To think if you have enough money to travel frequently, the UK is the best place in the world to live

I love the UK - I like the people, the humour, even the complaining. Riots and strikes are unusual, when a new government is voted in, there isn’t violence (a bit more whingeing), the countryside is incredible, London is amazing with a buzz and vibrancy that you don’t get in many other places. Edinburgh is beautiful. Holidays here are gorgeous, there are defined seasons, fresh air, stunning beaches from Kent to the Western Isles. Innovative chefs in out of the way pubs, brilliant auctions to snap up bargains, a good arts scene, great plays on in random rural towns. The Prime Minister gets questioned in person every Wednesday and held to account fairly politely but effectively and we get to see that weekly.

There are downsides and most things are expensive (food not as pricy as the continent though) but if there’s an emergency health issue, the NHS are brilliant. I’ve only needed about 2 drs appts in the last 5 years but I rang up and got them on the same day.

I could wish for things to be cheaper but all in all, I can’t think of one single place I’d rather have been born.

Places like the US and Norway are much better for the outdoors/hiking IMO.

You can't ski here in winter.

Summer the water barely gets to a nice temperature. Sometimes it is warm but generally it is a rare occurance (this year an exception). If it is warm enough then you have to worry about the sewage.

Winter tends to be grey miserable windy and low temperature rain (the worst) rather than beautiful snow and blue skies.

Many places get crowded out in the summer as the island is overcrowded.

There are lots of good stately homes and museums and activities/experiences.

I wouldn't say the UK is anywhere near the worst place to live, but it isn't the best IMO either.

Love it op. Yes, if you have enough money to live a luxurious life then the UK with its tax avoidance strategies probably is one of the better places to live.

If you’re born with nothing into a provincial area on the other hand there is very little to work for now and no incentive to try, given the expense of both trying and travel, especially if you’re female. In some places law and order is far from secure too.

Not sure this is quite the bombshell statement you may have thought. I’d rather be on the continent personally. Including for travel: somewhere like Freiburg in southern Germany has much better access to other countries than here.

Yes lack of dentistry or getting a GP is a bit shit - but in oz you need to go private really for most things. Certainly dentistry so the fact that any is free for anyone blows my mind still. Yes housing is expensive but it is in oz too. A detached house with space around it is the norm there - be considered for only the wealthy here. BUT I think homes are far more charming and interesting here. So I much prefer British homes. I remember my kids (adults now) first visiting when younger and asking why the houses were like dolls houses and that it looked like a model village. They were shocked by how small the rooms were in the grandparents home. They loved it though and thought it was adorable - as do I. Less is more, and quaint, quirky and charming is where it’s at for me. Everyone’s different though.

Have you ever lived in another country?

Countryside and international cuisine are not specific to the UK. And, if you have enough money, many places are pleasant to live at.
Humour differs, but many places have a good humour.

Denmark and Austria look good to me. Good public services, better earnings to rent ratio, good employment laws, generally nice people and nice way of living. And both countries are (similarly to the UK) profiting from inviting bright people from other european countries to study and work there in the last decades, so they build their pool of innovative minds.

Yeh ozzies have to travel so so far for a holiday - usually Fiji or Bali and it’s just more sun so it kinda seems pointless.

I moved back to where I was raised which I love. I definitely have a renewed appreciation for uk now. When I left (30) I thought it was a grey depressing shithole. Now I think it’s a charming, vibrant, accessible place with people with fantastic humour and an amazing healthcare system: sometimes you have to move away to realise how good somewhere is. The lack of history, charm, architecture in oz really bothered me. I just find the Uk to be so beautiful and charming. I have a renewed perspective I guess. Who can has rubbed off on my British friends and family who’ve never moved overseas. They’ve started appreciating uk and seeing it through my eyes. It’s a fantastic place. (I should work for the tourist board shouldn’t I!)

Agree OP. I love it. Not perfect but so many good things. Plus, it’s home,

Or be able to find gp locally who takes on patients

I would like to not have to take extra mortgage to get basic drntistry done tbh

Ignoring the pros and cons of living in a place, I think it depends where you would want to travel to.

London is very well connected to the world with direct and connecting flights, and we speak English which is pretty much the default global language (for now). A British passport is pretty good for access as a tourist without visas, and other visas are generally low cost and easy to obtain.

Australasia is a long way away. Arguably the middle east is a better hub to be closer to Asia, but further from the variety of Europe and of course the US.

Perhaps a more central European country might make European travel easier (travel time, train options and Shengen rules).

I found Istanbul rates higher than Heathrow for connections: https://www.oag.com/megahubs-airports-2025

London works for us. I love the connectivity (but don't love the plane noise!)

It’s not even the best place in the British Isles to live in.

Berlin if you like the cold
kuala lumpa if you like the heat
toronto if you want seasons
😍

No need to write here and yes we do.

If I had enough money I would leave leave tomorrow. The government & the tax system is crippling the UK economy & possibilities of future growth for thus country for the next gereation. The state of the NHS, the crime levels, the state of the education system, the endemic racism & antisemitism in the political parties that 'lead us' make me ashamed to be British! I'm telling my children to leave asap!

No. We are leaving for a EU country (dual citizenship).

I have dual citizenship with Australia. Im 52 and lived in Australia for 17 years until a few years ago when I moved back to the South East. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I am lucky enough to have the money to travel, and I think the UK is the best place in the world. The history around every corner - the UK in itself is remarkable. Then you have europe and sunny climes on your doorstep. It really is an amazing country. And holidays are so so cheap as well.

Australia is stunning, and had all year round heat and beaches, - but it didnt have the beautiful architecture, cobbledly streets, castles, history, - humour, culture - and also so many different experiences just a few hours away on a plane. Coming home was the best thing I ever did.

I don't know about the best, but it's pretty good.

I might go for Norway personally.