Has anyone moved from the United States to the U.K. and found that they?

Question

LOVED IT, had culture shock, or would highly recommend, also, have you brought your child with you and how did they adjust.....

Who is Aimee? You people confuse me sometimes?

Answer 1

I moved to the UK from the US when I was 14.

Culture shock? Yes and no. The culture is quite similar in all the big ways, but I found various little things really hard to get used to. Silly things really. Looking back I can't see why any of it bothered me.

Everything is a lot more expensive here, that's the real struggle for me as an adult, and makes me think sometimes about going back to the US when it's time to buy a house and settle down. It's a shame because I feel more like a British person now in my outlook. But I guess I am American enough to want a big house and nice weather!

There are some real advantages in the UK too- the national health service- you never need to worry about health care, you will not pay for anything at all- in the states I know people who are stuck in certain jobs because starting their own business, or taking a part time contract, would mean losing their insurance, which they get from their employer. There is also more empahsis here on work-life balance. Americans work crazy hours and often don't feel like they can take their vacation time- in the UK everyone takes their vacation, and you get a minimum of 24 days per year, plus public holidays. There are also more employee rights- permanent job contracts etc, not so much of a hire/fire culture. The price you pay of course is lower salaries (in terms of buying power) and higher taxes, so it depends whether you think it's worth it, I guess. Some people do, some don't.

All in all I am really glad I came here, because if I lived in the US my whole life there would have been a danger of me turning out like some of these previous posters who are such ignorant brats they think smaller cars and Victorian houses are a sign of poverty.

The people in the UK are much more open-minded and tolerant than Americans, who are frankly brainwashed from birth- all through school we were taught we lived in the greatest nation on earth, we had it better than everyone else, we were the only people with freedom- what a load of crap. People need to decide that for themselves.

It's a real eye opener leaving the US, and I wish more people would. Everyone I know who has lived overseas for a while has felt a huge shift in their attitude- suddenly they aren't so arrogant and proud of themselves for being American, because they realise there are other nations elsewhere which are great, which we could learn from.

Homesickness is inevitable- sometimes I desperately want to be back in my hometown, but with my 25 vacation days a year I can take long trips to visit my family and that's enough to keep it at bay!

Answer 2

Well, the child does not apply to me, but I did move to the UK from the United States. I lived in the U.K. for about a year. I suffered from some pretty extreme culture shock for the first couple of months, and suffered from some pretty extreme depression as a result. Eventually I qualified for free medical through their system, which I totally wish we had in the States, and after that I was totally fine. Ended up really loving it there once I adjusted, but it is no better or worse than the United States. The thrill of being somewhere different with a great culture was the best part. That said, food and prices are MUCH better here, so it evens out.

Answer 3

Well I would not object at all to you coming to the UK to work! But it won't be easy. It would be a question of finding a skill or trade that is in short supply in the UK. Many British people long to become skilled or get a trade and can't because there is no Government funding to help them do this. So when the Government say there are "skill shortages" what it means is that there are people willing to train up to do these jobs but they can't be bothered to help them because its cheaper to import labour than train it up from within. The UK job market is currently flooded with Eastern European migrants and they are driving down wages and making it harder for even some skilled UK workers. however I do beleive there are still areas where the Government claims there are "skill shortages" and there are always places for highly educated academics, doctors etc. The first question would be what do you do, what experience you have and then researching jobs and companies in that area. Good luck!

Answer 4

actually ive been om a holiday from the us to uk, i hated it there, the culture is kinda the same, but the streets are really little and dirty, people j-walk on the streets, the houses are all made out af bricks or white stuff, nothing new to see. theres not much diversity in the architecture. Why would you want to move to the uk. its ok there if ur poor (i mean u still get paid if ur poor), but if ur rich or middleclass taxes r a huge pain. the streets r crouded, and all the cars look weird. theres more to see in the US, better architecture. my brother and sister laughed the whole time they found the accent very funny. the only thing they liked was the chocolate.

Answer 5

vikki it is very unlikely that those children got fleas and headlice for public transport here in the uk. also how can you possibly say that people in the uk are poor we have the 4th largest econamy in the world every country has poor areas perhaps she was living very close to one of those areas.



englands culture is hevily infunced by the usa so i do not think that there will be much of a culture shock to you or any children that you bring with you

Answer 6

Lived in the United States for 46yrs now am re-
tired and living in Panama, the tropical paradise,
why because retirement benefits exist here where
in the states Retired people have no benefits. Yes
I know many will ask why the heck did I leave the
U.S. well they will have to ask the approximately
10,000 of us who have made our home here.

Answer 7

i heard the UK was dangerous in our day..from a woman who just moved here because of work. But it is the leader in today's economy. For me it was beautiful..being that i am a major fashionista....and it depends how old your child is...i moved to america when i was 8 from slovakia, and i adjusted just fine!!!

Answer 8

No I have not,but I am from the USA,and have lived in a foreign land with my child--and most of the culture shock for me was trying to communicate in a different language.So,obviously you would not have that problem in the UK.
Best wishes.

Answer 9

I could never move there in the first place, I can't understand half they are saying and everyone would hate me. Seen Fergie on Bill Maher show on ABC before they fired him , he was talking and she was telling something about her daughter Beatrice. Everyone there thought she said my bitches and he ask her what did you say and she spelled it and told her they thought were calling your daughters the bitches.

Answer 10

Or, D. Found that they do not have dentists there.....LOL


You have *GOT* to be joking, what are you going to do for an encore, leave your three-year-old girl in a hotel room while you go out to eat?


Dimblonde...This is *NOT* the UK section, they clicked on "all English " in the language selection,,,,doofus


USA bashers,,feel free to leave. STFU