conclusion is that Australia is better. It's got more money, way better childcare, shorter waiting lists for things, quieter roads and less traffic, a more cheerful population, and slightly - slightly - better value housing. However, family is family, and I don't want my kids to grow up never knowing their grandparents. Tough stuff. There are other benefits to Britain, and my general argument has always been that with the exception of the inflated housing situation, both countries are great places to live and we should all be grateful we have the option of either.
#158
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
The overall national wealth and the childcare policy are not dependent on location, even if we accept that the quieter roads are. These are substantive, demonstrable facts.
#159
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Well I cant comment on whether childcare is better in one country or the other as my kids are at school. National wealth doesnt seem to be helping the average person in either country. My point is there certainly doesnt seem to be anything that shows either country as being better than the other for everyone. Our life in Australia was good, here it is very good and much more fullfilling.
#160
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Well I cant comment on whether childcare is better in one country or the other as my kids are at school. National wealth doesnt seem to be helping the average person in either country. My point is there certainly doesnt seem to be anything that shows either country as being better than the other for everyone. Our life in Australia was good, here it is very good and much more fullfilling.
#161
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Tonight (Austime) I had a bite to eat in a Bistro that I'm familiar with. I mentioned to the Manager with whom I get on well, that I was to depart these shores fairly soon.
I was asked what I was actually going to do in the UK?, how was I going to manage because it was 'so expensive'?. F is a really nice bloke, but I'm tired to the bone of these ludicrous statements.
I told him that the perception that the UK was 'much more expensive than Australia' is a myth. I told him I would actually find plenty to do!
A group of us were talking about this 'elsewhere'! (some months ago), that this not only comes up here, but also in the UK-'why would you want to come back to this place?'.
I'm going to be hard pushed not to throw a punch!
If I am asked this, I will ask the questioner why they returned from Australia? I expect the answer to be that they have never been to Australia. If that is so, than I shall advise that the decision I took was based on knowledge of both countries and not just one.
I hope that that will put a stop to such a question.
Make your choice; have no illusions....and stop listening to all the clichèd crap.
I was asked what I was actually going to do in the UK?, how was I going to manage because it was 'so expensive'?. F is a really nice bloke, but I'm tired to the bone of these ludicrous statements.
I told him that the perception that the UK was 'much more expensive than Australia' is a myth. I told him I would actually find plenty to do!
A group of us were talking about this 'elsewhere'! (some months ago), that this not only comes up here, but also in the UK-'why would you want to come back to this place?'.
I'm going to be hard pushed not to throw a punch!
If I am asked this, I will ask the questioner why they returned from Australia? I expect the answer to be that they have never been to Australia. If that is so, than I shall advise that the decision I took was based on knowledge of both countries and not just one.
I hope that that will put a stop to such a question.
Make your choice; have no illusions....and stop listening to all the clichèd crap.
#162
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Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
You may just have to develop a thick hide and an "elevator pitch". I went for a meal with some ex colleagues back in the UK.
I was mercilessly grilled about why we had come back to the UK. There seemed to be two assumptions going on.
1) That you can choose to live wherever you like, whenever. No knowledge of visas, having to pay tax in two countries, cultural differences, or any other considerations.
2) The USA is so exciting and glamorous, why would you ever want to leave it?
I felt exhausted afterwards, and felt like I'd been made to reveal way too much about our decision to return. Hence my husband suggesting I develop an "elevator pitch", a quick and easy explanation that should suffice.
My favourite people are the ones who are just glad to see us back, and don't ask "Why?"
I was mercilessly grilled about why we had come back to the UK. There seemed to be two assumptions going on.
1) That you can choose to live wherever you like, whenever. No knowledge of visas, having to pay tax in two countries, cultural differences, or any other considerations.
2) The USA is so exciting and glamorous, why would you ever want to leave it?
I felt exhausted afterwards, and felt like I'd been made to reveal way too much about our decision to return. Hence my husband suggesting I develop an "elevator pitch", a quick and easy explanation that should suffice.
My favourite people are the ones who are just glad to see us back, and don't ask "Why?"
Last edited by jemima55; Jul 22nd 2013 at 2:13 pm.
#163
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 862
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
You may just have to develop a thick hide and an "elevator pitch". I went for a meal with some ex colleagues back in the UK.
I was mercilessly grilled about why we had come back to the UK. There seemed to be two assumptions going on.
1) That you can choose to live wherever you like, whenever. No knowledge of visas, having to pay tax in two countries, cultural differences, or any other considerations.
2) The USA is so exciting and glamorous, why would you ever want to leave it?
I felt exhausted afterwards, and felt like I'd been made to reveal way too much about our decision to return. Hence my husband suggesting I develop an "elevator pitch", a quick and easy explanation that should suffice.
My favourite people are the ones who are just glad to see us back, and don't ask "Why?"
I was mercilessly grilled about why we had come back to the UK. There seemed to be two assumptions going on.
1) That you can choose to live wherever you like, whenever. No knowledge of visas, having to pay tax in two countries, cultural differences, or any other considerations.
2) The USA is so exciting and glamorous, why would you ever want to leave it?
I felt exhausted afterwards, and felt like I'd been made to reveal way too much about our decision to return. Hence my husband suggesting I develop an "elevator pitch", a quick and easy explanation that should suffice.
My favourite people are the ones who are just glad to see us back, and don't ask "Why?"
#164
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Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 253
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
For the OP a link to a site that compares world health rankings. One of the best I've seen.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/w...ealth-rankings
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/w...ealth-rankings
#165
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 983
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
I think it's a UK/Just about anywhere else thing. It's also just a gulf of understanding between people who have and haven't lived in another country.
I was just amazed at how personal it all got. I'd done five years in the USA, a tidy amount of time I thought. They knew it was a job transfer, not emigration.
In that five years I had three major life events, about as major as they get. I was still left with the impression that some people thought I had "chickened out" by returning.
Eventually there was an attempt to put themselves in my shoes, but by then I was fuming!
I was just amazed at how personal it all got. I'd done five years in the USA, a tidy amount of time I thought. They knew it was a job transfer, not emigration.
In that five years I had three major life events, about as major as they get. I was still left with the impression that some people thought I had "chickened out" by returning.
Eventually there was an attempt to put themselves in my shoes, but by then I was fuming!