Push and Pull - Part 2

So I though, given that a lot has changed since I last wrote my first version of this article back in October and published it in January I thought it might be interesting to revisit some of the factors that are impacting us and see if there have been any changes.

Again, I'm sticking with my 1-6 scale, as this avoids any weasley mid points and again this is highly subjective.

Malaysia:

Pull:

The Food = 5 (gone up by 1) 

The food culture remains a real draw. Food is a real pull factor for visitors - just check out youtube and you'll see most people who vlog about Malaysia will include food as a big, if not the biggest, part of their content. I still maintain that it is quite hard to find 'bad' food here - you may find food you don't like, but on the whole good food is cheaply and readily available. However now we've explored a little more of the 'excellent' end of the food culture as well as the everyday 'good' that you get. We are planning to hit up one or two of the Michelin guide recognised places before we leave, but we have also been to a couple of the more high end restaurants in Georgetown now and if anything my affection for the food scene in Malaysia has grown. 

I'd now put this at a 5 - today I had an excellent plate of nasi kandar from our regular lunch spot across the road from school and it cost less than 1 pound 50 pence for a plate of rice with various curries, yesterday we had the Chinese equivalent from one of our favourite vegetarian places and for all three of us we paid no more than four pounds. I will miss the value, the variety and food culture in general.

Pull: 

The cost of living = 6 (Still the same - full marks)

Still a strong pull factor. Malaysia remains very affordable. I've written extensively about the cost of living vs income in a separate post, but objectively the cost of living here is low. It is never as simple as that subjectively, but from the raw cost perspective, especially given the relatively low levels of inflation, it is very affordable. This is especially true in light of the converse situation in the UK. We are able to afford to do things here we could not in the UK, but conversely we cannot afford to buy as many things - this has become much less of a priority.

Pull: 

The Weather = 1 (down 1 point)

See - little or no variation in temperature from month to month. Trust me - it's deeply weird...

So my previous calculation gave this as a pull factor of 2. It is still a pull factor, but just not a strong one and I've downgraded it to 1. Frankly is still useful to be able to predict the weather to within a certain range of temperature and precipitation factors, but personally I would rather have the unpredictability of UK weather as at least I can adapt to that!

Pull:

Latitude = 2 (no change)

There we are - just North of the equator. There is a 20 minute variation in the sunset and sunrise times over a year.

Yeah - still liking this. No really long summer evenings, but you can still get plenty of sunlight at the end of the working day. It sure beats the grim winter months of November to February in the UK.

Pull:

Culture = 6 (Up by two)

The more time you spend here the more fascinating this place gets - I've upgraded this from a 4 to a 6. I just really like the blend of the different aspects of South East Asia that you get here.

Pull:

Lifestyle = 6 (No change - still full marks)

Yep, still a 6 - it really is very relaxed and liveable out here. I think it may be a bit of a sweet spot in terms of lifestyle. I could always do with more free time, but hey, couldn't we all?

Pull:

The Job = 5 (Up one point)

The teaching here is still easy and enjoyable - yup, easy (comparatively) and leading my department and faculty is still a pleasure. I'm adding a point to this as I think I'm enjoying the teaching here as much as I've ever enjoyed teaching anywhere (sorry to my two previous schools, I still love you dearly, but this place is really nice too!). I've been lucky that, whilst there have been some very difficult moments in every school I've taught at, each school I have worked in has been a positive experience where I have encountered amazing students and wonderful staff. It turns out that POWIIS is no exception to that... I am wondering when my luck will run out... (fingers crossed - never).

Pull:

Travel = 4 (down 2 points)

Actually less of a pull for us now in Malaysia, but that is because we have ticked off a number of key destinations - that's not to say that we wouldn't travel more widely still given more time here, but we have achieved much of what we wanted in this regard alreadly.

Pull Total = 35 This is a mild improvement on the last score, which kind of tracks. 

Push:

The Job = 1 (down one point)

Much less of a push factor than I wrote about last time - here I have much more control over my circumstances that I would in the UK, it is just that the UK is a known factor and the lure of the comfort zone can be strong. Teaching is still hard and I could still do with a job that was a bit less pressured at times, but hey, it beats carrying a sack of coal up a hill!

Push:

Environment = 6 (up one point)

This has gone up by a point. I still find that when we get into nature it's often spoiled by rubbish and it is always bloody hot! This has worn thin and I'm ready for a change.

Push:

Just a little example of what is deemed okay here in Malaysia...

Driving = 3 (no change)

Still crap, but still navigable - I just don't like it.

Push:

Infrastructure and bureaucracy = 3 (no change)

Still a niggle as it is chaotic and disorganised - holding at a 3.

Push:

Entertainment/Leisure activities (lack of) = 3 (down one)

Still an issue, but less of a one the longer we are here. This is not surprising as we are getting to know the area better, however we have not thrown ourselves into the life out here as fully as we could have done. There is a lesson to be learned for our next port of call - get out there, join a club, get involved and make that part of the routine. I started going to Thai boxing classes nearby and wish I'd done that sooner. Still I do feel that it is more of a challenge here than at home, but again that may be more about me than Penang.

Push: 

The Commute = 4 (no change)

Still a very context specific one and I do freely recognise that there are many people who regularly travel much further than I do. However, I still think that 60 km per day in distance and between 40-60 minutes time depending on road conditions is more than is ideal. The road is getting more tricky - more frequent tree falls and landslides, even more idiotic drivers, stray dogs and other hazards. Even regularly seeing monkeys going to and from work isn't enough to make up for the rest (again, that's me at work - I can't vouch for the monkeys).

Push:

Being an immigrant (albeit a very privileged one) = 2 (down 1)

Still a factor - I am now very much at home in Penang, but there are still constant reminders that I 'don't belong', but the longer I am here, the more I do feel a sense of belonging. I think that were we to stay for a couple more years and get our Bahasa to a conversational and functional level then we'd be in a different place all together.

 

Push: 22 - down by two points.

So now there is a +13 pull factor for living in Malaysia - which, again, tracks. We like it here - mostly and we're becoming increasingly comfortable here... Just in time to leave...

The UK

Pull:

Here is a generic graphic representation of friends and family sourced from the internet - apparently you have to have images to make a blog...

Friends and Family: 6 (Still max score)

Still the big draw and we still hope that when we return we should be in the position to re-evaluate our entire way of life and have more opportunities to spend time with family and friends. Also, and perhaps more importantly, spend time together as a family.

Pull:

Gratuitous shots of Northumberland - these last two are within a five minute walk of my house! Does make you wonder why you would ever leave... 

The Environment: 6 (Despite the crumbling infrastructure that was sold into the hands of private business)

For me the UK and specifically the North East is the perfect environment. It is generally clean (still some issues with litter and pollution, but nothing like South East Asia) and the mix of forest, hills, coasts, upland and lowland terrain is perfect. I am definitely a temperate zone kind of guy and the UK has some of the best temperate zone environments to enjoy. Even the urban areas have a lot of green space and interesting architecture to explore. There are some down sides - a lot of the open spaces that exist in the UK are currently in private hands and access can be an issue, but generally speaking the environment is a huge plus point.

I stand by what I wrote last time, but am really concerned about the direction of travel - we have a government that has taken its eye off the ball with regards to the environment and I worry about the way things are going. Here in Malaysia the environment is being damaged by the issues of litter and pollution that the UK faced in the 1970s. However, the direction of travel here in Malaysia is progression and solution focused - this appears to have stalled and even regressed in the UK.

Pull:

The food = 4 (still a 4)

Yes, I know that this was included in the Malaysia section, but it is a really big pull factor for the UK. The range of fresh dairy and vegetable produce accessible in the UK is excellent and whilst the price is generally higher for some things, bread, cheese, milk etc are actually cheaper. Contrary to popular opinion the UK food culture is excellent and anyone who says different simply hasn't looked hard enough.

I still stand by this! The UK food scene is really good - you do just need to do the research first.

Pull:

Okay I know I will come off as very middle aged and middle class talking about the National Trust and English Heritage, but hey, I kind of am! 

Activities and Culture: 4 (Yup, still a 4, despite the rise in cost)

There is so much to do and so many places to visit in the UK. There are sports clubs, museums, galleries, national parks. There are so many things that are state funded and free at the point of use and so many low cost sporting clubs too. Yes some things have a price premium, but in general you can do a lot for a fairly low cost in the UK if you know where to look! 

Again - I stand by this.

Pull: 

And here is an accompanying picture of roads and a train in case an illustration of infrastructure was needed.

Infrastructure: 3 (down 1 and possibly falling)

This UK is a well developed first world country where stuff generally works. However, like the environment, the direction of travel is not good and this is a long term and systemic issue. Here in Malaysia there are infrastructure projects aplenty, sometimes too many! Yet this is demonstrative of a dynamic and active economy. The UK has ceased to invest in the things that will make life better and the country more prosperous. Instead the slow asset stripping of the public sector continues unabated and we are looking at huge problem coming down the line.

Pull: 

The climate: 3 (down 1)

I still prefer temperate zone climates, but I have to say I have enjoyed missing out on the cold and dark months. Still, climate is a big plus point.

Pull:

Another shot of the spectacular coastline that is literally a five minute walk from my front door - okay, not this exact spot, that's probably more like ten to fifteen, but I feel the point is well made.

Hang on - this next one is five minutes from the door...

The home factor: 5 (down 1)

We are comfortable in the UK - we know how it works. Specifically we are comfortable in the North East and we know it well enough to navigate easily, but there is still enough to keep us interested. It's a pretty potent mix.

All of the above is still true, but the pull of home is less sharp as we are away for longer. It doesn't take away from our love of our home, but we become increasingly aware that we can make it work in other places too and that we will generally be okay.

Pull:

Housing: 4

We have a house - it will need work as it is currently rented out and will need spending to bring it back up to the level we'd want it to be at, but we have one. It's also very nice. We like it. The style of housing in the UK is generally good and the build quality is also generally good too - this is not the case here in Malaysia. Building standards are... well, variable at best.

Still like my house, garden and home town!

Total Pull factors = 35 - equal to Malaysia!

Push:

This makes for rather worrying reading!

Cost of living: 6 (Up one - a big concern for us)

This is a really big concern and getting bigger. Even mortgage free I'm worried about how much living costs would be back home. We certainly couldn't afford a lifestyle like the one we have here. We are also in the uncomfortable position of having to return with no jobs - this is what pushed us to stay abroad for another two years.

Push:

Travel: 4 (Down 1)

Less of an issue as travel problems lessen, but still comparatively difficult, especially to Europe now we are no longer in the EU.

Push:

Work: 5 (Up 1 - getting a job is much more problematic than I thought)

Teaching is teaching, but it is harder even in good schools in the UK. There are more demands and the student are just more challenging. They are angrier and less deferential (not necessarily a bad thing - the deferential bit that is), they are more likely to be directly defiant and challenging. The school system can be brutally performance driven and unhelpfully focused on KPIs that don't make for productive teaching and learning environments. My current school has an incredibly healthy attitude towards education and this is something that should be cherished. I was also lucky enough to work for a long time with a head teacher who never used statistics as his driving aim or a stick with which to beat teachers - this is not necessarily the situation for every school though.

The more general work culture in the UK seems unhealthy and driven by narrow concepts of success -we are unproductive compared to our nearest neighbours and appear to want to get round this by making work even less attractive and rewarding. We aren't as bad as the US, but we seem to view them as role models - not healthy. 

I stand by everything I wrote previously and would add to that the parochial nature of school recruitment too - applying to UK positions from overseas was impossible - which given my CV was a bit of a shocker!

Push:

'Nuff said!

Political and Social Situation : 6 (none mover)

OMG! What the hell! You'd think it would be better now the lunatics have gone, but no, it's just less dramatic. It's still wall to wall strikes and inflation running away from us!

Push: 

Cultural attitudes: 3

The UK has a small island mentality in large parts. It is insular and despite the veneer of tolerance that we put on, we are not (as a whole) particularly open minded or welcoming - sorry we aren't. Individuals are, but as a country we voted for Brexit on the basis of 'we're full' and 'we don't want Jonny Foreigner telling us what to do' - that is not a good look people and trust me on this, the rest of the world does not look favourably on us as a result! And the worst part? We don't even see it!

Yes there are large parts of the UK that are diverse and many individuals who are open, worldly and tolerant, but the prevailing image is of a parochial and inward looking country that is living on some post-imperial vision of itself that doesn't seem relevant any more.

I love my home - it is the best place on earth, but that's my opinion based on the fact that it is my home! My emotional attachment to the UK does not excuse its problems or hide its deficiencies. Collective jingoism is deeply unhelpful!

Still very much this!

Push: 

Not exactly the most prepossessing image of a country is it? And this one was in a news report! (source: https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/watch-horrific-footage-mass-brawl-16931799)

Anger: 3

There is a seething resentment and feeling of dissatisfaction that bubbles over into violent conflict, either verbal or physical. This is not something that I've experienced here - there have been no 'what are ye lookin' at?' moments here or groups of very rowdy revellers looking like drunken fights were part of a pre-planned itinerary. The UK just has more edge - there is definitely more street violence than there is here in Penang and that's a real push factor.

Again - this still stands.

Push:

This is the wintery counterpoint to the other shots of the coast near my home...

Weather: 2 (down 2 points - I'm ready for the UK...)

Yes I know I've said climate is a pull, but the weather can still be tricky. The weather still makes certain of my pastimes much less pleasant. I can run or hike in wind and rain, but it is not enjoyable. That said, the same is true here - just with heat and humidity.

Push:

The Dark: 2 (no change)

Its a small thing, but there are months on end in the UK when I wouldn't see daylight during the week. I'd leave for work in the dark and come home in the dark. The lack of vitamin D led to tiredness and low mood. Also, again, running and hiking become limited to the weekends or school holidays. Combine the dark with the cold and the rain and the wind and ta dah!

Yup - still this.

Push Total: 31

That's still a positive total of plus 4 for the UK, but balanced against a +13 score for Malaysia!

Interestingly this is still similar to the last time - the push factors of the the UK are greater than those of Malaysia, but now the pull factors are balanced. This is due to the difference between our experiences from last year to this and our increased familiarity with Penang and Malaysia in general. There is also the inertia factor - we are getting comfortable and don't want to uproot again, but, well we are, so nothing we can do about that! 

The fact is that I still love the UK in general and the North East specifically, but increasingly there appear to be cracks showing that you can only really see from the outside. Maybe things are less bad than they appear from the outside and maybe they will now start to get better, but we'll have to wait and see. 

In the end we are moving, but not back to the UK - not yet. Doubtless there'll be another push and pull factor blog in the not too distant future.