"Life in the US is easier; life in the UK is more interesting" -- Discuss

hmmm- A thought provoking subject.
     I think I see England right now with a "grass is greener" view.  The people are so nice, you have all these amazing countries and cultures in your backyard, public transport is better, people actually speak to you in pubs just to get to know you... ect ect...

 However- I will never complain about gas prices in the US again after living here, I miss In-an-Out Burger, parking is soooooooo much better in US, and of course not being considered a
foreigner.

   Fiance and I decided we would just move when one country got boring-

For me, some things got easier when we moved to the UK and some things became more difficult, so I guess it would be a pretty even split between the two countries on that point.

As for which country I find more interesting, initially the novelty of the UK was very interesting but at the same time it was very stressful.  I love English history, landscapes, castles, cathedrals, and old houses so that part has continued to be interesting to me five years on and I make an effort to spend time enjoying it.  That said, I always lived in cities in the US whereas I live in a small town in the UK so for me there is less going on here.  I guess it would be a pretty even split again.

I agree that some people are materialistic, I just doubt that anyone gave me and my 15 year old car more than 2 seconds thought unless they happened to be riding in it and wished it had air bags.

I'm sure people say things behind my back, but, meh, people say things.  If words then translate into actions then that person is a jerk and who cares what they think?  

It is just like elementary school.  There will always be people who find things to pick on other people about, weight, hair, where you live, where you travel to, what your political choices are.  

The only person you can control is you.  The only people's opinions I care about are my friends' and family and even that is limited.

I think people are just as judgemental in the UK, just in different aspects.  People are people, where ever you go.  

This is not to say I don't like it here, or don't like British people, I do. I just don't think that anyone goes home from work thinking, that bookgrl, man she needs a haircut/more make-up/a better car.  I doubt they ever think of me at all, which is comforting.

Isn't there a Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times"?

Moving to a new place is naturally going to be more "interesting" and living wherever it is you have been living is going to be "easier" even if it's only a cardboard box.

I find topics like this really hard to cope with, to be honest. Everyone's going to have a different answer and each of those answers is valid. As the OP said, it's impossible to generalise. So ... doesn't that make this thread sort of impossible?

I agree with this, and to be honest (no offense D_A_D), when I first saw this thread, I thought "Oh, no, not again!"  Discussions like this never have satisfactory resolutions.  Different people belong in different places, and what makes one person happy in a place would make another person miserable there.  What more is there to say, really? 

Moving to a new place is naturally going to be more "interesting" and living wherever it is you have been living is going to be "easier" even if it's only a cardboard box.

This is an excellent point. 

I agree with this, and to be honest (no offense D_A_D), when I first saw this thread, I thought "Oh, no, not again!"  Discussions like this never have satisfactory resolutions.  Different people belong in different places, and what makes one person happy in a place would make another person miserable there.  What more is there to say, really? 

This. I wouldn't be able to say it any better.

I agree with this, and to be honest (no offense D_A_D), when I first saw this thread, I thought "Oh, no, not again!"  Discussions like this never have satisfactory resolutions.  Different people belong in different places, and what makes one person happy in a place would make another person miserable there.  What more is there to say, really? 

Couldn't agree more.

I agree with this, and to be honest (no offense D_A_D), when I first saw this thread, I thought "Oh, no, not again!"  Discussions like this never have satisfactory resolutions.  Different people belong in different places, and what makes one person happy in a place would make another person miserable there.  What more is there to say, really? 

There's no need for a satisfactory resolution and I doubt that what the OP is looking for. It's just about having an interesting conversation and while there are certainly expats here like you who have adjusted exceptionally well, others don't and that's is why these threads come up again and again and always will.

For me, I'm always happy to join in one of these conversations because I don't feel at home totally in either the US or UK anymore. I'm a fish out of water so I find all perspectives very interesting. However, right at the moment, I've typed more than I should as I need to get myself and the kids up for school/work. So I' shall return to post more later.

There's no need for a satisfactory resolution and I doubt that what the OP is looking for. It's just about having an interesting conversation and while there are certainly expats here like you who have adjusted exceptionally well, others don't and that's is why these threads come up again and again and always will.

For me, I'm always happy to join in one of these conversations because I don't feel at home totally in either the US or UK anymore. I'm a fish out of water so I find all perspectives very interesting.

This is how I feel, too. I think I moved to the UK around the same time as D.A.D, and I've been doing a lot of thinking about the differences -- especially now that we've hit autumn, and the autumn here in Newcastle is not nearly as colourful or fun-filled as autumn in Maine is (no apple picking, no pumpkins on the front porch, no haunted hay rides). I've been seeing the differences in stark relief lately, and this thread topic really resonated with me. It made me interested to see what others had to say on it.

I guess some things are easier in the US and some things easy in th UK.

DW would say healthcare is easier in the UK

I always think these convos are interesting because I feel like I have had a different sort of experience than most folks on UK-Y, so I like seeing the different perspectives.  It's also a nice reminder (for me!) that I can't/shouldn't generalize.   

I guess some things are easier in the US and some things easy in th UK.

Exactly, and some things are more interesting in the US and some things are more interesting in the UK.  But it is interesting to hear what everyone has to say about what's easier and interesting to them.  For instance, I find my healthcare in the US has been easier than in the UK.  But that's just my experience.

autumn here in Newcastle is not nearly as colourful or fun-filled as autumn in Maine is (no apple picking, no pumpkins on the front porch, no haunted hay rides).

Autumn in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US--you just can't beat it.  *sigh*  It's just so so so much less crisp and colourful and festive here.  Instead of browns and golds and oranges of Halloween and Thanksgiving stuff in the shops it's ALREADY CHRISTMAS CR@P  here.  But, sorry I digress.  I do really like living here and I've adjusted very well, but I do miss savoring autumn.  Here it's a long gray slide from September into Christmas. 

Autumn in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US--you just can't beat it.  *sigh* 

...unless you're in Wisconsin.

Isn't there a Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times"?

Not to sound overly dire, but this is slightly how I'm feeling about my upcoming move to Scotland.  Obviously, it's going to be great to finally be with my fiance, and not have our relationship rely on Live Messenger.  Life is always more interesting when you get to share it with someone you love.  And I'm definitely looking forward to, as others have pointed out, being (relatively) close to so many historic sites, and some pretty amazing nature/landscapes as well.

But I am aware that there are going to be trade-offs, and things I miss, particularly because we'll be living in a pretty small, remote location.  I grew up in the country; groceries were a 10-minute drive, and just about anything else was at least 30 minutes away.  For culture, you had to go at least an hour.   So, it's not like I'm not used to a slower pace.  But now, the nearest Tesco is going to be about a 3 1/2 hour drive (at least), and will involve a ferry.  So, yes.  Easier.  The U.S. will have been easier, from a standpoint of consumer convenience.  And I'm not ashamed to say that I'm going to miss being able to order a pizza online.

In the grand scheme of things, though... is there really a comparison between universal health care and hot-and-cold-running pizza?  Especially when I'm currently uninsured, and, frankly, should probably be kept away from fast food, for my own protection?   Seriously, though, (assuming I can find a job of some sort,) the list of day-to-day things to worry about will be shorter after I've moved, partly because of the U.K. vs. U.S., and partly because of our own particular living situation.

Autumn in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US--you just can't beat it.  *sigh*  It's just so so so much less crisp and colourful and festive here.  Instead of browns and golds and oranges of Halloween and Thanksgiving stuff in the shops it's ALREADY CHRISTMAS CR@P  here.  But, sorry I digress.  I do really like living here and I've adjusted very well, but I do miss savoring autumn.  Here it's a long gray slide from September into Christmas. 

Oh but, spring is so much nicer in the UK -- a long green slide from February to June!  Here it's all over in about 2 weeks.