The Best of Britain

Since being back home, people frequently ask me "what did you like the best about living in England" 

My answers tend to lean towards two areas:

1)  Of course, the people.  We were fortunate to have such a variety of friends and I truly miss the dinner parties we had with everybody.  It was always a pleasure to go to each other's home over a nice meal, wine, cheese and drift on into the evening over great conversation.

2)  The footpaths and bridleways.  I always  point out to people what an asset these rights of way are.  There is nothing like going for long walks or rides (I used to ride 2-4 times a week) through the countryside. 

These were things that were, in my opinion,  the "best".

What do you tell people are the best things when they ask you?

The food!

   Just to give myself a chuckle.  It's been a rough food adjustment for moi.

- It is gorgeous here.  I adore the countryside, architecture and a view free from powerlines, smog, and even the airplanes that fly over my house seem less harsh than in the States.

- The people.  I've experienced unmatched kindness from all my neighbors.  They sought us out first which betrayed any kind of British stereotype.  The friends I've made are wonderful and I have been helped by strangers at the store or other spots more times than I can count.  People are fantastic.  Absolutely lovely, kind and generous.

- Diversity.  I can no longer say 'that's so British' because everytime I think I have the British label correctly assigned, a contradiction appears.  I love that there are so many accents, cultures, histories here.  I love being challenged to see the UK as the rich place (culturally, topographically, etc speaking) it is.  As a thread here says, 'london does not equal england'.

- No more earthquakes.  I cannot express the freedom and joy of placing glass high in cabinets, no fear of real estate bottoming out due to a huge earthquake (I lived on a major fault line before moving here), no worries of waking in the night to that horrible shake.

- Proximity to Europe

- No billboards in my town, no obnoxious adverts every ten minutes in a tele program.  I love BBC Radio 2, I'll take BBC radio over NPR any day.

I just feel at home here and never felt that way in the States.  The only other spot I've felt immediately at home is in Cork, Ireland but that's where my family name originates. 

Being able to go Europe cheaply and the beer.   

bvamin

Being able to go Europe cheaply and the beer.

bvamin

 

I love the city of London better than the other two cities I've lived in.
I love being able to play field hockey at my age (36) in a competitive league (something I've not seen or done since university)
I love the people I've met and friends I'm making.
I love my job.
I love that I can travel to places I've only dreamed of (and cheaply) and I'm learning more about the world being here.
I too love the beer!

9-5 mean just that.

Holiday time - more than a fortnight a year.

Chippies, Balti houses - takeaways as art form.

You can drink a pint at lunch and no one will scold you or consider you an alcoholic.

The people - not so quick to take things personally or seriously.  

being so close  to stuff..  walking distance  to  the train station..  high street..   because I don't drive yet.. I don't feel  caged in like I would have in the states..

It has a  small town feel to it even though it is technically a big city..

everything being so  green.. (although the desert has  it's own beauty..  this is  nice)

feeling safe to  walk  at anytime  almost

My favorite things are:

1. The inimitable British wit. I sometimes feel that overall the British may have the most sophisticated or at least effective sense of humor in the world

2. The countryside, although that's not exclusive to GB of course. I still think France overall is even better in this regard.

3. Inexpensive flights to the rest of Europe.