Positive thread about life in England

[Mamibaer]

My family is about to relocate back to the UK after over a decade on the continent. It’s for work reasons, and to be closer to family. In a lovely part of the UK. I’m fluctuating between excited and despairing - the situation seems so bad over there at the moment from what I see in the news (I.e on MN ). Brexit, Covid cases, NHS crisis. Some days I wonder what the hell we’re thinking and others I can’t wait to come back for gorgeous British walks and pub lunches. Can you share what you find positive about life in the UK right now?

I can think of lots of wonderful things about living in the UK but don't feel the need to defend my country. If you're despairing about the prospect of moving back here, just stay where you are.

That sounded mean. I'm just fed up with all the negativity about the UK. Nowhere is perfect but the UK is pretty damn good.

I really like how diverse UK TV is, especially cbeebies.
(Am comparing to my home country of Italy)

Pub lunches are also great, and cream teas

Where on the continent are you coming from?

I love living in the UK, I am from continental Europe and it is wonderful living here. There are SO many positive things and it makes me sad how many British people don’t realise quite how lucky they are. I wouldn’t live anywhere else and I am so glad my children are British.

I adore it.

I love the seasons, especially this time of year with Halloween, bonfire night, Christmas just around the corner. Log fires on grey drizzly November evenings. Walk in the woods in autumn and the colours and bright blue skies and mirror like ponds and lakes. Come to the Derbyshire dales if you like - beautiful countryside.

I find British people are on the whole kind, tolerant and helpful. That’s of course not to say those values aren’t shared elsewhere but I don’t think it hurts to say so.

The NHS and education aren’t perfect but they are there and wonderful individuals work in both.

Walk through some villages in January, February, March and April - snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, blossom. Just beautiful

Beautiful countryside

Lots of nice seaside

You can usually find a good local theatre or interest group relating to your interests

I have lived in other countries and if I think about it the UK offers a degree of safety.

It's not great by any stretch of the imagination but there are worse places.

This thread is going to be 95% ‘well, at least it’s not North Korea’.

Peace
Can be out at night and not feel afraid
A standard of living that is higher than 99% of the world
Choice
I can drive
Access to opportunities- want to go to Uni? The government will give you a loan for that.
Amazing schools
Horse riding, paddle boarding, cycling, fitness groups, knitting groups - have an interest? You will find a group.
WiFi
Seasonal vegetables
Apple and Blackberry pie
TV - option of huge amounts of tv shows plus all the fab subtitled stuff
High levels of literacy
Access to medical health care
Roads
Trains
Planes
Refuse collection
Tax system that is transparent
Furlough and those grants for self employed people - which was quite simple to navigate due to the civil servants who created the systems
Systems that work - eg in lockdown I had to apply for UC and it was a good system.
Countryside
Organic Farming standards
How we treat our pets
Cultural arts scene with theatre, ballet, opera art and music - new work and rep work available

Changing seasons
NHS-working well in some areas more than others
Great pubs
Lovely countryside
British humour
Diversity
Online delivery--groceries, international cuisines (varies by area)
Low cost private health insurance (compared to some other countries)

Variety of education options for young and mature students

None of those things are particularly unique to UK except Brexit. And eventhough it is making my life harder (non-uk citizen) it is not really present in my everyday life at the moment. Elsewhere there is a NHS crisis and covid cases going up. I just think in the UK the media tends to be a lot tougher to their country than others. Or this is what I've observed when reading about the news in my home country.

That being said, there are a lot of nice things about the uk. Beautiful countryside, mountains up north, pubs, lovely restaurants, great cities, small villages, west end, afternoon tea, cheap travel to mainland

Just to put things in perspective, I live in a village and our local hotel is being used by Afghan refugees.
One lady spoke of the paradise of England. Equality, freedom of speech, Cool climate, beautiful flora and wonderful people.
I agree. I love it here and have travelled extensively around the world.

@Cherryana have you ever been to other countries in Europe? Or even left the UK
Can’t believe you said ‘roads’ and ‘trains’ 😂 or is your post supposed to be ironic? Pretty much everything you mentioned is at a poor standard compared to other Western European countries. Not just a bit, I mean the gap is wide.
I agree with countryside though.

Generally friendly welcoming non judgemental people
The humour. I’ve lived abroad and no one has banter like brits IMO
Long walk in wellies ending in the pub
Beautiful countryside
Diverse range of accents- so interesting
Amazing history all over the country
Job security and business hub
High quality education (schooling and HEA).

It’s a tricky time but we will get through it. For all the negativity on mn most people I know enjoy living in the UK. I’ve lived abroad and already end up back here! It’s home.

None of those things are particularly unique to UK except Brexit.

Of course not but we are talking about what we find positive about the UK, not 'unique.'

Love your list Cherryana

Fashion. We have great fashion in high street shops.

We are actually a very tolerant nation compared to many other countries. Even though it might not seem it, the UK had persistently been ranked as one of the least racist countries across the world.

We rarely have to worry about animals or the weather killing us.

Our public services are actually incredible. Household bin collections for most houses, even in rural areas. Health care that is free at the point of use. A reliable mail delivery service. A non partisan public broadcaster.

Our officials, at least on a local level, are not generally corrupt. I appreciate that we're currently governed by a bunch of corrupt arseholes, but you're unlikely to be able to get out of a speeding ticket by paying off the police for example.

We have a good community spirit. Look at the mutual aid Facebook groups that popped up during Covid and how many people volunteered for the NHS. Our fundraising efforts are fantastic and we're pretty generous as a nation.

Our country side is spectacular. You don't have to travel far to find yourself in the depths of the green and pleasant land.

Most people are very friendly.
Some of the most amazing historical buildings in the world.
Guns are illegal for most people.
The NHS
Lots of green open countryside.
It's hardly every too hot or too cold.
The pomp and pageantry.
The cozy pubs.
British wildlife cannot kill you.
The sense of humour.
It's quite easy to live here without a car.
The welfare state.

London / culture / big city
Great seasons
Friendly people
Opportunity
Access to good schools if you can

I have travelled a lot and London still has something which is attractive

Mn is pretty down on U.K. though so maybe avoid on here

@OrtolanBunting

That sounded mean. I'm just fed up with all the negativity about the UK. Nowhere is perfect but the UK is pretty damn good.

Exactly. I'm not defending my home. I think it is a great place.

Someone made a comment on another thread that her Daughter is doing medicine as her ticket out of the UK.

She is free to get out right now

@Rosesareyellow

Fashion. We have great fashion in high street shops.

Is this a joke?

She is free to get out right now

Yuck.