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Topic: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?  (Read 7647 times)

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Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« on: November 13, 2011, 03:23:10 AM »
I do.


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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2011, 07:36:13 AM »
To be honest, I think that both the US and the UK are good places to live, each may have their "negative" aspects, but I've been happy living in both places. I wouldn't leave the UK though, even for the things I miss about the US, there's too much that I would miss here if I left, most of all my husband :)
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2011, 07:38:43 AM »
I do right now. There is no guarantee that I will tomorrow though.  :)
The only meaning anything has is the meaning you give to it.       ~Author Unknown

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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2011, 08:03:49 AM »
I do. But then I was born here and, even though I lived in the US for a big chunk of my life, this will always be home.
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2011, 09:31:11 AM »
I do but some of that is due to comparing being with my husband and two kids here versus being alone in an LDR when I was last living there.
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2011, 10:16:48 AM »
I do, though I've also gotten lucky with regards to my career/job prospects here. I didn't move over for a job/SO, but have ended up with both that are really awesome. :) The little things that I miss are easy enough to do without, for me.
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2011, 10:17:54 AM »
Mass transit (not perfect but usable).
Health Care (never had any in the US).
No AC bills (heating yes, but I have yet to turn it on....am shooting for not turning in on 'till December).
Low gun crime.
Sausages.
Brit bacon.
Mcvittie's milk chocolate digestive biscuits.
Strong tea (two bags, stewed for 4 minutes).
Ian Hislop.
Argos (just punch in the number and they get it for you....what a concept!)
Prince Harry (impossible to not like the guy).

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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2011, 10:20:36 AM »
Yes (see my plethora of posts on this topic for the reasons why :P).
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2011, 10:44:43 AM »
I can't really say that I prefer one place over the other.  My family is back in the states, I miss the Twin Cities, the local bar I frequented, good wheat beers (this may be subjective, I have found plenty of beers and ales I like in the UK, but I do miss good ol Leinie's), healthcare is kind of a toss up, the reactive rather than preventive approach here does worry me (but on the other hand it is FREE). 

Public transport is much easier to use, I like the fact I don't have to drive everywhere (although I do miss driving and my Chevy Blazer), I also like that there's so many places to see and explore within close proximity, I think the work/life balance is better over here (at least in my role).  There's plenty of other things I could list, but basically I can't choose one over the other.
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2011, 01:28:51 PM »
You'd have to take me back to the US kicking and screaming. My life here is GOOD, really good. I have my moments, but overall I wouldnt want to go back there. If we had to leave the UK, would probably move into Europe or east coast of Canada.


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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2011, 01:35:58 PM »
Absolutely.

I'll most likely be turning in my blue passport after my father dies (so let's hope I keep it for a long time! ;) )


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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2011, 02:32:52 PM »
Abso-freaking-lutely. I can't imagine myself ever voluntarily living in the US again.
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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2011, 04:41:16 PM »
I've loved every place I've lived. Wherever you go, there you are.


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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2011, 04:48:02 PM »
Yeah, I prefer living here.  There are things I miss about the US, but overall my life is much better in the UK. 
On s'envolera du même quai
Les yeux dans les mêmes reflets,
Pour cette vie et celle d'après
Tu seras mon unique projet.

Je t'aimais, je t'aime, et je t'aimerai.

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Re: Does anyone prefer life in the UK to the US?
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2011, 07:25:01 PM »
Mass transit (not perfect but usable).
Health Care (never had any in the US).
No AC bills (heating yes, but I have yet to turn it on....am shooting for not turning in on 'till December).
Low gun crime.
Sausages.
Brit bacon.
Mcvittie's milk chocolate digestive biscuits.
Strong tea (two bags, stewed for 4 minutes).
Ian Hislop.
Argos (just punch in the number and they get it for you....what a concept!)
Prince Harry (impossible to not like the guy).



I agree with you except for the bits about bacon/sausage (don't eat pork), tea (prefer coffee) and Prince Harry.  

I'd like to add that, in general, people (in London anyway) are more informed about the rest of the world. You can hear conversations about the IMF or Chinese land grabbing in Africa on the bus, whereas the typical American thinks that Africa is a single country...  ??? Answers to ridiculous questions about my origins are met with perplexed gazes in the States, whereas here they only generate more interesting questions.

Also, in the US I'm so uncool, just a big dork/nerd/geek, or otherwise so unsettling, apparently, that people ignore me in conversation, whereas I can relate to a lot more people here. I even get the same reactions from ex-pat Americans (who seem to stick together). Aggressive optimism and empty pleasantness don't impress people here like in the US.

I completely get Josephine Baker.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2011, 07:29:24 PM by treacle »


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