Yes, this is a serious posting from the Shark!

With the UK population now amongst the highest taxed and covertly (as well as blatantly) spied upon by CCTV, the politically correct brigade removing free speech, the green idiocy taxing us on the basis of unproven theory, rising costs of living due to labour's continual mismanagement of the economy, and finally the general 'handing over' of our country to the EU bureaucrats; this Shark and his family have had enough.

Over the next few weeks we are going to be making a life-changing decision about whether or not to stay in the UK. My companies employ people, we produce unique products and services and yet it is never enough for this country. For the first time in my life, I am embarrassed to say that I am british. With outstanding letters owed to me from our council, our local 'elected' MP and those who capitalise on the efforts of others; I am now faced with the same situation that many others feel - what is the point of continuing the struggle here? When the elected members of our government cannot even be bothered to reply to letters/e-mails, it is a true indication of the degree of rot that has set in at the highest levels.

So, in typically Shark-like manner I am throwing the question to the forum:

"Where would you live in the world (as a married Christian person with a baby), and why would you go there?"

You can promote any country (including the UK) but please DO NOT use this as a thread for any other agenda. This is a serious question as it affects lives other than just my family.

At the end of December this year, we will be making the decision and (if anyone is still interested) I will publish the result on this thread.

SHARK! 

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For every positive action, there's an equal and opposite government plan.

Very blinkered I know but my home (house) is my country. When the front door closes I care nothing about the world exept who is in my house. We are thankful for the roof over our heads, the warmth that it gives us, and the time it allows us to spend together. I dont think it would matter what country we were living in as they all have their faults. We as a family? we work to live. Not live to work. With all your above agreed with sharky this is a "dog eat dog "country and world! sometimes it is safer to not look outside at what is going on....

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Just food for thought!

I agree with shark. If there is one fault with this country, it is the fact that every company or organisation continually looks to take your hard earned money. Money that one works hard for to spend on his/her family and children. We all want to have decent living standards, give our children better future prospects etc, but over the last few years achieving this goal has become increasingly more difficult due to rising inflation and costs of living, while the government keeps misrepresenting the true figures.Just to give an example, my council tax bill now is £1450 per year, a rise of almost 70% from 4 years ago, while my salary has not increased anywhere near that amount. Almost every other living expense has risen way over our pay increases making life more difficult that it ever was before.

I am dreaming of a move to Canada. I am sure every country has its own problems and sure Canada is no different. But at least I know I have tried it. It also offers a much safer place to go to school and have a night out for 2 very young children.    

I agree with Peyman, Canada.

We were in Toronto in the summer and it was just superb.  Everything is geared around families, not parents or children.  The people are warm and inviting and it feels safe.

In fact it feels exactly like it was in the UK when I was growing up. 

The countryside is unique (skiing after school is enough to persuade me) and the cities are accepting of all cultures, helped by the Anglo/French influences.

We also went to the States in the summer and the difference is incredible.  I wouldn't consider the US at all.

I love the French culture of Quebec, I guess it helps that I speak French and can't wait to go to the West coast to Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.

We are planning a few more trips over there over the coming years to decide if we want to go there permanently before the kids get to secondary school age. 

For me, Canada is way ahead of the others on the list.

Good luck Sharky and yes, I am very interested in the decision.

I totally agree with you Shark.  My husband and I work our rocks off, employ others and yet, as has already been stated, there's always someone taking your hard-earned money away from you as fast as you've earned it.  In one hand and out of the other!!!

Our country is a mess, a shambles but to consider leaving the UK is a massive decision.  One thing to consider is "Is the grass greener on the other side."  Some countries seem wonderful when you visit on holiday but when you actually go there to reside it may well be totally different.  I am not travelled enough to recommend a specific country.  We lived for two years in Northern France and found life very different and enjoyable but the homing instinct kicked in and we came back to the UK.  That said, I would consider leaving the country again. 

The problems with living abroad are that you are not able to see family members often and also, if your parents are elderly, they may need your help.  My children are already settled in their primary education and I feel that I could not up-root them presently, however, you do not have that consideration as you have a young baby who could easily adapt.

Once you have decided on a country, I would highly advise that you contact persons living there by some means, possibly by forums such as this, based in that particular country and gain an insight as to what life is really like living there.  I'm sure you'll be researching all the politics, taxes, cost of living etc. before you make the decision.

Good luck Shark and I, too, would be very interested in your final decision.

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Kind regards
Indi

“In the end, the love that you take is the love that you give”

Sharky, Whatever your decide, I wish you well. You will be missed so much if you leave us. (more so if you leave us all with "rich" to deal with. lol) On a selfish note....If you do decide to leave the country. Who will I learn from now if you go? You selfish piece of Poo!!!

 

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Just food for thought!

Mr big:Very blinkered I know but my home (house) is my country. When the front door closes I care nothing about the world exept who is in my house. We are thankful for the roof over our heads, the warmth that it gives us, and the time it allows us to spend together. I dont think it would matter what country we were living in as they all have their faults. We as a family? we work to live. Not live to work. With all your above agreed with sharky this is a "dog eat dog "country and world! sometimes it is safer to not look outside at what is going on....

Morning all,

Mrs Big, well said there. i am the king in my kingdom and my house is my kingdom [regardless of which courtry, island, continent, or planet!!]. its the only time i'm away from all the insanities of this mad world.!!

Sharky, i'm of the opinion that there's not not much of a difference to where you move from because every place has its ups and downs, plus its all subjective and objective. one man's meat is another man's poison. regardless of where u move to you'll always find that every smooth comes with its rough, so i always say "work your negatives and count every belssing".

I've lived in the U.S and there was a time i was fed and bored with life over there, moved back here and absolutely loved it. After a few years the novelty wears off and reality sinks in, there's no place like home [regardless of the state of that home]. Its all a state of mind and you have to strike a happy medium.

where ever you decide to move to Sharky, just make sure you have internet and you don't forget your Moneysupermarket user i.d & password...

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RICHIE RICH RICHER THAN THE RICH

I would live in Rome, without a shadow of a doubt. It's absolutely beautiful and the Italians have such a great combination of a relaxed yet fast-paced lifestyle. I visited for 4 days and I could have cried my heart out in Fiumincino airport, while I waited for my flight home. I haven't really got words for how much the place resonates with me.

But I'm going to Japan in the spring so hey, we'll see... :)

its only my wife that keeps me here, id live in canada or usa anytime ,, my wife says as long as her parents are alive then ive to stay put. but for me, the british way of living as gone to the dogs , we were once allowed to say and do as we pleased to a certain extent, every step of our lives seems scrutinised. CCTV, lack of jobs, no propspects for our childrens future. Money,, low wages and high outgoings. i spent a few weeks in florida chatting to their folk.. very nice people in fact and they told me all about their expenses and compared to ours they seem to be half . cars, homes and fuel is loads cheaper,, the food is loads cheaper. i can honestly say that when i do my shopping here i spend over £100 and when i was in florida i bought the same type of items plus more and it came out as £60 in equivelence. i could have a 5 litre car for same price as a 1.4 and pay less in fuel.

I'd like to live in Canada for lots of reasons - there's so much space, it's clean, they don't seem to get involved in world politics (correct me if I'm wrong of course) and there are still four seasons, which is something I love about Britain.Oh, and it rains sometimes too. I like the rain, just not everyday!

Canada for me too. I'll visit next year and decide.  I promised myself many years ago that if fuel reached £1.00 per litre, it would trigger my emmigration investigations as it represented the maximum tax take in fuel and other areas that I was willing to live with..  I did think France, but it seems to be going the way of 70's Britain.  Canada has enough of that and British culture with the space, and non interfering governance that promises I suppose in the words of William Wallace if he ever said it 'FREEDOM'.

I do fancy a Mustang ragtop, bit of a joke trying to run one over here!!  New Zealand sound good, just a bit too far, and I get the feeling that there is a bit an isolationist demeanour in N.Z.  Perhaps the British culture, whatever that is, is stronger for ex pats.

 The total tax take is way to much. We are all stung at every turn, in every way, even the Post Office charge £8 to deliver a letter from customs if it's £18 value or over. 80 odd % tax?

Also unaccountable and uniterested councils, government, hospitals, schools, post offices, banks, shops, always charging more for less, and then trying to make you accept the service level is improving.  Actually one positive note on this in my experience is the Police.

One area I haven't made up my mind on is that the UK feels reasonably central on a world scale, whereas OZ, N.Z. and Canada give me the impression of being slightly peripheral on their outlook.  I suppose from the point of view of schooling, colleges, culture(theatre, museums festivals - not that I go often, even jobs and whether the opportunities for my children would be the poorer for the lack of. 

Anyway good luck to all of you thinking and acting on this.  I suspect 'Mr Shark' will find an internet connection and keep us all updated.

Anyone got any experience of cost of living in Canada?

I suppose when you shut you front door and try to keep the world out, is it culture or your family that really matters.
Though the tax/mortgage(deathgrip) take is really just a kind slavery in another form.

 

The Greek Island of Crete is where I would choose to live my life if I had a chance. The people are very friendly and hospitable, it is relatively cheap, and it seems to be a very safe place as well, not to mention 49 degrees in the summer ;)

Do they use 3 pin or 2 pin plugs?

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Just food for thought!

In Greece?

WELCOME to the forum Davie!

sometimes we can be a bit foolish here! when posts are a bit slow, we often have fun wth each other.....

so which one then?

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Just food for thought!