LA2JHB

The grass is not greener. I moved here in September after 5 years in Johannesburg and before that 8 years in the USA. The deterioration here is unbelievable. We are moving on shortly hopefully to Oz. Even SA is in certain respects better that here. What sucks:
1. the weather-it has rained almost constantly since we have been here and yet they have a hosepipe ban
2. The people. Arrogrant, ignorant about the outside world. Think everything here is great when it is not
3. the schools/kids. Complete breakdown in terms of values/control. 13 year olds thinking they are pregnant, total lack of discipline
4. Healthcare. Horrific in comparison to SA private medical care/USA
5. Its boring, depressing and dismal

the positives
1. Its relatively safe.
Thats about it.
Biggest mistake coming here.

Sue

Hi

Sorry to read that you are not settling well into the UK. Seems you have moved about quite a bit and not been entirely happy where ever you have moved to. So best of luck with Australia I hope it works out a better fit for you and your family. Maybe 4th time will be the charm

As we all know once an expat always an expat, it's hard to move away from the UK and it's hard to move back to it. Sometimes I think it's not so much that the country has changed, but we as individuals have different needs and wants from when we last lived in the UK. Living abroad changes us.

I'm not saying it's all sweetness and light in the UK, but I visit often and all my family and my husbands family live there (mainly the SW and Wales) and they are all enjoy living in the UK and live in some of the most scenic places. I don't think you can beat the rolling green hills.

Anyway, once again, the best of luck on your move to Australia

christmasoompa

Whereabouts exactly are you? I'd be intrigued to know.

That's because it's been so dry over the past two years. It has rained lots this winter/spring, but then last spring/summer was unbelievably dry for the UK - we were having a new roof put on our house and out of the 5 months it took, there were only 3 days where the roofer couldn't work due to rain.

Rubbish. That might be your experience of the school your child(ren) are in, but what a sweeping generalisation! Certainly isn't my experience, and there is far from a 'lack of discipline' at my children's school, in fact I think it's often too tough on them! Good emphasis on manners etc though, they even get awards for them, which is great.

As you've only been in the UK for 6 months, I don't see how you can say that every school or child is awful?

I'm sure it is. But one minor difference.........it's free.

I wish you the best of luck in Oz, although I strongly suspect you'll be posting from there in a year or two moaning about it as well as you have done about every other country you've lived in.

britwhore

The reason for a hosepipe ban in the south east is mainly due to the fact that the south east is built on limestone (chalk) which is porous. No matter how much rain we get we can only keep "hold" of so much. Also with the amount of farming happening in the SE the use of water is very high.

Health care better in the USA?!?!? Errmmm......OK....if you have the money.

Lorry1

Don't let the door hit you on the way out

Good job you're leaving, it means one less person moaning!

chris955

You beat me to it Lorry, dont let the door smack you in the arse. The UK will most definitely be a better place without you.
I'm not really sure where the place is you are describing because it sure as hell isnt where we have just come back to. Everyone we have dealt with has been happy, helpful and cheerful but I do think you get what you give, if you come across as a miserable old git then you get treated like one.

Sue

We all have differing opinions and experiences, but there's no need to get personal

chris955

Fair enough but this bloke is so obviously a troll he deserves no less. He doesnt like it here but 90% of what he is saying is ridiculous, we can all see that.

Sally Redux

It's good to know the people there think everything is great

'Horrific' healthcare? I have to agree this is a troll.

chris955

The trouble with trolls is they go overboard and make it too obvious and therefore have no credibility.
Noone in their right mind would say everything is great here by any means but after spending the last 11 years in Australia i have come to the conclusion there is no utopia, not by a long shot.
As an aside we spent a day in Herefordshire yesterday, what a beautiful part of the country that is.

Sally Redux

Looking at his posts, a pattern emerges. In May 2007 he moved from California "being sick of the US after 8 years living there."

chris955

Ah right, i wonder how long Australia will keep him happy ?

Sally Redux

There might be a moon colony by then.

chris955

He probably doesnt like cheese :-)

Sally Redux