Lion in Winter

It has both changed, and not changed. But I would live there for the totality of the culture, not for a few specific items.

Lion in Winter

If you goad people and are generally aggressive and personal, when all that was asked for was an opinion on possible action, you are very likely to get a reaction.

Just saying.

Bluegrass Lass

Yep! He's being flown out, at the company's cost, in 2 weeks for a final round interview with a company in downtown Seattle. He's also had a couple of interviews with Amazon, so we're really hoping one of the positions pans out.

materialcontroller

I've never left the UK so can't comment on changes within the UK. However you've already identified that the UK is going to be a more comfortable existence for you than where you are now, so it's really just a case of figuring out a plan and going for it.

Really, when it comes down to it, the only money you will need is enough for an air ticket back to Britain and maybe a couple of months rent/deposit on somewhere to live as well as buying groceries during that time. If you're going to be looking for work in a city, you probably won't need a car or any other expense like that.

The advice given to people on here who want to leave the UK for professional reasons is to network intensively and put yourself "out there" in the hope of being noticed. The same applies to you. Build up as many UK contacts in your field as you can, and work them for job openings.

Good luck.

Steve_

On the rare occasions I miss the UK I go to Vancouver or Victoria and remember very rapidly why I left because they're so similar.

If you're an LPR or US citizen my advice would be to move to Seattle if you want crap weather and you can always go and watch soccer in Vancouver, plus it's loaded down with British people.

AmerLisa

Cool! Well fingers crossed it all goes well!

Bob

The OP's asking for opinions in something that's a pretty life changing kind of arena, so knock the soap box rubbish on its head folks.

Sally Redux

No health insurance is a biggie.

Difficulty fitting in on an ideological level is as well.

I think Lion in Winter has expressed it very well. You are fearful of going back to situations which were bad before, but you don't have to. The UK is big enough for you to avoid your family and old toxic acquaintances. Look on it as a completely new start.

Bluegrass Lass

I have to say I'm rather surprised by 'attack' on here by some forum regulars. Don't knock him down; help him up. There are plenty of folks that feel their situation is unchangeable and their stuck, like this guy does. Obviously we know the ultimate decision is his, but we should be nicer in our approach.

scrubbedexpat099

Seconded.

I am sure he also knows he has the final say as well.

Karrie72

I agree...poor bloke is having a tough time and is at a cross-roads. Some people get so arsy.

toopie28

I sympathise - it can be quite hard. (been here 16 yrs now)

I think loneliness may be a big factor, yes? I know it was/is for me. The reason I say was/is - I have good weeks, bad days. My last friend (ex-pat) left 2 yrs ago and I never realised how much impact that would have in my life.

I'm a hermit now - I have to be dragged kicking and screaming to go out (like this Sat night - OH GAWD!!!!).

There is nothing like good friends and at our age it is VERY difficult to make new friends. Especially since we are still (well, I am) looking for ex-pats.

I wanted/want to leave too. But here's the thing - I go back every year, hand out with my friends, food that I love, people that are friendly and can't WAIT to get back here. I realise that the country I left a long time ago has changed - and not in a good way.

In my case, it's me. I want to leave, I want to stay (I actually want to go to Switzerland but not gonna happen due to the cost of course.)

So I suppose the thing is this - what do you think would really be different if you moved back? What if wherever you move to they are just as anti-social? Do you think you would handle it better?

scrubbedexpat099

And it is a truth that the older you get the harder it is to obtain a social circle.

Sally Redux

Really? When I go back, it always seems better, with more regeneration, more stuff to do, and more innovation (silly things like a digital machine which makes it really easy to inflate your car tyres, a job I avoid here). What don't you like?

Lion in Winter

True, and it's part of why I miss pubs so much. They are an easy way to ease into a social circle. Bars in the US aren't the same because the culture is different.