Interesting topic especially as we are getting ready to make our move over there in March, I think we are doing the right thing by keeping the house on here and I hope that will remove any feeling that we may have 'burned our bridges' We are moving over with an open mind, if we like it then we will stay, if not we will come back to the UK. Don't get me wrong, it was tempting to sell up and free up all of that cash, we even went around looking at all of those 3 story detached, roof terrace properties with a view to buying one, but then we thought, with just the two of us, why do we want to do this? So instead we are having our little house gutted and refitted with new kitchen, bathrooms, windows etc as we speak.
With both of us being retired, I wont let the bank queues and red tape wind me up, although I can see that if you are in a hurry then it would drive you mad. We have absolutely no intention of taking up any type of paid work although we are looking forward to helping out with 3Cs and Animal Aid in any way we can. I do get the bit about not feeling like you belong and I find it strange to think that it is me who will be the foreigner and probably treated accordingly. Healthcare is a bit of a worry as neither of us are getting any younger but I am sure we will sort something out. In a bit of a funny twist, I reckon we will see more of our family rather than less, for instance my Son who lives in Coventry is coming out for 2 weeks as is my Brother who lives in Hong Kong, there is no way I would see them on 14 days here.
So nothing ventured, nothing gained and fingers crossed.