Should I live in the US or the UK?

Question

I have dual citizenship- I live in London right now, but sometimes consider going to the states. There are so many pros and cons of each that I can never seem to decide where the best place to live is. I know I'd be financially better off in the states, in theory, but things like healthcare and lack of holiday time off work put me off.

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are- where would you rather live? And why?

To everyone suggesting I go somewhere else altogether- actually I do agree, Canada and Australia do seem like the best of both worlds, and if all else were equal I'd go to one of those places, but half my family is in the US and half is in the UK and I at least want to be near some of them.

Answer 1

Why not split the difference and live in Canada or Australia. They seem to have a bit of the best of both worlds, and yet eliminate some of the bad points of each side of the pond, like rat infested slums and unfriendliness of US cities and the growing yob culture and soft living mentality dominating UK life in 21st century?

Answer 2

This is how I see it...

Country living is boring and there is absolutely nothing to do. It's pretty if you want to retire, I suppose. Or you're super rich. Or willing to work in the mines or grow and sell veggies or raise cattle.

In the cities, traffic is bad. REALLY bad.
You have to drive everywhere. (Except in Manhattan.)
A car is a must have. You're looked down upon if you have an old car. 16 year olds will probably own a better car than you.
Crime is everywhere. Supercrime.
The place where I work was robbed last night at 2 in the morning.
This wasn't the first time.
And I live and work in one of the safest towns in Los Angeles.
There is graffiti everywhere.
People are really aggressive on the road.
I actually lit fireworks and threw them out of my car on the freeway the other night.
The cops are crooks.
The cities are all overcrowded.
Everyone is either stuck up or they want to know all your business.
The government is crap.
No free health insurance unless your job supplies it. (And you still have to co-pay - 15 bucks for a visit and 5 bucks for prescriptions)
Everyone is either fat or a vegetarian.
People try to sell Jesus to you on every street corner.
We do have a lot of variety when it comes to food.
We have amusement parks like Six Flags and water parks (the water parks are usually next door to the roller coaster parks).
When you move to USA nobody can tell that you're new.
Everyone speaks another language.
When you go to the bank there are usually up to 5 different languages on the ATM menu.
When people bump into you while you're walking they don't say sorry.
There isn't really any respect for anyone outside of work. And a lot of these new age run businesses try to act like you're all friends.
You get ripped off everywhere. (If you're looking for a job here DON'T GET SUCKERED INTO A PYRAMID SCHEME. They are everywhere.)
We have the most hurricanes/tornadoes than any other country in the world.
California has about 50-100 earthquakes a day. Most you can't feel but some will knock you off your feet.
There's a lot of smog and pollution.
The cars only have 15-20 miles per gallon (most).
Our measurement tables are based on nothing and make no sense.

Answer 3

I have lived in London and loved it but I am an American; an Oklahoman/Texan (I live in both states).

The pros are the freedoms in the United States; freedom of speech (squelched lately in the UK), freedom of self defense and firearms ownership and the freedom of economic opportunity. In the US you can still get rich if you work hard enough, in the UK they seem to be stuck in their stations.

The Cons are you have to work for your economic freedom, nobody will give you anything in the US. You have to pay for your medical care but you get what you pay for. The care is better and there is no such thing as a wait. I needed surgery recently and had it done the next day.

Vacation time equal 2 weeks in the US. I know that sucks compared to European rates especially Germany, but it is back to working hard and getting what you pay for. The unemployment rate is double in the UK in Europe compared to the US, I think all of that free holiday times European employers have to shell out has a lot to do with it.

It is a hard decision, one that you will have to make on your own. You might test the waters by living in the US first. A lot of English girls take jobs as au pairs in the US. You could make a little money, get free air fare and you could get an up front look at America before you decide

Answer 4

I am British, born and bred in London, and - going back a few generations - with welsh, scottish and cornish ancestry.
I live and work In greater london

I love the USA, It's a great place to visit. I have had Wonderful holidays all over the States.

I would never live there, though.
American society is too repressed, too psychotic, too violent, too right wing.
You can watch 20 murders in graphic detail, on TV, every night, but the sight of a nipple causes national outrage.
in your own little 'clique' you are fine... outside of your neighbourhood, people will treat you as a potential deranged killler, by default.

The best, most tolerant, most friendly country I have lived in, is the Netherlands. When I retire, I would like to head for Utrecht, and settle down by the side of some semi-urban canal

Answer 5

I also have a dual citizenship, but between the two countries, I would prefer living in the USA. I had considered moving to another country previously, but ruled it out when I began to weigh in the pro's and con's of taking up residence in a foreign country.
I love the United States of America, not very content with the current political agenda or the leaders, but voting is the way to change the political future of our country, running away hoping to find a better lifestyle in a foreign land, isn't the right thing for me to do.

"I know that I would be financially better off in the states", well, then you could easily afford your own health insurance couldn't you? And, as far as lack of holidaytime off, then do what a lot of Americans have been doing for years, go into business for yourself, start your own company, employ workers and produce a product or service that is in demand, worldwide, then as the owner and CEO of such a company, you can pretty much do whatever it is that you want to do, I know this for a fact, because this is exactly what I did and I don't seem to have the same concerns that you have presented to us here, today!

Sell People Things They Want
Can't Have,
But are Willing To Pay For

But, do it legally and you will find that you will greatly enjoy living in the USA over another country.

This is only my personal opinion and my own personal experiences, you must make your own choices as where to live.

Good Luck and I sincerely hope you find whatever it is that you are looking for.

Fire'n'Ice

Answer 6

I'd stay in the UK. Like you say, here you pay your taxes, and you get free healthcare. THere you pay your taxes, and have to pay health insurance on top of that. ALso, you do get less time off work. I think there are a lot of problems in the US, that are not so much highlighted when you live over here in the UK, like the racial problems, and they have a messed up society, with, like us, a large gap between rich and poor.

It would also depend, of course, on where in the states you would like to live. Some areas are far worse than others. But personally, I would stay here.

Answer 7

If the choice is UK or USA, then UK definately- could never live in the USA, would never visit it either- no real reason except that nothing about it appeals to me in any way whatsoever! We have enough nanny state rules in the UK but the USA has even more!

Answer 8

It's your call I lived in the US for a while and got the biggest lump in my throat since my daughters were born when I stepped off the plane at Heathrow.
I knew then where I had to live try it your heart will tell you and it's your heart that keeps you happy not your purse strings

Answer 9

I live d in the states and found it to be great!.. the only thing i have issue with is the high cost of health care which can be outrageous.. otherwise Id say go and live over there and see for yourself..

Answer 10

I'd rather live in Cyprus or Spain. Laid back, long lunch breaks, good weather, great food, nice people, good attitude, good healthcare (for EU members) affordable housing, Safer than both UK & US.