British expats living abroad miss the British countryside the most according to a new survey by Lloyds TSB International. Almost half of those questioned, 46%, chose the countryside as the thing they miss most while living abroad, with 85% of those living in the UAE choosing it as one of the three things they miss most from their homeland. The second most missed aspect of British life was humour, with 42% of expats choosing it, closely followed by pubs in the third place, selected by 41%.
The survey was conducted by questioning 1034 expats living in the 10 most popular expat destinations, including Australia, South Africa, Germany and the UAE. There were a number of country-specific differences. Those living in the UAE miss the countryside the most, which is not surprising, if one thinks of the UAE’s relatively deserted landscape, whilst those living in Germany, Canada and South Africa missed British humour even more. The least missed aspects of life in Britain were the weather and politics, which only collected 5% of expats‘ votes.
Despite missing some aspects of British life, most expats said that they are generally positive about their move abroad and their new life, with 68% saying that they are happier abroad. As Nicholas Boys Smith of Lloyds TSB International commented: “Often you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone so it speaks glowingly of our countryside that expats around the world miss it so much. Many expats have an element of the adventurer about them, but they still long for certain aspects of British life that some people here might take for granted.”
Other aspects of British life that expats tend to miss when they move abroad apart from their friends and family include British food, sports, British TV and the NHS. Whilst you might not be able to get a traditional British roast in a Spanish pub, watch British series on German TV or enjoy the NHS’s services abroad, you won’t have to completely give up these aspects of your life even if you are living overseas. You can cook a traditional British roast at home and invite your friends for a Sunday lunch, stock up on British food products when you are visiting the UK and buy all the DVD box sets for the series you think you’ll miss. In terms of health and social services, many European countries offer great levels of service, and if this is not available, you’ll still be able to access good quality private health care.
Some aspects of British life, such as the unique countryside and landscape or the atmosphere of British pubs cannot really be substituted by anything else abroad. Relocating, however, is also about exploring new cultures and traditions and finding ways to keep your own traditions alive. If you keep an open mind and find creative ways to bring aspects of your British life into your life abroad, you are bound to be happier and more fulfilled.
Leave us a comment and share your thoughts about what you miss most from life in the UK.
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