Is the grass really greener?

[Graye]

I think this is an interesting topic to think about, both for what could be loosely described as ex-pats and for people thinking/dreaming about a life overseas.

We have lived abroad more or less permanently for the last eight years, six years in Spain and two in France. We are now back in the UK for a couple of days and probably for the first time I have realised that I really do prefer the UK - even with its many faults. Despite speaking excellent Spanish and French I have really had enough of being a foreigner. Our ex-pat "adventure" is drawing to a close.

Other than people who are living abroad due to work commitments or family reasons I wonder what other people see as the positives and negatives about a life in another country? Believe me, I have lots of ideas on the subject! I would also love to see the difference in experiences/expectations from people already abroad and those thinking about trying it.

[StripyPixieSocks]

We have considered Ireland and France but to be perfectly honest I do adore England it's a minority of the people I dislike and I do think I would feel awfully homesick if I moved abroad permanently.

[Silver Ether]

We have faults but so does everywhere else and I would rather know whats wrong that go through the learning process of finding whats wrong else where. I know I couldn't live abroad as I can't stand holidaying abroad. There is more than enough to see and do here without going over the water. I have been to other places and decided its just not worth the bother. So for me the grass in green, fresh and bouncy enough thanks

[Millymollymandy]

The grass is definitely greener in the UK. Literally!

[Rod in Japan]

I've been in Japan for 17 years now.

Pros are

• Safer, less violent environment
• More forgiving job situation for an Eng. Lit. grad.
• Stimulation and challenge of different language and culture
• Working and socializing with ex-pats from many other countries

Cons are

• Stimulation and challenge of different language and culture
• Distance from beloved ageing parents
• Absence of English bitter (and occasional other products)

I feel quite comfortable here, although I often get frustrated by language problems. I certainly don't feel myself pining for 'home', although I do enjoy my occasional trips to the UK.

Having once gone abroad, it would have been hard for me to go back without having achieved anything noteworthy. But having achieved something noteworthy, you then hold a stake here, and are reluctant to let go of it.

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[hamster]

Having lived abroad for several short periods, I think that everywhere has its advantages and disadvantages. There are things I loved about France and things that drove me absolutely potty, but once I got used to it, probably no more so than Britain, it's just that here I'm used to everything because I grew up here. Sometimes I think I would like to live abroad, but ultimately I just wouldn't want to live so far away from my family - it's bad enough them being in Northumberland and me being in Berkshire!!

[shell]

i love living in southern Ireland,but do go to uk now and then,i do miss the shops and the bustle but not enough to move back,the children are growing up in a different culture and i wouldn`t now take them back,even though its only across the water there is a vast difference in attitudes,its much more easy going and not so much red tape,good or bad is your opinion,and as i believe only 4 and a half million people here,more space,for me as all my older children have moved here and a couple of friends that visited have now moved here,plus on other couple thinking about it ,who do i go back to if i wanted to go?

[oldfella]

I think that it depends on the environment you live in, and your circumstances at any given time, having lived in France for a few years now, in a small village where it feels like a small village in England 60 or 70 years ago, where our neighbours care for each other, and we are far enough away from the big cities to have no graffiti, and the children are polite and part of the community and enjoy the freedom of the life without the parents having to worry, then I have no desire to live anywhere else. Of course having said this I have no family in England and as I never go back to England I can only remember living in London 20 yrs ago so maybe things have changed, I do so hope.

[Witsinfr]

We've lived overseas now for the last 11 or so years, having just moved to France in February from the Middle East.

The grass is certainly 'greener' here in France, ...there was so little grass in the Middle East.

Life is what you personally make of it, there were some difficulties living out there and there are certainly some here in France, most notably being that it was easier to get English/British products out in Kuwait.

Having lived with uncertain availability of 'English' products for a while, you get used to it and no longer miss the UK, in fact looking at the country from the outside does open your eyes as to the problems going on there...

[eccentric_emma]

I really dislike living in the UK and am eager to try and move abroad!! Just can't get on with things here lots of red tape, nobody wanting to care for others etc etc. Am currently trying to sort out WWOOFing for a few months next year, on the continent to get a taste of things. What I really resent about the UK is that we are an island, and we have to pay to get off it!!

[MKG]

I lived in the Netherlands for a couple of years. Could never get used to "cinnamon with everything".

Even more exotic, I lived in Scotland for a couple of years. Could never get used to the meat pies.

[eccentric_emma]

oh i love the netherlands. and cinnamon! hoping to get some woofing there too, holiday there quite a bit. absolutely love it.

[clare]

Hi all,if you think there's red tape in the uk you should try living in Tenerife!!You need a document for this and a paper for that and endless trips to the town hall and the court and the Police station what a nightmare,it may be all sun ,sea and cheap food and wine but living in 100 degrees is another story, give me seasons,green landscapes,the library and a real fire anyday.The language was no problem but better the devil you know and I know what you mean about being a foreigner,it was nice to come home,but at least we know we tried it instead of being 50 and thinking what if............
Clare

[Wombat]

The only way you are going to get me out of Aus is in a pine box!

Nev

[ina]

Even more exotic, I lived in Scotland for a couple of years. Could never get used to the meat pies.

They are not compulsory, you know...

Ask yourself why so many foreigners want to live in the UK - and that's not just refugees, who just want to live away from where they come from. There must be a reason...

As has been said before, there are good points and bad points about every country. I remember friends of mine who'd gone to Thailand and Malaysia for a year; they'd used to moan about more or less everything in Germany, from red tape to weather. They were strangely quiet when they returned.