Rail fares have seen a huge increase since I studied in the UK from 2013-2014 to now, and it's just so prohibitively expensive to get anywhere unless you have a car or are willing to fly from the north to the south or vice versa. Too much traffic, too much alcohol and too much rain. I was not sure what happened with people there, as if everyone is busy and mind about their own business. I have lived all over the UK and when I first arrived, years ago, it was a different, more open place. Something that would not be possible in my home country (Germany) to that extend. There was a time when we loved the UK, were pleased by the level of comfort this country offered. Say anything uncomfortable, let's scream 'racist.' I moved to London 6 months ago from another wealthy Western European country, in search of better work opportunities, to further my career and basically to build a life. Violent, dirty cities. Such an interesting and sadly true article. Mass immigration or controlled immigration will not change the way a Briton chooses whether to invite a foreigner for a cup of tea or shepherd's pie. My degree is in law and I have little experience in any commercial field. Even though I think the political climate in Scotland is slightly different than in England - especially in Glasgow, where we live - there is no denying that the overall situation sucks. Seriously, who compared the UK with Romania? It is used in envy by the lily livered, privileged, pale, besuited bank clerk who sees people dressed up to the nines and going to the West End." It's no. No government has a magic money tree that can deal with a 'climate emergency' (in a country with very mild weather patterns), literal cradle to grave housing and social care, free healthcare to everyone and anyone who shows up etc, human rights for cats etc Britain's problems are of it's own making. This was an interesting read, I really enjoyed this article. In London, a global city! You should point out it is illegal for Muslims to convert to another religion in the UAE. This town is by far, one of the worst places to be in the whole of Northumberland. It's beautiful that your kids can go to Hungary and learn the language, or visit Romania and learn how to cook traditional meals. I'm really sorry as a Brit that you had negative experiences of racism, especially as someone who clearly learnt the language and integrated into the country. Stay safe! My dude, seriously? Whether you decided to stay home in the UK or embark on an adventure in some distant land, I wish you health, wealth and happiness. Oooh believe me! I hated the weather, the lack of sunshine (sunsets at 3 PM????? How's that logical? My thoughts on growing up here and where we are now I've seen the UK become more and more racist since the 00's I guess. I definitely feel you on this, although maybe not to the extent that you do as I am an American who lives in Prague and has lived in Wales and France. Brexit was a big factor, as was the general expense and weather. Hi James and Cory, Uncertainty in things!!. We have such moderate weather that it poses the least threat to life of anywhere in the world. I'm now really worried that I may not be making the right decision by moving to the UK, and I'm really confused and even a bit afraid now. Sure there are a few who give a bad name to people coming here to live, a few who are just in it for the benefits. We are much happier out of the uk as it is now over populated in general. Being British born myself I have seen how Britain has changed for the worst over the last decade or so and am now trying to convince my husband for us to move abroad somewhere where we can have hotter weather, more reasonable housing and public transport costs, a salary which accurately reflects the amount of work and education that goes into your job and an overall better lifestyle. Its sad what is happening with the world today. However, most countries do not want Brits and their drunken, loutish behaviour coupled with a very misplaced sense of importance. By 2004, the word was used in national newspapers and common parlance in the UK. Do you have any questions or suggestions? The term floated about beforehand, but in the 2000s it was on steroids. Sorry I'm late to the party, but I'll post anyway. Hi Cory, I found your blog after the comment you left on my post about the struggles of living in England this post sums up so many of my feelings about the UK and how difficult it can be to live here as an immigrant. Lol, they have direct access to private healthcare through their kids' corporate jobs. The non-whites you do have in YOUR government are actively working against their own people's interests (Patel and Sunak come to mind) and they are highly xenophobic. [3] In Canada, in the province of British Columbia they're known as "Surrey jacks". The weather was so humid and I barely see the sunshine. Well, maths and sciences requires thinking and bright individuals. They don't care for the virtuous and preachy nonsense that London obsesses with whilst the roads get more clogged, economy tanks etc. Finally to the author, you praise Tony Benn who was a staunch socialist. I was born/raised in the UK (with brief spells in Germany), and wanted to thank you for your nuanced, albeit slightly depressing post. I want to thank you very much for taking the time to explain your point of view. According to Expatistan here are some things you have to take into account: Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area 2,391 How can I decide??? I'm still searching for the answer but got lost somewhere along the way. The best years were probably (economically and socially) from mid 1990's, 1993 until 2008 (esp the boom Blair years). Tough! Always. But it is true, that unfortunately, this is the sad reality today. xx Morgan. Warrens Village: Miserable, noisy, depressing, tacky, chav-tastic - See 308 traveler reviews, 221 candid photos, and great deals for Warrens Village at Tripadvisor. You feel that just because you have "spotted dick" you have better cuisine than Eastern Europeans? HR Recruiters in this country care more that you still got GCSE qualifications than the vast amount of knowledge and experience you've picked up after fucking primary school. Then millions on new passports. I say we keep the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and reintroduce forests and wild animals. And she hates the Rain (by the way the weather in the UK is as she would know if she had paid attention unpredictable ,,that means it may rain for periods and then suddenly be sunny for long stretches too ) . In my case in Prague, some of these romantic ideas just never materialized the way I thought they would, or my perception has changed. The Pro: If you like cooler days and grey skies, you will love living in the UK. No one worked there who wasn't English. why assume Philip de Bose is French? What a load of crap. So although Britain has a limited amount of dishes, it comes with a great variety of ingredients. We weren't happy in our home country either. Right after Norway and Switzerland. I came from Italy to do my bachelor and master degree, not because of lack of an excellent (albeit very bureaucracy reliant) university system in my country. It makes me sad to read this. Answer (1 of 9): Hello Ian Kent and welcome to Quora. Celebrity fixated zombie population. It's interesting. You can purchase anything your heart desires from the supermarket. I worked in a high level cyber security position after leaving military so I KNOW. I worked hard, I had some great opportunities and despite being born in another country, I am very grateful for all the opportunities the UK has given me. Many people don't have a voice but you gave them a voice. 1) There are many non-ethnic/non-Han Chinese people in high up positions in the CPC (not CCP) I've held 3 stable jobs since I was 16, and in each on I was the minority. We've just moved to the UK and we're loving it so far, though we are probably still doe-eyed and innocent about it all. Are used to see my country as a liberal looking and pleasant place. As you might have gathered thus far, the prices in the UK are rather high. Having lived abroad for so long, we've learnt a lot of things about ourselves, other countries and the UK. By the way, the United States is 121 on the Global Peace Index, below El Salvador. The Euro was a huge mistake. We're yet to find ours, and I hope you will find yours, wherever that may be. I'm a chav! Things have changed so much here. From Downton Abbey, the UK became more of a Harry Brown. Can you see what they did there? I really like your article. I think it needs more historical perspective though. The difference here is that a small number of bigoted people are using racist rhetoric to manipulate the masses. A spokeswoman said, "With slogans from characters in shows such as Little Britain and The Catherine Tate Show providing us with more and more contemporary slang, our "Whatever" sweets now nicknamed chav hearts have become very popular with kids and grown-ups alike. Immigrants are permanent migrants. They want working age people who can contribute to their economy and integrate into their society. But let me tell you, though, you shouldn't see immigrants as a problem, but as a solution. I never felt 2nd class at school and teachers pushed me to excel. The governments have decided to further cut budgets for education, science and academics. Staines has been summed up by one resident as "a dead-end dump full of mindless chavs and old people". This is a great comment which brings a lot more perspective. It's to do with money laundering regulations. If you can, and open your eyes and hearts, there are some truly beautiful in heart brits around you. A socialist government will. You can't compare Lisbon to London of course. Thank you Jordan! We have plenty of black and Muslim politicians in the UK, and other EU countries have hardly any. Great post. But somehow people consider Switzerland as a safe and liberal country. (eye roll as a Brown person). I'd really like to visite England again, because i think i lacked many things to know and experience in this place, i like England very much and i hope to be back soon. Healthcare and education were much worse under the left. I would probably live there for a few years, but ultimately, would need a bit more sunshine. I mentioned in one of the previous comments that sometimes, the UK can be beautiful through the eye of a spectator. [2] In other countries like Ireland, "Skanger" is used in a similar manner. So, I can fully understand your decision to move away. The prices are similar across all high-income countries across North Europe. Since Thatcher, weve moved away from this, making education a major financial burden in a marked departure from the policies of other, more far-sighted Northern countries. Try to own more than one property in many countries and you will really feel the heat from the taxman. A very powerful piece and interesting from my perspective as a Canadian who left Canada to travel for many of the same reasons. These people come here and claim free medical care. My wife and I can't wait to leave London next year. Imagine not having power for your computer. . We've also found that while Mark (who has a british passport) breezes through various application processes for banks etc, I (with a Latvian passport) struggle much, much harder to get approved. Britain has come a long way, and whilst not perfect, is one of the most welcoming nations culturally-curious in the world. This is not the case in the UK. There is a lot of incentive for young entrepreneurs to start a new business here and we took full advantage of this. It took me a couple years to psychologically recover from my idealistic perception of the UK.It took me a decade of living abroad to realise that it is true when people say the grass seems greener on the other side. They still believe in the purity of Japanese blood and parents discourage mixed marriage. The culture in Britain has moved from brilliant to that of hate, racism and ignorance. It's not true about the weather at all! Why live like that if you don't have to! The British are tolerant. But there's always hope. How the resident described it: "This whole area feels like a crammed can full of rotten tuna with its variety of chavs and chavette." "Destroyed roadwork, mind-bogglingly ugly housing and severe lack of police will make sure you are both scared and depressed to walk around the 'handsome' town of Gillingham." This puts us into conflict with other countries that want to keep us in our place and some people find this a shock to the system compared to their home country. Yes, it does rain here a lot, but given water shortages will be one of the biggest threats to world peace, I would take a bit more rain over a dry country any day of the week. My name is Josefa Ubilla, i`m fourteen years old, and i live in Chile. What might come as a shock is that I even loved the weather! The living quality and standards are just so much better in most other countries I have lived in (Ireland included) that I lost my willingness to try and live here. It always rains. We should celebrate that and so should other countries. Hope you will make it to Canada someday. 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