To think England is a bit boring?

Very much depends where you are. I do agree somewhat in relation to the same shops. I’m lucky enough to live somewhere with plenty of interesting independents but we still have our fair share of ubiquitous chains. Also, the same identikit glass offices and apartments going up everywhere - some bits of the city centre, you could literally be anywhere in the UK.

I think it takes time to settle anywhere. Even moving to a different place in the same country is stressful. I remember thinking I had made the worst mistake of my life when I moved to my current home but wild horses wouldn't drag me away now.
Some friends of mine live in Switzerland and they found it very different to what they expected and didn't like it much at first. But they've been there a couple of years now and have made friends, adapted to the differences and are happy now, though some things still surprise them and there are things that they miss about this country. I don't think that not instantly falling in love with a place means it's a horrible place, more it's just not the place you are used to.

Is it though? I was once left on the side of the road with suspected multiple fractures and internal bleeding. I had to wait close to 3 hours while I was also unconscious. There were no ambulances around, so that's why I had to wait. Only thanks to a random paramedic that lived nearby is that my life was spared.

Or that time when they botched my c section to the extent I had sepsis from the infection. My free healthcare from my developing country paid for it.

BTW there's welfare too and get extra payments if you're too far away from a regional hospital.

Best go back to 'another country' then.

What happens to the poorer people in that "developing country"? Often extreme poverty is what enables those with relative wealth to experience such "luxury".
I had a baby in a developing country. The healthcare was impeccable. Meanwhile other mothers in that country die because they don't have £6 to travel to the hospital.
The NHS might be far from perfect, but at least it's there for everyone.

True but if they weren't invested in the country why double down and spend more money (a very large sum) for right to remain/citizenship if it's so awful? Do what a lot of people do when migration hasn't worked out, stay for a few years and then return home.

Wherever you go, there you are.

Maybe but if that were the case why stay?

And mine is that compared to a huge proportion of the world even the worst life in the UK is fabulous in comparison. Why do you think so many people travel here to make their life here?

No I don't think England is boring at all, history everywhere, beautiful countryside, an amazing coast, a lot of amazing creativity, art, music, literature. We are so multi cultural. That alone makes England way more vibrant in my opinion than countries who do not have as many people from all over the world.

You mention isolated, we are really not isolated, we are right next to Europe and closer to the states than the rest of Europe. If you want isolation, try living in Australia, you really feel far away there and it costs a fortune to get anywhere that is not Australia.

However I don't think we're at our best right now, I think many years of austerity, brexit, Covid and cost of living have taken their toll. But I really doubt that this is unique to England.

I would rather food banks and sanitation than shanty towns and dysentry.

I disagree. On one little island we have a huge variety of people, cultures and places. It's beautiful because of the rain.

I don’t agree that England is boring at all. I love living here and am always grateful that this is my home. There’s so much history, amazing art galleries, theatres (not just the West End), beautiful countryside, beaches, a huge variety of world cuisine and so much more. Transport is relatively good meaning you can explore other cities and areas easily. I’m well travelled and whilst I love visiting new places, I also love to go home.

No it's fabulous. I live in a beautiful, rural location. All the people I love are a few minutes drive away. There is plenty to do and ,if I want really fabulous things to do, I can get on a train and go to London for the day.If I want to hear and see the sea it's a few hours away.I am safe. My children and grandchildren are safe. They can live their lives without fear of being shot or displaced or blown up. It's a wonderful, wonderful country to live in . Those of us who live in England are incredibly lucky. If you look for negatives you will always find them.I prefer to look for positives.

We live on an island so yes we are 'isolated' especially since we are no longer part of the European community. Brexit - the gift that keeps on giving.

Absolutely - I also think there are people (on here and IRL) who seem to make it part of their identity to complain and be miserable about absolutely everything.

I dunno... I come from a "developing country" with high crime rates.

My lifestyle was miles better over there (including free healthcare!)

Had never been a victim of crime over there, but over here it's 3 and counting. And the police did f'all.

Oh and did I mention that university is free over there too?