Now that we are on fackbuck we just dont post anymore but this is worthwhile noting...

Email sent to UK friends: I know its been touched on at various conversations but I would really like your opinion on how much the UK has changed over the last couple of years in terms of jobs, cost of things, resources, space, house prices, racial tensions, education, places to live?

Jim and I do like it here and there are some great elements but equally we are coming back to the UK for good, but its just a case of when and where so it would be good to get an idea of where things stand as the media can give biased views. When we come back for a visit next year March/April ish we will be assessing things ourselves but you are there, you are feeling, seeing any effects so........

some responses....
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Well, the recession is supposed to be over and really, unless you have been made redundant, it's actually been easier here because interest rates have been so low. So we've found that, coupled with the urge to pull our belts in, which we really really have until last month, we've been much much better off. However, there are still businesses making cuts to workforces. Unemployment is still high. But from what I can ascertain, the people who are shit at their jobs tend to be culled and there is still ALWAYS work for people who are good at their jobs.

In real terms, houses are MUCH MUCH cheaper now. Prices North of London have fallen by as much as 20%, possibly more. It's a good time to buy and if you rent, there are loads of rental properties on the market from people who have not been able to sell, making rent cheaper. Del & Joanne were saying that their buyer dropped out 3 times with a broken chain but they stuck with her because it really is a buyer's market - especially up north. I think securing a mortgage is much harder than before though but if you sold in Auz, you'd have a deposit so that would make things much easier.

Racial tensions are no different and vary from area to area. I work with all black and minority ethnic people and detect no acrimony from muslims at all. I think the 9/11 frenzy has died a death. I do know the government are starting to get tough with turfing out refugees because we also have a refugee support organisation in our building at work and they are being deported constantly now, especially with Judge Pickles ruling that immigrants should go home and take the idea of Big Society with them!

So...I have to say, that our lives have improved over the last couple of years because of the fall in interest rates. It could climb back up again but people say the Bank of England won't do that for a while. If you got a job in advance of coming back, you'd be sorted. The BBC is moving pretty much lock, stock to Manchester, so Jim might be able to get graphics/digital/animation work there. Dunno. As for the weather....well, you KNOW that's shit, so no surprises, although we did get some fantastic snow last year! A proper white Xmas! Plus, obviously, comedy, music etc... is fabsky over here.
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The Carr Seven Word Summary:


stay where you are for a bit.

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Crikey, takes a lot of thinking about i guess. The easy things first
-let me think about the rest. Shopping is ok for now but back to home
cooking and careful planning will be the way forward and no frivilous
eating out for the sake of it. The VAT rise for January will effect
everyone a great deal especially with household goods and electrical
items and the price of cotton is going up worldwide so no more cheap
primark bargains to be really had. Again a more frugal approach to life
would be encouraged.

Its a buyers market at the moment in some areas. Skipton has not
suffered really in the housing market.

I will think about the other stuff. Keep on line with British newspapers
would be a good idea.
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More to come......