I always turn up to a new place eager to learn about the culture, and with romantic views about the entire city/country. I get it, nobody likes foreigners. I prefer many countries abroad - and hope to relocate - good luck with your travels . My immigrant NHS Nurse parents were proudly British, enjoyed good Grammar education for their daughter, good universities for both kids, homeowners in nice well to do market town etc. Many people don't have a voice but you gave them a voice. This way you can still get letters, keep on banking etc It costs a few hundred pounds per year but well worth it. And you know what? I voted to Remain but even I know the EU has undermined democracy. To cut it short, I'm sad you're leaving for those reasons. Nobody is going to vote "leave" and nobody is going to vote for "Trump". The newspapers and the Tory party conjure up this idea that immigrants and immigration are the cause of so many of our problems (strain on social welfare, NHS, not enough housing, not enough jobs etc) to hide the true cause of those problems, which is cuts to funding and their government! Before, I used to think that no restaurant in the UK can match the quality and brilliance of the food we experienced abroad. After the Brexit shock, more and more Brits are looking to move away from the UK. Throughout the years, I lived a relatively calm and happy life. Dear Sarah, New Zealand truly is a wonderful place. I've found people angry and bitter, jealous of our "success" so shunning us, mad at the whole world and blaming the new family down the street rather than reflecting on how their own attitudes drive down the areas we live in. [30], Characters described as "chavs" have been featured in numerous British television programmes, as well as films. Remembering that quote by Edmond Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing.". I asked for proof to see what I spelt wrong and on how many occasions. I guess the point of my comment is that I just wanted to tell you that you should have NEVER been treated the way you were here and I know that there is a massive percentage of brits that would agree. Once again, thanks for this post, I will be recommending it to my friends. Very brave and I can't wait to see what comes next! Ive been living/travelling & working abroad for the last five years. Any suggestions, we love the beach/city life but don't want to be too remote, so I think somewhere like Australia would be out as its hours of driving to get to another town or hours on a plane to get to another country. And dozens of other things if you bothered to look it up, which you aren't. Even if it is just a coincidence, I definitely get you when you say you feel as though you're treated differently. Bristol is actually just as wet as Manchester because it is in the west - so actually you did live in a relatively "rainy" part of England, yes. we enjoyed our Jobs I remember went to a restaurant asking for water(with an American accent) and the guy at work corrected me with British accent. But I very much defend the English when they say that they do not want to have more immigrants, no one likes to have mass immigration, no country wants it, and that must be respected. New Zealand is a close second, but the earthquakes and parochialism relegate it for me Im afraid. Perhaps, the main reason I loved these, was because we were all like-minded young individuals, who dreamt of a true democratic UK which had the Labour party at the core. I look forward to meeting some older people living abroad who maybe, indeed, kept their wits. British culture is now 'whatevers' and to even have any expectations or respect is 'right wing' or some sort of phobia or ism. I had the idea that the UK would be a paradise for me, and I would be able to continue my professional career over there, in London, to be specific. I've lived in 6 different countries, and in my opinion, the UK offer the worst quality of life. Im so worried and upset that Im stuck here and it feels like hell nearly every day. Hi Melissa, I think the only city I like during my entire UK trip is Edinburgh, the architecture there is just so stunning and it is completely different culture from England. Here, in Estonia, the winter is 6 months - cold, sometimes snowing, dark, wet, depressing weather. Any economist will tell you that. Those racists that bully immigrants in the Uk should remember what many of their ancestors did around the world in the past, that is, exploit people, countries, resources, etc. Enjoy your sovereignty, Mark. It might be because, even not being religious, I come from a Catholic country, but the way the "Alfie Evans Case" was handled by the hospital, media, judges etc. There's only one thing Brits love more than telling people how great their home towns are, and that's complaining about their home towns. But, my ex-husband recounts exactly all of this (or at least the economic bits - he's on board with the xenophobia) so I believe it. As a former UK resident, I understand your position. 'Chav' is a word that we heard all the time, like ten years ago! This puts us into conflict with other countries that want to keep us in our place and some people find this a shock to the system compared to their home country. God help us. Hahaha I know this is an older comment but I just wanted to address the food thing for the benefit of more recent readers. Dude, seriously, you're really shooting yourself in the foot here. I hope you getting differential treatment than your British man is just a silly coincidence! As an adopted child of Britain,I can totally relate to you. (Has the author been to 'Bradistan' in West Yorks?). Australia has its problems but at least its normal there. [35], In the "New Earth" episode of the BBC TV series Doctor Who, the character Lady Cassandra is transplanted into Rose Tyler's body (Billie Piper). Cory, this was a brave and honest article, and it's good that there are brave people willing to stand up for human rights while many hide and do nothing. I don't know anymore. Where we live now I have a greater connection to the people around me and a closer relationship with my family. Good luck finding your new base guys :) Can't wait to see where you travel to! By the way, the United States is 121 on the Global Peace Index, below El Salvador. My dude, seriously? What do you describe in terms of the hate towards foreigners and outright xenophobia you have faced its home to me now in a way I fully understand. I am not intolerant towards your opinions. In all of this, I have tried to be fair and welcoming and treat people with respect. Then millions on renegotiating deals with countries who don't need the UK. And the murder rate is 4 a year, for a city larger than Birmingham. You cant have all the decisions go your way. Being English is a privilege, the UK is a good country and one of the best in the world. I'm grateful for your honesty, I sure know it's not easy to find the courage to admit when things are not peachy. The Indian gentleman who gave up his citizenship to serve the Queen and the country forgets the hatred and racism in his own land of origin, where color of skin is a passport to success. In the Balkans we also have pljeskavica or plecavia which is a kebab burger. Will I ever go back to the UK? While supermarket prices are very low, rent, utilities, council tax and eating out is astronomical compared to other countries. Margaret Thatcher's legacy lives on. We have plenty of black and Muslim politicians in the UK, and other EU countries have hardly any. Used as a backdrop to clips of - primarily . Where can you be yourself? If you have good infrastructure, it costs money to build and maintain it. Oblivious as I was at the beginning, I soon realised that I was somehow treated differently than my fellow British friends. This is middle class hatred of the white working class, pure and simple. To give an idea of the divide on the Brexit vote night my Italian neighbours who I had never met before invited me around for a party so I was getting drunk with about 15 Italians before we found out the result. I thought I am alone on the Harry Potter thing, and I remember looking for Hogwarts during my Scottish highland tours. If that happened in the UK, there would be an international outcry. Whereby his reply was: "What British culture?". In comparison to it's New World ex-colonies, the UK's living standards is worse and declining. Why did we decide to move out of the UK? -Cuisine- LOL. [33] The Times has referred to the character as "[a] chavvish girl",[34] and the character has been said to possess a "chav accent". British people love Italy. As a Labour supporter with some Lib Dem views, I cannot reason with the Brexit idea no matter what. We have such moderate weather that it poses the least threat to life of anywhere in the world. [7] This interpretation of the word was used in a 2012 public statement by rapper Plan B as he spoke out to oppose the use of the term.[13]. Germany had low morale and wanted a change in 1940's which allowed Hitler to come to power who blamed, you guessed it, Jews for all of Deutschland's problems. I only visited once in September and the whole trip was very depressing. It seems like a majority but if you look at the facts behind the polls, it was mostly the older generation who voted leave, the people who were blind-sided by promises of more money for the NHS and better help for the elderly and infirm. Such an interesting and sadly true article. Yes, I disagree with Brexit, but that is the nature of democracy. I am not a young person but to find work in Canada is miserably difficult unless you live in a major City. "I love the British culture". Well, let's look closer. I lived alone in a small flat in Birmingham, my wages covered my rent and bills and nothing else. Brexit was and will continue to be a mistake. Everyone did something about it. I'm currently temporarily living in the UK (my boyfriend is English) and I feel you! Hello Faith, thank you for your comment. By the sound of things, we have improved immeasurably as a country if you've left. Cory, just out of interest, have you experienced much racism where you are living now? Brexit will force the country not to depend on London, but doesn't UK import a lot of their produce from Spain to start with? Definitely not a bigot, my friend. But that's ok, I was never afraid of hard work and long hours of study. Maybe I'm a little weird but it just works for me. The funny thing is we have recently moved to London (it's been 6 months) and we don't seem to be happy at all. However, the vast majority of Brits are not racist, just a small majority (around 52%), you know, those who voted to leave. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and lots of National Trust locations for wonderful days out. It was a difficult decision for us to move back from the UK , and I would be lying if I said we do not have second thoughts about moving back again! The irony of this situation is that in your misguided attempt to Make England Great Again, you've torpedoed much of the foundation of the UK's current wealth. I am originally from the UK, but have been living in Australia for the past 4 years and have been debating whether to make the move back to the UK due to wanting to be near family. I like the rush, the culture there, the weirdness of it. YUM YUM. Now it's obsessed with 'poverty' (can't afford food but can fags and false nails) and banal debates about identity. Hi Ella, thank you for your warm comment. I agree what you said 90%. I think people like this author who want to attack the UK and the British people should LEAVE PERMANENTLY as their self centred bigotry will never change. We've left again. For Eastern Europeans, the UK is the worst place in the world after Italy and maybe also France and Spain, This article is a good article, and basically expresses many truths of English society, I am glad that even you as an immigrant have noticed. we loved what we saw but the thing is that i feel Its not safe for us right know and Its messy with all this brexit thing. Thank you so much for your heartfelt message. I understand totally. There are pros and cons to this. I actually ended up being extremely depressed. The weather of the UK is the best of anywhere in the world. Its over ambitious maybe. I hope you both find a better home. It took me years of hard work before I could even begin my application as a British citizen. Why? These are very difficult questions and there are very few genuinely enlightened people because of the whitewashing of Hollywood and the fact that over the years most successful actors had to change their names in order to succeed. Most UK people are welcoming so please don't group us all together. That sums it up. I still remember talking to my husband the previous night, saying that the world is not that stupid. Hi Iain, Its beautiful countryside and theres good aspects to living here .. but the country sucks the life out of you eventually and you end up feeling grey and worn out just like the weather. I was born in the UK and have never been made to feel alienated, but even I find this country ignorant and hateful at the best of times. The people there are immensely proud of their long history and are well aware of what is going on in Europe. Then with what happened in UK last summer, it saddens me that those who come and fight the hardest to work and stay in the country are the ones to leave. I have even found happiness in giving up my life as the career city girl for a stay at home mom and have never been happier. Answer (1 of 9): Hello Ian Kent and welcome to Quora. With a crime rate of 123.2 per 1,000 people, West Yorkshire is the most dangerous part of England. Yes, I disagree with Brexit, but that is the nature of democracy. I also know many foreigners who, like me, decided to move away. Perhaps a better question would . They say immigration is an issue but so is emigration. We have numerous pastries with fillings going from cheese to spinach (like the Greeks, yes!) The British are tolerant. I went to Scotland once and the highlands is very beautiful, but also rained a lot. Travelling doesn't come cheap in the UK. I had to give up my Indian nationality due to my job with Ministry of Defence which I regret now. - Houses- I have seen bigger matchboxes. We've left Germany for good a couple of months ago and we're now back living in England. I've yet to witness anti-social behaviour here. I do hope you get to leave and start living the dream in a cheaper country in Europe. If you are not careful, it can be a cruel existence whereby you work to live and you live to work. If allowed to succeed, immigrants will go above and beyond to prove themselves worthy of your acceptance. Budget cuts were making work difficult and I didn't want to live under a right wing gov. But I'm not shocked. How's that logical? It is an adaptive culture. [1] "Chavette" is a related term referring to female chavs, and the adjectives "chavvy", "chavvish", and "chavtastic" are used to describe things associated with chavs, such as fashion, slang, etc. Wherever we go we will have to endure some sort of hardship , for example look at the foreigners leaving China - its all very well moving there when things seemed good. I miss who I was when I was abroad. Look at the buffoon in power now. I even learned the slang, so I feel one of "them". Wishing you all the luck in the world. There are a lot of pros and cons when it comes to living in the UK and for the sake of objectivity, I would like to tackle all points in this article. Tolerant please don't make me laugh. But spending all your life covering up your origins because of racism at school means you are living a lie. I'm British born and I'm leaving the UK because of Brexit. Economically and socially, I'm afraid to say. I'm not surprised at all that you're leaving the UK! We're in North Yorkshire and we absolutely love it here. The UK welcomed 625,000 immigrants to the last year, even after Brexit, and more than any other EU nation. The good news is that we live in a time when remote working is becoming more and more accessible. I apologised and ran out crying, feeling desperate and marginalised. Hi Cory, Many Thanks for this amazing post, it is the most realistic picture of UK currently. But in reality, I stopped feeling safe in the UK a few months ago, when people started assaulting immigrants in the street. A controlled immigration Program. The typical food in England is something that is also consumed in Chile, and is one of the things that I liked more of the country, both its sweet and salty food has very good flavor and is something that could eat every day without problem. We were the sick man of Europe in the Benn days, but now we continue to have the lowest unemployment levels in Europe, even after Brexit. Would you conceive a white being in the government in Pakistan? I went above and beyond to integrate myself. I love the UK, it is my home and it is all I have known. The English are well known cowards, always having someone else fight their wars. I believe not only the UK, but the European continent is suffering from a shortage of work and opportunities and this is increasing people's negative attitudes towards immigrants, which are arriving seeking opportunities that simply aren't there. I think we'd agree with just about every point you've raised about the UK. Happy you brought in some of the more sensitive economic and political reasons, as well, Thank you, Melissa. But thinking back to recent trips abroad I've just brushed it off as "holiday syndrome" when I've thought about how much happier other places seemed to be! This could be why many voted for Brexit. You say your family is with you, if nothing else, I hope that offers you the comfort you need to have a decent life. Foreigners cant even buy a house in New Zealand anymore. Violent, dirty cities. It's just that we wanted to experience something a little different for a while. Why? Hi Miranda, thank you for your comment. I cannot find decent veggies and fruit that do not cost a fortune most times. I still had responsibilities, I still had bad days but it was all worth it. What an informative post! I needed to work as a student as I didn't have rich parents to support me. And, the Americans assisted in WWII yes, however even you can't say if that was the ultimate reason why we ended up victorious in that war. There was a time when we loved the UK, were pleased by the level of comfort this country offered. I respect your opinion. I am having a bit of a quarter life crisis in that I'm really struggling to come to terms with living in the UK for much longer at the age of 25. A mark of this growing idiocy is the fact that a circus clown like Jacob Rees-Mogg can play a part in politics. I'm so sorry you've felt victimised by negative attitudes, it's never acceptable to be anti 'other'. Thank you for your honesty, for this long and extremely interesting post. Thank you for posting this. You hit the nail on the head for me. I am half Spanish but raised and born in the uk. However it was one of the most dissapointing moves in my life. The weather part had me laughing with how much I identified with it. There are two sides to the British culture. "The great educated gentleman is obsolete and the fine lady is on a verge of collapse. " I'm telling him constantly how much I'd rather live somewhere else in Europe (somewhere cheaper, because yahh, it's way too expensive here) and somewhere where we could simply have a better quality of life. James, I'm sure you never heard of Carl Schmitt even though you're living in Germany who was a political philosopher. That changed everything. Sure, the in the average pub food isnt so amazing here. 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