To go back to the UK or stay in India

[ukdesi]

Hi All,


After a long break, I am back at a point in my life where the mind vs heart conflict has kicked off. I have been living in Kochi for the past 5 years and thoroughly enjoyed life here. As a family, we have had a couple of international vacations and numerous mini holidays and getaways. We have also been able to attend many weddings, funerals, family events etc and completely immersed in the social scene.


We are living with my parents and kids have had lot of love and care from them, and my wife's parents are only 30 min drive away. Sometimes, it's been an overdose and we find it challenging to discipline the boys. Also, the usual domestic issues between mum MIL and DIL - nothing major to worry.


Kids are going school and are in Year 1 of primary school (1st standard). I am generally happy with the level of education they are receiving, apart from some language/accent issues in English. We live in a gated community and they are having a blast, playing with other kids and just running/cycling around in general.


My work is OK, not very challenging but keeps me busy with the people management side. Work with the off shore team for the same UK company I was in London with, and my experience with their products is what keeps me in the job. That said, my importance reduces with every passing day, as the younger lot understand our products and technology.


Now, the reason for my post - I have a contract job offer paying 500£ day in London for six months, with possibility of extensions. This has kicked off my until now stable mind, and I am thinking is this a good opportunity to spend some time in the UK and get citizenship sorted for kids. We will need to live in the UK for at least 6 years, and spend around 30-35K pounds (roughly 35 lakhs) in the process. I will also not be able to save as much as I do now, as living expenses are very high in London. The idea was to get passports for the kids and return in 6 years (kids will be 12 yrs old then). I do not see my self living in UK for long as I personally like living in India. DW is easy and has asked me to decide based on my career aspirations and future for kids.


I would be pleased to hear your thoughts. Is this a risk worth taking for British citizenship for kids? Or would I be making it worse for them by moving them to UK now (age - 6) and returning when they are 12? Also, I might not find a job as comfortable and easy as the one I have now, when I decide to return in 6 years?


Thoughts please.

[puneri_punter]

I understand your interest in British Passport but please do thorough research about its use after Brexit (March 2019). It might not be as valuable. Most economist are of the opinion UK economy will take hit after Brexit. This adds a variable you might not have accounted for. Just some thoughts....

[g_senthil_mm]

I guess there is an option to apply for british citizen by descent. We did that for our second child born in India but both of us are british citizens. My first child was british citizen by naturalisation. Pls explore the descent option..you can apply at british embassy overseas.

[wd40]

If you move now, you should move with a view of settling down there. High chances you will start liking it there and decide to settle down there, especially for kids sake.

You can use this job as an entry point and then look for a job in a low cost location like Manchester.

Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk

[ukdesi]

@puneri_punter : Yes, Brexit is an issue. However, I do not see visa restrictions being introduced for visitors and travel. Working in Europe might need a work permit. But it is so very unclear now.

@g_senthil: I have explored this option. Unfortunately, it does not apply for us and my twin boys were born in India, before my naturalisation (I was on ILR).

@wd40: I have lived in the UK for almost 9 yrs before moving to India for last 5 yrs. I don't think there is anything new that will attract me, and therefore I am certain I would want to return. Don't get e wrong, I love a lot of things about London, and I am as British a desi you might ever find :). However, deep down I dont feel that connect. I am born and brought up in Mumbai and that chaos/ surprises in everyday life are wired into me. Also, the weather in UK make an already lazy person like me even more lethargic.
So if I go UK, it will be just for the kids and until they get their citizenship sorted.

Good suggestion about Manchester and I have given it a thought. However, London and rest of the UK I feel are two different countries. The lifestyle and exposure is massively different. Sometimes I feel, a city like Mumbai gives you more of an edge then a sedate city like Manchester. Also, job opportunities and wages are much lesser too.


Thank you all. Good to hear everyone's views. Look forward to others pitching in.

[Old-Spice2]

However, deep down I dont feel that connect. I am born and brought up in Mumbai and that chaos/ surprises in everyday life are wired into me. Also, the weather in UK make an already lazy person like me even more lethargic. .

Tell us more about this weather. I know Brits always talk about sunshine and rain. Is it really very grey and depressing? I was in London in Dec and it used to get dark by 3pm. That put me off but I was there only for 2 weeks. Don't know how it is rest of the year.

[CulturalWisdom]

Hi All,


After a long break, I am back at a point in my life where the mind vs heart conflict has kicked off. I have been living in Kochi for the past 5 years and thoroughly enjoyed life here. As a family, we have had a couple of international vacations and numerous mini holidays and getaways. We have also been able to attend many weddings, funerals, family events etc and completely immersed in the social scene.


We are living with my parents and kids have had lot of love and care from them, and my wife's parents are only 30 min drive away. Sometimes, it's been an overdose and we find it challenging to discipline the boys. Also, the usual domestic issues between mum MIL and DIL - nothing major to worry.


Kids are going school and are in Year 1 of primary school (1st standard). I am generally happy with the level of education they are receiving, apart from some language/accent issues in English. We live in a gated community and they are having a blast, playing with other kids and just running/cycling around in general.


My work is OK, not very challenging but keeps me busy with the people management side. Work with the off shore team for the same UK company I was in London with, and my experience with their products is what keeps me in the job. That said, my importance reduces with every passing day, as the younger lot understand our products and technology.


Now, the reason for my post - I have a contract job offer paying 500£ day in London for six months, with possibility of extensions. This has kicked off my until now stable mind, and I am thinking is this a good opportunity to spend some time in the UK and get citizenship sorted for kids. We will need to live in the UK for at least 6 years, and spend around 30-35K pounds (roughly 35 lakhs) in the process. I will also not be able to save as much as I do now, as living expenses are very high in London. The idea was to get passports for the kids and return in 6 years (kids will be 12 yrs old then). I do not see my self living in UK for long as I personally like living in India. DW is easy and has asked me to decide based on my career aspirations and future for kids.


I would be pleased to hear your thoughts. Is this a risk worth taking for British citizenship for kids? Or would I be making it worse for them by moving them to UK now (age - 6) and returning when they are 12? Also, I might not find a job as comfortable and easy as the one I have now, when I decide to return in 6 years?


Thoughts please.

Out of curiosity, why do you want to take British citizenship for them? And why do you want to move to the UK when you are very happy with your life in India? IMO it doesn't make sense to move to another country for only a few years and then move back, unless you really really have to (like for job..etc). I would say just stay put and enjoy. If your children want to move abroad when older, they can take care of those things for themselves. You just never know, they may never want to move out of India and hence getting a citizenship in another country wouldn't be of any use.

[Imissindia]

I see no harm in you moving to the UK for a while.
What are you losing? just a little bit of savings, that's all. In return, your children would get international exposure, your wife can experience living in Europe for a longer period and all of you can get a more prized passport. Right now is a good time as your parents are relatively young and healthy. You already have a job lined up and perhaps your wife could also work a little to further increase your income.

Living in Europe is fun as there are so many different countries around you. With tickets as cheap as 20 pounds, you can go to a new place even every month for a few days. If you do come back then all of you can enjoy India anyway but this opportunity might not come again. Yes the UK is cold and it rains a lot but India is HOT and it rains a lot in Kerala too!

[Trafford]

ukdesi

I concur to your statement that London and rest of UK are two different countries. PM me if you decide to go to Manchester as I have lived there long enough with good connections.

Its not an easy decision, however I wonder why rock the boat now only to return back in 6 years! If british citizen for kids is the primary motive, why not move when your elder one is aged around ~12yrs old or so so that he/ she can seamlessly transition into University as a local.

Also note that 500/ day is reasonable daily rate but not that great now a days due to London location + new taxations rules introduced few years back. Consider that as well.

All the best with your decision.

Rgds

@puneri_punter : Yes, Brexit is an issue. However, I do not see visa restrictions being introduced for visitors and travel. Working in Europe might need a work permit. But it is so very unclear now.

@g_senthil: I have explored this option. Unfortunately, it does not apply for us and my twin boys were born in India, before my naturalisation (I was on ILR).

@wd40: I have lived in the UK for almost 9 yrs before moving to India for last 5 yrs. I don't think there is anything new that will attract me, and therefore I am certain I would want to return. Don't get e wrong, I love a lot of things about London, and I am as British a desi you might ever find :). However, deep down I dont feel that connect. I am born and brought up in Mumbai and that chaos/ surprises in everyday life are wired into me. Also, the weather in UK make an already lazy person like me even more lethargic.
So if I go UK, it will be just for the kids and until they get their citizenship sorted.

Good suggestion about Manchester and I have given it a thought. However, London and rest of the UK I feel are two different countries. The lifestyle and exposure is massively different. Sometimes I feel, a city like Mumbai gives you more of an edge then a sedate city like Manchester. Also, job opportunities and wages are much lesser too.


Thank you all. Good to hear everyone's views. Look forward to others pitching in.

[ukdesi]

Out of curiosity, why do you want to take British citizenship for them? And why do you want to move to the UK when you are very happy with your life in India? IMO it doesn't make sense to move to another country for only a few years and then move back, unless you really really have to (like for job..etc). I would say just stay put and enjoy. If your children want to move abroad when older, they can take care of those things for themselves. You just never know, they may never want to move out of India and hence getting a citizenship in another country wouldn't be of any use.

It is true and something me and my wife think about a lot. Kids could chart their own destinies. But then at sometimes I feel, how the kids chart their futures might also depend on the exposures they get in their childhood and how well equipped they are. A strong passport opens up many avenues and 6 years of schooling in UK will also help broaden their horizons. However, most people I talk to agree that going to a top convent school/ private school in India (which is affordable) is almost always better than going to a public free school in UK. Also, schooling in UK is based on your neighbourhood and it's very tricky to get the right school being in the catchment etc etc..

In short, advantage to kids is a big unknown. It's almost like astrology :)