Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Nov 17th 2013 | 7:17 pm
#1381
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
From: Cape Town
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
I see your point but crime stats and Economic stats are different areas of concern. I am South African and I have a family and yes I am not blind to the short comings of our beautiful country. However Given the strength of the Pound versus the Rand retiring in South Africa would tend to be the better choice as I don't see the Rand ever getting stronger over time. This makes a country like SA the ideal place to retire.
Nov 17th 2013 | 10:30 pm
#1382
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
I think that if you look at the UK economic situation then South Africa is probably a better bet. Given the UK pension crisis and the fact that the UK are currently closing loop holes in their financial system to stop the out flow of capital alot of Brits are finding that the future may not be so rosy both interms of future prospects but also when they get to retirement and have to pay a lot of tax on their income or risk losing 55% of their pension to HMRC when they pass on.
With the horrendous murder rate and crime in general it would be one of the last places I would live especially with kids. I went many years ago in the apartheid years and although I thought the country itself was beautiful the way the 'non whites' were treated was disgusting.
Nov 17th 2013 | 10:38 pm
#1383
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 9,740
From: bute
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Two and a half million registered unemployed is good news ?
Nov 18th 2013 | 12:44 am
#1384
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
What ? Who said that?
Nov 18th 2013 | 4:53 am
#1385
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 175
From: Devon
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
In a word NO, in fact absolutely not.
There are jobs, in fact the unemployment rate here is only marginally worse that Australia. Why wife got the first job she had an interview for, she applied for a handful. Our kids love it here, they are born and bred Brisbane kids. Yesterday one of them said they were going to live the rest of their lives in England.
The doom and gloom tends to come from those who read the trash papers like the Daily Mail and take the rubbish written as gospel.
Of course there are those who dont agree with the Governments immigration policy just the same as in Australia but as far as there being lots of unrest Im sorry but that is just nonsense.
There is no way in the world we would have bought our kids here if their future prospects were poor.
Im afraid it does seem as though your father is blowing things out of proportion.
There are jobs, in fact the unemployment rate here is only marginally worse that Australia. Why wife got the first job she had an interview for, she applied for a handful. Our kids love it here, they are born and bred Brisbane kids. Yesterday one of them said they were going to live the rest of their lives in England.
The doom and gloom tends to come from those who read the trash papers like the Daily Mail and take the rubbish written as gospel.
Of course there are those who dont agree with the Governments immigration policy just the same as in Australia but as far as there being lots of unrest Im sorry but that is just nonsense.
There is no way in the world we would have bought our kids here if their future prospects were poor.
Im afraid it does seem as though your father is blowing things out of proportion.
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:00 am
#1386
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 175
From: Devon
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
I figured this may be the case. I'm actually flying over for a month in a fortnights time for the first time in 10 years, part of the reason for this is to suss things out first hand, but I thought I'd get other peoples opinion aswell.
My dad feels we are in the right place (Australia) and thinks we're mad to want to come back but as anyone who's moved away knows there's always that yearning to go back
My dad feels we are in the right place (Australia) and thinks we're mad to want to come back but as anyone who's moved away knows there's always that yearning to go back
You will find out soon enough provided you don't look through holiday eyes. Believe me your Dad's right. I thought the same when i came back here after spending 30 years in the US. I used to come over to the UK twice a year for vacation loved it... Now I have moved back here at great cost and regret every minuet. Here is one example for you to consider to fill my car up in the US cost about 40 dollars here in the UK over 100 dollars, i could go on but you will see for yourself. Good luck.
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:17 am
#1387
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 175
From: Devon
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:20 am
#1388
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 175
From: Devon
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Sorry but you live in LA LA LAND...............
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:20 am
#1389
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Wow, thank you Mr Sunshine, it may surprise you to hear that many millions of people are extremely happy here and in no way live in misery 
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:32 am
#1391
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 175
From: Devon
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
You do notice that the poster (Chris) is is a different league. Lives in a great area, has his own business, works from home, of course all his post's are not in a negative vain.
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:33 am
#1392
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,624
From: The Charente - still smiling.
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:40 am
#1393
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 175
From: Devon
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Isnt it strange how we can have such vastly different experiences? I came back to the UK a few years ago on a sort of reccie but was also work related, it was to help us decide if moving back was the right thing. The trip overwhelmingly made me realise that yes it was indeed the right thing and has proved to be right now we are here.
More than once my wife has said words to the effect of 'so much for the apparent bad customer service etc' as we have found 99% of people to be extremely helpful, friendly and anything but rude. We live in a beautiful area and dont see this run down, tired country mentioned. We also live in one of the least populated counties in the country so traffic is rarely an issue. Lots of others have mentioned how friendly people are so it isnt rose tinted glasses. We have had so few negative customer service experiences they barely register and the people that have gone well above and beyond have far outweighed them.
I do know from experience that (some) Australians dislike hearing anything good about this country, a friend who visited us years ago when we lived here before was almost lynched because of his attitude.
There is no way in the world we would have bought our young children here if it was a bad choice or that this was a horrible place to live. One told me recently he has doesnt ever want to leave.
More than once my wife has said words to the effect of 'so much for the apparent bad customer service etc' as we have found 99% of people to be extremely helpful, friendly and anything but rude. We live in a beautiful area and dont see this run down, tired country mentioned. We also live in one of the least populated counties in the country so traffic is rarely an issue. Lots of others have mentioned how friendly people are so it isnt rose tinted glasses. We have had so few negative customer service experiences they barely register and the people that have gone well above and beyond have far outweighed them.
I do know from experience that (some) Australians dislike hearing anything good about this country, a friend who visited us years ago when we lived here before was almost lynched because of his attitude.
There is no way in the world we would have bought our young children here if it was a bad choice or that this was a horrible place to live. One told me recently he has doesnt ever want to leave.
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:45 am
#1394
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
No doubt someone will be along to put a negative slant on it soon enough
Nov 18th 2013 | 5:45 am
#1395
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 904
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
