Why did you leave the UK?

[Cjb]

For those of us that have settled in France on a permanent basis or plan to do so in the not too distant future, I'd be interested to know your reasons for leaving the UK. We often hear of what attracted us to France, but seldomly what it was that made us willing to take the plunge and leave all that was familiar for a whole new adventure. I personally have found that I like the UK a lot more now that I no longer live there. That doesn't mean to say that I don't get homesick from time to time.

Chris

[Iceni]

Having had a couple of negative life changing experiences we decided to make the rest of our lives positive - who wants to go through life saying 'if only'.

Having been to many countries and 'thought' about living there, this was the only country where we knew we had to live. Do we still feel the same way, well we have a joke, as we drive from A to B for any reason we will often pinch each other in a non-painfull way - we have to pinch ourselves to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have made the move.

No, this is not heaven, that does not exist, but for us it is great. Not everyone will have gone through what we have gone through so they will not view the move the way we do, everyone is different so I don't think how we feel will be reflected in how others feel. We did not 'leave' the UK, we changed and then lived in the wrong place, so I suppose the UK left us. Who knows, perhaps this could happen in France also but we did move to an area that had none of the 'things' that made our bit of the UK feel wrong for us.

We have yet to feel homesick - because this is now our home so that is not possible.

[Teamedup]

Double income, no kids and ready for a bit of an adventure and it could have been anywhere. A job came up here and we went for it as there was skiing, no other reason.

Always expected to move on, never emigrated here. And we'll be moving on within the next year or so.

[Annabell]

We just couldn't see a future there.  We lived in London, I used to love swimming and going to aerobics etc, but a 5 minute drive eventually ended up being a 45 minute drive as the traffic got busier and busier.

Wanted to move to the country but that would have meant a couple of hours commuting a day.

I worked as a PA for London Underground at Canary Wharf.  I had a brilliant job and a fantastic boss.  When Metronet took over it all changed, so decided then it was time to leave for good.

Its only been 7 months but i've never been happier, no stress, swim 3 times a week, aerobics etc, no traffic and the only person in the pool sometimes.

We were due to go back to UK and visit family at Xmas but have now decided to stay here where its much nicer.

I do miss Canary Wharf though, but popped over last weekend for a drink there with all my ex colleagues which was great, but it was even greater knowing I was returning here the following day.

[Weedon]

[quote]For those of us that have settled in France on a permanent basis or plan to do so in the not too distant future, I'd be interested to know your reasons for leaving the UK. We often hear of what attrac...[/quote]

There will be many reasons put forward as to why they have made the move here but I suspect the main reason if people were honest is that you simply cannot buy a house with a bit of land at a reasonable price in the UK unless you have pots of money.

We could not have retired in the UK and lived contentedly on our modest pot which is what we have done here.  Plus I have all the work I need to do to last me and to stop me going senile!

Weedon(53)

[Patter]

we had only been to france a few times on holiday, but as we got off the boat relaxation set in, fed up with lack of services, every one doing a great job, but no money and not enough people(police, hospitals, fire brigade etc.).

we were always rushing around at a mad pace, never having time to ourselves, now we are busy doing nothing, seldom have any free time, but are relaxed being busy.

Now i realise that i was fed up of political correctness, neighbours were not friendly. we have every thing here in france that leads to a good life, except the language, but we are working on that.

it is so difficult to put feelings into words.

 

tricia

[Tresco]

When I went to England, recently, for the first time since moving here,  I drove over the Snake Pass from Manchester to Sheffield. The scenery is glorious, much better than where I live. I was thinking, 'why didn't I just move to Derbyshire'? - but there was no way I could have afforded what I have here.

So, I guess I'm with Weedon, for the most part, although the climate, nearness to UK, and TOH throwing his teddy out of the cot played a part.

I really like UK, and consider myself very lucky to have been born there, and now to live in France.

[Miki]

We came over to live here many years ago, simply because we had been coming to France for a long time ( I personally had been coming to France ever since 1967 when a "very" young man)and we felt that we could make a living in France. The move became reality very quickly from the moment we decided to give it a go, the only problem we had in the end, was waiting 7 months for the courts in France to decide that the place we had "bought" could not be saved from redressement by the previous owners and that we had indeed bid the most, for a place that had finally gone to auction. (long story).

We sold in the UK at a time that houses prices were starting to dive and thus sold at a pretty bad time and also had to face a slump in the pound a few years after arriving, just when we were hoping to have our first full year of having the whole place open.

There were no programmes then on TV or mags to entice us over, purely experience of many, many holidays and short breaks over the years to mentally tell us it was the place we should try to live in.

It might be my personal opinion but I sincerely believe, that many of the Brits that have come here (as well as Spain and other places I'm sure) in the last few years, have only wanted to do so, as they have been able to sell their price in the UK at a nice price.

This has enabled many people to come to France, buy a place with some land, live in the country, have more property for less money and still have some money left in the bank to live on for a while. For many folks, none of this would have been possible had the house price boom not happened in the UK. So my thoughts are that perhaps some people have arrived, not for the love of France, perhaps for some, a dislike of the UK, of course having the money and France is simply the nearest port of call where properties can be had pretty cheaply.

I once said that if France, with all it's features, that people say they love, was actually where Yugoslavia is placed in the world, hardly anyone would emigrate there but if Yugoslavia was in France's position, they would still arrive here, it's just the closest "foreign" country syndrome!!  I have never know so many people, who have actually moved here, or are looking to buy, who have never previously stepped foot in France and that is why I believe in what I have said above.

Oh yes and the TV must have shares in the agencies here, the way the shows are plugging "come to France"

 

 

[Chouette]

Here are my reasons:

 

The UK is overcrowded and it will only get worse.  France it is three times the size of the UK with roughly the same population and it really notices. I always feel rather claustrophic when I return to the UK these days and one of the reasons I love France is the feeling of there being more space. The uncongested roads alone show the difference. The government in the UK has a target to build thousands of new homes but seem to overlook the fact that the people that then fill those houses will add to the strain already existing on schools, hospitals, doctors, transport systems etc., in the areas they build.

 

The UK government’s anti-car stance in order to reduce traffic congestion is ridiculous and unless they are prepared to make the necessary investment to improve the transport system, which is currently dirty, overcrowded and expensive and sometimes dangerous, people will continue to stick to using their cars.

Then there’s the yob culture and the general underlying feeling of aggression simmering just under the surface in many of the bigger towns. Of course there are still sleepy little villages out in the country, but they tend to be very expensive and not everyone can afford to live in idyllic places such as those.   In France I live in a very spacious house that has a large garden with a swimming pool, set in a pretty village surrounded by glorious open countryside.  There’s no way I could have afforded something similar in the UK, unless of course I was prepared to live in a rabbit hutch

The growing compensation culture; anything that happens to a person is always someone else’s fault and nobody seems to want take responsibility for themselves and for what they do. That leads me on to political correctness; criminals are treated better than victims, minorities given more support and rights than majorities, etc., etc.

Tony Blair, materialism, the asylum seekers debacle, the state of the health service. I could go on

 

Of course France is not some kind of utopia – where in the world is? However after weighting up all the pros and cons, France suits me and I definitely enjoy a better quality of life than the one I used to live in rat-race southeast UK.

 

[Stew]

I used to be an analyst programmer, working contracts in the Thames Valley. The mid to late 90s were very good to us. By 2002 tho, there was a downturn in the market and contracts were getting harder to land and my rates were being forced down to compete.

I could see a time coming when I would be out of work, and I couldn't face having to learn yet another programming language. Also, aged 40+ it gets harder to be taken seriously in programming, everyone thinks only kids understand the net and java and flash.

Ironically, if you're over 40 and hold a spanner in your hand, everyone thinks you are vastly experienced! So I retrained as a plumber and planned to move out into deepest rural England, because despite what over excited journalists think, a plumber can't match the income of a computer programmer. But at least I'd be employed and living in a part of England where my mortgage was lower than the Thames valley.

Having thus already decided to move away from friends and uproot the kids from schol, it wasn't a huge leap to think "If we're going to move away, why not move the hell away?"

France was logical because I could speak some French, and we liked what we had heard about the education, healthcare etc.

A quick recce April 2003 to the Charente convinced us, and we emigrated September 2003.

No regrets, even though life here is harder and more physical than the UK. We've found a sense of community and neighbourliness that has largely disappeared in the UK.

Every country has its good and bad, we are lucky enough to have had the freedom to choose to live in a country that best suits our current needs. I hope it continues to do so for the rest of my life.

[Tourangelle]

I met my husband when I was on my year abroad from university.  Cheap houses, lifestyle choices don't even come into it for me.  But I had an enormous dose of Francophilia before I moved here, that's why I studied French.  I am surprised nobody else has this reason, I am really not unusual, I know absolutely loads of British people married to French people, but they just don't look at this sort of site very often I don't think.   There is definitely a culture clash being married to a French person, I don't know anybody who doesn't feel that from time to time.  However, fortunately my husband and I have never gone in for the tiresome tit for tat France is better than England thing, which some couples do, we both appreciate each other's country and although we live in France now, I am sure that we will go at live in England at some stage

Jane

[Cjb]

My wife is French and we lived together in England for 4 years before moving to France. We are very fond of both countries and feel that we've really benefited as a couple by living in both countries. I suppose for me the real advantage of life in France is being able to swap a hectic lifestyle in England for a calmer one in France. I've really enjoyed learning French and find the local people where I live very friendly and laid-back. I work within an international environment (Teaching in an International School) and am able to return to a provencal lifestyle in the evening. For me I feel as though I benefit from having the best of both worlds. I'm able to continue with a job that I love and work with colleagues and pupils from all over the world and I'm able to enjoy the french lifestyle in the evenings, at weekends and during the holidays.

Of course there are cultural differences between the two of us and other British/American friends with french partners experience some of the same problems.

I feel that my life is interesting in a way that it never was in England (although I loved living and working in London, but it was too expensive in the long run).

I wasn't able to benefit from selling up in England and buying something far cheaper in France as I was always in rented accommodation in the UK.

I'm really enjoying life here and am looking forward to being able to bring up our daughter within such pleasant surroundings.

Chris

[Graham & Brenda]

Mainly because we are francophiles, have holidayed here for more years than we care to remember and like the lifestyle. So with both having been able to take early retirement we decided to go region hunting last year. We found a house that was ideal in a small village in Charente and moved in in June.

We do love the extra space and slower lifestyle and we don't miss the UK, except for our 2 sons. Still getting used to shops being closed on Sundays and Monday mornings but everything is as expected as we had done our homework first (much through this site) and could both speak French.

So - the answer is..... because we could and knew we'd regret it later if we didn't.

Graham

[Jirac18]

I can give the shortest answer so far - WHY STAY IN UK?

[Logan]

I came to live in France 22 years ago because it was a socialist country with traditions of equality and fraternity. It was 1992 and Thatcher's doctrine of the survival of the fittest and ******** to everyone else pervaded the land. Do you remember the 'loads of money' culture? Race riots and the poll tax. Britain was ugly and still is.

In France I found space and freedom of thought in a philosophical context. I found tolerance of difference and an understanding and sympathy of what makes us human. I discovered French people have priorities for life and values that are not diluted by materialism. I learned a beautiful language and discovered among many the simple joys of fresh bread in the early morning. I have learned to love the soil the changing seasons and pastoral peace. France has provided me with everything I need and was without in Britain. When I left I had no idea what I was seeking from life. Yet I was very clear what I wanted to leave behind. France has made me whole and I intend to remain here the rest of my days.

[Tresco]

Logan, I think most of the positive things you mention are applicable to UK, (although maybe fresh bread wasn't 22 years ago). 

 

[Teejay]

[quote]For those of us that have settled in France on a permanent basis or plan to do so in the not too distant future, I'd be interested to know your reasons for leaving the UK. We often hear of what attrac...[/quote]

Thank you Cjb, I just adore this type of question.  They generally appear at weekends and provide one with more entertainment then Canal Plus can ever do on a Sunday night.  I look forward to reading the replies.

Couldn't possibly answer myself as I haven't a clue why I'm here, except I seem to remember disembarking from a ferry with two dogs and two cats, one of which miaowed non-stop from Caen to our present home. (The cat miaowed, not the dogs)  Lack of memory could be the unfortunate consequence of too many aperitifs with neighbours.

J.

 

[Hewitts]

I recently spent some time travelling up and down and around the UK on buses, tubes, trains and National Express.

My last visit to the Uk was two years previously in 2002. I would just like to mention that in my experience, all modes of public transport, were clean and ran on time and the only negative experience I had was an extremely rude conductor on a London bus who berated me and a friend for not tearing the correct piece off a ticket in order to hand it to her. Her attitude was appalling and God help London if London gets the Olympics with the customer service I experienced.

However you have just prompted me to email National Express which I have been saying I would do since my return home, their service is fantastic, on time, clean coaches, extremely helpful staff in all areas of the country and all levels from drivers to booking office staff and vast improvement on the previous experiences in 2002.

I know this is not about France but I felt I had to

react to a previous post including negative comments about public transport.

Quite frankly I was amazed the difference two years had made.

Perhaps I was lucky and everything had been just cleaned that very minute, but I made so many journeys I don't think so.

Eleanor

[Jill<br><br>Jill (99)]

I love France and would love to live there eventually, and I can't explain why I am so drawn to France - I've just been that way since I was about 9 years old. But some of the reasons people give here for leaving the UK are not necessarily reasons for leaving the UK, they could equally have been reasons for moving to other parts of the UK. For example, I do live in Derbyshire, but on the edge. Within 20 minutes I can be in Derby or in 30 minutes, Nottingham. In 50 minutes I can be in Leicester or Birmingham. If I go to those places, it is a fact that it can be busy and overcrowded. But in 1976 I was in Caen and over the years I have returned there, and I'm horrified by the growth of that city compared to the growth of places around where I live in the UK. So although I know there are very rural places in France, you can find equally rural places in the UK and equally crowded places in both countries.

Also, what is affordable is subjective. There is no way I could sell my property in Derbyshire and own a property in France with a swimming pool. 20 years ago, that might have been possible, but these days, it just isn't. But it might be for people in the south of England or in the more expensive northern regions. Also, there is the fact that if we were to sell up and move, there would be no way for us to earn a living as our professions (policeman and dance teacher) are not transferrable to France. We have quite a good life in England - it could be better, but we can live OK on what we earn and appreciate our holidays in France. I've visited lots of regions in France and some of them I would love to live in. But there are regions of France that I wouldn't dream of living in or even visiting (likewise the UK). Therefore, I feel that most people could find satisfactory places to live in either country. From listening to my French friends complaining about taxes, work opportunities, education and such-like, I really can't believe that there is such a chance of a better life style for families who want to give their children a chance to get on in life, at least. Much as I've wanted to live in France all my life, it is still something I would only do part-time if I could afford it on retirement. I certainly think that there are better educational opportunities for working class children in the UK. My daughter wants to live in France as soon as she is able to find work there - I will support her as much as I can in this as it is what I always wanted to do myself. But I can only hope she can succeed in this.

[Miki]

[quote]I can give the shortest answer so far - WHY STAY IN UK?[/quote]

Jirac,

Bit unfair really, as others have said, may parts of Britain are as wonderful as anywhere in France, many, many thousands of French think so.

Plus how many people, through hundreds of different circumstances, will never be able to live in France, even if they really want to. I don't say those of us that live here are "lucky" but perhaps there are many people, who through one thing or another "unluckily" cannot move here. However hard they try, things will be stacked against them. The term "go for it" is simple enough to write in text but hugely difficult for many folk to actually do so. 

[Val_2]

Both of us didn't want to end up like our parents, that is,living the same life week in and week out,no ambition to move elsewhere or travel the world and being worried about how our kids would survive in the urban concrete jungle and all that entails now over there. Our old home town is now particularly nasty with much violent crime and murder and people who lock themselves in brick boxes when they are not working because they are afraid of being burgled. Moving elsewhere in the UK was not an option because even back in 95 house prices were way above our heads in places like Cornwall and the west country.

[Hoddy]

Perhaps as a part-time only resident I shouldn't try to answer this.

I have always loved France. I like the pace of life, the high quality of fresh food ingredients, the friendliness of the locals, the weather and the challenge of trying to communicate in less than perfect French.

I think it also has something to do with affordability and novelty. I would love to spend six months in central London so that I would be able to visit all those museums, art galleries and exhibitions that I've never quite got round to, but I can't afford that.

Hoddy

[Jon 1]

You or a member of your family only have to have a potentially serious illness and experience both systems to comprehend the pull of France.  Health care particularly as you age is one of the most important factors to be taken into consideration.  Despite the current and continuing spin, health care is not improving in the UK, and I do not not see it ever reaching French standards, certainly not in my lifetime.  In my opinion French health care is far superior in so many different facets.  As was stated in other responses, France is not Utopia, but the weighted benefit I would give to their health system, tips the scales for leaving the UK and relocating to France.

[Mistral]

Jane you are not alone;

I studied languages at university, spent a year working here as part of the course and met a Frenchman. He already had a job, spoke iffy English to my good French so the decision was easy. I finished my degree and came out here. This is now where I live, where I belong, where my children are growing up. It's not always easy and I sometimes miss the UK (the main things I miss are linguistic and cultural)

 

[Jc85]

We have had our house in the Vendee for nearly six years now, circumstances in the UK have meant it has not been possible for a permanent move to take place.

However, hopefully within the next two years we will achieve our goal.

We are just fed up with the overcrowding in England we live 10 miles from Gatwick, next to an aerodrome, the main London to Brighton railtrack runs very close to the end of our garden and if that wasn't all directly at the end of our garden is the channel tunnel freight line which goes through at about 2am!!. Its not until we go to France that we realise just how noisy,smelly and filthy it is around here not to mention how lit up the area is of a night time. We have the constant sound of planes,trains and the two tones of the emergency services.

Crime in our area is on the up. The roads are covered in speed humps.

At work I'm sick to the back teeth of having to be politically correct which my job dictates I must be. I could go on all night.

We are under no misconception that we will find it hard as we will both have to work and do not expect to earn what we do in England. Hopefully we will make it through what ever hard times lay ahead and will rent out the house in England just in case it all goes wrong.

We have made some very good French friends and they keep asking when we are coming to France for good and that makes it all the better knowing that you are already thought of as one of the community. Over in England I don't even know the names of the people who live in my road as noone speaks to eachother thesedays.

Jax