Hi,
Some excellent responses and perspectives here which is exactly what I'd expect from the great members here!
Everyone and their families and their priorities are different but having said that, the 'fundamentals' are pretty much consistent.
Family life, kids, education, job/business stability and living life are always the staple concerns for pretty much everyone on this forum thinking of moving here. It all depends on what you'd like, what's realistic when you analyse everything and what you want to aim for for everyone in your family.
When politically, things were better in the UK, I'd mention aspects above and 'overall' I'd say to stay in the USA or move to another country if possible. Main reasons being for most immigrants coming here, the cost of living, salary expectations etc would mean a 'reduction' in standard of living / quality of life as a direct comparison to their situation in the USA. Of course, there's variances to this but 'overall' is what I mean.
Politically, the UK is in a precarious place and things aren't looking so great anymore longer term. The absolute mess that is Brexit, the mood and negativity from a large swathe of the UK population as regards to immigrants means it's a significantly worse looking country to move to. On balance, there is of course many areas ,places and institutions that are fantastic and world class and only you will know if your finances/disposable income can allow you to access them in the way you'd want for yourselves and your kids.
So in short, if those finances do allow you to perhaps send your kids to private school, get you a 4/5 bedroom spacious home in a middle upper to upper level area, get you the things in life you'd want for being comfortable and able to enjoy things the way you want, then absolutely, consider coming back and putting down permanent roots in spite of the anticipated reduction in the UK's economy and standings over the next few years. If not, or your careers and experiences for jobs/business etc look to be potentially more threatened, I'd suggest staying put or looking to see if other countries might/could be better suited.
To put into context (I've often mentioned my extended family and their careers) about 10 months or so ago, a relative from India came over to research on if he should bring himself and his wife and their 2 kids over. He's a specialist facial reconstruction surgeon and his wife is a Dentist. He spoke to his friends who are already here and also associates and acquaintances of theirs as well as myself and our family already here. Just before flying back, he asked me if £8-10,000 a month for him would be a good salary. Once his wife was over and working, another £6-7000 per month as well (private practice/companies). At that level of income, they'd be in the top 5% of earners in the country and would be able to live very comfortably indeed. A few weeks later, he mentioned he'd completely discounted the UK and one of the main reasons was that he didn't fancy coming here, having to perhaps work in the NHS to get UK medical experience and be subjected to racial abuse from patients that a good number of his friends and colleagues had told him had happened to them and really upset them. Quite a number have or were making plans to leave the UK once their contracts were over etc. So, he's now looking to Australia/NZ, Singapore etc and move in due course.
Again on balance, I know quite a number of people who have moved here recently and love it and wish to stay longer term, but with the caveat that if things do deteriorate with the after effects of Brexit, they'll quickly move and leave the UK for elsewhere.
Like KF Dancer mentions, if you can, see how Brexit unfolds over the next few years and in the meantime do your due diligence on how to move over given the goalposts for qualifying to move over might change. I think the UK government will make it easier for specialist skilled workers to come here, but I think those medical, engineering, construction, scientific etc people abroad who previously might've wanted to come here are now thinking to move elsewhere, meaning Brexiters will soon get a very rude wake up call.
Good luck in all your forthcoming research and if/when you do decide to come here
Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!
