Would You Ever Consider Emigrating?

A BBC poll suggests more and more people are intent on doing it.</p>

Many talk about a &quot;better quality of life&quot; - but I am sceptical.</p>

We're bombarded by loads of TV programmes showing us all these people buying their dream houses abroad and how cozy it all looks etc.</p>

But &quot;better quality of life&quot; means different things to different people doesn't it?</p>

For example, I read an article recently where many Brits abroad, particularly those who have moved to more rural areas, are so bored that they just get pissed most nights and are close to becoming alcoholic. Many regret leaving the UK and a lot come back. Also, when you get to another country, there are often hidden aspects that make life just as unbearable as anywhere else.</p>

For my own part, I've never lived abroad, but I've holidayed in many idyllic places that have eventually got on my tits for lots of reasons. I have always longed to get back home to my semi-rural &quot;retreat&quot; - where I can be in one of a dozen decent town or city centres within half an hour, and where it isn't a disaster if I run out of sugar on a Sunday afternoon.</p>

Here's the link. Any thoughts?</p>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5237236.stm</p>

 

Those programmes ought to be banned

"I'll use this barn as a gite". I'll use this outbuilding as a gite". "This could be extended to give gite income". Honestly, how much do they think the gite market is worth? The reason people over here don't do it is because it's a lot of work and it takes years if not decades to get your money back. You'd be better off buying a smaller place and putting the cash in the bank.

And none of them speak the language. If you're not going to do that then you're asking for trouble. How would it go down in the UK if French and Spanish came over to live and refused to speak English?

A large percentage of people want to go back within 2 years and it's sad because in many cases they can't afford to. If anyone's thinking of emigrating I'd say have a 2-year plan of low committment whereby you can jack it all in at any time and go back without being financially crippled. If you still like it after 2 years then fine, but even then try and keep a foot in both camps if you can. These people selling everything and going abroad without a properly thought out plan and a safety net need locking up for their own protection.

I could rant all day but I've got things to do (and I don't mean work on my alcoholism, which funnily enough was much more acute when I lived in the UK and was pissed off all the time).

 

RE: i've had fun

been in hong kong for 11 years now and had enough use to love it and yes i speak the lingo but the attitude of the chinese is unbearable.
the main reason is the way my kids are treated if they are in the playground the other kids just ignore mine, when they make every oppotunity to be friendly and play the parents even take thier kids home or tell them not to play which is fun as me and the missus give them a mouth ful.
i am allfor living in racial harmony with others but they are the most racist people in the world by a long way if something is not chinese its bad especially if you are black (which my wife is) or your a former collonial type (gweilo) which i am.
anyway i come back to the uk on the 29th of august to take over my local pub which is my job out here but with more sociable hours .
i have even got me season ticket can't wait as i have not seen the reds play for about 6 years.
but back to the original question it has its plusses and minuses but i would do it again in a heart beat if it was the right opportunity for me and my family.

 

where in singers are you mate?

im in the navy and have been out there more than a few times !!

 

RE: singers?

hong kong mate near tai po near he ols shek kong barracks

 

DEFINATELY..only have watch shows like last noght on hooligans and you know why

 

Interesting about the rascist in HK

I was in Japan (Yokohama) for a short time and I found out what it was like to be a black in apartheid South Africa. Went to five bars before they were willing to serve me. Oddly enough I met some English teachers who were working there and they said they found the Japanese friendly! South Korea - well that another story.