Should i emigrate from the uk

In one poignant section, animator Kate Anderson brings to life old paintings and etchings of those leaving and those left behind. Podcasts by broadcaster Mukti Jain Campion are packed with information and emotion.

Artist Dawn Parsonage exhibits portraits of contemporary Britons taken just before they fly off to new lands. Their eyes are bright with hope yet shadowed with uncertainty.

But unlike most other migrants, with their British passports and English language, these leavers can go where they please. It is the dividend of empire. In , the buccaneers John Hawkins and Francis Drake entered the lucrative slave trade. Soon afterwards they were aggressively claiming territories overseas.

In , a group of English settlers arrived at a place they named Jamestown, on what is now the US east coast. They did not fare well. The Pilgrim Fathers — aggrieved, religious puritans — crossed a vast ocean in to get away from the established Church of England. He was one of 11 children, four of whom perished young. His mother, Olive, was English. Her father died of TB when she was 10, leaving her mother to raise three children, before she died in Emigration promised a new beginning. We lived in seven different lodgings in our first two years.

Olive loved the freedom from class barriers and the open spaces. Barry, now a historian, became a teacher, got a PhD, and was awarded the Order of Australia.

Between and , two-thirds of those who sailed westwards ended up in Barbados. As the British empire grew, the outflux swelled. The indigenous peoples of North America, Australia and New Zealand were crushed and decimated; fertile lands in Kenya, Rhodesia — named after the fanatical imperialist, Cecil Rhodes, in what now forms Zimbabwe and Zambia — South Africa, Burma, Assam and elsewhere were stolen.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the UK was the biggest exporter of people in the history of the world. Convicts were transported, some for as little as stealing a handkerchief or a rabbit. The Enclosure Acts, legitimising land larceny, had driven out smallholders and peasants. They drifted to urban areas, there to often be exploited to death by industrialists, criminalised or deported. Churches and charitable organisations backed the social cleansing. Countless wretched souls, dreamers, gold prospectors and strivers voluntarily migrated.

Or that the suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst relocated to Ethiopia and died there? Or that in , folk left Wales for Patagonia and created a Welsh-speaking enclave?

Fifty thousand Patagonians have this heritage. Seductive government posters encouraged Britons to move to the colonies. Before the pandemic, Britons could still get cheap special fares to migrate there.

Meanwhile, Australia keeps asylum seekers on remote islands where they are wasting away. A disproportionate number of talented, rich and famous individuals have descended from British emigrants.

Its location, with nine bordering countries, means that your next trip abroad might be a short car trip away! British expat population : 65, There is a strong pensioner presence in most Italian provinces, especially amongst expats. In fact, Italy is home to 16 million retirees. Its glorious weather, low cost of living , and excellent health care system is what draws in thousands of British pensioners each year. On the flip side, this prosperous country is also perfect for those after a lively city life.

In cities like Milan, Rome, and Turin, you'll find streets full of life, restaurants teeming with customers, and bars bouncing through the night. Whether you move to somewhere as close as Ireland, or as far as Australia, shipping your belongings can seem like an intimidating task.

All you have to do is answer a few questions about your big move, and our suppliers will be in touch with tailored quotes. Beth hails from Shropshire, famously the inspiration for Tolkien's Shire. Although short, she is not a hobbit. Combining her passion for both travel and writing, she's here to help you with your big move abroad.

Our site is reader-supported — by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. Learn More. Australia British expat population : 1,, The USA British expat population : , Canada British expat population : , Spain British expat population : , Ireland British expat population : , New Zealand British expat population : , France British expat population : , Benefits of living in the US include high wages and potential rewards for those with a bit of do-it-alone pioneer spirit, a safe setting for the families, and efficient infrastructure that brands structures in education and healthcare in the USA as some of the top ranking in the world — but only for those who can afford them.

As a disadvantage, the USA provides limited aid for those in need of financial support. In addition, as a consequence of the global economic recession, rivalry for work in the USA has been significantly more prevalent. In spite of this expats are notorious for coming to the US with ambition and new concepts, which is highly valued in the economy — there is sufficient opportunity to make a mark and live a thriving life-style.

Canada is successfully getting out of the recession and despite a slight rise in unemployment figures, immigration levels have remained more or less the same. What attracts so many people is the great lifestyle prospects, such as, exceptional healthcare and education , a low crime rate, working democracy and approachable people. Canada also has some of the most magnificent landscapes in the world and the air and water quality are extremely high.

Canada is also highly regulated with high taxes and a high cost of living, which are some of the things that might get you down. Workers that are in high demand are those with the skills of biologists, scientists, architects, chefs, plumbers, electricians, nurses, dentists and social workers. If your occupation falls into this category your applications for a visa will be a breeze. Applicants for permanent residency to Canada as federal skilled workers enjoy a simplified application process.

Only one form and fee is required to guarantee you a place in the processing queue. Points are awarded based on education, age, work experience, adaptability, English or French skills and arranged employment. It consistently places as the second most popular end points for British of all generations.

The sun also brings more opportunities to enjoy the Great Outdoors. There are copious amounts of understated towns and untouched stretches of coast to be explored. There is also an astonishing variety of landscapes to explore: from the wilds of Galicia, to the green hills and forests of the Basque country, and the majestic Picos de Europa or national parks.

Spain has become noticeably more expensive, especially since the euro came into effect in Nevertheless, prices for property, petrol, food and alcohol — to name just a few items — are still lower than you find in the UK.

Regardless of price, the food and wine are worth savouring. Spain is an enormous country, and its customs and way of life vary widely from region to region. Nevertheless, there are some central tenets that make life in Spain attractive.

For example, fiestas remain to be an important piece of the Spanish timetable. At a more personal level, Spanish families tend to be close-knit, with plenty of contact across the generations. Then there is the well-known Spanish pace of life.

While the speed may be picking up in the cities, Spain in general continues a more stress-free approach to timekeeping and the dictates of the clock than we do in Britain. While Britain share a lot of history and many traditions, New Zealand is a much greener and less crowded country than the UK. The pace is relatively relaxed in New Zealand, the scenery has plenty to offer — glorious sandy beaches, great native forests, mountains, lakes, rivers and fjords.

If you move to New Zealand, you will have time to explore the lot as well as experiencing the unique New Zealand culture. You will have easy access to quality education. In this beautiful country you can enjoy the weather, because the climate is generally warm with dry summers and fairly mild, wet winters. However, immigrating to New Zealand is probably one of the best choices you could make for your family.

Along with affordable, quality education, excellent healthcare and public facilities. Your children will be able to get closer to nature and enjoy sports, recreation and adventure activities that are just that much harder to access in the UK. In spite of its stormy political history, South Africa has gradually become a great destination for expats, and Cape Town is unquestionably one of the most popular cities to live in.

But, why do people want to up and move to South Africa?