Is the UK worth the change in life style and uprooting from America?

Apologies if the OP has already stated this, but have you visited the area where you would be living? Is there a chance that you could take a long vacation/sabbatical and experience normal daily living and not just a holiday? That would make it much easier for you to make the decision to move or not to move.

Manchester is where my woman lives near her family and if I move to the UK chances are we will locate somewhere between Manchester and the city called Leeds. Don't know much about them but I do like the idea of being near a good size city but not living directly in it and avoiding the hustle and bustle of city life.

Manchester and Leeds are both brilliant places!  Lots of nice places in between, too.

Manchester is where my woman lives near her family and if I move to the UK chances are we will locate somewhere between Manchester and the city called Leeds. Don't know much about them but I do like the idea of being near a good size city but not living directly in it and avoiding the hustle and bustle of city life.

Manchester and Leeds are both brilliant places!  Lots of nice places in between, too.

Yep, I agree with that.  I'm in Leeds (several of us on UK-Y are) and it's a good place to live.  Hubby is from Manchester and the rest of his family and best friend is there so we go back and forth for visits often.

The difference being this-- a libertarian would NOT want government regulated or government supported healthcare for all.  A liberal would. Of course, this is simplifying the definition of both. But, it's just to point out that LibDems are liberal (by name at least), but they are not libertarian.

The Lib Dems are somewhat schizophrenic about what they think - comes of the merger of the old Liberal party (once upon a time, the Whigs) and the SDP in about the 1970s. If you dig out the "Orange Book", which is a manifesto a few years ago by the libertarian (in UK/European terms liberal) wing of the party you'll see what I mean - it even included suggestions of essentially privatising the NHS, which even the Tories would never dare try.

Liberal has also historically meant different things over here to the US. Indeed, the association with New Deal type policies in the US is rather unique to the US - everywhere else it's more of a "free minds, free markets, free movement of people" type philosophy. The Liberal party in the UK was classically interested in removing protectionist trade barriers like the Corn Laws and widening the franchise to the largest possible extent. Look up "Classical Liberalism" and you'll see what it meant.

Manchester is where my woman lives near her family and if I move to the UK chances are we will locate somewhere between Manchester and the city called Leeds. Don't know much about them but I do like the idea of being near a good size city but not living directly in it and avoiding the hustle and bustle of city life.

Sheffield is the city between the two
Its big city that does not feel like a city at all. Its a really good mix of people and loads on or near its door step. Loads of Americans running around (went to lunch the other day and our waiter was from a city not from where a cousin in CA lives!) and a really open city. Where I live, I'm 10 minutes drive from City Centre and 20 minutes drive from the Peak District. Cant get any better than that!

Sheffielders always refer to the city as the worlds largest village. As it may have a population of 550,000 it doesnt feel like it! You alwaysalways bump into someone you know (I once bumped into a friend of mine from high school who I hadnt seen since 1996 and she was now living outside of Sheffield)

Sheffield is the city between the two

Since when was Sheffield between Manchester and Leeds? That's a wacky route to take!

The Lib Dems are somewhat schizophrenic about what they think - comes of the merger of the old Liberal party (once upon a time, the Whigs) and the SDP in about the 1970s. If you dig out the "Orange Book", which is a manifesto a few years ago by the libertarian (in UK/European terms liberal) wing of the party you'll see what I mean - it even included suggestions of essentially privatising the NHS, which even the Tories would never dare try.

I fear the Tories are already trying it!

The merger was in the late 80's. The SDP (Social Democratic Party) was formed in 1981 by the "gang of four", a group Labour MP's that were disgruntled about Labour's lurch to the left.

I fear the Tories are already trying it!

The merger was in the late 80's. The SDP (Social Democratic Party) was formed in 1981 by the "gang of four", a group Labour MP's that were disgruntled about Labour's lurch to the left.

From what I can work out (never did get a copy of the Orange Book), the scheme, by David Laws no less, was for a full-on insurance scheme vaguely similar to the "Obamacare" one instituted in the US, but with a little more equality. I really don't think the Tories would dare try that for real - too many votes to lose.

Since when was Sheffield between Manchester and Leeds? That's a wacky route to take!

If you look at it like a wonky V Sheffield is the bottom of the V

Sheffield is the city between the two
Its big city that does not feel like a city at all. Its a really good mix of people and loads on or near its door step. Loads of Americans running around (went to lunch the other day and our waiter was from a city not from where a cousin in CA lives!) and a really open city. Where I live, I'm 10 minutes drive from City Centre and 20 minutes drive from the Peak District. Cant get any better than that!

Sheffielders always refer to the city as the worlds largest village. As it may have a population of 550,000 it doesnt feel like it! You alwaysalways bump into someone you know (I once bumped into a friend of mine from high school who I hadnt seen since 1996 and she was now living outside of Sheffield)

Just wanted to express my love for Sheffield.  DH grew up on the border of Yorkshire and the Peak District (Dore & Totley), and it is the loveliest of places.

Just wanted to express my love for Sheffield.  DH grew up on the border of Yorkshire and the Peak District (Dore & Totley), and it is the loveliest of places.

I so really wouldnt want to leave. We almost moved to London temporarily and I was in tears. Im so glad my partner changed his mind and decided to stay!!

Some really good discussions. I'm curious to know if the Manchester, Leeds area has a certain political demographic similar to how the northeast states has a different political persuasion compared to the southeast states? Is the Manchester ,Leeds area conservative or more moderate or liberal?

Some really good discussions. I'm curious to know if the Manchester, Leeds area has a certain political demographic similar to how the northeast states has a different political persuasion compared to the southeast states? Is the Manchester ,Leeds area conservative or more moderate or liberal?

Close to old time Bolshevist Communism in a very small area.

It's a big generalization to make, some areas are more liberal than others. Maybe it expends on the socio economic make up of a certain neighborhood.  I find that different areas are known for it's different types of people who flock to a certain area. For instance, I live in a area thats know for its bohemian green residents, who are particularly gay family friendly. A neighboring area is known for its yuppies, another is known for its footballers etc etc...

It's a big generalization to make, some areas are more liberal than others. Maybe it expends on the socio economic make up of a certain neighborhood.  I find that different areas are known for it's different types of people who flock to a certain area. For instance, I live in a area thats know for its bohemian green residents, who are particularly gay family friendly. A neighboring area is known for its yuppies, another is known for its footballers etc etc...

So Manchester and Leeds is not a particular majority Tory or Labor reliable voting block? Interesting that its a moderate area. That certainly is different from much of America.I think its safe to say that certain states in America are known to be either blue or red states.