Escaping from the UK...
Thanks to gwailo click to thread for the thread that inspired the creation of this one
(it will be easier to find here)
There must be many readers here looking for a way out.
To kick this off, here are some LINKs that you may find useful
Links: Escape Artist : Bulgaria Hotspot
Full Version: Escape from the UK
Dr. Bubb
Fame at last!
Seriously, there is so much doom and gloom in the UK these days, I am convinced that 50% of the populations would emmigrate if they could.
What ith a property price correction underway, many Brits will be trapped in Negative Equity for many years to come.......therefore dashing any hopes of 'escaping' from the UK.
This is what happnd when people borrow too much money........thay have to pay it back and they are effectively slaves for the rest of their working lives.
Cheers
Fame at last!
Seriously, there is so much doom and gloom in the UK these days, I am convinced that 50% of the populations would emmigrate if they could.
What ith a property price correction underway, many Brits will be trapped in Negative Equity for many years to come.......therefore dashing any hopes of 'escaping' from the UK.
This is what happnd when people borrow too much money........thay have to pay it back and they are effectively slaves for the rest of their working lives.
Cheers
(another repost)
Slaves?... Only if you want to be.
If one can detach himself/heself from the herd, you can have a decent quality of life. But this requires some independence-of-mind, and actions like:
1/ Rent, dont buy,
2/ Avoid brand name products,
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
4/ Seek out restaurants that provide wholesome food, rather than glamour,
5/ Make friends with those who have healthy values
IN SHORT, switch your brains off to the pernicious influences of television advertising, and decide you dont mind if your work colleagues find you a little eccentric
Slaves?... Only if you want to be.
If one can detach himself/heself from the herd, you can have a decent quality of life. But this requires some independence-of-mind, and actions like:
1/ Rent, dont buy,
2/ Avoid brand name products,
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
4/ Seek out restaurants that provide wholesome food, rather than glamour,
5/ Make friends with those who have healthy values
IN SHORT, switch your brains off to the pernicious influences of television advertising, and decide you dont mind if your work colleagues find you a little eccentric
A little while ago I mentioned about a friend going off to Spain to look at some developments. My advice to her, don't sign anything.
Guess what - she's gone and bought off plan.
And all the sales spiel came out as she was justifying it to me, I'm still in shock.
She also said that everything was being snapped up, lots of older people out there with the children (they were MEWing).
I said what about the stuff that's 2nd hand to coin a phrase - not interested.
Guess what - she's gone and bought off plan.
And all the sales spiel came out as she was justifying it to me, I'm still in shock.
She also said that everything was being snapped up, lots of older people out there with the children (they were MEWing).
I said what about the stuff that's 2nd hand to coin a phrase - not interested.
Disenchanted Britons head for the exit
Increasing numbers seeking new life abroad
Steven Morris
Friday November 5, 2004
The Guardian
http://travel.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,...1344279,00.html
At teatime today, as they do most weekdays, a fair share of those with leisure on their hands will be flopping down with a cup of tea and a biscuit and tuning into A Place in the Sun.
Not, for those out of the loop, the classic weepie starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor, but Channel 4's hugely successful series which finds homes in exotic locations - Marrakesh is the destination today - for Brits who fancy a change of scene.
New figures released by the Office of National Statistics yesterday suggest that such programmes are not simply a vicarious pleasure: a steadily increasing number of British people - and not just elderly retirees - are actually packing their bags and moving abroad.
According to the figures, 361,000 people left the UK last year. Of these, just under 191,000 were British, the highest level since the current method of collating the figures was introduced in the early 1990s.
The ONS statistics show that in 1994 only 125,000 British people upped and went, a figure which increased steadily until the late 1990s when there was a slight drop. In 2000 161,000 people packed their bags, and in 2002 186,000 left.
Of the 161,000, around a quarter were aged over 45 - and therefore likely to be members of the A Place in the Sun brigade. The other three-quarters, researchers believe, are made up primarily of adult workers moving abroad for a new challenge, or new posting, and their families.
John Salt, of the migration unit at University College London, said: "It's clear a sizeable majority are the sort who are buying a farmhouse in France and will, no doubt, appear on one of those TV programmes.
"But many more are younger people who are always in demand because they are English speakers and English speakers are always in demand. I think the improvement in the world economy over the last few years, in places like the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, has resulted in more people going."
Professor Salt, who has analysed the ONS figures, said the average age of those coming into the UK tended to be lower than that of those leaving.
Paul Arthur, director of the Cheshire-based Emigration Group which helps people leave the UK for New Zealand and Australia, was not surprised by the figures.
He said: "The number of inquiries we get from people who are interested in emigrating doubled last year and has grown by 25% again this. One of the most striking features is that three-quarters of the people who want to go to New Zealand or Australia to live have never even been there.
"It's not as if they've fallen in love with a place and want to go ... they've had enough of where they live and want away. We deal with a lot of younger families who have worries about the way the country is going."
The Place in the Sun gang are well catered for by companies such as Surrey-based Parador Properties, which runs "inspection tours" every week.
This year it will send around 6,500 couples to Spain alone to try to find their dream homes. The general manager, Nick Hamilton, said that of those around 40% would make moves to buy one of the places they had seen.
Parador Properties commissioned research from Mintel which found that Britons bought 84,000 homes in Spain between 2001 and 2003.
Increasing numbers seeking new life abroad
Steven Morris
Friday November 5, 2004
The Guardian
http://travel.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,...1344279,00.html
At teatime today, as they do most weekdays, a fair share of those with leisure on their hands will be flopping down with a cup of tea and a biscuit and tuning into A Place in the Sun.
Not, for those out of the loop, the classic weepie starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor, but Channel 4's hugely successful series which finds homes in exotic locations - Marrakesh is the destination today - for Brits who fancy a change of scene.
New figures released by the Office of National Statistics yesterday suggest that such programmes are not simply a vicarious pleasure: a steadily increasing number of British people - and not just elderly retirees - are actually packing their bags and moving abroad.
According to the figures, 361,000 people left the UK last year. Of these, just under 191,000 were British, the highest level since the current method of collating the figures was introduced in the early 1990s.
The ONS statistics show that in 1994 only 125,000 British people upped and went, a figure which increased steadily until the late 1990s when there was a slight drop. In 2000 161,000 people packed their bags, and in 2002 186,000 left.
Of the 161,000, around a quarter were aged over 45 - and therefore likely to be members of the A Place in the Sun brigade. The other three-quarters, researchers believe, are made up primarily of adult workers moving abroad for a new challenge, or new posting, and their families.
John Salt, of the migration unit at University College London, said: "It's clear a sizeable majority are the sort who are buying a farmhouse in France and will, no doubt, appear on one of those TV programmes.
"But many more are younger people who are always in demand because they are English speakers and English speakers are always in demand. I think the improvement in the world economy over the last few years, in places like the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, has resulted in more people going."
Professor Salt, who has analysed the ONS figures, said the average age of those coming into the UK tended to be lower than that of those leaving.
Paul Arthur, director of the Cheshire-based Emigration Group which helps people leave the UK for New Zealand and Australia, was not surprised by the figures.
He said: "The number of inquiries we get from people who are interested in emigrating doubled last year and has grown by 25% again this. One of the most striking features is that three-quarters of the people who want to go to New Zealand or Australia to live have never even been there.
"It's not as if they've fallen in love with a place and want to go ... they've had enough of where they live and want away. We deal with a lot of younger families who have worries about the way the country is going."
The Place in the Sun gang are well catered for by companies such as Surrey-based Parador Properties, which runs "inspection tours" every week.
This year it will send around 6,500 couples to Spain alone to try to find their dream homes. The general manager, Nick Hamilton, said that of those around 40% would make moves to buy one of the places they had seen.
Parador Properties commissioned research from Mintel which found that Britons bought 84,000 homes in Spain between 2001 and 2003.
In 2002 we visited spain several times, via easy jet, we travelled independantly, finding accomodation on internet, paying in euros most of the time. No problems, finding the most amazing property's to stay, in mercia, mojacar, almeria, ronda, east and west of malaga until we found a home to purchase inland no more than 60 mins from Malaga airport that would suit as as a bolt hole until we could "God willing" move to more permanentley. We organised property viewing at home via the internet with local independant agents, and made sure we had a good english speaking local spanish lawyer. We wanted a re-sale property not a new build and wanted to be in a Spanish community with local shops, bars and in an area that is protected from excessive building. In feb 2004 we are now the proud owners of a small 2 bed townhouse with the most wonderful views of mountains in the heart of the sierra de las nieves, and have sent our 1st spanish christmas cards one to an english ex pat couple and one to a spanish couple, both who are now firm friends and keep an eye on our property. Happy Christmas and a great new year. 
QUOTE(Gwailo @ Oct 16 2004, 02:50 AM)
there is so much doom and gloom in the UK these days, I am convinced that 50% of the populations would emmigrate if they could.
To get away from all the "place in the sun" progs?
QUOTE(DrBubb @ Oct 16 2004, 08:45 AM)
(another repost)
Slaves?... Only if you want to be.
If one can detach himself/heself from the herd, you can have a decent quality of life. But this requires some independence-of-mind, and actions like:
1/ Rent, dont buy,
2/ Avoid brand name products,
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
4/ Seek out restaurants that provide wholesome food, rather than glamour,
5/ Make friends with those who have healthy values
IN SHORT, switch your brains off to the pernicious influences of television advertising, and decide you dont mind if your work colleagues find you a little eccentric
Slaves?... Only if you want to be.
If one can detach himself/heself from the herd, you can have a decent quality of life. But this requires some independence-of-mind, and actions like:
1/ Rent, dont buy,
2/ Avoid brand name products,
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
4/ Seek out restaurants that provide wholesome food, rather than glamour,
5/ Make friends with those who have healthy values
IN SHORT, switch your brains off to the pernicious influences of television advertising, and decide you dont mind if your work colleagues find you a little eccentric
Interesting piece this Dr Bubb.
In 1999 I got divorced and instead of joining the herd and buying a flat I bought a canal boat for £13000. Had a great time for 2 years; freedom, no mortage, no rent and very low running costs. It's a great way to live but have to have a friend or relative willing to provide a residential address. You would be amazed at how many people actually live unofficially on the UK rivers and canals. I have worked abroad since 2001 and have completely missed the property boat. but what the hell. I live in Hong Kong now in a company provided apartment and having the time of my life. My only asset is a £9000 sailing boat I keep in Malaysia for holidays (£22/month storage) and I save about £1500/ month in a building society account (4.75% interest). My family and friends in the UK think I am mad not to own a UK property and I am sure I will never be rich, but I never have to worry about debt repayments either. My company pension may well turn out to be crap but it will provide plenty enough for my retirement in Asia (cost of living in Thailand is about 1/3 of the UK). There is more to life than paying a mortgage, stripping wall paper and mowing the lawn on Sundays, as you say.......... there are alternatives.
thnx for those comments, Walker
I too find something fascinating about Canal boats.
My girlfriend and I took a canalboat holiday on Wales last year, and had a great time. I have had some thoughts of moving to another country, and keeping a boat here as a base. Probably nothing will come from it.
Or perhaps it will, I am looking an investment in a 10-flat building project in Bulgaria. If I go ahead with it, I may keep one flat for personal use, as a base there.
Meantime, my gf has finished her Phd thesis and is moving to London from Oxford. Her plan is to build up something we call "TheChinaNetwork" which will give investors here a chance to see investment opportunites in China and neighboring countries. She is from Hongkong, and plans to travel back there early next year. I used to live in HK myself, so have an interest in goings-on out there.
I know HK has been through a tough time over the past decade or so, but recovery is happening. How is life for expats there?
I too find something fascinating about Canal boats.
My girlfriend and I took a canalboat holiday on Wales last year, and had a great time. I have had some thoughts of moving to another country, and keeping a boat here as a base. Probably nothing will come from it.
Or perhaps it will, I am looking an investment in a 10-flat building project in Bulgaria. If I go ahead with it, I may keep one flat for personal use, as a base there.
Meantime, my gf has finished her Phd thesis and is moving to London from Oxford. Her plan is to build up something we call "TheChinaNetwork" which will give investors here a chance to see investment opportunites in China and neighboring countries. She is from Hongkong, and plans to travel back there early next year. I used to live in HK myself, so have an interest in goings-on out there.
I know HK has been through a tough time over the past decade or so, but recovery is happening. How is life for expats there?
QUOTE(walker127 @ Dec 23 2004, 08:05 AM)
Interesting piece this Dr Bubb.
In 1999 I got divorced and instead of joining the herd and buying a flat I bought a canal boat for £13000. Had a great time for 2 years; freedom, no mortage, no rent and very low running costs. It's a great way to live but have to have a friend or relative willing to provide a residential address. You would be amazed at how many people actually live unofficially on the UK rivers and canals. I have worked abroad since 2001 and have completely missed the property boat. but what the hell. I live in Hong Kong now in a company provided apartment and having the time of my life. My only asset is a £9000 sailing boat I keep in Malaysia for holidays (£22/month storage) and I save about £1500/ month in a building society account (4.75% interest). My family and friends in the UK think I am mad not to own a UK property and I am sure I will never be rich, but I never have to worry about debt repayments either. My company pension may well turn out to be crap but it will provide plenty enough for my retirement in Asia (cost of living in Thailand is about 1/3 of the UK). There is more to life than paying a mortgage, stripping wall paper and mowing the lawn on Sundays, as you say.......... there are alternatives.
In 1999 I got divorced and instead of joining the herd and buying a flat I bought a canal boat for £13000. Had a great time for 2 years; freedom, no mortage, no rent and very low running costs. It's a great way to live but have to have a friend or relative willing to provide a residential address. You would be amazed at how many people actually live unofficially on the UK rivers and canals. I have worked abroad since 2001 and have completely missed the property boat. but what the hell. I live in Hong Kong now in a company provided apartment and having the time of my life. My only asset is a £9000 sailing boat I keep in Malaysia for holidays (£22/month storage) and I save about £1500/ month in a building society account (4.75% interest). My family and friends in the UK think I am mad not to own a UK property and I am sure I will never be rich, but I never have to worry about debt repayments either. My company pension may well turn out to be crap but it will provide plenty enough for my retirement in Asia (cost of living in Thailand is about 1/3 of the UK). There is more to life than paying a mortgage, stripping wall paper and mowing the lawn on Sundays, as you say.......... there are alternatives.
Mate,
Welcome to the show!
I also live in Hong Kong, wonderful place eh?
Unlike yourself, I do have a property in the UK which I bought in 1996, so I guess it is 'worth' a lot of cash (no mortgage......all paid off in 18 months).
Despite my apparent 'wealth' and vested interest in property prices remaining high in the UK...............I really worry about the UK economy, the poor buggers who just graduated from University, all those 'normal' people who have got into way too much debt etc.
Sky high property prices have more or less killed the UK and whilst the vast majority of property owners think they are rich.....in fact they are just taxing the next generation!
Anyway, I NEVER intend to live in the UK again, Asia is the place for me & I plan to retire, (early cos I will be able to afford it), to Malaysia.
What people in the UK don't understand is that being debt/mortgage free give you freedom!
Merry Christmas!
Gwailo,
Happy Christmas to you, as well.
I wonder if you and Walker could consider doing me a favor?
Could you have a look at this website (#..199):
http://www.thechinanetwork.com/
This is just a mock-up of a site that my girlfriend (in photo) will be building. The idea is to bring China and Asia-related business opportunities to investors based in the UK. Initially, she will be focussing upon publicly-quoted companies (on UK, Toronto, Hongkong, or Shanghai exchanges) that are seeking to have an investor base in London.
Can you recommend any companies doing business in China, that she should interview? She will be traveling to Hongkong and Shanghai in February or March. And we will try to organised a handful of interviews for that trip.
BTW, if you never intend to live in the UK again, why not sell you property here?
Thanks, and enjoy the holidays
Happy Christmas to you, as well.
I wonder if you and Walker could consider doing me a favor?
Could you have a look at this website (#..199):
http://www.thechinanetwork.com/
This is just a mock-up of a site that my girlfriend (in photo) will be building. The idea is to bring China and Asia-related business opportunities to investors based in the UK. Initially, she will be focussing upon publicly-quoted companies (on UK, Toronto, Hongkong, or Shanghai exchanges) that are seeking to have an investor base in London.
Can you recommend any companies doing business in China, that she should interview? She will be traveling to Hongkong and Shanghai in February or March. And we will try to organised a handful of interviews for that trip.
BTW, if you never intend to live in the UK again, why not sell you property here?
Thanks, and enjoy the holidays
QUOTE(DrBubb @ Dec 24 2004, 09:23 AM)
Gwailo,
Happy Christmas to you, as well.
I wonder if you and Walker could consider doing me a favor?
Could you have a look at this website (#..199):
http://www.thechinanetwork.com/
This is just a mock-up of a site that my girlfriend (in photo) will be building. The idea is to bring China and Asia-related business opportunities to investors based in the UK. Initially, she will be focussing upon publicly-quoted companies (on UK, Toronto, Hongkong, or Shanghai exchanges) that are seeking to have an investor base in London.
Can you recommend any companies doing business in China, that she should interview? She will be traveling to Hongkong and Shanghai in February or March. And we will try to organised a handful of interviews for that trip.
BTW, if you never intend to live in the UK again, why not sell you property here?
Thanks, and enjoy the holidays
Happy Christmas to you, as well.
I wonder if you and Walker could consider doing me a favor?
Could you have a look at this website (#..199):
http://www.thechinanetwork.com/
This is just a mock-up of a site that my girlfriend (in photo) will be building. The idea is to bring China and Asia-related business opportunities to investors based in the UK. Initially, she will be focussing upon publicly-quoted companies (on UK, Toronto, Hongkong, or Shanghai exchanges) that are seeking to have an investor base in London.
Can you recommend any companies doing business in China, that she should interview? She will be traveling to Hongkong and Shanghai in February or March. And we will try to organised a handful of interviews for that trip.
BTW, if you never intend to live in the UK again, why not sell you property here?
Thanks, and enjoy the holidays
Dr.B
Merry Christmas to you!
OK, no worries......I will certainly take a look at the web-site and see what I can do to assist.
I work for a very large Corporation here that has lots of PRC business, which is growing all the time (sometimes I have to travel to Beijing myself for the company).
I could maybe hook your wife up to someone in the Corportation for an interview, but it may have to 'unofficial'.......Corporate Relations and all that.
I wish I could sell the house in the UK, but due to family reasons the sale will have to wait for at least 18 months.......by then it could all be over? (i.e. major crash).
If that is the case, I might just hang on to it until the market is 'favourable' again, after all I don't need the cash and there is no outstanding mortgage.........no debts make life a lot easier.
Once again, Merry Christmas!
Gwailo
QUOTE(DrBubb @ Dec 24 2004, 08:23 AM)
Gwailo,
Happy Christmas to you, as well.
I wonder if you and Walker could consider doing me a favor?
Could you have a look at this website (#..199):
http://www.thechinanetwork.com/
This is just a mock-up of a site that my girlfriend (in photo) will be building. The idea is to bring China and Asia-related business opportunities to investors based in the UK. Initially, she will be focussing upon publicly-quoted companies (on UK, Toronto, Hongkong, or Shanghai exchanges) that are seeking to have an investor base in London.
Can you recommend any companies doing business in China, that she should interview? She will be traveling to Hongkong and Shanghai in February or March. And we will try to organised a handful of interviews for that trip.
Happy Christmas to you, as well.
I wonder if you and Walker could consider doing me a favor?
Could you have a look at this website (#..199):
http://www.thechinanetwork.com/
This is just a mock-up of a site that my girlfriend (in photo) will be building. The idea is to bring China and Asia-related business opportunities to investors based in the UK. Initially, she will be focussing upon publicly-quoted companies (on UK, Toronto, Hongkong, or Shanghai exchanges) that are seeking to have an investor base in London.
Can you recommend any companies doing business in China, that she should interview? She will be traveling to Hongkong and Shanghai in February or March. And we will try to organised a handful of interviews for that trip.
Dr Bubb
I can't really help you on this one, I am just a construction engineer working for a company building power stations. What I can say is talking to the local guys, most of the rich people living here Hong Kong are from the mainland. One guy 'Gordon Woo' ran a company called 'Hopewell Enterprises' wanted to build a large luxury hotel in Guanzao. He couldn't because there wasn't sufficient electricity supply infrastructure to the area. His answer:- he raised the money and built a 1 Billion US$ power station in Shajou, near Taiping. I worked on it for 8 months and that was 10 years ago. He built his hotels, other industrial giants have moved in and the area has grown at an outstanding pace. From the number of BMW's, Mercedes and Porsh's I see driving around Hong Kong there has to be a lot of money to be made if you know what you are doing.
Yes, I remember Gordon Wu from my own days in Hongkong.
Impressive guy: has vision, gets things done
Impressive guy: has vision, gets things done
In cvase it slips off the Main discussion roster,
here's a link to a thread with the same topic:
"Is Everyone Leaving?"
http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/ind...&st=40&p=53465&
here's a link to a thread with the same topic:
"Is Everyone Leaving?"
http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/ind...&st=40&p=53465&
QUOTE(DrBubb @ Oct 16 2004, 06:45 PM)
(another repost)
Slaves?... Only if you want to be.
If one can detach himself/heself from the herd, you can have a decent quality of life. But this requires some independence-of-mind, and actions like:
1/ Rent, dont buy,
2/ Avoid brand name products,
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
4/ Seek out restaurants that provide wholesome food, rather than glamour,
5/ Make friends with those who have healthy values
IN SHORT, switch your brains off to the pernicious influences of television advertising, and decide you dont mind if your work colleagues find you a little eccentric
Slaves?... Only if you want to be.
If one can detach himself/heself from the herd, you can have a decent quality of life. But this requires some independence-of-mind, and actions like:
1/ Rent, dont buy,
2/ Avoid brand name products,
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
4/ Seek out restaurants that provide wholesome food, rather than glamour,
5/ Make friends with those who have healthy values
IN SHORT, switch your brains off to the pernicious influences of television advertising, and decide you dont mind if your work colleagues find you a little eccentric
Great post. Two thumbs up
QUOTE(DrBubb @ Oct 16 2004, 09:45 AM)
3/ Buy a car for transportation, rather than status. Consider a motor bike or a push bike instead. Walk alot
The turbo on my 92 Toyota celcia gt4 went pop over christmas. Anyway i decided to buy a bike in halfords last weekend, £59 quid for a nice one, and i have been getting the train putting my bike on the train and cycling the last two miles in birmingham. Its fantastic, its faster than commuting the 30 miles in my car, and alot cheaper. Just a shame about the two hills i have to go up and down....
I'm fascinated with Hong Kong (used to live on Lamma Island) and sometimes wonder if it's worth buying a place over there. Do you know what a flat on lamma costs or what the yields are?
If interested in the topic "Escaping from the UK", you may find some tips here: britons abroad for emigrants in general and especially for brits living in Bulgaria.
And be happy
J.
And be happy
J.
I left UK in 1993 for HK - work for one of the old hongs.
Property has swung up alot since SARS. One good thing about HK property is that it is pretty liquid - as a flat is a flat is a flat - and so is easier to trade - the market clears FAST both up and down. There is in fact a market in lease backs too.
Sorry, the website sucks. Too general. China is way beyond that now.
Webb-site.com is a fun read (plus he is a good investor)
Property has swung up alot since SARS. One good thing about HK property is that it is pretty liquid - as a flat is a flat is a flat - and so is easier to trade - the market clears FAST both up and down. There is in fact a market in lease backs too.
Sorry, the website sucks. Too general. China is way beyond that now.
Webb-site.com is a fun read (plus he is a good investor)
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