I still love London. Before moving to the UAE, I worked in Central London for 11 years and lived in Surrey (Surbiton/Wimbledon way). It is still a nice part of the UK and London is an amazing city.

London has incredible architecture and fantastic history. A plethora of art galleries and museums, most of which are free to visit. On a nice day, you can walk miles across London and see so much of interest. Yes, it is expensive, yes it's a bit dirty, but there are far worse places to love. If you like theatre, opera, live music and dance - you are spoiled for choice.

Whilst parts of Surrey are pure suburbia, much of it is still very open and green. Probably at its best this time of year too. If you like walking, get some maps and you can walk through beautiful countryside for miles on public footpaths.

There is crime in London & Surrey, but again it varies depending on the areas. You just have to be rather more street-savvy than you have been in Abu Dhabi.

I think there is a lot of negativity on this forum about the UK, but those from there left for there wn reasons and those that want to leave are working up the nerve to do so. Please don't take much notice of the Daily Mail as it is a negative papers with a very anti-immigrant slant. No town/city.county is perfect, the UK certainly isn't, but it isn't all bad either. You will like the lovely pleasant summer days, pretty villages, beautiful buildings and humour in adversity. Generally non-aggressive driving will be a pleasure too!

Before anyone asks me why I left, it is because it was time to do something else with my life. I moved around a lot as a child, including overseas, so I wanted a different lifestyle. I didn't leave because I hated the UK.

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"Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it." Agatha Christie