To put this in context.... when we all went back home for a holiday at Christmas time in 2005, my younger brother told me not to let my boys wander around on their own through the towns and villages (as they were used to doing in NZ) as they would be a "prime target" because they had no UK streetwise awareness.
(They certainly have a NZ streetwise awareness..... but it is a different league in the UK)
Another example - a good friend of mine has just been back to the UK with her 4 kids - the oldest is almost 21 and a well built lad.
He went off to find a fish and chip shop one night - and was surrounded (and intimidated) by 3 youths on bikes - hoodies up - and fairly obviusly weapons (knives) in their pockets. He was mortified. Chose to ignore them and walked off as fast as he could. He said he couldnt live there......a nd was pleased to be back in NZ.
(This was not in a city btw but in a small village)
On the flip side......
A huge void here in NZ for us (and is getting worse for me ) is not having the family back up that everyone takes for granted growing up close to relatives.
I miss that every day - and even more so now that they are teenagers.
But weighing them up - we made the better choice I think.
And that's without even starting on education!