To think the UK is just a bit crap?

[moussakka]

Right don't get me wrong - I love being British and am super proud of being British. But having moved back recently, I just can't escape the feeling that everything's a bit... I don't know, nothing TERRIBLE, just a bit... well, crap? I don't know what it is exactly, but there's just a certain grimmness that I just can't put my finger on. Am I imagining it? Is it just re-entry shock?

Depends where you moved from I suppose. And the place in the UK you moved to. Having moved from Croydon to the nicest part of Canada, I know what you mean. However, prepare for some people to really object to this thread...

Yabu

I moved back from abroad a few years ago. Life in the UK shits all over my life in the (supposedly) luxury place I used to live in. Culturally, professionally, pace of life, enjoyment of life - all way better. Even my kids prefer it here by quite a margin - quite a big deal considering they lived on a beach and had none of the stress and crap I had to deal with on a daily basis. I had more money abroad, but fuck me I had less soul.

YABU.

When I go away for a 2 week holiday, I can't wait to get back.

You've been unlucky so far.

I was walking across a village pub car park the other evening. It was warm, the sun was still shining, the flowers in the tubs and hanging baskets looked lovely, the first house martins of the year were flying overhead, a lilac bush in a nearby garden looked fantastic, and the local church bells were ringing.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world.

The food here is awful.

I agree with MrsTP. It depends where you've moved. Today was a wonderful day for me: the sun was shining, London is beautiful and Sadiq Khan is in charge of it.

We're in the EU. You can move and work anywhere in the EU. Piss off and live somewhere that suits you better. Assuming you have a British or EU passport, there is nothing holding you back.

It's reverse culture shock. Did you move back to your original area?

We moved back last year, I insisted on a completely new area. I'm really struggling with the lack of sunshine among other things.

We have pimms. What's your problem?

YANBU. I've been living overseas for a long time. When I visit the uk (rarely, once every three years or so) I'm struck by the shit weather, the negativity, the lack of ambition...moaning about the uk seems to be a national past time.....can't understand why more people don't leave!

go back then....to where its less 'crap'

Maybe you think the UK is a bit crap because you're superproud of being British. It's a common phenomenon.

moaning about the uk seems to be a national past time

Moaning about the uk because people moan about the uk in the uk?

Middle class that me me chuckle. To clarify...moaning about the uk WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE UK seems to be a national past time.

I don't understand why people stay, if they dislike it so much.

I feel a bit like this. It all feels so cramped (bloody people everywhere) and the weather is more than a bit crap. I don't know where else I'd go though. I couldn't live without proper tea and sarcasm. And I wouldn't want to be too hot after all. 😁

I'm probably just bitter that I'm sure to be sat on a British beach at some point this Summer being lashed by hail and rain. Also quite despondent about the future of public services. I'll stop now before I get too mardy.

If it wasn't for the weather the UK would be perfect IMO. Not enough sun and not enough decent snow.

I've travelled a bit and know how lucky we are. No guns, earthquakes, dangerous animals, government isn't totally corrupt, roads are busy but safe. The BBC, NHS (what's left anyway) and decent chocolate.

Certain areas can be crap, but I wouldn't say the UK as a whole is. The places that are 'crap' tend to be the ones who've been affected by poverty the most.

There are some wonderful places in the UK, I particularly love the Peak District and York/Harrogate the most! I also enjoy London, Birmingham and Nottingham for days out.

Where I live (I'm pretty close to Nottingham) can be seen as crap as there's little to do there apart from shopping. Although if you're into arts and culture, there are some lovely places to go including the museums. Unfortunately my city has been struck with cuts including public swimming pools being shut, a free concert getting axed and the annual firework display cancelled.

Wow bit shocked at at least one of the comments! Just moved back from Munich. To Manchester, a place I generally like. I agree, the UK can be beautiful and lovely. There's no shortage of friendly people and nice things and sights. I particularly love the British countryside and of course wouldn't have moved back here if I didn't like it at all. I suppose I was mostly wondering how others who've lived abroad and moved back have found it.

Somebody buy me a house in Spain please or France. British people seem negative and moaners. I'm White British and my heart is summit else. No idea which nationality

Where in the UK are you? There are plenty of crap places here, there and everywhere.

I love living in the UK and wouldn't move anywhere else, however I do think lately that the fabric of the roads, buildings, hospitals, everything does look tired. The people look tired in the city centre. Clothes are pretty drab. The constant rain doesn't help. I stopped to wait to use a cash machine in the street, someone bumped into me and called me a 'stupid fucker'. There's a slightly intolerant air around at the moment.

None of this is surprising, we are in 'austerity Britain' and IMO whatever the economic stats say, we are still feeling/in the recession. I have less money now than I did 10 years ago (due to very low increase in wage, 25/30% higher bills). I used to feel quite well-off! Going over bumpy roads used to be something I noticed in other poorer countries, it may be ok in some parts of the country, but in mine, it's pot-holes all the way.

If you slash public amenity money, farm out park care to the private sector, and have a very long seeping recession (partly hidden by the very low mortgage rates so people didn't all lose their homes), then it is visible.

Luckily, I am an optimist and think these things usually swing around again, but the richer areas look lovely and the ordinary areas look like the poorer areas used to to me now anyway.

Xpost. No idea what Munich is like but Manchester is fab. Therefore YAVU

I like it.

But then I am in Yorkshire

whats wrong with the weather??

would you prefer monsoons?
bushfires due to dryness?
snow and ice 24/7

or a bit of everything? (which we currently get anyway)