Hey Rosanna, well I left Britain 34 years ago, at that time not because of any misgivings I had about London, which was where I lived and loved, but because I got a fantastic job in Munich and I thought I’d do a “stint” abroad, improve my O-level German, and come back to my Hackney flat (for which I could get a mortgage with my first salary back in 1987, but then foolishly sold for £40000 in 1997!)
34 years on, and now completely fluent in German and having taken on German nationality because of Brexit, although I have a distinct yearning for the UK (similarly to you - the humour, pubs, the countryside, family), the thought of trying to access basic health care (let alone lying in an ambulance outside a hospital waiting for a bed), the general dereliction of so many public institutions, and the ghastly “culture wars” (the trans issues being just one) really do cause me to wonder whether I ever will move back.
However, I do realise they are all more practical rather than emotional issues and I’m sure I’ll end up where my heart takes me. I was lucky enough to earn enough money to retire at the age of 56 so maybe the future will simply involve being essentially based in Munich, but with longer spells in the UK. (I come back regularly now).
I’m looking forward to more of your Substacks (and am curious about why you like Dubai). Jacky
ps I was the person who once tweeted to you (I have since left X), that I could always feel the humanity in your reporting (or something of the kind). And as a lesbian woman, I was always grateful to you for supporting trans rights.
I remember your supportive Tweet, and was so appreciative of it at the time! I have also quiet-quit X. It's a terrible place.
Thank you for taking the time to read my piece, and share your own story and experience. How amazing that you've built such a full life for yourself in Germany for so long - even at the expense of Hackney property prices! I think a blend of Munich + England visits sounds pretty great.
I am on the same page as you with a lot of your concerns, and yet also nostalgic feelings towards the UK. Thank you for subscribing. I will try to write another piece soon!
I left in 2010 for Cape Town, I am lucky enough to return to the UK two or Three times a year and over the last 8 or 9 years I have increasingly realised it was the best move; I am afraid Britain has lost its Identity, and it seems the cost of living is getting out of control.
I'm enjoying the substack so much - I'm mid thirties and speak some of the bad boy languages, lived in Munich, Leeds, London and Vienna now for the past 7 years where I'm self-employed in IT. In addition to Dubai, I also believe Kazakhstan and Central Asia could be great places to relocate to.
Marcus! So sorry for my late response, but thank you for your kind message. So many overlaps in our experience. I am partly-Austrian, got family in Vienna, (я говорю по-русский тоже) and I totally love Central Asia. Went to the world nomad games in Kyrgyzstan in 2018, have also visited a few others. Thanks so much for commenting, and really looking forward to getting stuck into your output too!
Thank you for the reply. I’m with you, I think the problem is that the issues here will take quite a while to iron themselves out.
As a country we don’t really have an income beyond services and taxation so when the financial backdrop is as challenging as it is globally then the knock on here is felt in a way that other countries don’t and this is now really the case since Covid and probably before tbh.
I would absolutely love some first hand tips on moving to the Middle East. I work in transport delivery which has a lot of opportunities as places like Dubai grow especially if you have many years experience in the industry but I need to sharpen up my qualification base before taking the plunge.
I’ll keep an eye out as well for your article as it will hopefully create some talking points for my wife and I on how to plan ahead.
Hey Rosanna, hope it all works out for you. Dubai and the Gulf generally is certainly a place that doesn’t lack for energy and content. It looks like it will cement its place as the global economic crosssroads over the next decade as pragmatism becomes an ever more valuable currency.
Cat and I (from our Salamanca time with you) left London for New Zealand post Brexit. Whilst it is quieter and remote, folks are less angry and more likely to find answers somewhere in the middle and we get to watch the recurring rolling chaos from a safe distance.
I am still in London/EU several times a year for work (and the odd Stamford Bridge game)and still love the place, but NZ is home now and there is little sign that a similar equilibrium will return anytime soon to Europe or the US.
Cat says hi and wishes you much happiness in this new chapter.
Oh my goodness, how lovely to hear from you, and I am so glad you've made a nice home for yourself in NZ. I think often of those early days at Salamanca, what a ride. Cat was such a great mentor and friend.
Thank you for your kind feedback and thoughts on the emigration topic. Indeed, Dubai keeps pulling me back. It's the convenience factor and that "cross roads" element you so aptly describe. I am heading back to the UK briefly for meeting in a few weeks, and already looking forward to the trip. I just wish it was more liveable at the moment. Let's see how the next few years pan out.
Please do stay in touch. All best wishes to you and the family.
I totally understand the feel live outside these shores, it’s something that I have wrestled with increasingly over the last 5-6 years and both my wife and myself would like to move to Dubai in the next 5 years.
We have a young daughter and feel that for her growth into a young woman that the UK is not currently the best place for her grow as a person, educationally, aspirationally.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hope. I can’t see any real change within a generation for this country due to so many complex factors that have their roots in decisions taken decades ago and that adds to our desire for change…….not to mention the weather too!
I can completely relate to a lot of what you are saying here. It is the absence of hope that creates such internal tension in anyone who can also consider living somewhere else. That being said, I still hope that things will turn around at home (economically and politically). I just worry that we've got to wait quite a few years for that to happen!
If you ever need any tips on moving to Dubai, do message. I am planning to write something on that here in the coming months. Best wishes!
I totally understand the feel live outside these shores, it’s something that I have wrestled with increasingly over the last 5-6 years and both my wife and myself would like to move to Dubai in the next 5 years.
We have a young daughter and feel that for her growth into a young woman that the UK is not currently the best place for her grow as a person, educationally, aspirationally.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hope. I can’t see any real change within a generation for this country due to so many complex factors that have their roots in decisions taken decades ago and that adds to our desire for change…….not to mention the weather too!
I totally understand the feel live outside these shores, it’s something that I have wrestled with increasingly over the last 5-6 years and both my wife and myself would like to move to Dubai in the next 5 years.
We have a young daughter and feel that for her growth into a young woman that the UK is not currently the best place for her grow as a person, educationally, aspirationally.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hope. I can’t see any real change within a generation for this country due to so many complex factors that have their roots in decisions taken decades ago and that adds to our desire for change…….not to mention the weather too!
Hey Rosanna, well I left Britain 34 years ago, at that time not because of any misgivings I had about London, which was where I lived and loved, but because I got a fantastic job in Munich and I thought I’d do a “stint” abroad, improve my O-level German, and come back to my Hackney flat (for which I could get a mortgage with my first salary back in 1987, but then foolishly sold for £40000 in 1997!)
34 years on, and now completely fluent in German and having taken on German nationality because of Brexit, although I have a distinct yearning for the UK (similarly to you - the humour, pubs, the countryside, family), the thought of trying to access basic health care (let alone lying in an ambulance outside a hospital waiting for a bed), the general dereliction of so many public institutions, and the ghastly “culture wars” (the trans issues being just one) really do cause me to wonder whether I ever will move back.
However, I do realise they are all more practical rather than emotional issues and I’m sure I’ll end up where my heart takes me. I was lucky enough to earn enough money to retire at the age of 56 so maybe the future will simply involve being essentially based in Munich, but with longer spells in the UK. (I come back regularly now).
I’m looking forward to more of your Substacks (and am curious about why you like Dubai). Jacky
ps I was the person who once tweeted to you (I have since left X), that I could always feel the humanity in your reporting (or something of the kind). And as a lesbian woman, I was always grateful to you for supporting trans rights.
Hi Jacky,
I remember your supportive Tweet, and was so appreciative of it at the time! I have also quiet-quit X. It's a terrible place.
Thank you for taking the time to read my piece, and share your own story and experience. How amazing that you've built such a full life for yourself in Germany for so long - even at the expense of Hackney property prices! I think a blend of Munich + England visits sounds pretty great.
I am on the same page as you with a lot of your concerns, and yet also nostalgic feelings towards the UK. Thank you for subscribing. I will try to write another piece soon!
All best wishes, Rosanna
I left in 2010 for Cape Town, I am lucky enough to return to the UK two or Three times a year and over the last 8 or 9 years I have increasingly realised it was the best move; I am afraid Britain has lost its Identity, and it seems the cost of living is getting out of control.
Visiting 2-3 times a year is the dream!
I'm enjoying the substack so much - I'm mid thirties and speak some of the bad boy languages, lived in Munich, Leeds, London and Vienna now for the past 7 years where I'm self-employed in IT. In addition to Dubai, I also believe Kazakhstan and Central Asia could be great places to relocate to.
Marcus! So sorry for my late response, but thank you for your kind message. So many overlaps in our experience. I am partly-Austrian, got family in Vienna, (я говорю по-русский тоже) and I totally love Central Asia. Went to the world nomad games in Kyrgyzstan in 2018, have also visited a few others. Thanks so much for commenting, and really looking forward to getting stuck into your output too!
Hi Rosanna,
Thank you for the reply. I’m with you, I think the problem is that the issues here will take quite a while to iron themselves out.
As a country we don’t really have an income beyond services and taxation so when the financial backdrop is as challenging as it is globally then the knock on here is felt in a way that other countries don’t and this is now really the case since Covid and probably before tbh.
I would absolutely love some first hand tips on moving to the Middle East. I work in transport delivery which has a lot of opportunities as places like Dubai grow especially if you have many years experience in the industry but I need to sharpen up my qualification base before taking the plunge.
I’ll keep an eye out as well for your article as it will hopefully create some talking points for my wife and I on how to plan ahead.
Best Wishes
Ian
Hey Rosanna, hope it all works out for you. Dubai and the Gulf generally is certainly a place that doesn’t lack for energy and content. It looks like it will cement its place as the global economic crosssroads over the next decade as pragmatism becomes an ever more valuable currency.
Cat and I (from our Salamanca time with you) left London for New Zealand post Brexit. Whilst it is quieter and remote, folks are less angry and more likely to find answers somewhere in the middle and we get to watch the recurring rolling chaos from a safe distance.
I am still in London/EU several times a year for work (and the odd Stamford Bridge game)and still love the place, but NZ is home now and there is little sign that a similar equilibrium will return anytime soon to Europe or the US.
Cat says hi and wishes you much happiness in this new chapter.
Andrew! And Cat!
Oh my goodness, how lovely to hear from you, and I am so glad you've made a nice home for yourself in NZ. I think often of those early days at Salamanca, what a ride. Cat was such a great mentor and friend.
Thank you for your kind feedback and thoughts on the emigration topic. Indeed, Dubai keeps pulling me back. It's the convenience factor and that "cross roads" element you so aptly describe. I am heading back to the UK briefly for meeting in a few weeks, and already looking forward to the trip. I just wish it was more liveable at the moment. Let's see how the next few years pan out.
Please do stay in touch. All best wishes to you and the family.
Hi Rosanna,
I totally understand the feel live outside these shores, it’s something that I have wrestled with increasingly over the last 5-6 years and both my wife and myself would like to move to Dubai in the next 5 years.
We have a young daughter and feel that for her growth into a young woman that the UK is not currently the best place for her grow as a person, educationally, aspirationally.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hope. I can’t see any real change within a generation for this country due to so many complex factors that have their roots in decisions taken decades ago and that adds to our desire for change…….not to mention the weather too!
Hi Ian,
I can completely relate to a lot of what you are saying here. It is the absence of hope that creates such internal tension in anyone who can also consider living somewhere else. That being said, I still hope that things will turn around at home (economically and politically). I just worry that we've got to wait quite a few years for that to happen!
If you ever need any tips on moving to Dubai, do message. I am planning to write something on that here in the coming months. Best wishes!
Hi Rosanna,
I totally understand the feel live outside these shores, it’s something that I have wrestled with increasingly over the last 5-6 years and both my wife and myself would like to move to Dubai in the next 5 years.
We have a young daughter and feel that for her growth into a young woman that the UK is not currently the best place for her grow as a person, educationally, aspirationally.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hope. I can’t see any real change within a generation for this country due to so many complex factors that have their roots in decisions taken decades ago and that adds to our desire for change…….not to mention the weather too!
Hi Rosanna,
I totally understand the feel live outside these shores, it’s something that I have wrestled with increasingly over the last 5-6 years and both my wife and myself would like to move to Dubai in the next 5 years.
We have a young daughter and feel that for her growth into a young woman that the UK is not currently the best place for her grow as a person, educationally, aspirationally.
Probably the biggest issue is the lack of hope. I can’t see any real change within a generation for this country due to so many complex factors that have their roots in decisions taken decades ago and that adds to our desire for change…….not to mention the weather too!
Nice... one ..x wish I could write my thoughts down in such a beautiful yet
Easy going manner.. Good luck have a lovely day.