Should we move back to UK?

Question

I live in Canada with my husband and 3 children. We have lived here for 2 years and I am still struggling to settle. My husband is self employed and is doing well in the painting / decorating field and our 3 children are happy in school, it's just me. I miss my family, friends & UK very much and probably never should have moved away in the beginning. I have actually been called selfish and unfair to bring us all back just because I'm not happy. Am I suppose to stay here and just make the best of it or should I think about what I need too? My dilemma is, if we move back to UK next year what will be in store for us? Will we get work, will our children be happy and coping with the fact they will probably be behind in their education, the list goes on. If anyone can give me the truth of whats happening right now in UK & your thoughts, I would be very grateful.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

you sound like myself to be honest I married a brit, I am canadian lived here my whole life but ended up moving over to england stayed there for 2 years and my husband wanted to come and live here. We also have been back for 2 years now and I hate living here. I miss the uk I loved it there. I always look for houses in our old neighbourhood that we lived in but then you look at the differences in houses and cost and the way the uk is now I wouldnt go back. The education is terrible here compared to the uk my daughter suffered terribly when we tried getting her into the same grade as she was there. I understand you miss the way of life and family friends and so on. My family is all in England and she was telling me that to get a house there now you have to have 25% down payment. Not sure if that is correct. But maybe you should go for a visit and see if you really do actually want to move back, you might get there and think no way its not the same as when you left. Or maybe you might not be happy with where you are living in canada, its a massive country and so much to see maybe you will find that one place that you just love. I hope things work out for you I know exactely how you feel good to know that there are people out there who feel the same way. Wish you all the best

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

It's nice to know someone out there feels the same as I do! I don't mean to be horrible when I say that because this feeling isn't nice. I'm a 'home bird' so they say and some people are cut out for this immigration thing and some are not. Thanks for caring and big hugs to you, I totally sympathise

Answer 2

Yes we are overrun with giant insects. The horror!

Answer 3

Oh dear...sounds like you've been watching too much too much TV Gold, and other morbid UK nostalgia-led channels and have felt homesick on that account only! Reminds me of friends who decided to give Spain (the usual part; Andalucia) a try, and spent three years there in the late nineties before missing the gossipy and chippy prose of workmates back in Croydon - that also started with the wife, who couldn't hack the fact that the other Brits she lived with were like most who go to that part of the world...not too up on their Spanish, and had chips on both shoulders - they returned, and now are divorced, basically because of her squealing.

Answer 4

I am a senior citizen and in theory should be singing the praises of Britain. If I was young again I would take my kids and get out of here big time. (not Canada though, I've never liked the cold).
Compared to Britain of my youth it has deteriorated in just about every aspect and is continuing to do so. We now have a population (due to massive influx of immigrants) of 60 million and we have been told this will rise to 70 million by 2025. Are you sure this is what you want for your childrens future? Britain is being controlled more and more from Brussels and less and less from Westminster.
The decision is yours, my opinion is, stuff friends! you can always make new ones. Family is a bit different, but with two way intercam links and easy travel it shouldn't be insurmountable. Before you make a decision ensure that you take off your rose tinted specs!!.
Due to the recession there is a work shortage, especially for the unskilled and semi-skilled (immigrants tend to take these jobs as they seem to be more prepared to work unsociable hours)
Children are adaptable and soon catch up.

Answer 5

I to am English, I have a boy, I am married to a Canadian, I really do identify with your dilemma. England will always be my home. I miss so many, many things.Old buildings, some foods. It is rare I have found, that they understand the English sense of humour. My dad is 89, he he never seen my son or my husband.My greatest wish would be to go home for Christmas. But am sure you knowthe prices of flights,that's one big drawback. I have never been back, So if we do go, how am I going to feel when it is time to leave,

You are certainly asking the right questions.To be honest I think the UK is still in this recession. Looking at the state of the government. Jobs are really hard to come by generally. But if you do go back do it soon.

. In Canada the general prices of food and clothes is good.But it is not going to replace your yearning to go home. I really do feel for you. I live in BC near Vancouver. So if you decide you need to talk to someone.When you read my reply, we can exchange telephone numbers if you want.
I hoped that has helped.

Yvonne

Answer 6

Oh, what a dilemma, are you sure that you are'nt able to settle, UK is'nt what it used to be, and Canada is such a wonderful place to bring a family up in. Work is very short here too, dont get me wrong, I wotld be exactly like you in your shoes, but think very carefully before you make a move. It is so hard to put things to you without sounding bitter and twisted, but "fings aint wot they used to be"! give yourself a time target, say 5 years from start to finish, then talk it all over with the family, you all need to be of the same mind in order to stay one unit. Good luck to you my love, take care, and try to be happy, the opportunity is there, big hugs xx

Answer 7

Whatever you do do not return to the UK!!!!
There is very little there now in the way of jobs..
The UK has basically become a second world country with high drug,, knife, and gun crime affecting every city.
Poverty has become a way of life for many with little hope for the future.
It is only when you have lived abroad for a few years that you really notice how Britain has really changed for the worst.

Answer 8

Do not return.

According to UNICEF, the UK is by far the worst place to bring up chlidren (of the richer countries of the world). Canada is one of the best.
Your husband will not find it easy in starting a new business and he is unlikely to find work. He will probably lose money for the first 3 years and may go bust. He is unlikely to get a business loan as the bankers will assume that he could not run a business in Canada and had to crawl back home.

You do not say which part of the UK you would return to. Remember that in England your husband is only a common painter.

Taxes are high especially the Council tax and is thousands of pounds a year on a 4 bedroom house, which will cost at least one million CAN$.

I live in Spain and I always miss home. When I am in the UK, I miss Spain.
Friends and family visit, although family soon get fed up once they know the area where you live.

Save up and go on holiday to the UK. And unless you live in Newfoundland, remember the British weather. Weeks of rain. No real summer; no real winter.

Source(s):

I'm not going home.

Answer 9

The U.K is getting poorer by the day, we are in a recession and are in a state of debt that our childrens children will be still paying off when we are gone, the U.K government are corrupt with an unelected leader who lies all the time=DICTATOR,....we are taking part in 2 illlegal wars and the government did not ask its people if they wanted to participate. we have had a mass transportation of people from the poorer parts of the world and they have no work and live off benifits, we did not get a say on the Lisbon treaty and wether we want to be part of the corrupt European union....the weather is crap.....France has just taken over us in wealth terms....trust me Canada is better ....

Source(s):

living in the u.k...being unhappy with living in the u.k

Answer 10

for now id stay in Canada

but i know how you feel

England will always be my home

Answer 11

Stay in Canada! The UK is going down the pan! I would give anything to be able to live in Canada or New Zealand, but they won't have me because I am 'too old'. You will have a much better life in Canada, if you sit down and think about the reason why you left the UK in the first place. If everyone else is happy, why not just arrange an occasional visit to the UK? That should convince you that you made the right decision.

Answer 12

Canada has a much better standard of living than the UK. Housing in Canada is affordable, its cleaner and there is less competition than in the UK. Canada is a great place to raise a family and its a lot safer than the UK. Your kids will have a much better life and upbringing in Canada than the UK. Stick it out for another few years and give it a good chance before you make a final decision.

Source(s):

Me; wishing i was in Canada not the UK

Answer 13

Hi, I'm Canadian but my parents are both English and they emigrated to Canada when I was 2. When I turned 19 I moved back to the UK where I live now partly because my grandparents are getting old and dont have too much time left and just to see what life is like here. I can tell you that there are some quite gloomy people on here telling you not to move back but I've not found it not all that bad to be honest. Even though the recession has hit Britain bad its not as bad as everyone makes, some things here are still cheaper than in Canada like food for one seems to be a lot cheaper here especially where I'm staying in Lancashire. As for living cost I cant really say as I'm staying at my Aunties so I dont have to worry about things like that. If I where you I would stay where you are personally for your kids sake. I'm lucky enough to have family here and cousins my own age but if I had to stay here permanetly I would miss my freinds that I have gathered from being raised in Canada. Also I dont think my future would be better here either, my cousin whos 23 has been to both college and University and still cant find a job suitable to his qualifications so he works in Tesco's, Also even though I am only working casual work here I too was made redundant after working only two months as the place I was working at cut almost half there staff. Anyway in my opinion I think certainly your kids would be better of in Canada.

Source(s):

Me

Answer 14

There is always work for a good painter decorator in affluent areas of the U.K.. Housing and the cost of living is higher here than in Canada and you have to be careful about schools - some are atrocious.
I understand how you feel. I couldn't live without the beauty of the English countryside, the BBC etc,
but how are your kids going to feel torn away from their friends etc. This issue requires a lot of calm family discussion