Why do I dislike England?

Question

I am a American living in England and I think it is the most unreal expensive mess. My wife and I barely get by each month because of the cost. Living in the states (texas) was almost half the cost of living over here. We live in overdraft every month and in the states it never happened in my lifetime. Everything is overpriced like housing, petrol, food, eating out ect. I can see why everyone here is so pissed off.

Answer 1

As a fellow Texan who travels to UK I agree that everything is very expensive there, with less consumer choice and convenience, but aren't you being a bit harsh?

Yes, their economy is less productive, less consumer-oriented, and compared with Americans the people have evolved a mindset of more doing-without and less risk taking. That's how their history has shaped them. But they're nice folks, it's their country, I like the Brits I know, and there are plenty of things to like about it too... it's just different. You don't expect everywhere to be like Texas?

Edit-- Die Bart, strange you think education is a "right" in UK but only a "privilege" in the US, considering that at least 5 times the proportion of the US population graduates from college as in the UK. Sounds like that's a "right" not available to 93% of the British population.

Answer 2

What to dislike:
- the weather
- the fact that travelling anywhere costs way too much
- ridiculous train ticket prices (when you're already taxed off the overcrowded roads)
- particularly the Heathrow express (27 pounds return for a 35 minute 30 mile trip, give me a break!)
- parking prices, especially at hospitals where you have no alternative
- all schools take the same summer vacations and holidays/flights are jacked up to at least twice the price
- the fact that if that isn't already expensive enough they're considering imposing carbon allowance so you pay VAT on any more travel than one short haul flight a year
- British "customer service"
- litter
- yobs/chavs...violence in town centers when the pubs turn out
- the fact that spouses are treated by financial institutions like they are an inferior person not to be trusted
- getting a bank account and dealing with the ridiculous anti-money laundering rules (chicken and egg requirements)
- that you can't get paid until you have a bank account
- tiny overpriced homes
- anti-social neighbors and paper thin walls
- no garbage disposal
- what the British call "air conditioning"
- nanny state health and safety rules
- speed cameras
and most of all despite being the 21st century
- no mixer taps so to get warm water you have to either waste time filling a sink, or you don't have 5 minutes to spare choose either freezing cold, or cold...cold...red hot

Redeeming features:
- people know how to use the "fast lane"
- talking on a cell phone while driving is illegal
- pubs and proper beer
- absence of guns
- the NHS (truly great, much better value than the US and true global coverage)
- education is a right not a priviledge
- Boxing Day
- Chris Moyles on Radio One
- the News Quiz on Radio Four
- the countryside
- 70 mph speed limits on motorways (but everyone knows 90mph is the unwritten rule and motorways are still speed camera free)
- national newspapers are far more readable
- they don't stick ads over TV programming (A and E - this means you with MI-5/Spooks)
- good TV comedy
- public awareness of global affairs