Why I Do Not Think Leaving the UK for Another Developed Country Just for a Higher Salary Is a Smart Move

People often ask me why, despite mentoring so many healthcare professionals looking to migrate to countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, I have not taken the same leap myself. It has gotten to the point where those I have supported in their relocation journeys now say things like, "I pray that you, too, will soon be able to migrate."

But here is the truth: I have never, not even for a moment, seriously considered migrating from the UK to another developed country.

Now, I am not the kind of person who forms opinions about other people’s life choices. I truly respect individual decisions. But since the question keeps coming up, I want to share my honest perspective especially because many people who leave the UK for countries like Australia or New Zealand often say the same thing: “The pay is better.”

And that is exactly where I pause.

As someone who thinks a lot about money, financial freedom, and long-term investment, I cannot help but chuckle when I hear this reasoning. Not in a condescending way but because I believe that chasing a higher salary alone, without considering the bigger picture, is one of the most flawed financial decisions you can make.

Here is why.

Not All Salaries Are Equal: The Real Cost of Living

When a country pays you a certain amount, it is not necessarily because they value you more. It is often tied to their cost of living and economic structure. Let me give a simple example.

If someone earns ₦1.2 million a month in Nigeria, that is considered a very decent salary. However, that same amount translates to roughly £500 to £600 in the UK, and you cannot even rent a one-bedroom flat with that in most cities. But does that mean the person in Nigeria is "poor"? Or that someone earning £2,000 in the UK is better off?

Not necessarily.

You must compare based on disposable income the money left after covering your essentials like rent, food, bills, transport. That is the real metric to watch. It is why someone earning less in a lower-cost country may be more financially stable than someone earning more in a high-cost country.

And let us not even get started on how rent, groceries, utilities, childcare, and healthcare costs vary between the UK, Australia, Canada, the US, and New Zealand. If you are not running the numbers, you might end up jumping ship only to swim in the same storm.

No, Higher Salaries Do Not Guarantee Wealth

Here is another unpopular truth: you cannot get rich from a salary alone. At least, not as a physiotherapist. I do not know a single physiotherapist, in any country, who got wealthy just from their 9 to 5.

So, if your goal is financial freedom, and your entire plan is “move to Australia because the salary is better,” then I hate to break it to you but that plan might be fundamentally flawed. You will still be stuck in the same rat race. You will still complain about bills. You will still wonder where all the money went at the end of the month.

And this is not unique to the UK. I have spoken with physiotherapists in the US, Canada, Australia you name it, and they all say the same thing: “I’m struggling,” “The money is not enough,” “Things are tight.”

Sound familiar?

The Real Game Changer: Start a Business, Not a New Country

Now, if you are thinking of moving abroad for safety, better opportunities for your kids, or because you want a new adventure to go for it. Those are valid, powerful reasons. But if you are doing it only for the paycheck, I would encourage you to think again.

A better approach? Start a business. Build something of your own.

It does not matter whether you are in the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, or the US—a successful business is a successful business anywhere. What matters is your mindset, your consistency, and your ability to solve real problems. You can start a side hustle, build an online brand, freelance, teach, consult the opportunities are endless, especially in developed countries where infrastructure supports entrepreneurship.

And the beauty of this path is that it gives you real control over your time, your income, and your life.

That is why I am staying in the UK. Not because I think the UK is perfect, but because I know that financial freedom is not about where you live, it is about what you build.

The 9 to 5 is still the 9 to 5, no matter where you go. If you are hoping to escape the hamster wheel by switching countries, chances are, you will just end up on a slightly shinier wheel.

Break free instead. Build something real.

📘 If you are applying for NHS roles and struggling with your supporting information, I have written a simple, practical e-book to guide you. It breaks down exactly how to write a strong application using the STAR method, align with the person specification, and tell your story clearly.

Grab your copy here: https://selar.com/236m77