A highly subjective poll about standard of living

My first teaching job out of college was a class of four-year-olds and extended daycare in the US.  Besides getting paid an absolute pittance (minimum wage), I had no paid vacation and the only unpaid vacation was national holidays (not school holidays).

My last year of teaching I had kindergartners at a very exclusive (and expensive) private school.  I still had a modest salary.  I had no paid vacation days (although I had lengthy unpaid school holidays) and no maternity leave.  I added all my accumulated sick days (from 7 years working there) and one week of unpaid vacation and was back at work when my baby was six weeks old.  I'm not convinced that these facts made me a better teacher/employee or that they provided children with better "service".

My husband who worked in electronics/IT got no vacation the first year he worked in the US.  He got one week the second year, and a maximum of two weeks (not to be taken together) for the rest of the ten years he lived in the US.  It made it difficult for us to visit his family in the UK.  I don't think it made him a better employee.

As for standard of living, the one big difference for us is house prices.  We could afford to buy a house for our family in the US and we haven't yet been able to afford to buy one in the UK even though we earn more here.

As for standard of living, the one big difference for us is house prices.  We could afford to buy a house for our family in the US and we haven't yet been able to afford to buy one in the UK even though we earn more here.

Oo yeah, ditto. No forseeable end in sight to renting, despite the fact that we are now 'making it' by most standards.

As for standard of living, the one big difference for us is house prices.  We could afford to buy a house for our family in the US and we haven't yet been able to afford to buy one in the UK even though we earn more here.

Move further North! 

I think the standard of living one will experience also depends on how well established they are or were in the country to which they are referring to, combined with life stage issues, like being a singleton or married, having kids or not, stage in career etc. etc.

I am better financially established in the UK but I have spent more of my adult life here. I also own a home with Mr MLG, but doubt I could own a home anywhere, esp. if I was a singleton.

Move further North! 

Not you too! 

Move further North! 

Not you too! 

Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  You know you want to!  Besides, my neighbour's house is for sale now.  Get in! 

Move further North! 

I live really really really  north and I can't afford to buy a home

Not you too! 

Oui, moi.

Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  You know you want to!  Besides, my neighbour's house is for sale now.  Get in! 

This! 

I live really really really  north and I can't afford to buy a home

No, dude, you need to move South!!!!! 

You all need to meet in the middle. Chez Yorkshire.

I'm a US citizen who's lived in the UK for 6 years and just became a UK citizen. I moved to Leicester from Boston. There's no question that the quality of life is better in Boston than in Leicester, but it's probably not fair to compare those two. But as 0phinky said, Boston is expensive, but London is outrageous - we can't afford to live in London at the moment. On the other hand, I met my partner of 6 years here, whereas I had a hard time meeting people in Boston. And I've traveled all over Europe on the cheap. I have a good paying job here, which I didn't in Boston. But as far as housing, products and services are concerned, I give the edge to the US. Yet as was said early on, it depend on what rocks your boat. I've never felt completely comfortable here and don't think I ever will.

No, dude, you need to move South!!!!! 

You all need to meet in the middle. Chez Yorkshire.

Hehhe