We quit the UK as we were sick of costs – people say my reasons are ‘silly’ but I got parking fines while giving BIRTH
A FAMILY who swapped out the rainy UK weather for the Thailand sunshine have been criticised over the ''silly'' reasons for leaving the country.
Chloe Airs ditched the UK for Thailand with her two tots and hubby last year after growing sick and tired of the rising costs, and claimed the move has since transformed their lives.
The couple, who ''wanted to be a part of a different culture and community'', hadn't visited the country prior to boarding the 17-hour flight - and haven't looked back since.
''We actually fell in love with how easy life was here compared to in the UK. Every place that we travelled to felt like a total dream,'' said Chloe who works at a British international school.
According to the mum-of-two, they often get asked why they decided to leave and start a new chapter abroad - and there are numerous reasons behind this.
Chloe, who now calls her adorable tots ''beach babies'', explained the costs in the UK were ''ridiculous'' and that even those who work full-time jobs ''can't afford'' a comfortable lifestyle.
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Before ditching the gloomy UK weather, Chloe and her hubby were covering bills that ''cost more'' than their mortgage.
''Our electricity bill was around £200 per month. It was over £100 to put fuel in the car. Gas costs a fortune and it's always freezing,'' she said in .
''People are becoming ill because it costs too much to keep themselves fed properly, warm and with a roof over their heads.''
The couple, who regularly share snippets of their daily life on @ on TikTok, were also fed up with the ''unbearable'' weather and the constant rain.
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''We spent so much time indoors with the kids because it wasn't enjoyable for them to be out for long.''
Venting about life in the UK, the mum-of-two added she wanted a more ''vibrant place'' for her little ones to grow up in, as the local play areas ''were mostly run down or dirty''.
''The better ones were usually quite far from the centre of anywhere, making it difficult for people to access them, also too expensive for most.
''We didn't want them to go to school all day and then when they finished it was cold, dark and wet, so they were stuck inside at night-time too.''
As well as lamenting the ''work-life balance'', Chloe explained the couple were tired of the parking fines - and claimed she was once fined twice whilst ''giving birth''.
She said: ''Hospital staff are also fined in some areas for parking at the hospital.
''Teachers have been fined for parking at their school. They are given out by the council, but also shops, supermarkets, gyms, hotels and pretty much everywhere.''
'Not feeling safe'
Whilst still living in the UK, Chloe admitted that she ''didn't feel safe going out alone at night'' or when out and about in daytime with barely anyone on the street.
''I wouldn't take a taxi by myself - it's common for females to feel this way.
''People barely allow their children to go out to play further than their street or garden. You can't leave anything in your car in case someone breaks in.''
Since starting their life in Thailand, the mum-of-two reckons safety is no longer such a major issue, saying: ''I couldn't believe when we moved and realised how different things here are.''
As well as slamming the government for having ''taxes for everything'', Chloe hated to see the high streets which have become ''bare'' and shops closing down ''all the time''.
''Even big chains are going out of business - life wasn't the same as it was when we were kids.
''There was no buzz or sense of community. We wanted to go somewhere that had that buzz and sense of community - and we found it.''
She wrote in the caption: ''We hope we can inspire you if you are also unhappy with life in the UK. There is a whole world out there.''
How easy is it to move abroad?
Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving:
- Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
- Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
- Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
- If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad - contact the .
- You can sign up to the Royal Mail's .
- If you have outstanding student loans, contact the .
- If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.
'Silly' reasons
The video has since sparked a fierce debate - whilst some agreed with Chloe, others thought her reasonings for leaving the country were ''silly'.
''i feel like parking fines is such a silly point lol,'' wrote one person.
Another chimed in: ''I think most countries are the same.''
A third said: ''I kinda see all your points and could even add more, but all countries have their own issues and currently there’s no place I’d rather be than (moved here in 2016 from Moscow).''
''I’ve never earned so much money and been so poor at the same time. The cost of living crisis is TOUGH,'' a person agreed with what Chloe said.
''I am so unhappy here, working so much and barely having anything left, or absolutely having no life in order to save a bit of money for a holiday.
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''I really want to leave, its not the country i grew up,'' wrote another one who was eager to start a life elsewhere.
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