To not think the UK is as bad as everyone makes out?

You sound like you live in quite a nice place that works for you. I personally think that in general, the UK is in major decline. Can’t get GP appt, A&E waits are ridiculous, specialist/operation waits are months or years. Everything is a scrap/difficult - parking, traffic, most customers service consists of “not my department/responsibility”.

My ds is looking for student accommodation in a popular city. Mouldy, ridiculously small, in dodgy areas where litter is piled in the gardens etc - I’m disgusted. He doesn’t need a palace, just something basic, safe and functional in a reasonable area.

Each of these issues (and loads of others not mentioned) eats up time and energy. Things that should be so basic - a 2 minute phone call or ticking a box or parking a car - are so difficult. Basic stuff (eg electricity or olive oil) has become so ridiculously expensive. That’s the crux of it really - to get basic stuff done, it feels like you have to climb a mountain.

I guess it depends which part you live in
Plenty of areas close to me seem overpopulated, too much rubbish everywhere and generally run down. If you live in a part where there is more money around and people take more of a pride in their area / decent schools and infrastructure, it's not too bad.

spottedinthewilds

If it was 20 degrees and sunny each day I think more of us would be happier

This kind of weather has it's downsides though, you just have to look at what's happening in LA right now.

I think in recent years the UK has become a little more like the USA in the sense that it's a great place to live if you have money but there are many people living in deprivation.
For me personally, we're living a wonderful life. We live in a nice area. The state schools are brilliant. We had excellent care from the NHS. We live near a city but close to green spaces and beautiful countryside. Our quality of life is very good. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
However, I'm not blind to the people I see living in poverty. This is becoming a real issue. The equality is appalling. I also feel sad about the state of many UK towns which have shops boarded up and are looking increasingly scruffy. My own city looks great and is vibrant, but other places look like dumps. I'm also concerned by the division I've seen in society (for example, the riots last summer). This is making me feel very uncomfortable. I understand the same thing is happening in other countries.
If you're living a good life here, I see no reason for you to move.

There's no other country I'd rather live in, I'd just have better weather!

People often don't realise how exceptionally lucky they are to be born here. You have literally won life's lottery.

The land itself is absolutely gorgeous, but most of the people are dreadful. Ugly houses everywhere, endless cars, litter, noise, stupidity and selfishness. We've got a ridiculously high population for the land mass, and it's ruined the place.

It’s completely mad to consider moving abroad purely because ‘everyone’ says so, when in fact you’re perfectly happy with life in the UK!

I think one of the oddities of the aftermath of British exceptionalism is that, if the UK can’t be great/preeminent, then it seems to have to be considered shambolic and a honking great failure by its own citizens!

When in fact it’s a place like any other, with periodic ups and downs, going through a tough time politically and economically, but with lots of wonderful things going for it. I lived there happily for much of my adult life, though left in the aftermath of Brexit. There are still things I miss, and London is one of the great cities.

I agree. I feel like it's 'trendy' to trash the UK, as we're not generally popular with the rest of the world.

However, I think there are far worse places to live. Climate wise, it's temperate and we don't generally have to worry about natural disasters. Human rights and healthcare are better than most places.

I look at places like America or the Far East and I think actually it's pretty good in comparison!

People just love a moan.

You here people harping on about stuff they know nothing about. Complaining our supermarkets are expensive. Our groceries are dirt cheap compared to a lot of the world. Portugal has a minimum wage under €900 and yet their fresh fruit and veg is double or triple the cost of ours even though they can grow most of it.
Our meat and cheese is such good value for the quality when you look at the US etc.

You're right in that every place has its downfalls.

I think that it's feels as if it's getting worse rapidly with no improvement or hope on the horizon.

I would live somewhere else if I could and was younger. Not sure where.

I also think the weather doesn't help. I go on holiday a lot, but that's only because the weather here is so awful.

If it was 20 degrees and sunny each day I think more of us would be happier.

I do live somewhere that is quite rainy though.