Moses2013

Just wondering if there are many people who had to leave the UK, to actually realise that the UK isn't that bad? Maybe you moaned about the weather before and now love it, or you never really visited other parts of the country and do it now. There are so many places to see (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands etc.).

happyglow

Living in a stone house, in a village that is mostly hundreds of years old. Footpaths and access to the countryside - with my dog. Churches. Stately homes. Having an intelligent conversation. Bantering. Radio 6. Never having to do long haul flights again unless I want to. Proper pubs. Being away from the same expat questions that everybloodybody asks. Being able to visit family easily. Amazon. Waitrose. Chip shops. Good cheese without a mortgage! France a short hop away. I could go on all day.....

BristolUK

Not having to work lo live.

michali

Being retired, especially as my husband is too! My first UK winter for many years during which there have been so many sunny, lovely days. Lots of lovely food available...too much in fact! Seeing the bulbs sprouting heading the approach of spring. Seeing my children and grandchildren regularly now. I am just filled with happiness being here.

Sally Redux

I didn't think the UK was bad before I left but I definitely appreciate it more now.

For nine years in the US I felt from low-level anxiety to panic the whole time. That disappeared when I moved back, which makes a big difference to my quality of life.

not2old

whinging Pom post ...

I never 'had to leave' the UK, I made it a choice to get the hell away.

Of course time heals & here we are 48 years later 'thinking' it might not be so bad to move back to live, yet - be total strangers, foreigners in our 'homeland'. From reading the threads, it would seem 'the longer one is away' the less likely it is to remember what was all wrong with Britain of the days you left

Compared to where we live today, (anyone can pick at things) looking at the mess, the violence, peoples attitudes & outlook on life in 'little Britain' - I don't think that (for now) we could settle back there.

I suppose we could give it a go, try it out, see how it feels, then likely have a good old whinge about all that is wrong with the UK.

For today, knowing we can get a quick fix visit, is as good as it gets

not2old

Happy for you, really happy.

It all sounds so.... 'what is it - I just cant put the words together'

there have to be a few things that don't go down well for you living in the UK & things that you miss from where you left to return back home?

happyglow

Thanks! And oh, of course, nowhere is perfect, and we take ourselves with us wherever we travel

I miss the clear skies, the ocean and wild swimming. I miss proper sushi. I miss the cleanliness that comes from having a lower density of humans.

Moses2013

It's good to hear that you're enjoying life and indeed nowhere is perfect.

Tr1boy

Wow you sound like a riot, do you do children's parties?

not2old

only in 'Mendip'

Tr1boy

The Mendip shut down some years ago but now it's making sense.

dunroving

Maybe not quite so idyllic or pastoral as some other responses, but at this particular point in time, I really appreciate the UK's flexible and generous tax treatment of investments such as pensions and ISAs (thank you coalition government - never thought I'd hear myself say that).

The US doesn't come near it for my particular life and career stage. Roll on retirement, 5 years earlier than it would have come if I were still in the US. As my best friend's daughter would say, "Thank you baby Jesus"

Sally Redux

Violence?

amideislas

I'm far from qualified to comment on "Life in the UK" (it's been a long time), but those are sentiments I share. My village was thriving at the time Columbus sailed, and my house is older than the US. The countryside is just like it's been for hundreds of years. What's not to like?

If someone were "returning" from the US or Canada, I'd have to believe that would be a major attraction.

If my frequent trips to England are any indication, I'd have to agree with some of that too. I rarely feel particularly "safe" in British cities, it's certainly not particularly "clean", people's attitudes and outlook, well, not exactly "open" or enthusiastic, but generally pretty closed-minded and pessimistic.

On the other hand, I do find it curious how Brits will defend Britain's honour religiously, yet those that live there often whinge endlessly about how shite it is.

But then, Brits living here in Spain often whinge endlessly about how "un-British" it is here, so it's a confusing set of character issues to sort...