To wonder why anyone would want to live in America?

Where do you live in the UK that you hold this view?

Yes, I left the UK for the US, but that was mainly due to pay/career opportunities. I loved everything else about living in the UK. It’s a fantastic country and I can’t get my head around all the negativity (from people who choose to continue living there, no less!)

A PA in the nhs is band 4 so roughly £28k… my cousin in Texas does that job for $90k. My cousin’s house is a massive 4 bed twice the size of ours plus a lovely basement - same price.

We and DC have only ever been on holiday. DH has been on work trips.

People who have lived there be honest do people "go out at night on their own". Extended family who have studied there basically say every major city is dangerous at night and no-one goes out after dark on their own

Median income in US is $63k compared to $52 k in the UK.

I understand that many people would not move to the USA because of the inequality of income. Which creates the question of why not move to say Cuba where there is far less inequality of income compared to UK but with the caveat of everyone being poorer.

Because anyone who says anything like, "America is only great if you're white, rich, and healthy," is a rage baiting saddo along with the person who posted it on MN for comments.

Why would anyone want to live in india---- my step dad.
Why would anyone want to stay in rural poor town in vietnam -- I do.
Why would anyone want to to stay in a not so nice area in thailand ---- my sister.
Why why why, well its down to what people like and want.

If this is a real post, and not just a goady one… can you really not inagine that other people might have different wants/needs than you do OP?

I suppose if you believe all the bad news stories about the US, but then if you only went by the bad news stories from the UK nobody would want to live there either.

Meanwhile there are plenty of people happily living in both places.

@Eggplant19guns in America are terrifying. Knife crime is an issue, yes. But the amount of people you can kill in one go is much smaller.

It's absolutely true. You have linked to a list of top companies by revenue. The fact that you have sent me a list featuring four state owned companies (the Chinese electrical grid company and two Chinese and a Saudi petrochemical companies) just reinforces the point.

Almost all the dynamism in the private sector is in the US.

It sounds like we should ditch the monarchy and become the 51st state.

I'm so terrified of this. I'd like to believe liar Farage won't be voted in but I fear you're right.

Spent a lot of time visiting family who lived in Manhattan, which I know is not typical. Bad point for me is too much religion and lack of respect and suspicion of atheists. A lot of social life based on church. Averts on tv beyond annoying.
Drug problems have ruined cities like San Fran. But the gun thing would stop me and the death penalty. By our standards, huge indifference to the poor.

I have three friends from uni who married Americans and have chosen to bring up their families there. One family could choose UK, Denmark or US and they chose US!

They all live in nice areas but they are moments away from areas that feel extremely sketchy to me (more so than UK, & I’ve lived in East London etc. so not a wimp). The scale of homelessness also gets to me,

It's already in the gutter tbf

I've always dreamt of living in the US. I can't really explain it, a gut feeling. The UK is just getting more of a small, overpopulated, miserable trap of a place to live with every passing year 😢

I have been many times and always loved it. A vibrant, beautiful country with some wonderful people. So many great cities, art galleries, theatres, parks etc

however right now it has lost its appeal due to trump. And the fact that so many people there support him / have allowed him to be there. That’s so disturbing. If Kamala Harris was president id prob move there!

OP, have you ever been to the States?

Quite my son has type1 diabetes
Therre are many things wrong with the NHS but i do not have to worry about being able to afford his insulin , and Diabetic equipment unlike many of the American,s on a facebook group im on.

Yes and yes. In the summer I’d go up to the roof terrace to sunbathe, or in the evening to have a drink and a cigarette.

After work I could run to and around Central Park (in the spring or sutumn) and then go to a deli or get a bagel on the walk back.

I was like the films.

My job brought me back, but I really do miss it.

I grew up there (I’m English) and can definitely see the appeal. Current administration aside, it’s a great country, one where you can move up and prosper and you are encouraged to do so. Sure there are negatives, and I’m not talking about gun crime etc. The prevailing work ethic means many people live to work, not even taking their two weeks a year. And many are one accident or disease away from health poverty. I wouldn’t, or even couldn’t, as a type 1 diabetic and with a DD with MS (could not afford the insurance) live there now, but I love visiting.

Let’s reduce knife crime in the UK by equipping everyone with a gun! Genius! 🙄

almost all of the world's most successful companies were founded and grew there.

But that's not true.

Not even close to being true.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_companies_by_revenue

And with gold-star health insurance and no existing pre-conditions.

I absolutely LOVE the United States but I also assume it's only possible to have a nice life there if you're very wealthy

How does it feel to have lived my dream?!?! 😍😄

Did you have a doorman? Did the tower move when there was wind?

Why'd you leave? Sorry to pester you

1. Better weather (Hawaii, Florida)
2. Better food (any one of a number of cities)
3. Bigger, better houses (ok not NYC)
4. Low taxes - some states have 0 purchase tax
5. Friendly, generous people
6. They admire success
7. They're not cynical
8. Good old fashioned manners (yes ma'am, no ma'am)
9. The kids In Hawaii call strangers uncle/aunty!
10. Surf in the morning, ski in the afternoon (California)
11. Mind bogglingly vast wilderness
12. No nanny state mentality
13. Freedom to live how you want (Live free or die!)
14. Not ageist, older people are respected as valuable members of society
15. Close to Mexico!
16. Close to the Caribbean
17. Freedom to practice Christianity without ridicule
18. Big trucks!
19. Largest consumer market in the world = great deals for consumers
20. Variety of lifestyles: Anyone can find their niche, somewhere in the USA