What are Americans missing???

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

You get snow??! Cool! I don't want to have to shovel out from under it, but I wouldn't mind seeing a few flakes on Christmas morning once in a while!

It snowed here in london.  Three times i think!  It was cool!!!!   

Do you know how awesome it is not to have to shovel my car out from the snow every morning in the winter?!?

I bet you look adorable in your yellow slicker and wellies!!

I bet you look adorable in your yellow slicker and wellies!!

No! That's my rain outfit, not my snow outfit! You Californians don't know how to dress for snow, do you?

Do you know how awesome it is not to have to shovel my car out from the snow every morning in the winter?!?

Here, here!  Having to get up at 5.30 instead of 6AM - b/c of course you have to be at work promptly at 8 - to shovel and scrape.  I've also locked my keys in my car more than once after sleepily turning the car on to commence defrost/shovelling process.  No, I could not afford one of those keyless remote entry features.

Then there's spinning out and sliding all the way to work b/c the friggin' council is too cheap to properly grit/plow the road.  Or your 30 minute commute turning into a 2 hour one due to black ice and blowing snow. 

SO glad to see the back of that!

Smaller home means less to clean - a big bonus when you have small kids - and less tendancy to accummulate clutter.  Both good things, IMO.

What I am finding really sad is the number of topics lately that have to do with individuals trying to prove which country is better when it is totally subjective.

First off, you can't really compare any country in the world with the US because it is unique in its sheer size and diversity. I wish I knew for certain what the size ratio is, but it looks like about 30 UKs to the whole of the US. I've lived in a few different geographical locations in the US and comparing those differences is more like an European citizen comparing living in different EU countries.

You can't talk weather in the US vs the UK...it does make a difference if you're wintering in Ft. Lauderdale, Sacramento, Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston, Austin or Flagstaff. (Not  to mention Anchorage or Honolulu!)

As far as healthcare and benefits...these vary from state to state and are not uniform across the US. I have been blessed to have received first-rate heath care in the US for little or no money. I have not had some good experiences here in the UK...so I'm not one to discuss the virtues of the NHS with.

Again, you can't really discuss the cost of living...it varies widely from region to region in the US.

It is safe to say that across the board, for the most part, housing is much cheaper in the US. Except I had a hard time adjusting to house prices in NorCal when I moved there in early 2001. The housing prices were ridiculous, one of the most expensive places in the country at the time.

It is impossible to discuss which country is "better" and I personally feel it just lends an air of contention to the otherwise positive tone of this forum. 

For many reasons I prefer living in the USA...but, that doesn't stop me from enjoying all the positive aspects of NE England while I am here.

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. 

 if you keep comparing and if you're only looking at the negative, you're going to drive yourself crazy. 

Really, really well put, Mindy!!! Even though I mouth off quite a bit about how much I love it here, I certainly don't think it's for everyone and do understand that some people will never be happy here like I am. BUT what irks me tremendously is when people either constantly look for things to hate rather than find things that they might (gasp) actually like, or live their life here comparing it to the US. It is not the US, it doesn't pretend to be the US, and you shouldn't be looking for it to be the US. It's a foreign country. End of. If you live your life here comparing absolutely everything you'll hate it. You need to love it for what it is. At least that's my philosophy and it seems to have worked for me....

geally, EXCELLENT post!!!!!!!!! 

geally, EXCELLENT post!!!!!!!!!

It was a rather good one, eh?  I particularly liked:

What I am finding really sad is the number of topics lately that have to do with individuals trying to prove which country is better when it is totally subjective.

It is impossible to discuss which country is "better" and I personally feel it just lends an air of contention to the otherwise positive tone of this forum.

Those points are definitely worth repeating.

What I am finding really sad is the number of topics lately that have to do with individuals trying to prove which country is better when it is totally subjective.

As the originator of this treat that WAS NOT the intent at all....I apologize if that is how it is being perceived.   

I was not asking which country was better . I am trying to learn as much as I can about not only the similarities, but the differences in the two countries so i can make the best informed decision I can about moving and how to address the cultural differences in the two nations.  I have stated numerous times that I have an 11 year old child and I want to learn as much as I can about the culture there so I can make the transition as easy and non traumatizing as I can. 

I have spent 30+ years in the US and only 3 weeks total in the UK.  I am interested in learning as much as I can from those who have experience with where I am in the process and transition.  And YES there are going to be things that I miss in the US and I am curious how others have dealt with the differences.  Please note I said differences, not one being better or worse than another. 

I also agree that the "opinions" stated in response to this form of question will be subjective, but is that not what all opinions are....subjective? 

I appreciate all the posts that others have placed on this thread and hope they continue to provide me with information.  I have found the information to be helpful and I note that some of the differences that I am concerned about are mirrored by others.  I can learn from their experiences...I thought that was the point of this forum...ask questions...share information...and support one another.

I agree, geally that post made the most sense of all! Thank you!!!!!!!

OK, I've been holding off on replying to this one, but to be frank I can stay silent no longer, so here goes.

I, as an American, know for a fact that the majority of Americans are spoiled and after living most of your life getting all of those things that make your life luxurious, the consequences of living in England takes a continuous step down.  Coming to England at first may be charming, but after time goes on you will notice the loss of all those simple, inexpensive, easy to find American things that you so conveniently get in the USA

If you really dislike it so much then go home, an arrogant American really doesn't contribute that much to our country and remember your prices are so inexpensive cause your gov't doesn't encourage free trade and your so call mighty dollar is as weak as sh*t against our pound.

Eventually, you will be disappointed, that such a beautiful place like the UK, with all of its rolling Wolds and countryside has so little to offer in comparison from the greatest country on earth, the USA.

See above

Here are the following that I believe Americans need to understand before they attempt to come live here in England. Nearly everything is smaller in size or quantity as well as the opposite than what you are used to in America:

the streets (narrow)
the cars (tiny)

I take it they are too narrow and tiny for your huge head and your overweight ass

the sky (obstructed by old, dirty, out-dated building facades very close to the street)

Old - now here is a concept most Americans just can't get.  A lot of our building are older than your entire history so to you guys your right they are old !!!, and as for outdated buildings, the British stopped building our houses from wood in the 16th century unlike in America , is it any wonder that whenever you guys get a mild storm all your houses blow away !!!

the food portions at restaurants

I refer you to the answer above, maybe we might help you lose some weight so you can fit into our tiny cars and our narrow streets

headroom

I'm 6ft 5 and don't get any problems - who are you shaq O'Neil??

TV
stereo

I guess you prefer 600 channels of cr*p instead of our 350 channels of cr*p.  Having said this at least we get more variety of music channels but thank god we don't get that genre of music you call country - OMG keep it there.

choice of anything
conveniences

I take it from this your company sent you to the highlands of scotland.

customer service

Like the type of customer service I got from a US Airline who lost my bags for four days.

hospitals
parking lots
movie theatres

Yes we have all of those too - 1st world counties generally do !!!

schools with no student discipline

Thats true but unlike America our students don't start shooting their classmates

lack of IT experts
lack of doctors

Because all our IT experts and doctors have gone to America to assist in your shortage.

Also, there is not a damn thing to do, apart form seeing and walking along the countryside.

I'm guessing your love life isn't too hot then if all you found to do was walk in the countryside!!!

Very seldom do you get nice weather here in the UK

Blame god - sorry

Even all the cars look the same.

I get it now - you worked in a ford factory

It's like no one cares to be uniquely individual, in any way form or fashion.

Now this offends me - an American who criticizes our fashion, this coming from a nation who invented the bum bag, sweatpants at work, socks with sandals, GAP and Old Navy.  BTW we are closer to that fashion mecca called Paris (even though they are French)

Getting someone to speak to you is like pulling a tooth out of a whale! The British on a whole, seem to be a very introverted people, that lack outreach. I need, as an individual, to be around those who are communicative and help to motivate each other in a humane and productive way. Seldom do you get that spirit here.

Don't know where you are based but it isn't the UK or maybe its you - maybe its because you are so arrogant that people don't want to talk to you and just wish you would take yourself back home.

But what adds to this nightmare here in the UK is that while most everything is smaller, the price is incredibly inflated and absolutely ridiculous.

If you compare it to your dollar you are right, but maybe thats because your economy is so weak at the moment that if you compare anything to your dollar its gonna be expensive.

Be prepared to step back into time by at least 30 years if not more. Instead of your usual life of progress and technological advances in everyday life, you have this regression of things happening slower around you. It feels as though you are caught in their time warp and they are continuing trying to catch up. It sucks.

And America is so Technologically advanced that it still is the biggest polluter of the modern world - your technology is really helping there isn't it!!!

Nearly everything is second or third rate in quality than what you are used to in America, especially the dreadful NHS. I could dedicate an entire thread on how horrible the NHS is in comparison to the US healthcare system. There is really no comparison at all.

OK - all the previous stuff I took with a pinch of salt but this is where I personally draw the line.  Let me give you some statistics about your fantastic health system.

1) 45 million Americans have no ability to pay for any health care as they have no insurance - thats 15% of the population.
2) 19 million of those 45 million work full-time so not even their companies care about their health.
3) Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) market their insurance plans only to the healthiest and wealthiest (leaving many unemployed and contract workers out in the cold), keep members waiting for doctor appointments, and deny coverage for expensive treatments
4)the U.S. still spends $1.6 trillion - 14% of its GDP - on healthcare, more than any other country in the world. Where is all the money going?
5)Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom all spend less on healthcare per capita than the U.S., yet all provide their people with more hospital beds per capita and more doctors per capita (except the U.K.) than the U.S. according to a 2000 World Health Organization study.

Our health system isn't perfect but then no system is, what I do know for sure however is that it is free at source and it can be accessed by anybody resident in the UK, even ungreatful people like you.

And you know the sad thing about all of this? Are that even the locals here say the same thing to me, they hate the conditions, they’d rather be in the USA and ask me why would I come here? I can not say that I am surprised at all.

you are right we are a nation who loves complaining, but don't ever think we would give up our NHS system for an American system - That will NEVER happen, I think its you who has the backward health care system!!

Although I have found England to be a pretty nice place for a couple of days vacation, that's all it is.
By far, England is the worst place for Americans to come and live in the entire world. I should know... I have lived and worked here for 2 years. I've given it more chances than I know, but I have learned that you just can't make a place something that you dreamed out of your head all your life as a child in school into something it's never going to be.

Then all I can suggest is this - GO HOME

Finally let me say that I love both country's (always have, even before I met Andrea), both have thier good and bad points.  Hope I don't offend anybody

I take it they are too narrow and tiny for your huge head and your overweight American ass

Old - now here is a concept most Americans just can't get.  A lot of our building are older than your entire history so to you guys your right they are old !!!, and as for outdated buildings, the British stopped building our houses from wood in the 16th century unlike in America, is it any wonder that whenever you guys get a mild storm all your houses blow away !!!

I refer you to the answer above about your fat ass, maybe we might help you lose some weight so you can fit into our tiny cars and our narrow streets

....

Then all I can suggest is this - GO HOME

Finally let me say that I love both country's (always have, even before I met Andrea), both have thier good and bad points.  Hope I don't offend anybody

OK, I'm sorry, but that's just a little too harsh, and yes I am pretty offended.  It's not easy making the move to a different country and assimilating, and I don't think you have the right to judge someone else's experiences so harshly if you have never been there yourself. Alot of what you said is just plain nasty and just as arrogant as you claim this guy is, especially the "huge overweight American ass" comment ... this guy is talking about his experiences with the country, and he said nothing personal, but you had to go on and insult not just him, but Americans and the US in general... and very immaturely, I might add. His post might not have come across to your liking, but this is a forum for American expats, and you should expect to see some complaints once in a while. The adjustment process is not a bed of roses. Check out any UK expat forums for living in the US and you'll find Brits complaining just as much about the US... it's what happens when the "honeymoon" phase wears off. I certainly hope you aren't going to be so insulting and judgemental to your girlfriend when she comes over if she ever has any issues with homesickness and missing the American way of life, because chances are it will happen. I hope, for Andrea's sake, you're at least more sensitive than you just made out in that post.

OK, I'm sorry, but that's just a little too harsh, and yes I am pretty offended.  It's not easy making the move to a different country and assimilating, and I don't think you have the right to judge someone else's experiences so harshly if you have never been there yourself. Alot of what you said is just plain nasty and just as arrogant as you claim this guy is, especially the "huge overweight American ass" comment ... this guy is talking about his experiences with the country, and he said nothing personal, but you had to go on and insult not just him, but Americans and the US in general. His post might not have come across to your liking, but this is a forum for American expats, and you should expect to see some complaints once in a while. The adjustment process is not a bed of roses. Check out any UK expat forums for living in the US and you'll find Brits complaining just as much about the US... it's what happens when the "honeymoon" phase wears off. I certainly hope you aren't going to be so insulting and judgemental to your girlfriend when she comes over if she ever has any issues with homesickness and missing the American way of life, because chances are it will happen. I hope, for Andrea's sake, you're at least more sensitive than you just made out in that post.

With all due respect I did read most of this to Andrea and she just laughed at at it, I guess she knows my sence of humour - My only serious point of the post was about the NHS, the rest was said with a very big tongue in cheek - I really do not intend to offend anybody and I totally appreciate how hard it is for people to adjust to a diff country.

With all due respect I did read most of this to Andrea and she just laughed at at it, I guess she knows my sence of humour - My only serious point of the post was about the NHS, the rest was said with a very big tongue in cheek - I really do not intend to offend anybody and I totally appreciate how hard it is for people to adjust to a diff country.

Um alright, I'm sure everything I said was hilarious, I know. Just like everything you said was laugh out loud funny. Your sense of humor sure is of a high intelligence.  Is that tongue-in-cheek for you?