To think we’re lucky to be in Britain?

If you look at any survey measuring quality of life/costs/health care/whatever you won't find the UK anywhere near the top in any of them. Just because you haven't lived in another country OP doesn't mean yours is the best.

There’s a lot I like about the UK, but I’m worried about the future. Our infrastructure badly needs more investment - the NHS, social care, education, Police, justice system… and now thanks to Putin (and Trump), it looks as though we’re going to have to spend billions more on defence.

I wouldn't leave Scotland.

Fantastic school system. We have it VERY good compared to many countries.

I’m in Sweden and quite happy with basically free nurseries/school/universities and free food. So this made me smile a bit tbh. But I love the UK. I wouldn’t move back though.

I agree, I'm an immigrant that if I tried to immigrate now exactly how I did a couple decades ago, I wouldn't have a snowball chance in hell so I feel lucky to have gotten in when I did.

Threads like these remind me of Kate Fox's Watching the English, which includes discussing how open complimentary chat like this without any self-depreciating humour is very uncomfortable and unnatural for many English people, far more than many other parts of the UK and the world.

I agree. In the global lottery of places to be born the UK is pretty good. If the people who are miserable would probably be miserable anywhere.

Apart from the A34 around Oxford - that is shit.

I love Britain. I am grateful for what we have compared to other countries.
No we aren’t perfect but I wouldn’t trade it in for anything.

Health system needs an overhaul
But yes, I agree. I see threads saying "you are mad to come here" but I reflect on my life
Had pioneering life saving surgery as a child. Had 3 kids, including stay in intensive care for one, can get all the medicines I need for £11 a month.
Good schools, decent job, great train service at the bottom of the road when I need it.
No tornados, forest fires, volcanos or earthquakes.
Decent laws and values.
I think people take all that for granted. You could have been born anywhere in the world. I an still grateful that I was born in the UK

Yes!

Talonz · Today 15:31

There is only one thing about the UK that pisses me off.
That stretch of the A34 East of Oxford is a bottle-necking, shunty-fuck, speed-ticket-gathering, bollocksy, arse-wipe of an excuse for a road and I loathe it more than pesto, butter beans and loud shouty Americans.
So there

Feel better now, I hope 🤣

I’d rather live here than say, Ukraine or Gaza. Very lucky in that respect. But life is harder here than I wish it was due mainly to how much it costs to just exist. The last 14+ years have been brutal for many.

Also doesn’t feel like there’s distinct seasons. Mostly just seems to rain all the bloody time.

There is only one thing about the UK that pisses me off.

That stretch of the A34 East of Oxford is a bottle-necking, shunty-fuck, speed-ticket-gathering, bollocksy, arse-wipe of an excuse for a road and I loathe it more than pesto, butter beans and loud shouty Americans.

So there.

We aren't being bombed or shot at, there's no volcano threatening to blow sky high, we don't have earthquakes, we don't get monster hurricanes or storm surges, we don't get 3 metres of snow & total darkness in the winter, or months of 45 degrees with no rain in the summer. We don't get devastating forest fires destroying thousands of square miles of countryside or whole towns wiped off the face of the earth by tornadoes.. We don't have Trump.

On the whole, I think we are lucky, yes.

there are many countries where life is far harder

but the decline in standard of living and public services of recent years is shocking

there is huge amounts of money and wealth about in the UK but it’s very poorly distributed

(In 2024)

SallyWD · Today 15:18

I suppose we all have different experiences with the NHS but mine has been consistently excellent. Suspected cancer in my 30s, CT scan the very next day. Cancer confirmed that day and saw a consultant that week. Surgery four weeks later. Excellent follow-up care, including frequent scans, genetic testing, and counselling to help me deal with my anxiety

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Mastectomy and recovering at home within them month.

Friend’s experience in the same situation with the same trust in 2024, agonising with weeks and weeks of waiting for just biopsy.

I myself was sent for a CT Scan after ultrasound identified a small tumour on one of my kidneys. I was referred at the end of February and finally got my CT in early September (after electing to go to a private hospital with NHS funding because the wait at my NHS hospital was longer still).

Services have been running down for years now where we are in NW England.

The fact you find the weather okay makes me view the rest of your post with suspicion

Yes, there is a lot to still be grateful for here. However, things are markedly worse than they were pre 2016 and the vibe is steady decline and that is depressing. Somewhere like Spain currently has good weather and an “on the up” vibe. I am still going to be encouraging my DC to spread their wings beyond this country. To see what else is out there. It is the down vibe that is getting to all of us now.
Also, with parts of Europe going right wing even more people will try and come here and things will get increasingly overcrowded because our systems cannot organise shit. It is all talk and no real follow through so I cannot see it getting much better here long term.
For my DC who are not going to inherit much but have great brains and work ethic, I do think some other countries offer better opportunities now. They will just be taxed to death here so no thanks.

Yes, we are lucky to be here. I’ve had both good emergency and routine nhs help from hospital and gp, and have managed to get appointments.

Good schools where I live.

Beautiful countryside.

Could do with a few more sunny days though, but Spring is just around the corner.

If you had asked me pre-2016 I'd have said I loved the way that the UK was a cultural bridge between the US and Europe.

I feel like quality of life has diminished in the last decade but wouldn't want to live anywhere else (maybe a bit more sunshine though!)

I suppose we all have different experiences with the NHS but mine has been consistently excellent. Suspected cancer in my 30s, CT scan the very next day. Cancer confirmed that day and saw a consultant that week. Surgery four weeks later. Excellent follow-up care, including frequent scans, genetic testing, and counselling to help me deal with my anxiety.
Meanwhile, my American friend had exactly the same cancer as me, and has had a nightmare. She's at the mercy of her health insurance company, who frequently refuse scans or medication. She has only just finished paying off an extortionate bill from many years ago. We are very lucky.
I also felt a bit funny recently and saw a doctor the same day.
DH had symptoms of carpal tunnel last Friday and called the surgery on Friday afternoon. He had a physio appointment on Monday morning.
My son needed surgery last year. All done and dusted within a month.
My boss's son just had emergency surgery, done the same day as the problem was reported.
I do understand that my experience is different to many others. However, from my perspective when people say the NHS is dire and horrendous, it's just not true!! It's been bloody fantastic and life saving.

Disgraceful users these 'friends' of yours, to just move back for what they can get in the form of free health care and education. I can't stand that attitude.