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<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>DM.has('',"article");</SCRIPT><SCRIPT type=text/javascript>DM.has('js-article-text',"lightBox");</SCRIPT><!-- google_ad_section_start(name=s2)-->Nine out of ten expats are so glad to be gone
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By Steve Doughty
Last updated at 11:51 AM on 21st April 2010
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Antipodean escape: Chris and Janice Gorman haven't looked back since moving to New Zealand
The grass really is greener for expats. Nine out of ten say their quality of life has improved - earning more and enjoying better conditions than they would have in Britain.
On average, pay for managers and professionals who choose to work abroad is up to £20,000 higher than they would get here.
The findings from a study by NatWest underline the reasons why emigration among Britons has reached record highs.
It suggests that the attractions for talented and able workers of quitting Britain are strengthening during the recession as private sector wages stagnate and public services threaten to deteriorate.
More than 200,000 British citizens left the country to live abroad in 2006, followed by another 169,000 in 2007. But in 2007 only 75,000 Britons who had been living or working in a foreign country chose to return - again a record low.
The bank's Quality of Life report said that 19 per cent of those working abroad currently intend to come back to Britain at some time, down from more than a quarter, 26 per cent, two years ago. It said: 'When it comes to living and working overseas the advantages come thick and fast. Working hours are far less intensive and expats say they manage to achieve a better work/life balance with much more leisure time.
'Professional expats can earn significantly more than their peers back home. On average an expat professional's salary is up to £20,000 higher than their UK counterparts.'
While salaries failed to rise in Britain last year for those working outside the public sector or the banks, there were big increases for Britons working in some other countries. Workers consulted for the survey reported that over the past three years in Hong Kong their pay rose on average by 19 per cent, in the United Arab Emirates by 17 per cent, and in Spain by 14 per cent.
More than nine out of 10 reported pay increases over the period.
The survey, carried out among 1,306 Britons in 12 countries, examined quality of life factors including transport, entertainment, food, crime, housing, schools and healthcare alongside pay levels. It found nearly nine out of ten praised their work environment and work/life balance, and felt their quality of life was better than in Britain.
The countries with the lowest quality of life were those in the Far East and Middle East: China, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UAE. In each of these countries a majority of British workers said they intended to return home to retire.
Those in France, Portugal and Spain, the U.S. and Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were less confident their earnings would continue to rise but they were more likely to stay on after their retirement.
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You have to make the best of what you have wherever you live.
Paying more taxes for NuLabour's rubbish social engineering is not on my list,thankyou very much !
Vote for somebody else Other than the "big three" on May 6th,please.
- Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, Ipswich,Suffolk,England, 21/4/2010 13:23
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The UK has become unliveable. Driving is especially unbearable, so many motorways with 40mph speed limits imposed and average speed check cameras, parking costs an arm and a leg and so many other nanny state rules and constant overtaxing. The only fantastic quality about he UK is the sense of humour of the Brits but this is now required to avoid insanity.
I thought I could return but ON EACH VISIT THINGS ONLY SEEM TO HAVE GONE FURTHER DOWNHILL. Getting rid of Moron Brown will hopefully do a small measure of good.
- Krista, Evian, France, 21/4/2010 13:22
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I want us to move to Greece when my husband retires next year. Any tips?
- Eva, London, 21/4/2010 11:41
Most important one,learn to speak as much Greek as you can before getting here.
Rent first for a year,to see if you can settle here,your health if on pension will be covered by the system ..
Its not the easiest nor the best place in the World to live in,but a sense of humour will help you survive the red tape,ignorant civil workers and learn to close your eyes to stuff you would never see happen in Britain.Hospitals are filthy,but the doctors and care are fantastic.
As an ex pat of over 20 years,i speak Greek,have my own business and mix with the locals, i come home once a year to see family,buy my sausages and chocs and go back to Greece .When in Greece i miss home,when in Britain i also miss home.
- Michele ex pat, Northern Greece, 21/4/2010 13:21
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being pensioners in Spain was hard now we are back in the UK we have never been so well off, so this is were we stay
- Linda, Shropshire UK, 21/4/2010 13:21
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@Sara, i agree with most of what you say. It is tempered by the fact you live in Wiltshire, one of the few places that has not got a spiraling population.
- Lark, London, 21/4/2010 13:20
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Living in UK but having travelled to over 50 countries, it continually disappoints me to hear Brits criticizing their country and thinking everywhere else is better. It is a load of old nonsense.
Let's take Spain for example. I lived there for 4 years and speak the language fluently. The vast majority of Brits out there do not speak the lingo and are unaware of the problems in the country. They live in an insulated ex-pat bubble. Reading the Spanish papers and watching their news, I can safely say that they have at least as many issues as us. Crime, racism, childhood obesity, domestic violence - you name it they have the lot.
Based on my travels and relationships I have with people around the world, I am certain that each country has its good points and problems. Running away to the sunshine does not make you happy. Being surrounded by your family and friends does. Learn to appreciate the great things about Britain and try to ignore its bad points!
- Richard, UK, Birmingham, 21/4/2010 13:20
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