Pro & Con between life in UK & US

Stella!  Stop reading my mind! 

Stella!  Stop reading my mind! 

There has been a mod request to let it go.  If you want to discuss the pros and cons of the US vs. the UK, then please do.  Otherwise, please stay on topic.

I'd just like to put in a good word for Marmite as I find it is a great way of getting B vitamins into my little boy.  It's brilliant not only as a spread but in sauces & gravies. Mmmmm.

Oh, and Nick Drake? Pah! Give me Roddy Frame any day.

Imo the Pros to the US:
1. family are there
2. You can carry protection (no not a gun)
3. *Some* foods
4. Convenience in shopping and restaurants
5. cheaper houses

Cons to the US
1. alot of my family and friends live in small towns
2. no NHS
3. where I lived public transportation was a joke
4. ridiculous insurance prices on cars
5. ridiuclous prices on cars
6. Everything is credit based
7. Where i lived lack of produce
8. where i lived lack of small businesses
9. where i lived lack of fitness
10. 6 weeks maternity leave- unpaid-
11. no paternity leave
12. 2 weeks maximum vacation time
13. weak currency
14. extortionate university prices
15. policemen who pull you over and take precious time up instead of speed cameras.
16. 21 is the legal age to drink
17. "right to bear arms"


pros to the UK
1. NHS
2. 6 MONTHS + maternity leave Paid!
3. 2 weeks paternity leave
4. 25+ days holiday time paid
5. cheap car prices
6. great produce selection
7. great public transportation
8. the size of the country makes road trips such a breeze!
9. strong ish currency
10. NCT, Surestart etc baby groups
11. great selection of local shops
12. great summer music festivals
13. family is here
14. uni is CHEAP!!!
15. you can really live on a LOT less money here
16. council taxes that you can see the benefit of
17. Pub environment
18. fashion *seems* to be better here than where we were back in america
19. CCTV everywhere

Cons of the Uk
1. more expensive house prices
2. smaller houses
3. slenderer gr? roads
4. you cannot carry mace

Either way I was born and bred American and you could not PAY me to move back.

I'd just like to put in a good word for Marmite...

Marmite = ear wax in a jar!

I can tell most of the people responding negatively to this post are Americans.  The British have a far better sense of humour.  TAKING THE PISS is a very British thing.  They make fun of everything over here.  America seems to be an overly serious country nowadays and take the PC attitude a little far.  Rule Britannia!

I can tell most of the people responding negatively to this post are Americans.  The British have a far better sense of humour.  TAKING THE PISS is a very British thing.  They made fun of everything over here.  America seems to be an overly serious country nowadays and take the PC attitude a little far.  Rule Britannia!

This is the third mod request to keep on topic.  Discuss the pros and cons all you want, but the discussion of other forum members is now over.

If I have to step in one more time, I'm locking it.  You've been warned.

As well as regional differences (in both the U.S. and the U.K.), some of the things are purely subjective anyway, for example:

Cons to the US
1. alot of my family and friends live in small towns

That's a con if you like big cities, a pro for those of us who much prefer the small-town atmosphere (in either country).

3. where I lived public transportation was a joke

Again, regional differences.  Public transportation in rural Norfolk is a joke too.

16. council taxes that you can see the benefit of

Where's that?  In the last 10 years council tax in my area has more than doubled, yet the services have deteriorated.  This has been happening all over the country.

2. You can carry protection (no not a gun)
17. "right to bear arms"

Isn't listing one of those as a pro and the other a con kind of contradictory?

Cons of the Uk
4. you cannot carry mace

In theory you can.  The Bill of Rights says so.  The Prevention of Crime Act 1953 says so.  It's just government and police "policy" which will get you into trouble for doing so. 

Occasional disagreements aside, it was interesting to read people's lists.    And amusing to see where I disagreed on what was a con and what was a pro. 

I can tell most of the people responding negatively to this post are Americans.  The British have a far better sense of humour.  TAKING THE PISS is a very British thing.  They make fun of everything over here.  America seems to be an overly serious country nowadays and take the PC attitude a little far.  Rule Britannia!

Out of respect for Mindy's wishes, I am replying in PM.

Back on topic, isn't everything subjective?  Okay, somethings are pretty unequivocal  (London house prices, gun crime in Washington DC) but most things are entirely in the eye of the beholder, and it is difficult to say what is better or worse until you have lived in both.  paul's point about cities is perfect - I'm from London, I love it here, if I were going to move to the US then I'd want to be in New York city or Washington DC; many people would totally disagree.



Vicky

My (US) Husbands major gripe about the difference between here and the US is anything related to driving!  Roads are narrower and we drive on the 'wrong' side of the road!

Aside from that there are obvious differences but he loves living in both places equally.

Back on topic, isn't everything subjective?  Okay, somethings are pretty unequivocal  (London house prices, gun crime in Washington DC) but most things are entirely in the eye of the beholder, and it is difficult to say what is better or worse until you have lived in both.  paul's point about cities is perfect - I'm from London, I love it here, if I were going to move to the US then I'd want to be in New York city or Washington DC; many people would totally disagree.



Vicky

Exactly what I was thinking.  And considering how different each city is in the US and the UK, I wouldn't even dream of trying to compare the two countries as a whole.

What annoys me is that some people can't seem to see beyond their own likes/dislikes to understand and respect those of someone else.  For lots of people living in Florida, there's no place better on earth.  For me, I couldn't wait to get away from it and I'm continually treated as though I'm some sort of mutant for feeling that way.    And the fact that I consider England my home and America someplace to visit - maybe - on holiday, well that just makes me even stranger to some...

Peedal, you and my mother can get together and have a 'we hate Florida' party!! I was born there and she loathed it!

There's an outside chance we may move there with DH's work (St Pete) but I'm hoping something else pans out.

But back on topic, yes, you can't really compare whole countries well like this. It's just too subjective.

Marmite = ear wax in a jar!

You must have funny ear wax, Carolyn!! Funny ... but delicious! 

Off topic - my butcher carries a Marmite Cheddar which, even though I'm not a big Marmite fan, I think is gorgeous.  Whenever he has it, I have to buy half the wheel for various people in my office!