What are Americans missing???

My thoughts exactly, Pebbles.   

What came to my mind about southernboy, is pity. What a shallow, materialistic view!

Seems we are coming down as hard on Southern boy as he has on the UK. Perhaps he cares to elaborate on his experiences???

 Southernboy, it seems that your experience in the UK has not been as fruitfull as you had hoped.  If I may be so bold in asking, WHY are you living in the UK? What line of work do you do and if life is so exasperatingly boaring, why not move back to the States of continue with your life abroad in another region of the big planet we live on? 

While I appreciate your comments in responding to my question "What are Americans missing"  your responce seems to have me somewhat confused.  If the UK is so dreadful, why stay??

God I hope you don't state that you moved to the UK because you met a girl on-line! ha ha ha  Just a guess but your bitterness has that scenario written all over it!

Well not everyone's going to totally love it here. The majority of what he said is in fact true, and I'm sure alot of people feel the same way, at least after the novelty wears off and you're comparing the differences between the two places. Certain people  on here don't understand that some people don't think it's worth it to put up with all the inconveniences of living here and want to move back, but others do think it's worth it. It all depends on your situation, so we can't really judge. And what's wrong with meeting people online, Nanady? 

The majority of what he said is in fact true,

 

This is what I find difficult.  Because I truly don't want to jump on the 'you must be happy' bandwagon, and I don't think it's for everybody and I don't think it's perfect.  BUT,  I just look at that list and I think, well, you're never going to be happy if you believe that.  It's like looking for unhappiness.  Because that list isn't true.  There are loads of things to do, there's amazing architecture, my children have had a lovely and full childhood here, it's not thirty years behind the US. 
I know it's different and I know it can be a hard adjustment, but if you keep comparing and if you're only looking at the negative, you're going to drive yourself crazy. 
I have gone on record that I don't think the UK is for everyone, but I certainly don't believe 'if you don't like it, leave' either.   What I'm most likely to say is please tell us what you're finding so difficult and let's see if we can find a way to make it easier. 
There was a girl on here a year or two ago who was desperately unhappy.  I don't know whatever happened to her-but after reading all her posts and after giving all sorts of suggestions, what it boiled down to was that she was afraid to use public transportation by herself because she didn't know how it worked.  It was that simple.  Something that simple was making her hate absolutely everything.  I have no idea if it helped or if she's happy now-but my point is that you need to figure out what's wrong and how to fix it-because I just can't think that it's the entire country that's so awful.

Well, the houses being smaller, bad weather, etc. But you can learn to live with that.

I agree with what you say Mindy. I also don't think the entire US is awful either... I'm torn between both places.

There was a girl on here a year or two ago who was desperately unhappy.  I don't know whatever happened to her-but after reading all her posts and after giving all sorts of suggestions, what it boiled down to was that she was afraid to use public transportation by herself because she didn't know how it worked.  It was that simple.  Something that simple was making her hate absolutely everything.  I have no idea if it helped or if she's happy now-but my point is that you need to figure out what's wrong and how to fix it-because I just can't think that it's the entire country that's so awful.

I think it's hard to be anywhere new - especially if you are on your own - my hat off to everyone who has done that - I know there are many here. I know when I went to the US (just for a relatively short vacation) I was worried about driving - especially as I was originally told the car I hired wasn't going to have SatNav      Thankfully it did and so I was okay (I'm used to driving on the wrong side of the road  )  But other things like accent which has been discussed here, remembering some words are different, and just having to learn how things "work" generally can be difficult.  But I like all the advice here too about a place will become your home if you want it to. Otherwise it will be a rough ride.

"Gobsmacked", to quote Anne, indeed...
Southernboy's post just made me realize once again that life is NOT fair!  Here *I* am, stuck in upstate New York killing myself trying to find a way to live & work in Britain and there's Southernboy living and (apparently) working legally and belly-aching over how crappy it is to be stuck over there.  Boo-hoo. I tell you what, pal--how 'bout we trade places?  Hand your visa over to me; I, at least, will appreciate it.  Have you made ANY effort to assimilate yourself into British society and culture?  Have you even come close to reaching the conclusion that YOU ARE NOT IN THE USA ANYMORE?  Sorry to sound mean-spirited and bitchy, but some people just know how good they have it.

Southernboy, your comments about the quality of care provided under the National Health Insurance are puzzling. To compare this care to the care in the US can't be done. For instance, when was the last time you paid cash for a doctor's office visit or a hospital stay? Many Americans are either uninsured or underinsured. Consequently, they are unable to meet even their most basic healthcare needs. Medicaid provides healthcare coverage for the most indigent and children but with federal and state funds being cut (drastically) every year, many of those needs will go unmet in the coming years. If sitting in a waiting room for a few hours for a check-up means that I don't have to pay the $65+ for a visit, I'll do so. And, I will gladly contribute to the National Insurance rather than pay the $250+ monthly for the paltry coverage I now "enjoy".

You know, I'm just getting started on the process of job hunting and relocating, and if I were a more timid soul, I'd be scared witless about proceeding after reading your post. But, I have to ask, "Why did you leave the US in the first place?" Was it a desire to experience another culture or were you transferred, reluctantly, by your employer, or what other reason? I think an individual's willingness to adjust to other cultures and environments depends largely on their reasons for relocating. My desire is to practice social work within a society that values social workers and social programs. Currently, the US does not do that. I also want to travel around Europe while I'm still young enough (and healthy enough) to do so. I want to practice my craft and receive adequate compensation while doing so, as well as put some money away for retirement. In the US, I can't do this. And, as a 48 year old, I'm probably a little closer to retirement than is comfortable, given my current financial status.

I don't expect the UK to be paradise...but, if you expect me to think that "the Uk being thirty years behind the US" is a bad thing, then you obviously weren't around thirty years ago. Every year that goes by I wonder how much more and faster can the world change in my lifetime? Being in a place that isn't determined to have the most and the best at all times as well as the most improved, and the latest model...on second thought, that just might be paradise!

I don't agree with all of what Southern boy is saying but I hear him on a lot of things.  He is entitled to form his on opinion about the UK and let's face it, if you want a big house and wide roads that kind of stuff then you will probably hate it here.  Sounds like he will be out of here like a shot when his work assignment finishes.

And what's wrong with meeting people on-line, Nanady? 

I was not trying to steal any honey from your honeypot there bee, I was trying to lighten the load with a joke...I met some nice folks on-line (even spent a week an older couple in the Midlands I met on-line) I also have an EX HUSBAND that I met on-line  Thank God he is an EX. 
Pull the stinger back I did not mean to offend.....*SMILES*

I should know... I have lived and worked here for 2 years.

Aye right... 2 years makes you an expert! 

Well, the houses being smaller, bad weather, etc. But you can learn to live with that.

That's two things ... not "most," as you originally claimed. Also, the bad weather? Well, I guess that depends on where you came from the in the US. For me, it's much better! Do you know how awesome it is not to have to shovel my car out from the snow every morning in the winter?!?

Or how awesome it is to actually have snow in the winter?!  (I'm from Florida - I love the weather here!)