HBG

I’m frightened to answer the phone or check my emails nowadays, in case it’s from someone else telling me that they’re going home. Every time we go out for a drink or a meal, someone comes up and says, “So and so’s going home.” I thought it was only me because we live in an expat area, until I read this article this morning.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/art...come-home.html

I had another call this evening, now it’s four million and seven. Where’s it going to end?

Dick Dasterdly

I try not to read it,.....starts to make me feel depressed and suicidal.

Prefer to sit outside in the sun and count my blessings,...... as well as sheep,..... when they come around once in a while to eat my oranges.

Tomato-Tomatoe

I hope they have jobs lined up already.....I've noticed the same, but personally I think it's just a case of "The grass is always greener". It is in my case, I'm almost certain, which is why I'm going nowhere. Yet.

JLFS

The guy feathured in this article has an Italian wife, so it should have been much easier for them than for other expats as the wife was really in her home country (to Italy).

If it was too tough for them imagine the problems for others who dont have Italian family, just shows how bad things are, if even the Italians cant stick it out.

JLFS

I dont think it is a case of grass always greener, it is a case of survival.

Tomato-Tomatoe

In some cases, for instance a friend of mine who returned alone leaving his wife and newly born son behind for the meantime because he had an immediate start job in London.

But there are others I know who thought they would find work easier back in the UK and are currently living on pittance from signing on due to lack of jobs there too.

I get it though; everyone's situation varies.

JLFS

You have hit the nail on the head "he is signing on" due to lack of jobs.

Here there is a lack of jobs too, but the signing on bit, is a lot more complicated and often not an option.

HBG

My wife has lived in Spain for most of her life, although she was born in London. She is terrified at the thought of going back and still has a job in Spain, which doesn’t pay much but appears secure.

A few days ago she caught me on the PC when I thought she was having a siesta, and I was looking at a page I didn’t want her to see, but she crept up on me and caught me red-handed.

No, it wasn’t one of those pages, I was looking for properties for sale in Suffolk. She was horrified and would have preferred it if I had been watching a porn clip. (I think).

Lushdaddy

I was driving around today through various areas of the costa del sol and there were many many bars all dolled up with the green and white from saint Patricks day and compared to last year it was scarce. Barely a soul around, where it was full of many Irish and English in previous years. Not even this usually booze filled celebration could make it look remotely busy. Is this because there are less expats here now or just that they are too broke to go out.?
We'll be O.k.

manamama

I know of a lovely Brit family both working in an IT company and actually giving up their jobs ,,, to return to the UK.

Very sad to see them go...

They,re just not happy here and don't like it ..simple as that ..until you try another place, you have no idea what it's like to live there.

I also don't believe for one second the rubbish about 4 million returning...daily wail made up c..p

Dick Dasterdly

Well things must be pretty bad in Ireland also, seeing how they've been classified as one of the "pigs".....portugal,ireland,spain,greece,........t hough not sure if they are being joined at the empty trough by iceland and estonia.

Lushdaddy

Then they could be P.I.G.I.E.S.

lynnxa

I too hear of people going back every day - or at least it feels like every day

I know of families who have been here for quite a few years who have packed up & returned within the past few months - particularly hard for the kids who have been here most of their lives.

An elderly couple we know returned to the UK on Saturday - they had been here 25 years. They weren't living on a basic pension - they have a considerable income from investments (more than several K a month)- but it just wasn't enough as their health failed & they needed pretty much full-time care. They have returned to live in an old people's home

Another family is due to return in a couple of weeks. They will have been here about 7 months. No work.

HBG

A poignant point. There are care homes available in Spain too, and cost about the same as back home, but . . .

I visited a family friend in one, it was in the most beautiful location right on a walkway overlooking the sea. When I wheeled him along the walkway in his wheelchair, he explained that the food and care was excellent, he went to sleep at night listening to the waves.

He had been here for 25 years, totally integrated, and just wanted to go home to die. He never made it back.

jojojojojo

But this is the Daily mail who love to spread rumours, sensationalise and depress!! There are people going back, there always has been, but some of those wont settle in the UK and want to come back, I know a family who are like that and wish they hadnt gone now, I also know there are a lot coming at the mo too!! Letting agents are seeing an increase of tenants

Jo xxx