To ask what you like about living in the U.K.?

[glabicki]

I'm pregnant, and we are moving back to the U.K. I'm nervous about it.

So, could you tell me some of the reasons you love living there to calm me down a bit?

A lot of the time, I read quite a lot of negative things, but I know the positives out way the negative!

Help!

Georgie, no I am not. But just to put it right I will add what I like about uk,

Sarcasm
Wide variety of international eateries
A decent pub
Some nice scenery
A wide variety of housing styles
A lot of creativity in music, art , etc
Ease of connections internationally
Language not an issue
NHS for all its issues(but lots have cited the NHS and I believe it will be hugely under threat with current regime)

Castles.
Banter.
Cream teas.
The Lake District.
Springwatch.

One reason I liked Copenhagen a great deal was it had the Berlin vibe but much much cleaner, better food, much better coffee and without the shut on Sunday kind of thing.

I forgot to add,good thing in Uk, I’ve rarely found standard pot of tea to be better elsewhere.

How green everything is, that a beach is always within driving distance

Also Greggs
Percy pigs
Digestive biscuits

I can't think of much to be joyous about in Britain this week. Sorry.

The love of dogs and dog walking.
The tea (though I drink Barry's, which is Irish).
The humour!
The music. I love that my favourite and most obscure artists will always perform in the UK.
The written word is sacred- people live, breathe, and value the written word.

The museums are the best.
The chats with dog owners, shopkeepers, strangers at bus stops.
The language and all the great slang words for things.
I moan a hell of a lot about this place, but I've grown such deep roots here, I'd be at a complete loss if I left.

When you move to the North West, you'll have Booths. It doesn't get better than that.

Lots of amazing coastline, green everywhere,gorgeous countryside, the moors, lakes, dales, Scotland Wales and Ireland to explore as well. Sense of humour, NHS, cafes and food, friendly people (not so.much in London though)

The weather- no extremes
No earthquakes or volcanos
Seasons
Easy to get to other places
Lots of coast
Good infrastructure
Good safety net
Good legal system
English language
Good education and unis
Tax not as high as others
Supermarkets
Variety of food
Ethics
Cheap consumer products
Easy to set up/ do business
Lack of extreme poverty
Democracy
Quite a liberal mindset
Literature
Arts and culture
Opportunities to move up
Some cheap housing
Good employment rights
Tv with no ads
Good quality tv
Green scenery
Women’s rights
Flowers in summer
Gardens
Oak trees
Islands
Remote places to explore
Vibrant cities
Friendly welcoming atmosphere
Rich history
Architecture
Cities not too polluted
Social housing
Varied cheap fashion
Creativity valued
Mumsnet!

Scotland! Come up and see us op, Glasgow is fantastic and very friendly.

I like the fact people speak english, that there are no really dangerous wild animals, and that there are no really severe weathers I guess and its familiar. Free healthcare at PON and police arent massively corrupt etc.

I live in Germany and have no intention of moving back, but if I did, here would be some of the benefits:
Proper bacon and black pudding
Scones
Chocolate hob nobs
Fish and chips
Bras that are over a D cup without having to go to a specialist shop
Proper spicy food that is actually spicy and not a weak imitation
Oblong pillows
Crisps in other flavours than paprika
People not driving like maniacs
Shops open on Sundays

Viel Glück wünsche ich euch mit dem Umzug!

Is that you, Meghan?

Not terribly relevant to you unless you jump on a plane/ferry but here in Northern Ireland (near Donegal) it's the spectacular, golden sandy, unspoiled beaches in both areas. Even in wjnter.

But when I lived in England I loved the English countryside with its gorgeous villages with so many well preserved old buildings, cricket greens etc. English people are also more open, chatty and humourous than German people would be in average (ime).

I’m happy living away from England but things I miss

Scones
Penguin bars
Pub meals
Never cold
Cheap decent wine
Yo sushi
Aldi
Chocolate hob knobs
Appeteasers
Decent pension

Frazzled and scampi fries

Frazzles!!!!!!!!! Not frazzled

Sorry can't help it - 15 min. drive to ..

Quite often I feel frazzled after a session on proper Guiness (can’t get in Germany) and frazzles!! (Can’t get in Germany)

London - lucky you but the NW? no thanks - cold and dull

I'm German so these are especially in comparison to what I remember. Love the way people drive here, much more pragmatic, and I feel like most people look out for you at least a little bit on the roads (I'm a motorcyclist). Also love how friendly most shop assistants are. One time I was looking for something in Tesco and asked someone, he didn't know so we went to his colleague, who also didn't know so I ended up being shown to the shelf by three very friendly guys! I love that there's always a shop that's open, and how many people do voluntary work or help out in clubs etc and take it very very seriously. I love that if I wanted to, I could go rambling. I won't get started on London because you're not moving here, but essentially, it's the greatest city in the world.

The cultural quirks. Like if someone says Good Morning to you and it's actually after noon, then you must respond Good Morning back so you don't draw attention to their error

Exactly this happened to me today ! Said ‘Morning! ‘ politely to new neighbour. ‘ Morning’ he replied. I got three steps further, realised it was about 2pm and said ‘ Ah, not actually morning :/ ‘ He said‘ I didn’t like to say .....’

The literature, drama and beautiful poetry. English is not just a convenient business language, it can be sublime.
My romantic side will always love a crisp spring day on the coast with golden sunlight hitting a slate-coloured sea and deep green grass under my feet.
Otherwise yes, politics is driving me mad right now, life is expensive and the future uncertain- but it's uncertain for the whole world.
Just try to enjoy all the good stuff listed above!