what's the best thing about living in the UK ?

When I moved back to the UK after leaving in the US for four years, the things I appreciated most were:

the BBC
Food that tastes of something (but I hate cheddar so had never missed that!)
Not being sweaty and hot all summer
Genuine, friendly people
Being able to walk everywhere
Having some public transport
the NHS

Kitbit, where are you?? It sounds like it has the worst bits from everywhere all thrown into one!

I was over at the weekend, and it was so mild (despite everyone saying how cold it was, lol)

customer service, definately.

Availability of information & help ( eg cab, local library, websites etc)

concern for each other

I'm sure the 'cheddar' here ir red leicester

Maybe I'm happy here because I have a hawthorn hedge at the end of my garden.

Bubbaluv, it is hard to find in France. Most shops sell something called cheddar which is bright orange, rubbery and tasteless.

But I have found some 'cheddar fermier' which is more authentic and fine for cooking.

The sense of humour.

Decent bacon is the only reason to live in this country, and thats only cos it is so bloody cold here.

People saying thank you and not dropping doors on you
Customer service (I hear you tittering, but here it is AWFUL they really don't give a shit and it's never their fault)
no mosquitos
no cockroaches
no spiky caterpillars that terrorise the cat

More keep occurring to me. dh has also read this thread with interest as it is really well timed for us, and keeps nodding and smiling

And May. Lovely lovely May. Hawthorn blossom, lovely green leaves and gardens bursting into life. Usually a bit of sunshine, long evenings, no humidity. There is nowhere I would rather be in May than Blighty.

Ah.

The UK has some beautiful countryside, that you can enjoy for free (or just the cost of a car park).

The climate is temperate and fairly predictable.

The education system is mostly very good and available to all. Ditto the Health Service.

The choice of foodstuffs, entertainments and activities is enormous. (Admittedly you need an income to appreciate them.)

The people are mostly kind and decent and want to be friends.

The libraries are great (and free) and depending where you live there is plenty to do with children.

Which countries don't have real cheddar? I know the US is one, but if there are others I need to know so I don't move there!

The things I'll miss when I leave the UK are:
Walking barefoot on lawns without worrying about it.
The beauty of those 2 glorious weeks of Summer when there is nowhere better to be in the whole world.
The best pubs in the world.
Wanting to see my family and friends rather tthan being sick to death of the amount of my time they demand

yeah, that's pretty much it for me too. and a regualr supply of miracle whip!

ernest recycling is serious business over here now. Most Councils have schemes and provide boxes for almost everything and one smallish bin for non-recylable. And Whoa Betide those who get it wrong.

Named, shamed and fined.

Beautiful day here as well. Blue sky, sunshine, bird song and last bit of snow melting gently away.

Can you tell I love the UK?

i moved back to uk last 'summer' after 10 years in kuwait and zanzibar and the novelty of being in uk has yet to wear off..all though i'm over the excitement of cold weather.
so far i've loved:
walking through parks and forests, taking the train, autumn, yoga classes, baby classes, the library, talking to people at the supermarket or on the bus, takeaways, nhs, shops, sales,
as the novelty wears off, it's hard to get used to doing housework if you haven't for years! and utility bills, £150 a month to heat the house and we're still freezing, and living outdoors more in the sun...

yes me too
a nice big house is about the only thing I hanker after when I go back

of course you did everyone is from southern ontario!

actually if we were to move back it'd be to southern ontario for no other reason other than it isn't winnipeg! i would struggle to come up with as big a list of reasons i love canada though!

lol
have only visited winnipeg once and it was scorching!

I grew up southern ont

um er uh winnipeg but i'm ok now!

Ernest! Maybe I just see the good bits then!
And it's stark contrast to here, where it's all a bit casual. Lots of waste, no eco products available, no organic food, free range....ha, no chance! I suppose it's a matter of scale!

whereabouts?

i did!

purplemonkey-you grew up in canada as well didn't you?

oh yes, yes, lack of huge hairy bugs, bugs with too many legs or bugs that RUN FAST

Earwigs I can handle.