The family of Romanians who left England for life in the country: “The land and the animals don't let you down”
More and more Romanians are choosing to leave the UK and return to Romania amid the rising cost of living, perceived insecurity and post-Brexit integration difficulties.
PHOTO Facebook
An example is the Stamate family, who decided to give up life in Bristol and return to Romania, where they live today in a rural area in Mureș county.
Alexandra and Florin Stamate immigrated to Great Britain in 2015, in search of a better life, but the everyday reality – increasing expenses, financial and emotional pressure, but also the concern for the safety of the children – led them to return.
“The cost of living continued to rise and raising children seemed more and more financially and emotionally demanding. Like many families, we became more aware of issues such as safety and the general pressure of urban life.”Alexandra Stamate told the Daily Mail.
The family bought two acres of land near the town of Apold, for only 7,400 euros (approximately 37,895 lei)
“Property prices and day-to-day costs in rural UK were well beyond what we considered sustainable in the long term. And I didn't want to borrow money from the banks. The weather also played a part.”Alexandra explained.
Alexandra and Florin Stamate PHOTO: FB/personal archive
Currently, the Stamates raise goats, pigs, chickens and bees, grow vegetables and fruits, consume the products obtained and sell honey, milk and cheese. Alexandra also manages a Facebook page – Ferma Emigranti In Grădină – with over 356,000 followers, where she shares her experience of life in the country.
“In the country, we may not have shop windows full of expensive goodies, but we have cellars of jars, pantries of jam and pickles, and barns of wheat and corn. We may not always dress in the latest fashion, but we have busy hands and abundant meals. I make the fire in the stove in the morning. In Britain I would turn on the central heating. Here I feel the warmth of the wood and the smell of smoke that penetrates your soul. I take my milk straight away from the source. It's not pasteurized, but full of life. With mayo, with my own hands, I bought everything. And above all, we have that peace that only a person will never suffer from hunger.” she also said.
Official data and trends
According to the UK Office for National Statistics, in the year ending June 2024, around 37,000 Romanians left the UK, while only 14,000 arrived. Romanians represent the most numerous EU citizenship that has registered a net decline, surpassing even Poles who have returned to their homeland.
The return is also supported by economic factors: rising average wages, low unemployment and lower housing costs in Romania.
“Luxury does not bring safety. But simplicity and earth. And here, in the countryside, we know we have everything we need. And this, for me, is the greatest wealth”emphasizes Stamate.
The entrepreneur Bogdan Termure, who received a grant of 37,000 euros for returning to Romania, launched a delivery business with over 2,000 couriers throughout the country.
“It was very difficult for us. In the United Kingdom, Romanians were only associated with bad things. I used to tell new people, when I met them for the first time, that I was Russian, because that made a better impression on them. I only recognized them later that I was Romanian”, Termure stated.
Other Romanians cite negative experiences related to crime or lack of respect.
“Every time I went to London, I was so stressed. There were so many people and it was so crowded… London is not that safe. I feel safe and happy here… Everything is expensive in Britain.” says Cristina Costache, who returned to Sibiu after five years in Sussex.
And Stefania, a former employee of a pub in Bucharest, left after 12 years of working in restaurants in the United Kingdom, citing unpleasant experiences with the medical system.
“I love England… But I almost died because of the NHS and decided I would get better medical care in Romania. The wages are lower, but I have a very good life here. Money is not everything.” Stefania said.
And neurosurgeon Horațiu Ioani chose to return to Romania after years of working in university hospitals in Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield.
“Salaries are lower in Romania, but the money goes further. Here I can make my own surgery and clinic schedule. It's a great luxury for me. I have more control over my life”he said.
The doctor explained that the reason for returning was not discrimination, but the professional opportunity and the more balanced life he can have in the country.
