What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the UK?

Question

I am in the US and considering moving after I finish college next spring. I've read that the national minimum wage is much higher in the UK than it is here in the States and that health care is (usually) free. Are there any disadvantages to living there, and how well or poorly are Americans received?

Anyone can answer this question, but I'm particularly interested in hearing from British people and from Americans who live or have lived in the UK.

Answer 1

If you haven't already started researching immigration & visas, this website is the starting point:

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Aslan's answer is very correct in that the cost of living is very high in the UK. To put it into context, the UK minimum wage of 4.50 UK pounds would feel similar to earning the same as the US minimum wage. Now combine that with a complete unavailability of affordable housing in the UK, and you can how much minimum wage living would actually suck.

However, if you have a well-paid career, there is probably no better place to live in the world. It is a fascinating country, with so much culture and entertainment. You have a real impression of living at the cutting edge of change. So much music, fashion, technology etc emerges from the UK, that it feels a very vibrant place to live.

Healthcare is free for UK citizens and permanant (legal) residents. This is a double-edge sword. Everyone is covered, but waiting lists are typical long. The National Health Service is paid for by taxation, which includes income tax and VAT. VAT is applied to all good and services purchased (everything from food to hiring a plumber). It is 17.5% and is included in all advertised prices - it's not shown separately as in North America.

Then there's the price of gas (petrol)! It's hovering around 95 pence per litre (of which 61 pence is tax that goes straight to the government. Got to pay for all that free healthcare somehow?). This would mean that it would cost 57 pounds to fill up an average car. That's $104.

You asked about how well the British receive Americans. I've worked in many different UK workplaces with Americans, and always seen them treated well.

So in essence, get the correct visa, get a job that earns good money, and you'll have the time of your life.

Answer 2

Some English folk never settle here well and go back after a couple of years, some others think it's the best. From what I've seen Men seem to handle the isolation from extended family better than women. It's a long and expensive journey from UK to Australia. Even with modern aircraft if a relative was to be taken ill you may never get the chance to say goodbye. I know you can skype etc but you will lose the feeling of closeness as they move on with their lives and you aren't there in person. We have a huge range of climate conditions, distances between towns can be over an hour on a highway. There are not a lot of permanent jobs, most people work casual. Check out the Australian Government immigration website to see if you qualify for work visas and stuff. The day of the 10 pound pom is well and truly over.

Answer 3

I was born and raised in Wales, my family is still there (in fact I'm flying out on Wednesday) I'm now a US citizen. Let me start with 'amfound2' - you're an ****, what would poses you to say such things?? 'Aslan' and 'Sarahsunshine' have pretty much hit the nail on the head as far as cost of living and health care etc. It is incredible how expensive things are in the UK especially when you're always converting it to dollars in you're head. Right now one British Pound is equal to 54c.

There are folks who disagree with the UK's involvemnt with the Iraq war, just like there folks here who think we should get out. But, there are also folks who remember that if it was not for those fine, fine American GI's the Brits may well have a German accent today.

Here's the best part about the UK (I think it is) - History. Eg. In my home town of Cernarfon in North Wales there is a magnificent medievel castle built in 1200's. Its an amazing piece of engineering. You can climb up into the turrets and look out over the Menai Straits in one direction and over to Snowdon (the highest mountain in Wales) the other way. Five minutes up the road you'll find the remains of a Roman Fort. There are similar places to discover all over the UK.

Travelling within the UK is pretty easy because of the rail system. I think its one thing in the UK that is not to badly priced.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You will be disappointed if you think that you can get free health care as a foreigner. You WILL need to take out health insurance, if you do not and you need any treatment for anything, YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR IT.
The tax payers of the UK has had enough of foreigners coming to the UK for "free medical treatment" and that has long gone!
The roads are extremely congested, petrol is the highest price in the world, parking is impossible, and if you park in someone elses space you may come back to find your car has been damaged, or worse! People get beaten up for parking in someone elses space as parking space is at a premium.
You might get more pay but the cost of living is EXTORTIONATE! Many indigenous people cannot afford even a modest house any more, and even the rents are crippling. Council tax is ripping us all off and continues to rise every year.
There are gangs of feral youth who roam the streets, and the streets are not safe even in daylight people get dragged away and raped.
I have American friends here and since the Iraq war they have been persecuted with youths banging on their door, throwing eggs at the windows and damaging their vehicles.
These are professional people who live in a decent neighborhood!
What makes us Brits REALLY ANGRY is foreigners coming for free medical treatment so that will get a lot of peoples back up.

Answer 5

i am from the UK (born in London actually) and coal dust is a thing from before ww2 - little coal but mostly car fumes due to high levels of traffic.

although our min wage is higher than in the USA our cost of living is far higher and we have a lower average expendable income than you do in the USA than we do here. many Brits find that they work to cover their living expenses and not a lot else - so please do your research carefully before you come.

accommodation is especially expensive if you are planning on living anywhere near to London - the further away from London the less rent will be asked of from you

also many Brits regard Americans as arrogant know it alls (i know better because of my many Internet American buddies i have met) and many will blame you for dragging us into the Iraq war also. but many Brits will also find that having a real live American to chat to and will generally treat you in a similar way to how we were treated (very friendly) when we visited you guys 2 years ago.

don't let that put you off - i am sure you will find our country fascinating - just be sure you have cleared things with immigration before you set off as there may be a time limit on your stay

Answer 6

Bad weather there, and lots of coal dust in London (so says my travelling family) have you looked into the procedures to move there? It's not that easy to move legally to other countries.

Answer 7

In the UK they bow down to royalty.

In the US they bow down to elected criminals.