BBC Report: "Brits Abroad"

[Jessica H]

Hi all --

Saw this today on BBC's website today, don't know if someone's posted it yet??? Looks like it was updated yesterday and today.

The stats on Brits leaving the UK is quite sobering, and it's fascinating to see where everyone's heading. It's quite good to see sources such as the BBC pull together info independent of Embassy stats.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/brits_abroad/html/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/brits_abroad/html/n_america.stm

[Emmalee25]

Hiya,
very interesting that! must admit am amazed that more brits are in Spain permanently than in the USA!
Thought there would be more in Australia too!!!
Wonder if Tony Blair is aware that we are all leaving in droves (or having heart attacks in the process)
Em x

[Jessica H]

Hiya,
very interesting that! must admit am amazed that more brits are in Spain permanently than in the USA!
Thought there would be more in Australia too!!!
Wonder if Tony Blair is aware that we are all leaving in droves (or having heart attacks in the process)
Em x

Forgive me for being the ignorant American at the table -- wasn't Spain a big hot spot for Brits to immigrate to in the 1980's? Do you suppose today there are still as many people moving there as they are to the States?

[chris]

Immigration I guess is a bit like fashion, it changes. Some countries become flavor of the month for all sorts of reasons. TV is often the big driver. In the case of Florida its the Disney factor.
There are quite a few Ex-Pats in Spain who moved to Florida when things started taking off here. I guess that now that attitudes are changing viz Florida, some may make the trek back or go somewhere else.
Many who leave a country do simply to settle in a single new place. Others simply have the wonderlust and will never settle in one place, until they're being lowered into the ground.

[punky]

Hiya,
very interesting that! must admit am amazed that more brits are in Spain permanently than in the USA!
Thought there would be more in Australia too!!!
Wonder if Tony Blair is aware that we are all leaving in droves (or having heart attacks in the process)
Em x

That's the weird thing. Australia has twice the British immigrants than the US. Spain, i'd guess, because of the EU, its easy to move to.

Suprised Dubai and India aren't on there though.

[Kriz1]

A lot of people who move to Oz and Canada seem to end up moving somewhere else...mostly back home if other ex-pat forums are anything to go by...

[Susie]

Brits abroad: North America
The BBC asked Brits abroad to tell us why they decided to swap the UK for another country and what has kept them from returning. Expats in North America tell us their stories.

AMY STILL, SALTILLO, MEXICO

NAME: Amy Still
AGE: 34
WORKS: Housewife
LIVES: Saltillo, Mexico

My husband and I have lived in Mexico for five and a half years. We are currently in the process of applying for Mexican citizenship.

We came here because of my husband's work. He works as an automotive engineer. It's not a booming industry in the UK so he started to look for a job abroad.

We do like it over here. It's very different in many ways. People are friendly, relaxed and they are very focused on the family.

It's great for us as we have three young children. Two of them were born here, they have dual citizenship and speak Spanish better than English.

I can't foresee us going back to the UK in the near future. When the kids grow up, maybe we will go back, as the standards of university education in Britain are much higher.

I miss lots of things about Britain. My family, of course, but also pubs and the food. I miss Indian food especially and all the variety we have back home.


MATT GRAHAM, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA

NAME: Matt Graham
AGE: 27
WORKS: Writer
LIVES: Los Angeles, USA

I live in Santa Monica, a beach community in Los Angeles. I've lived here since 2002.

I am originally from London. I left the UK because I felt claustrophobic there.

After finishing university, everyone else seemed to be getting on with their lives except me. I didn't know why.

I had a strong urge to see the world and I was suddenly, and unexpectedly, accepted to do a graduate screen-writing course at the University of Southern California. I couldn't wait to leave.

My new home means a lot to me. I love the US, but I miss the great British sense of humour - our finest quality as a nation.


ROB BAYLISS, CANADA

NAME: Rob Bayliss
AGE: 45
WORKS: Business manager
LIVES:Ontario, Canada

I've been in Canada with my family for just over three years now. We live in Oakville, in the province of Ontario.

I originally went to Calgary, Alberta, where I lived for four months, before moving to Ontario to get work.

We had spent several holidays in Canada, prior to coming here permanently, and were struck by the beauty of the country and the genuine friendliness of the people.

Life is more relaxed here, there's lots of space and it's incredibly clean. I feel much safer than in the UK.

We thought that this would be an excellent environment for ourselves and our children to grow up in. I really miss my family and friends, and the English sense of humour.

[Susie]

Brits abroad: North America
The BBC asked Brits abroad to tell us why they decided to swap the UK for another country and what has kept them from returning. Expats in North America tell us their stories.

AMY STILL, SALTILLO, MEXICO

NAME: Amy Still
AGE: 34
WORKS: Housewife
LIVES: Saltillo, Mexico

My husband and I have lived in Mexico for five and a half years. We are currently in the process of applying for Mexican citizenship.

We came here because of my husband's work. He works as an automotive engineer. It's not a booming industry in the UK so he started to look for a job abroad.

We do like it over here. It's very different in many ways. People are friendly, relaxed and they are very focused on the family.

It's great for us as we have three young children. Two of them were born here, they have dual citizenship and speak Spanish better than English.

I can't foresee us going back to the UK in the near future. When the kids grow up, maybe we will go back, as the standards of university education in Britain are much higher.

I miss lots of things about Britain. My family, of course, but also pubs and the food. I miss Indian food especially and all the variety we have back home.


MATT GRAHAM, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA

NAME: Matt Graham
AGE: 27
WORKS: Writer
LIVES: Los Angeles, USA

I live in Santa Monica, a beach community in Los Angeles. I've lived here since 2002.

I am originally from London. I left the UK because I felt claustrophobic there.

After finishing university, everyone else seemed to be getting on with their lives except me. I didn't know why.

I had a strong urge to see the world and I was suddenly, and unexpectedly, accepted to do a graduate screen-writing course at the University of Southern California. I couldn't wait to leave.

My new home means a lot to me. I love the US, but I miss the great British sense of humour - our finest quality as a nation.


ROB BAYLISS, CANADA

NAME: Rob Bayliss
AGE: 45
WORKS: Business manager
LIVES:Ontario, Canada

I've been in Canada with my family for just over three years now. We live in Oakville, in the province of Ontario.

I originally went to Calgary, Alberta, where I lived for four months, before moving to Ontario to get work.

We had spent several holidays in Canada, prior to coming here permanently, and were struck by the beauty of the country and the genuine friendliness of the people.

Life is more relaxed here, there's lots of space and it's incredibly clean. I feel much safer than in the UK.

We thought that this would be an excellent environment for ourselves and our children to grow up in. I really miss my family and friends, and the English sense of humour.

[Susie]

I have just posted a comment, and maybe show tomorrow

bet you can guess what I said



http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&threadID=4946&start=15&tstart=0&edition=2&ttl=20061212062056&#paginator

[chris]

I don't really know what to say about this feature article other than what works for some doesn't work for others. Everybody has their own reasons for leaving one place and their own reasons for going to a particular place.
If some consider beyond the shores of the UK the best thing since sliced - good luck to them.

[floridapete]

This "Brits abroad" article will only be read by those who already ARE abroad - or by those who wish they could be. Therefore the response is bound to be somewhat slanted, to say the least.

If their figures are correct (that 1 in 10 British citizens now live away from Britain) that still means that 9 out of every 10 British citizens still live in the UK as their home !

If we are generous and then say that a further 2 in 10 may have a 'wish' to live abroad for any of a variety of reasons - that still means that 7 out of 10 Brits have no wish and no reason to live anywhere but the UK. I would say that the glass is still more than half full - wouldn't you ?

Each to his own I say - but don't make these figures work just to serve another personal agenda ! ;)

[Kriz1]

If you have lived away from the UK for anything but a fortnight you are told you have rose coloured glasses about the place...and that you would have a cultural shock if you went back home....that does make me laugh...I grow up in Bristol..my family are from many other countries...my neighbours were mostly Poles.. Jamaican.. Indian Pakistani and Eastern European refugees from the second world war....I lived in a street full of Italians for 4 years...the only time I've had just white neighbours of near enough one religion is on the Cape in the USA...the only way I would get a cultural shock is if the people now moving to the UK are from Mars...:rolleyes:

[chris]

I agree Kriz about the culture shock in returning to the UK. If one really takes in the articles and peoples comments, then the whole landscape of the UK has changed and it has really become a nation of immigrants. I don't for one minute believe that. Yes there will be clusters of immigrants in the UK - always has been, always will. The Indian/Pakistani communities clustered around the textile areas. The West Indians clustered around London and BHam. The Polish are clustering as well. I guess there will be some places in the UK where immigration has just passed them by.
I think anyone returning to somewhere they have been in the past will always get a culture shock by way of change as nothing ever stands still. Come to Florida after a break of a couple of years and you will notice - you guessed it - change. Nothing stands still. If I went back to the UK tomorrow I would notice change in the landscape, I would notice a change in prices because I've been away from the place for 6 years. By the same token we are hearing from Brit vacationers who returned to Florida this year after a year or so gap and have remarked about the change in prices, etc.
So at the end of the day - what's new about this feature. I really don't believe that TB has changed the UK into some socialistic monster that welcomes every UK wannabe with open arms. You can describe it that way, if as Peter says you have a particular agenda or viewpoint you want to push. And yes, no matter how you look at it we are economic immigrants. Either that or you are a vacationer!

[Kriz1]

England has been a land of immigrants most of my life time and I have no problem with any who are legal...not matter where they come from..I always remember that I'm an immigrant...and that some of my family are in the UK....

I think FL has changed a lot since I first started going there many years ago....I've seen the whole USA change in 7 years....I'm sure Englands done the same....I like change...Bristol looks a lot better than I remember it when I see it on TV...

[pegasus]

having been ex-pats in various countries on and off for the past 25 years, we have found that the biggest change is not actually the UK or even the people still at home, ITS US.
Reflecting, when we go back our friends are still doing similar things and going to the same places, we have actually lost things that were common or the bonds if you will. As we have traveled we now have a different perspective on life and places than our UK based friends. It took us a few visits back to realize this and to accept it for what it is. We keep our friends in the UK and other places but accept that going back (to anywhere) is not an option (hence we don't worry about, or pine for it) and get on and make a life as best we can wherever we are.

B rgds

Neil

[Emmalee25]

If we are talking figures, then you will see that actaully 3 out of every 10 brits are on some kind of benefit in the UK (excluding CB) so that makes 1 out of every 10 have made the move
2 out of every 10 would like to and 3 out of every 10 couldnt if they wanted to, which actually only leaves 4 out of 10 who are happy with their lot!!!

Looks half empty to me tbh
Em x:)

[floridapete]

If we are talking figures, then you will see that actaully 3 out of every 10 brits are on some kind of benefit in the UK (excluding CB) so that makes 1 out of every 10 have made the move
2 out of every 10 would like to and 3 out of every 10 couldnt if they wanted to, which actually only leaves 4 out of 10 who are happy with their lot!!!

Looks half empty to me tbh
Em x:)

Whatever makes you feel happy, Emma ! :)

[chris]

Emmalee and Peter,
You two are giving me a headache trying to do the maths on your postings. Am I supposed to throw a dice to start?
I'm actually quite pleased that more and more folks are leaving the place cos that might mean house prices will drop and when I go back I'll be able to afford more than a shed!
I have a nice 3000 sq ft 2 - story in Poinciana which would suit a small family of 96 from Eastern Europe!

[Kriz1]

having been ex-pats in various countries on and off for the past 25 years, we have found that the biggest change is not actually the UK or even the people still at home, ITS US.
Reflecting, when we go back our friends are still doing similar things and going to the same places, we have actually lost things that were common or the bonds if you will. As we have traveled we now have a different perspective on life and places than our UK based friends. It took us a few visits back to realize this and to accept it for what it is. We keep our friends in the UK and other places but accept that going back (to anywhere) is not an option (hence we don't worry about, or pine for it) and get on and make a life as best we can wherever we are.

B rgds

Neil

I think you're right.. its is a lot to do with us changing not the UK...I know I'm more open to legal immigration than most of the people I know back in the UK...moving for work has given me an eye opener as to why others move country...not that immigrants worried me that much when I lived in the UK...I grow up thinking that everyone spoke Pidgin English and came from Jamica...:D

[Emmalee25]

Emmalee and Peter,
You two are giving me a headache trying to do the maths on your postings. Am I supposed to throw a dice to start?
I'm actually quite pleased that more and more folks are leaving the place cos that might mean house prices will drop and when I go back I'll be able to afford more than a shed!
I have a nice 3000 sq ft 2 - story in Poinciana which would suit a small family of 96 from Eastern Europe!

LOL Chris, that is true,
the house prices in the UK are just ridiculous! not that i mind, thats the way we made our money really, started with a back to back in leeds for 11k and went from there.....very good for us!!! would be hard to get back on the ladder now though i would imagine, most of my friends rent or have HUGE martgages!!!! Hopefully you wont need to go back tho Chris!!!! all is not lost yet mate!

Em x

[Kriz1]

Having kids trying to get their first step on the housing ladder I don't think its any easier in the USA....there are no rentals where we lived under $2k a month in winter...or a week in summer....the most a young couple could buy here is an ex hotel room or condo...as they are called...LOL! Shoe box more like...I am hoping it will be easier for them in FL...having three family in one small house is getting a bit crowded and we could have yet another baby in the house by Feb...