America to UK
rose_mortem
Posts: 147 Member
in Chit-Chat
Could someone who's experienced both the UK and the US please tell me the biggest differences? What would be different in my life if I moved to England? (And what are the policies for doing that?) I know I could research it, but personal opinions are more fun 
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Replies
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Things are much more expensive in the UK in my experience, clothing, movies, day to day living sort of things.
Housing prices are out of this world.
I love visiting there, though... loving visiting the US too (I'm Canadian).0 -
Oh, and people tend to walk everywhere, most shopping is in the downtown core with no vehicle access.
I tend to drive to box malls but that just isn't the way in the UK.0 -
Oh, and people tend to walk everywhere, most shopping is in the downtown core with no vehicle access.
I tend to drive to box malls but that just isn't the way in the UK.
Errr what? Lots of shopping centres have attached parking spaces.0 -
We moved here 5 years ago and haven't looked back! So lets see. We don't own a car and don't really need to, we are on one of the train lines and have access to the underground so you can get just about everywhere.
People do walk here a lot and it's pedestrian and bike friendly.
House prices are insanely high. Semi-detached (duplex) homes are very prolific.
NHS-I love it, it's not perfect but to know we will always have healthcare is such a relief.
As far as the prices, if you do the currency exchange it does seem expensive, however we have learned you can't compare things price for price.
The history, omg the history! It's amazing.
The best part is it's a great jumping off point for travelling Europe. We have been to Paris and Munich in the last year, trips that we never would have afforded flying from the US.
I am German and have EU citizenship. We moved here because Hubby got a job offer, he had to apply for his residence visa and it wasn't easy. We spent a lot of money and time getting things in order because there was a screw up with his employer.
He is eligible later this year to apply for British Citizenship, which he wants to do.
If you have any other questions, feel free to add me. I'm happy to help where I can! Good luck!0 -
Oh, and people tend to walk everywhere, most shopping is in the downtown core with no vehicle access.
I tend to drive to box malls but that just isn't the way in the UK.
Errr what? Lots of shopping centres have attached parking spaces.
Exactly! We drive most place, can't be walking miles with 3 little ones in tow.0 -
id like to move to England and visit every pub and soccer(football) stadium.
any english ladies need a husband?
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id like to move to England and visit every pub and soccer(football) stadium.
any english ladies need a husband?
Not one that will be either in the pub or at the footie!0 -
id like to move to England and visit every pub and soccer(football) stadium.
any english ladies need a husband?
Not one that will be either in the pub or at the footie!
they dont have to come. 0 -
id like to move to England and visit every pub and soccer(football) stadium.
any english ladies need a husband?
One's enough thanks!!!0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was
NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing 
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe 0 -
but it defo isn't what it was
how so?
one thing to watch out for,looking the wrong way when you cross the road!0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe
at least here in the USA we get your sense of humor. we love your tv shows and comedians. Ricky Gervais is one of if not the funniest people alive.0 -
but it defo isn't what it was
how so?
one thing to watch out for,looking the wrong way when you cross the road!
first time i experienced that was in Ireland. i saw on the roads of Dublin markers pointing which way traffic was going. i thought to myself why is this needed? i know its the opposite of home...well after a few pints at the bar i step out and nearly get clipped by a truck. doh!0 -
but it defo isn't what it was
how so?
Don't want to get into why our country is going to the dogs, it's political & maybe offensive to some cultures. I will say no more, plus it depresses me & I'm not a depressive person
one thing to watch out for,looking the wrong way when you cross the road!
Yes please look both ways 0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe
at least here in the USA we get your sense of humor. we love your tv shows and comedians. Ricky Gervais is one of if not the funniest people alive.
This is so true, have you watched idiot abroad? Pure class, you will be doubled up 0 -
Roundabouts! When driving through America we only ever found one little one!
(eta I think they are called circular intersections in America!)0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe
at least here in the USA we get your sense of humor. we love your tv shows and comedians. Ricky Gervais is one of if not the funniest people alive.
This is so true, have you watched idiot abroad? Pure class, you will be doubled up
idiot abroad is wonderful...head like a fing orange! and the bucket list was great too....i hope they do a 3rd series.0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe
[/quote
I'm in the USA and I actually understand the sense of humor thing. No one gets mine either:-D0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe
at least here in the USA we get your sense of humor. we love your tv shows and comedians. Ricky Gervais is one of if not the funniest people alive.
If you get our sense of humour then you're a rare breed of American. I've spent a lot of time over there, got loads of American friends and my sister in law is American and they really don't get the humour. I travelled all over the US and maybe 5% got it. Maybe.
I don't think it's that much more expensive than the US. Ok, petrol yeah. That is annoying, but you generally don't need to drive as much. There are usually other ways to get around especially if you live in a city. Every country has it's little idiosyncrasies so I can't tell you if you would prefer it to where you are. The little irritating things can bother some and not others. The NHS is awesome though. Having used healthcare in both countries I will never complain about the NHS again!
Come for a holiday and see if you like it. If you don't like the city, try the country. I love England :-)0 -
We moved here 5 years ago and haven't looked back! So lets see. We don't own a car and don't really need to, we are on one of the train lines and have access to the underground so you can get just about everywhere.
People do walk here a lot and it's pedestrian and bike friendly.
NHS-I love it, it's not perfect but to know we will always have healthcare is such a relief.
As far as the prices, if you do the currency exchange it does seem expensive, however we have learned you can't compare things price for price.
The history, omg the history! It's amazing.
The best part is it's a great jumping off point for travelling Europe. We have been to Paris and Munich in the last year, trips that we never would have afforded flying from the US.
All of that!
I'm Canadian, but became a Dutch citizen (both my parents were born in Holland) before I moved here 8 years ago. Had only planned to stay a year but here I am!
I also lived in the states for 9 years and would definitely put the UK way above living there again (anywhere in Europe frankly).
Love socialised health care (not perfect but it works), love the travelling (have been to 14 countries- Am going to Madrid for the weekend. the weekend! , love the more laid back lifestyle.
I find when I go home (usually go to the states as I visit my sister there) I am overwhelmed by the enormity of everything. The cars, the houses, the stores, all unnecessarily huge. And I'm overwhelmed at the store. Here I might have 10 choices of cold meds, there I could spend hours with hundreds of choices. Do I need hundreds? Not a chance.
Yes- things are more expensive, but you can't compare the prices to living in North America when you are earning ££.
Great experience- I can't think of anything that would make me return to North America.
(add me if you wish if you have questions).0 -
Roundabouts! When driving through America we only ever found one little one!
(eta I think they are called circular intersections in America!)
You must not have gone to the New England area, we are littered with them, we call them rotaries0 -
It's bl**dy expensive here, but then we don't know any difference so are used to it. UK is (was???) an amazing place. I'm not going down the political route but it defo isn't what it was NHS is amazing though (biased as I work in it), we are very fortunate to have it yet most British do nowt but moan about it. They don't call us the 'whingeing poms' for nothing
Oh & we have a wicked sense of humour, lost on the majority of the globe
at least here in the USA we get your sense of humor. we love your tv shows and comedians. Ricky Gervais is one of if not the funniest people alive.
If you get our sense of humour then you're a rare breed of American. I've spent a lot of time over there, got loads of American friends and my sister in law is American and they really don't get the humour. I travelled all over the US and maybe 5% got it. Maybe.
I don't think it's that much more expensive than the US. Ok, petrol yeah. That is annoying, but you generally don't need to drive as much. There are usually other ways to get around especially if you live in a city. Every country has it's little idiosyncrasies so I can't tell you if you would prefer it to where you are. The little irritating things can bother some and not others. The NHS is awesome though. Having used healthcare in both countries I will never complain about the NHS again!
Come for a holiday and see if you like it. If you don't like the city, try the country. I love England :-)
Uk is awesome, but besides the petrol dont you think housing & general living costs are more?? It cost's me a fortune to kit out my teens & they only have normal high street brands. We defo have a selective humour............Miranda!! How many others would get her?? She's hilar 0 -
Roundabouts! When driving through America we only ever found one little one!
(eta I think they are called circular intersections in America!)
You must not have gone to the New England area, we are littered with them, we call them rotaries
No, not in New England, good you have rotaries then!! We were in California, Nevada and Arizona. Just loads of driving on a straight road until we hit a junction then driving on another long road!0 -
Housing and food are more expensive, as is petrol and diesel (read: not 'gas' :P). NHS is fine if you can't afford private healthcare. Aside from that;
- No guns! Yay! (disclaimer; exceptions may include, but are not limited to: organised crime, terrorists and that police officer looking at you funny.)
- Correct spelling of English words! Yay!
- A very outdated road network in many parts of the country! Yay(?)!
- Rain!
- More rain!
- Even more rain!0 -
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If you get our sense of humour then you're a rare breed of American. I've spent a lot of time over there, got loads of American friends and my sister in law is American and they really don't get the humour. I travelled all over the US and maybe 5% got it. Maybe.
I don't think it's that much more expensive than the US. Ok, petrol yeah. That is annoying, but you generally don't need to drive as much. There are usually other ways to get around especially if you live in a city. Every country has it's little idiosyncrasies so I can't tell you if you would prefer it to where you are. The little irritating things can bother some and not others. The NHS is awesome though. Having used healthcare in both countries I will never complain about the NHS again!
Come for a holiday and see if you like it. If you don't like the city, try the country. I love England :-)
im from the washington d.c. area so maybe we were more in tune with international things?
question: i get the sense a lot of people arent fans of Piers Morgan...ive watched him do interviews and he seems fine to me. maybe its because Brits are more likely to cut to the chase and ask meaningful questions instead of being politically correct?0 -
A lot of people drive, but public bus routes/trams and trains get you where walking doesn't.
And yeah - it is a lot more expensive here, but technically the wages seem to be okay to deal with that.
The houses are an awful lot smaller though for your money....
Yes - it's because Piers Morgan is just plain rude....0 -
& more & more & more & more rain
Our roads arn't that bad are they??0 -
[
If you get our sense of humour then you're a rare breed of American. I've spent a lot of time over there, got loads of American friends and my sister in law is American and they really don't get the humour. I travelled all over the US and maybe 5% got it. Maybe.
I don't think it's that much more expensive than the US. Ok, petrol yeah. That is annoying, but you generally don't need to drive as much. There are usually other ways to get around especially if you live in a city. Every country has it's little idiosyncrasies so I can't tell you if you would prefer it to where you are. The little irritating things can bother some and not others. The NHS is awesome though. Having used healthcare in both countries I will never complain about the NHS again!
Come for a holiday and see if you like it. If you don't like the city, try the country. I love England :-)
im from the washington d.c. area so maybe we were more in tune with international things?
question: i get the sense a lot of people arent fans of Piers Morgan...ive watched him do interviews and he seems fine to me. maybe its because Brits are more likely to cut to the chase and ask meaningful questions instead of being politically correct?
Piers Morgan comes across as smug, which I think is what is off putting about him, but I guess you are right about Brits cutting to the chase!0 -
[
If you get our sense of humour then you're a rare breed of American. I've spent a lot of time over there, got loads of American friends and my sister in law is American and they really don't get the humour. I travelled all over the US and maybe 5% got it. Maybe.
I don't think it's that much more expensive than the US. Ok, petrol yeah. That is annoying, but you generally don't need to drive as much. There are usually other ways to get around especially if you live in a city. Every country has it's little idiosyncrasies so I can't tell you if you would prefer it to where you are. The little irritating things can bother some and not others. The NHS is awesome though. Having used healthcare in both countries I will never complain about the NHS again!
Come for a holiday and see if you like it. If you don't like the city, try the country. I love England :-)
im from the washington d.c. area so maybe we were more in tune with international things?
question: i get the sense a lot of people arent fans of Piers Morgan...ive watched him do interviews and he seems fine to me. maybe its because Brits are more likely to cut to the chase and ask meaningful questions instead of being politically correct?
no its because piers morgan is an *kitten*..
lol.I don't even think brits like him,thats why he moved.0 -
They are compared to anywhere else I've driven - especially in and around London where they were originally designed to be wide enough for Horse and Carriage. The main roads are getting updates all the time, though.& more & more & more & more rain
Our roads arn't that bad are they??
But yes, lots of rain.0
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