Did the backpacker thing in Australia at 28 after several years of dissilusuionment at the state of pay, Taxes, House prices, Incompetent government, and the deep feeling of no future in the UK. My god! what an eye opener coming to oz was for me!!! I have been here nearly 2 years now and absolutely love it. I now work on the mines in West Australia and get paid 3 times as much as i did in the UK and my living costs are half, so that makes me six times better off! Also the people are so much more genuine and freindly here, Public services and health arn't a problem 'cause most earn a good living to pay for such services as they are not OVERTAXED!!!!. HELLO Mr Blair! No wonder the highest No. of people leaving your migrant infested country are going to OZ!

colin fisher, Fremantle, Western Australia

I left Staffordshire 3 years ago, sojourned awhile in the USA, am now permanently moving to central Germany.

There are things I still miss about Staffs and the UK, but the overcrowding, loss of community, the dour countenance of England just wore me down.

Now, I can't bear to even think of living in the UK. Germany has its own annoyances esp. the taxes though they are getting much better. But there's something about the German cities I like so much, that I couldn't find in the UK. They're clean, much less litter, to my pleasant surprise the people very warm and welcoming, but more than that-- there's a civic spirit in the German towns, a great pride in their people and achievements and such inspiration in the city architecture and in the spirit of invention, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Everything from the German shops to the great halls is somehow cosy yet simultaneously magnificent. And for us Anglophones, German is remarkably similar, an easy language to learn.

Thom, Wiesbaden, Germany,

Everything once lovable about Britain is either dead or on its last gasp.

What I hate most is the refusal of so many of us to face up to this situation. With little industry and a big trade deficit the future looks bleak. We are simply uncompetitive.

The government spends all its time preaching 'equality' and 'diversity'. This will not serve us well when we have to compete against other nations that have, instead, sought to cultivate and encourage excellence. Anyway, 'equality' here just makes me thing of Orwell's Animal Farm: "All men are equal, but some are more equal than others..."

I'm off too. Feel some regrets about leaving my relatives but apart from them I won't miss very much.

Whoever leaves last - please turn off the lights.

Stacey, London,

Many people fail to correctly research their ideal spot, particularly baby boomers and retirees, which can lead to heartache. Having travellled researched over 200 locations in Australia for our books 'Where To Retire In Australia' , it is essential that people take the time to look at areas and issues properly to ensure they do find their paradise.

Jill Weeks, Victoria, Australia

I have lived and worked abroad for the last 10 years in Pakistan and the UAE after living and working in Wales and Scotland.
Whilst remaining proud of my welsh heritage, an incompetant government who believe in avoiding issues such as the pension scandal, the health service, and responsibility crime and protection of the public,
means that i will continue to live and work where I will provide for myself and my family.

Jones, Dubai, UAE

Everyone has the right to their place in the sun, we found ours - in Florida. Housing is a fraction of the price it would cost in the U.K. Cost of living? less than in London and better value. The people are kind, considerate, and welcoming. We have met many ex-pats, none of whom would give a thought to returning 'home'.
This isn't 'knocking' England, it just isn't the place in which we were raised; so much has changed, and in our view, not for the better. Immigrants used to regard England as their new home, not so to-day. So many use our country as a post office, without any thought or knowledge of English history or culture, very sad. We are fast becoming a divided nation by race and religion instead of a one bound together by loyalty, with a common bond under the Church and Crown, and freedom to follow any faith we wished.

Alan Finkle, Port St.Lucie, Florida, U.S.A.

Yeah, Carlos you forgot to say, horrible earthquakes in Chile!!
I'd rather stay in the UK or go instead to neighbour Argentina!

Gary, London,

Having just returned from Australia on a holiday I would go back there tomorrow if it wasn't for commitments to elderly parents.

The UK suffers from an incompetent government, incompetent civil servants, poor infrastructure, taxes that are too high, housing costs that are too high and I am sick to death of having to pay out more and more to support those who sponge off our welfare state.

Despite extra billions poured into the Health Service we have little to show for it. In fact the biggest change I have noticed at my GP's surgery is a nice little row of Porches . Congratulations to the doctors for outwitting the Government but let's sack the civil servant who negotiated that deal.

richard, effingham, surrey

I believe there really are numerous and diverse reasons as to why people are leaving the UK. On the one hand you could be an explorer, someone who has a hunger to discover and experience new cultures, new people, new experiences, more nature etc etc, or, on the other hand you could be someone that feels disillusioned with the UK, the political climate and consumerism.

The opportunities available for people to experience other countries has increased beyond belief. Advances in technology mean that not only do we have more information available as to where to go and what to do, but our means of communicating across the globe also means that distance becomes far more irrelevant in maintaining relationships. Combine this with the fact that air travel is more accessible to the masses - and it is hardly surprising that people are leaving England to explore pastures new - no matter what their reasons are.

www.escapengland.blogspot.com

Tina, Bury St Edmunds, England

I really believe people who bash their own nation do so to justify their feelings of inadequacy/insecurity in chosing to leave. I myself left because life was easy and I needed new challenges...oh and and houses were too expensive. Turns out I have landed in inflation central (Argentina) and houses are still too expensive. I am happy but still feel passionately proud about Europe, every single piece of its rich tapestry of history and culture. My parents enjoy a wonderful NHS service in UK that can only be bought here. My friends recent trip to Londons says it all " 2 weeks wasn't enough to enjoy the wonderful sights". Stop moaning all you exUkers. Travel is meant to broaden not shrink the mind. Enjoy the expat experience but don't knock your fellow men for staying and contributing either...horses for courses!

Fiona Agnew, Buenos Aires,

It depends on what you want from life. I moved last June from the UK to Athens, Greece. The language barrier is very hard to overcome, and cost of living (groceries, housing) is sometimes more here than in the UK.
BUT, I am living in a society that puts family and children first, I can walk from the bus stop to my flat after midnight and not be scared, the people are not xenophobic, and for EUR 5 I can enjoy a drink on the beach or take a ferry to a nearby island for less than a tenner. The quality of life is far superior here. Sorry Britain!

Maria, Athens, Greece

I am happy where I live. That I believe must be the first criteria for following a lifestyle of contentment. This part of the world is idyllic with the ocean and the mountains providing breathtaking panorama daily.I lived in Eastern Canada for almost forty years and never regretted leaving Scotland, mainly because I was fully and gainfully employed and had loving family to share with and still maintain the close ties with extended family members back in the land of my birth.Subsequent to retiring we moved three thousand miles in the same country to settle this side of the Rockies and again we are successful in our choice of location.My advice to anyone who is planning to emigrate whether it be to France, China or Timbucto is to learn to assimilate to the culture and stop comparing it to what was left behind. I return to the UK frequently and I accept everything as it is and share and enjoy with friends and family their lifestyle while I am there. On returning home I don't criticize.

Harry Geenwood, West Vancouver, BC, Canada

Regarding the letter from Fred Marconi,you forgot to mention we don't have stamp duty ,we don't have I.H.T.We also don't have national insurance either.So come on Fred give us a fair shake of the dice.If 30,000 come here it can't be all that bad. Oh I forgot we only have 4 millon people here as well.As I have always said to people who are not happy here,you are not chained ,it's only a flight home to paradise.[u.k]P.S.petrol 54 pence a litre.

G.Parker, Auckland, New Zealand.

For the life of me I can not understand why any young person starting a family does not go somewhere else to bring up their children, Life is so much better in countries like Australia and SA they are far better placse to raise children schooling is at least as good and probably better, London is a very excitieng place for those in their late teens and early 20s, but once you have settleing down do it else where, I my self took my young family to SA in 1982, one is now in Sweden and the other in Australia, super I spend a lot of my life visiting them. Very Cool!!!!!!!

Michael Rudd, Barking, Essex

I left the UK a few years ago for Canada and while life here is not perfect it is better in many ways than London. I have not regretted laving even once though there of course have been doubts about jobs etc. London, while I enjoyed its variety, was too crowded, too many traffic problems, dirty and has too many thugs and yobs around.
What I miss from London is the amazing variety of shopping, restaurants and theatres. You will not realise how good these are until you migrate. I especially miss the Marks and Spencer food court - I cannot find anywhere near the same quality and variety here. Also the public transport system is far more extensive in London.

Rory, Toronto, Canada

I know this is anecdotal, but I would swear the top destination for the British is here in Colorado. The strange thing is that they're all entrepreneurial and work like dogs creating enormous wealth. If all that talent is leaving Britain, where does that leave those who choose to stay behind ?

J. Fiennes, Denver, Colorado, USA

Such negative views of Britain expressed here . But the not distant future holds unpleasant shocks for us all . Therefore,develop some inner vision and watch your pockets!

David Wake, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire

'Escape to the country' now escape the country'. When you are rich enough you seek a more comfortable lifestyle when you are able or young enough or an adventurer.

It all startend with the industrial revolution, people moving from the country to the towns. The transport revolution brought people to the countryside, and eventually were rich enough to live there in their autumn years. Now, we have cheap international travel and communications (internet, telephones even mobiles and satellite TV-the premiership football and soaps when you live abroad). No longer do you have to be in the UK to enjoy its benefits. Except when you become old and infirm then its a care home somewhere in the UK, but who cares where because by that time you do not care, as you have had it all. Things don't change that much, we are never happy until we are somewhere else, being aspirational and chasing the lifestyle dream because we can afford it. Can we speak a foreign language, or just BBQ with Brits.

DJ, Gloucester, Gloucestershire

We left Britain for Canada 3 years ago for all of the following reasons: armies of murderous Chavs; mad mullahs and their extended families living off benefits; hospital waiting list that are so long, they're death sentences; a burgeoning culture of debt and binge drinking; crazy house prices; mindless & motiveless violence, and kids getting stabbed at school.

Some people might consider all of the above, just part of the rich tapestry of British life, and sure we miss the banter; the football; the quality t.v. But the streets are safe at night, and at least now we don't have to worry about offending Muslims by celebrating Christmas.

Paul, Vancouver, Canada

I lived in the UK for 7 years (too long) - drunk yobs everywhere when you tried to have a "nigh-out", fat english girls in clothes 5 x too small and too short - the exuberantly high-living costs, bad public services infrastructure, racism, - its a country in a spiral downwards whivh is accelarating it into a future of failure. England is a truly horrible place to live in a so called "western civilisation" !!!

andrew, Seoul,

Just to let you know that Western Australia is in the middle of the most extraordinary boom and we are desperate for skilled workers. Unemployment is 2.7%, the standard of living puts UK to shame and the lifestyle is unbelievable. 300 sunny days a year! And guess what, UK is only 24hrs away! I go home to England every year to visit family and friends and it is brilliant for a holiday. But live there...Never!

howard parkinson, Perth, Australia

All great nations have their day, then fall. Great Britain had its day in the industrial revolution that propelled it to a leading world power in the Victorian era.
Now it is falling behind as its infrastructure slowly decays and other nations are ascendant. So there is little wonder that brits are packing their bags for new hope in places like Australia. Those Brits returning often have a dreamy view of a Britain long gone, and consequently end up dissapointed.
Conversely, immigrants from places such as India are perhaps headed the wrong way. Their country is on the up. Their industries such as steel and cars are growing to be world super powers as Britains industry has rusted away.

Richard Ward, Greensboro, NC, USA

Congratulations to all those who have left the UK. Welcome to a world where you can afford to buy a house, with lower crime rates, better health care, better public transport, etc.......

Simon Maclennan, Bremen, Germany

Many people come to the Uk as a stepping off point to migrate elsewhere. hence the churn of people. What we are seeing today in the Uk is incompetent people management by the various government depts of UK PLC. No large company would allow such poor manpower planning.
The net inflow of people is causing social unrest, no question about that. Organised crime is up, racist gangs flourish and our national behaviour standards are being subverted at all levels. When you challenge bad behaviour the racist card is played on many occasions.
The rate of change of the population is happenning too fast at a level that is socially unbalancing and unsustainable.

Like it or not, if the Canadian experience of people fleeing Toronto to other areas due to their immigration policies is a measure then our similar practices could partially explain why so many people are leaving UK PLC.

Low Fare airlines are also responsible for the increased flow of migrating people. Check it out.

N McAllister, Bridge of Weir, Scotland

The quality of life in the UK is appalling. Congested roads, catastrophically bad (and unhealthy) food, high cost of housing and living, terrible climate, overcrowding and queues everywhere (getting worse as a result of out-of-control immigration policies), high levels of crime, yob culture, etc. etc.

I'm certainly glad I was able to leave for good.

A couple of numbers not included in these statistics that it would be interesting to know:-

1. The number of people who are, for various reasons, 'trapped' in the UK but would leave if they could (in my experience this is about 95% of all people over 40).

2. The number of people who 'unofficially' enter the UK every year.

Jon Leigh, Southern, France

I left UK a decade ago and for whatever regrets I might have, I have watched the UK get worse and worse. It's become a society that spies on itself, CCTV, ASBOs etc. Its become a society that encouages irrational thinking, funds religious schools, and has a PM who has deep religious convictions., all of which I despise. He's even tried to get a blasphemy law.
They now talk of monitering our childrens behaviour. They want ID cards, carbon cards and to track your car. All of which will lead to corruption on a major level.
Frankly its worse than Orwell ever imagined it could be.
And finally the UK seems content to let primitive cultures and belief systems consume it, back to the Dark Ages. no wonder we all leave. It seems having a point of view isn't an option in Blairsd Britain.

Stephen Thomas, Moscow, Russia

Left four years ago for the French Caribbean and wouldn't move back for all the tea in China. I have to visit my mother at some point, and tremble at the thought of going back. Will probably spend two days, then head for Provence.

When anyone says England to me I think of overweight yobs with shaved heads and baggy jeans, council estates (filled with hate), cookie cut shopping centres, having some crusty shoving the Big Issue in my face, roadside archicture and motorway service stations.

Frankly, the place is overpopulated, fit to to burst.

None of my best friends are still in the UK. US, Spain, and Australia

Here no tax, virtually no crime, no racial tension, no building higher than a coconut tree, 85° year round. 22 beaches, 80 top class restaurants. 8 square miles. No litter, no beggars. Paradise!

James Daltrey, St Barthelemy, French West Indies

I have lived in SIngapore / Hong Kong for 12 years and now wish to return to the UK but it is proving an impossible decision. TAxes, house prices, school quality and social violence are all barriers to returning. I am fortunate to earn a good salary but this would disappear by the burgeoning tax regime in the UK. I can forsee me staying abroad for 2-3 more years, or until their is a change of government. The brain drain causing a net loss of wealth will continue until Britain becomes an attractive place for qualified, and high earning people, with children.

G. Allen, Singapore, Singapore

I came to work in Bulgaria 9 years ago, initially on a one year contract. Having experienced life here I would not go back to england to live although I like to go and stay for a few months each year. I think London is a fantastic city, and growing up there was great , but as an adult i found the 9-5 life style a bit grim. Biggest problem is the cost of housing. This is building up a social divide. The next generation will be either homeowners with inherited property or equity, or disenfranchised with no chance of working to get a deposit and afford a home. With no decent public housing left this is a serious situation. The high cost of housing benefits banks but not the owners unless they emigrate and cash in the asset.........

Andy Anderson, Rousse, Bulgaria

Having lived and worked overseas for the last 8 years, I can honestly say I have not seen or heard of any drugs, hoodies, shootings, muggings or road rage. I am not up my a**e about the price of my house or the value of my pension, and I am certainly not at all interested in those of my neighbours or friends.

I greet all of my workmates, family and friends with a genuine handshake or kisses on the cheek whenever I meet them, and am not interested in cash for honours or any of the headlines in today's UK newspapers. (I don't have to even want to think about women filming their children fighting - for fun !)

I have no problem whatsoever in carrying my ID card wherever I go, and show it to whoever wants to see it because I have no reason not to.

Despite being proud to be British I am afraid life back on the island has no appeal to me any more, and as other readers have pointed out - the weather sucks.

Greg, Istanbul, Turkey

New Labour has brought about mass immigration. Mind everyone, it is the British people that have voted for Blair for three straight times. I presume those who remain in the UK would not mind living in a multi-raicial, crime-ridden society as long as there were promises of tax cuts( which never materialized) and good standard of social services ( the standard is actually falling). Are the British voters so naive or just simply stupid? Can anyone dares to give me an answer?

James Wong, Macau,

Since the labour government came to power the country has gone to the dogs. Despite unprecedented increases in tax, public services are a disgrace and the roads a joke. The breakdown of the family unit, respect for others, antisocial behaviour, crime and an appalling education system are among the many reasons I have come to live in Spain which has none of these traits that are now part of British life. I used to be proud of being British, unfortunately I am not so proud now.

Susan Rand, Malaga, Spain

Hence the huge pressure on the housing market, why we have overcrowded roads, why the NHS waiting lists are so long, why the social fabric of the country is so fragmented and brittle, why the demographic changes are making this country practically unrecognisable in record time.
These are just the official statistics so reality would be an even more startling number.
This government has silenced all debate on this sensitive issue by shrieking 'racism' as soon as anyone questions the wisdom of endorsing inward migration on a monumental scale.
As Blair has told us all, he's 'bovvered'

Rick, London, England

I emigrated over 30 years ago to California. Although a true blue Brit, the quality of my life has been infinitely better than it would have been at home. When I go back and escort my Dad to the doctor's or deal with trying to find a parking space or sit in motorway traffic, I understand the sense of the decision I made. But I shall always be homesick and I still watch the cricket scores and read BBC news and the Times before I read the local press - better coverage of world news..

Anne, Santa Rosa, USA / CA

.. and why not. For most ordinary people in UK who want to work a little harder to earn more, it is not worth it. The stealth taxes of the present government, the mismanagement of funds, and the sheer gross incompetence of the UK politicians have gradually eroded all that was Great in Great Britain.
With political correctness we have ruined our education system so that pass rates for mediocre exams are now more important than excellence of results.
The respect for each other that was part of our culture has been eroded by heavy handed government intervention in family life and school discipline. Its very funny to listen to politicians lamenting the "yob culture" now prevalent in UK while offering little answers. A simple look in the mirror would help to explain most of our problems.
So many more reasons, but as much as I love the UK where I was born why should I pay over the odds for the things that used to define us as a country but which have been demeaned, dismantled and destroyed

James, KL , Malaysia

Canada:

"I'm from England and migrated to Australia with my husband 10 years ago. We have never stopped missing the British culture and although the weather is hopeless, the richness of British music, humour and life in general is something that you just can't get here in Australia. But you can't beat the weather! Carly, Melbourne, Australia"

Here is pretty much the same, though the weather has its extremes. Neither the sophistication, dress sense nor the general good manners are here but otherwise Canada is quite passable. The cost of university for our children worries us but we can always send them home to Blighty if the UK is charging less.

Why did we leave? I got sick of banging my head against a career brick wall in England and being given spurious reasons for not getting an interview: age and (mixed-) race likely played very significant parts I'm sure.

David G., Toronto, Canada

I am not happy with all the immigration into the UK at all. It does not make me happy, I am surprised to see that African countries are not up there, where I live in London its Polish/other Eastern Europeans and Africans who seem to have flooded the area. Being concerned about immigration is not racism its quite simply a concern for SPACE, this island is too crowded and I don't want it getting even worse wiping out green spaces and the like. The immigration is not two way even with the majority of countries flooding us.

Kim Hanson, London,

Two thirds from Pakistan and Bangladesh, you'll be islamic in no time!! Thumbs up Britain.

Steve, Seattle, WA

As a Mexican doing posgradutaes students in U.K. (Birmingham) from 1993 to 2001, I can say that our family experience was not only wonderful but also very rich in all the ways. We learned a lot about this magnificient country and its people, and this was, nevertheless the sometimes very short economical resources that we had along our stay. However, we remember England as our second home and we will always do it. Even, the long and hatred winters are part of our wonderful experience and we really miss them.
Would we go back to U.K. to live for a few years again? Our answer is: positive! God bless England!

Dr. Jaime E. Contreras Diaz, Puebla, Puebla, Mexico

Im a Brit who left the UK more than 5 years ago to live in Thailand. I love Britain, but I just cannot afford to live there when I can live so much better overseas. I have met hundreds of ex-pats who came here from britain and all say the same thing.. now we have experienced all that living overseas can offer, there is no way back.

Andrew, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Hence the huge pressure on the housing market, why we have overcrowded roads, why the NHS waiting lists are so long, why the social fabric of the country is so fragmented and brittle, why the demographic changes are making this country practically unrecognisable and all in record time.
These are just the OFFICIAL statistics so reality would be even more startling.
This government has silenced all debate on this sensitive issue by shrieking 'racism' as soon as anyone questions the wisdom of endorsing inward migration on a monumental scale.
As for Blair has shown us all and told us all, he's 'bovvered'

Rick, London, England

I'm from England and migrated to Australia with my husband 10 years ago. We have never stopped missing the British culture and although the weather is hopeless, the richness of British music, humour and life in general is something that you just can't get here in Australia. But you can't beat the weather!

Carly, Melbourne, Australia

As someone who moved to the UK five years ago, I am a little bemused by all this. All the criticisms of the UK are justified and people who are leaving the country are doing it for sound reasons.

BUT, most countries in the West have the same problems (or other problems that are far worse) - the US has runaway illegal immigration which is destroying its best cities (parts of LA are now a war zone) and dangerous levels of gun crime, Canada has high taxes and rising crime and much of Western Europe is overtaxed to the death. The only country in the West which seems to be in good shape on balance is Australia - for the moment. But in ten years, who knows.

What I have realised is this: to be able to live well, you need $$$$$$! If you have that life is cool no matter where you live. And that's what I am working on!

Jacob, London,

On a different note I've lived in Madrid for 6 years and I love it here. The climate - all of Spain is a ride down the road, the culture, the history, etc.

Having said all that I'd move back. why?, the beautiful countryside, London, real pubs, real beer, gardens, football, cricket, rugby and being emersed in so much history and culture.

It's swings and roundabouts. Australia has a lot to offer but it feels all a bit too much plastic

John James, Madrid, Spain

If you are all that unhappy, go away and never come back. To take an Australian phrase you sound like a typical bunch of whingeing poms, who will all vote conservative from abroad while contributing nothing here. Go away and enjoy the gun culture in America and its enlightened government that makes it easier to buy a gun than a drink. Look at this weeks headlines ant try that for fun. Enjoy South Africa and its crime rate. Enjoy the wonderful climate abroad but dont forget skin cancer. Dont get poor in America and be without health insurance. Good bye and good luck, would rather have anyone in the country rather than you.

Bob, London, UK

I moved to South Africa in 1999 from London. Best decision I have made in my life. Great career opportunities here than I could have ever hoped for in England. Over 300 days of sunshine isn't too shabby either. Great quality of life - mountains, sea, game reserves, winelands all within easy reach. All my pals in the UK are whinging about crime, the high cost of living and on and on. You might think the crime is bad (and it is) but my RSA born wife was mugged twice in London (the 2nd time she was nearly killed). Africa, however certainly isn't for sissies! I love it here and I don't think we will be going back!

Gordon Guy, Johannesburg, RSA

I left the UK in April 2005 to move to Switzerland. I have no intention of ever moving back, either! We have lovely summers, snowy winters. I live in a small village (2900 population) as opposed to a dirty English city. I live in the beautiful green countryside with a view of the mountains. Air is clean, public transport is reliable, taxes are fair, people are friendly. Could one wish for more? I think not! My advice to those English who are miffed with he state of their country - learn a foreign language and then move to a country which works. As a proud Englishman it hurts to say that but as someone who wants to lead a good, happy and healthy life it's my advice!!

Steve, Lucerne land, Switzerland

I think that Pippo McPippen and Carlos Adamson have highlighted all the good reasons for moving away! I have moved to a mediterranean climate, where wine costs less than €1.50 a bottle, and good food is the only food you can easily buy cheaply!
The downside is the wierdly inept bureaucracy and the psychotic driving....where is this haven? Naples! I'm not so far away from my family as I would be in Chile or Bangkok, but I have found that generally, life is more pleasant!!! The winters here, especially; where the temperature doesn't stay below 0° for months and it doesn't rain for months either..... pity, because here it's not so green as that "green and pleasant land", I miss English breakfasts too! Italians don't know what bacon is, of the English-style of bread!

Tim Mellor, Naples, Italy

Only 69K from Poland ? Oh, these are the *official* numbers :)

The UK's de facto open door policy is causing massive resentment and will end in tears unless the government admits it and then does something constructive about it rather than spin and halftruths.

Stan(expat), USA, USA

Carlos - tell me more, a lot more...

Bob, Thames Ditton, UK

As one who left New Zealand over a decade ago, I'll be interested to hear what Julie thinks of NZ after a year or two and she discovers a health system that can cost up to $80 a doctor's visit (not free as here on the NHS), rising interest rates, rising crime, anti-social youth behaviour and political correctness even more rampant than here - Muslims can wear veils for driving licence photos and smacking children has all but been banned.

She'll may also find she bought a shoddily-built leaky wooden house with no central heat, and then there's the appallingly discourteous driving and as many sneakily hidden mobile speed cameras as we have fixed. And so on. It's interesting that the number of Kiwis coming to the UK is close to the number of Brits setting out for the Shakey Isles.

Like many Brit expats, I'm sure Julie will enjoy the experience but the climate isn't as good as they say (way more rain and wind than here ) and the grass isn't necessarily any greener. Just different.

Fred Marconi, Birmingham,

While the weather is a pretty poor excuse to leave a country behind, the infrastructure (or crumbling thereof) is not. I left to go to Moscow two years ago and haven't given moving back permanently too much thought. Sure, i snows here for three or four months a year and the summer only lasts as long as that in Britain, but I earn more, am taxed less and find that, overall, that it's a better place to live.

Whilst I wouldn't bring kids up here, I'd say the same about Britain. Over-regulation is only a problem when those regulations are pointless. In the UK they haven't improved the quality of life and instead stifle creativity, choice and, occasionally, the will to live. Tax is too high and it pays for nothing - schools, hospitals and the transport network are a shambles and crime is endemic. Okay, so other Western European countris are having similar problems, but that's not an excuse to stay. It's an excuse to leap from the sinking ship of EUrope.

Mike, Moscow, Russian Federation,

Come on down pommies (no offence intended) your welcome might need to bring some water with you,lol.
Just stay away from sydney as it is on the way down crime house prices so on just like london,but most places are ok .

david reid, goulburn, australia

I was born and raised in London but moved to the states at 18 to study. I graduated university and now I applying for a work visa to live here. I desperately don't want to back to England and my family has encouraged me to stay out here. But why? First off, everything here is a lot less expensive and you get paid the same if not more in pretty much any given profession. The schools are better, the healthcare more efficient and to be honest I don't miss the yob culture that is becoming so prevalent back home.

Ryan Wickens, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

I left the UK years ago, coming originally from the north east, had a belly full of poor services and no real jobs. I have lived in Holland now for nore than 20 years and although their political situation is similar to the UK, the services generally leave the UK standing. However with the advent of some privatisation, there is certainly a whiff of decline in the transport system. The hospitals are excellent but waiting times are getting longer as was in the UK, but generally the system functions well. A clean and prosperous land, it does however share some upcoming problems similar to the UK at present. We are overtaxed, the euro crippled many people when introduced and the interference from the EU is evident in many areas, not that positive either as they have thrown away billions of euros on stupid, not well thought out schemes. Whatever happens in the future, they will have to re-think open borders, just like the UK.

Dave, Groningen, NL

I left Europe for the US and althougth I miss Spain and Cambridge were a went to school I have to say that is better here in America. Cheaper housing, I own a 3 bedroom house with garage , swiming pool and two american cars. That i could never have with the prices over in Europe. And we have BBC america!!!

F.Bonmati, New Jersey, USA

Welcome to our world :)

J. Cotton, Cincinnati, US

canyou seriously blame people for leaving? A trashy government, infastructure, pensions, law and order, you name it its been trashed. Blair does not want the type of person who leaves to stay here, they will always be voting against him and his thoroughly unpleasant crew.

Roger Jones, kettering, england

I lived in the UK for 7 years (too long) - drunk yobs everywhere when you tried to have a "nigh-out", fat english girls in clothes 5 x too small and too short - the exuberantly high-living costs, bad public services infrastructure, racism, - its a country in a spiral downwards whivh is accelarating it into a future of failure. England is a truly horrible place to live in a so called "western civilisation" !!!

andrew, Hamburg,

Population migration is a natural and healthy process, one which has taken place since the dawn of mankind. I for one welcome all immigrants to Britain, we are a country founded and shaped by hundreds of years of immigration from all over the world. This has created a culture of inventiveness, determination, resilience and tolerance which should be celebrated and not despised. It is all very well for wealthy, middle class people to retire to places like Spain and then bang on about how much better it is than Britain. These people move there with piles of money which they have made through their lives here, so obviously their standard of living is higher in a country with a less robust economy. I am personally sick of the constant complaining, one British trait we could do without.

R King , Norwich, UK

I emigrated to Australia in 1982 and have never looked back. Britain is crowded, expensive and dirty. The weather is usually crap. The only thing I miss is good comedy. And Indian food presented in the English way.

Kevin, Darwin, Australia

Everyone's different and nowhere is perfect. At least the UK has a fairly good justice system, nowhere near as corrupt as, say, Thailand. As well as this, I for one enjoy the mild temperatures which kind of makes sense seeing as I grew up here. Just do your research before you emigrate and you'll be happy with your chosen destination, wherever that may be.

ben, London, England

I moved to South Africa in 1999 and have not looked back. Best decision my wife and I ever made. Wasn't easy initially but we made it work (Africa isn't for sissies). Great career opportunities (better than what i ever could have had in London), great quality of life ( beaches, game reserves, mountains, winelands) and 300+ days of sunshine. All my mates in the Uk complain all the time about how bad it is there. You might think that crime is bad here (and it is) my RSA born wife was mugged twice in London (the 2nd time really badly). Don't think we are going back in a hurry though. We love it here!

Gordon Guy, Johannesburg, RSA

I am in the queue to emigrate to Canada - why - massive taxes, enormous cost of living, failing public services, failing infrastructure, poor educational services, massive intrusive bureacracy and poor environment in the UK. (The list goes on, but anyone who lives here will get the picture.

Peter, London, UK

Samuel in Brisbane; Having come from another country, how does the health care coverage work ? Have always thought about Australia, but my health care coverage would stop once I left the states.

Mike Hermsen, Omaha, Nebraska/U.S.A.

I left Canada to live in England. Unfortunately, circumstances called me away. However, when retirement comes, I will return to the country that I have always loved.

James E Storms, Lovund, Norway

Not suprised, the UK is slowly turning into an amusment park for tourists, people who want to work outside of the service industries have fewer and fewer options but to go abroad without evenconsidering tax and crime. I love the UK and will be back but only once I am ready and old enogh to work for B&Q whilst living in a secure enviroment... might be a while then.

Andrew Campbell, Shanghai,

I'm one of those leaving for New Zealand shortly. I'm sick of this country - it's high taxes, rubbish health and education systems. This government has destroyed England as we know it. I can't afford to even buy a flat here, but I have now got a 3 bedroom house in NZ.

NZ also made me go through a very thorough emigration procedure, involving police checks, medicals, and proof of qualifications and English. Maybe if this happened in England we wouldn't have the number of unskilled, non-English speaking migrants that are draining our resources and ruining this country moving here.

Julie, Oxford, England

We left to come to Australia 2 years ago. The rising crime rate, poor weather and poor quality of life drew us to australia. Hey no where is ideal but considering the population we hope where we are will take a few years before this becomes to similar to England!
Having said that some things about england we miss, such as the countryside and the BBC!!!!

Samuel, Brisbane, Australia

As somebody who lived in the UK for a couple of years, I'm not surprised to hear that there is a bit of a rush to head off... sodding climate, high cost of living, high-minded attitude, crappy public services and stifling regulations, what other reason do you want? Oh yeah, and you can keep your road taxes and cameras too...

Pippo McPippen, Bangkok, Thailand

Fortunately you have all missed the ultimate destination! Chile.
Where else in the world can you find a a warm med climate without that spanish humidity, police like our own bobbies, quality wine at 1.50 a bottle diesel at 44p a lire and property prices from the 1960's?
The country is blossoming fast booming economy and great economic oportunities,size of UK and france combined with 15 million population.
Shhh dont tell anyone else.
Carlos

Carlos Adamson, Laguna Torca, Curico

I think it is the fault of the British Government that so many expatriates prefer to stay overseas for ever. Anyone who stays away too long has the normal privileges of citizenship slowly withdrawn across quite a wide range of benefits - education, hospitals, voting rights, and even jobs. In the end all one has is a British passport. This might seem quite sensible from a fiscal point-of-view, but nations are made up of cultures and sentiment. People can become quite upset to be told by their own government in Westminster that they no longer really belong. On a purely accounting basis, citizens who pay their own way in life benefit the country, but you would not think this to be the case from government comment. British embassies also do not have a job of maintaining morale among British citizens. Foreign embassies often take great pride in being hospitable to their own people, but one wonders what instructions British ambassadors have - spend little on citizens overseas.

BrianLewis, Manila, Philippines

What I wouldn't give to be one of the 50,000 US citizens able to emigrate to Britain; my husband and I would leave tomorrow if we could.

Cheak, Shakopee, Minnesota, USA

I've moved to Oz.
The Labour's Britain ain't no place for the white man.
Ancestors in every war we ever fought - what a waste of time....

max b, sydney, australia

The numbers speak for themselves. The other reason why is the way the British government treats its own citizens. Why stay in a country that looks after immigrants better then its own? I plan on never returning the UK even for work because it is simply no longer financially viable for me to buy a house, look after a family etc. on what has to be some of the worst blue collar pay in the world. The UK is no longer a country for its own but a country for everyone else to immigrant to and be looked after by the government. This is what happens with weak immigration laws and a weaker government that simply steals from everyone and gives back only a tiny percentage of what it takes. Long live Britannia I think not.

Steve, Perth, Australia

My response to Mike is only anecdotal but I don't think it's as simple as he makes out. My family left Australia for Britain seven years ago and we have no intention of moving back. I can't think of one Australian family we've met over the past seven years - and we've met many - that has gone back. There's no ideological reason behind it (ie. Howard hating, etc...) - we just prefer the lifestyle, the proximity to Europe, and the opportunities it offers professionals and academics who are at a certain stage in their careers. Australia is a fantastic country, of that there's no doubt. But in all the years I lived there, I lost count of the time work colleagues would groan about getting to London or New York where they could seriously advance.
The numbers quoted above surprise even me. But they should be a check to those England bashers who assume that this country is finished. (And have you seen house prices in Melbourne recently?)

David, Cambridge,

Mike, as you must surely know, the Brits are Olympic champions in whinging. It's a national sport and deeply imbedded into the country's DNA. It also has a tradition of emigration for several hundred years. Nothing changes! There may be some greater urgency for the young to try overseas now because of the impossibly high housing orices which are a reflection of failed planning policies.

William Thomson, Manila, Philippines

If the water situation continues in Oz, there'll be even more coming back to the 'mother country'; unless they opt for NZ, but they have limited jobs available for them, there. It's gonna be a problem!

Peter Day, Doncaster, Yorkshire

Most people in the UK without inherited wealth below 34 (or whatever current or likely future age where buying a house may become a possibility) may have a better chance of doing that elsewhere.

A significant and increasing number of others who have figured they are paying more than a fair proportion of their income in tax, or who have been unfairly treated without apparent redress as a result of covered up mistake are also likely to weigh that against any advantages of staying.

Rational choice is based on accurate information, and when that is withheld, distorted or covered up it may also be time for a rethink.

When mass emigration is under way on this scale, one may be reasonably sure that it is based on perception not necessarily lacking validity.

dr venables preller, Warminster, UK

I'd really like to see what the long-term figures were for all those Australians, Kiwis, Americans, South Africans etc who supposedly "immigrated" into the UK. My guess is that the great majority are there for just a short time - 1 or 2 years - on a 'working' holiday or studying. What these figures really show, and what is most disturbing is that the racial make-up of the British isles is actually changing far faster than the "official" figures show. If 100 immigrants arrive from, say, India and 100 'Anglo Saxon' British persons leave, the net 'racial change' effect is far greater than it first appears.

Is there any other so called first world, western country where the original populace is so dramatically unhappy? Nearly every comment I read in the British press has a statement such as 'I can't wait to get out of this place!' The figures certainly bear this out.

Mike, Perth, Australia