Reasons you wouldn’t move to US

[Preiu]

Dh has been offered a job in the US. The increase in salary would put us into a completely different wealth bracket but I really don’t want to move.

• fear of home invasion with guns
• school shooting - guns in general I guess
• American exceptionalism attitude annoys me
• Being away from family
• Not having Europe on doorstep

Can I ask if you have any other reasons

BTW, it seems expensive here because the pound is weak against the dollar and UK salaries are lower. That's not the US's fault.

Living away from family would be enough of a reason for me...it may depend on what your family is like! I'm sure there are lots of Americans who aren't living in a state of anxiety about the other things you raise. I've known lots of people from the US and other countries and all have different takes on what is and is not dreadful about their country of origin and other countries.

But people are shot in their homes in this country!! (UK). A child was short dead in Liverpool by a scumbag chasing a rival who ran into their house.

I would have concerns re, little holiday and very hot weather in some areas, and expensive health care. But I’d probably still go for it - great opportunity.

All of the above plus:

Terrible food
Religious devotion
Devotion to nation, flags, anthem etc
Racism
Misogyny

Some of these depending on which state

I lived in Houston. Never saw or heard a gunshot. Never had a home invasion.

My company provided excellent healthcare policies. Yes there are co-pays, but I spent as much getting a diagnosis in the UK - the speed getting access to healthcare vs the NHS waiting lists - no comparison.

Taxes were lower, housing comparable at the time. Politics were very much to the right of views.

My only reason for coming back to the UK was family. Which is a good reason in itself, but I will never regret getting out of my comfort zone .

The subjugation of women by having reduced access to termination procedures
Guns
Poor food quality
Inequality to healthcare

Do you work, @Preiu? If so, what's the plan? Would your visa allow you to work? Would you be able to work, or do you rely on qualifications which aren't recognised in the US? Do you want to work? If the plan is for you not to work, how will you fill your days in a place where you don't (yet) know anyone?

Guns and Healthcare

Trump
Fundamental religion
The Supreme Court
Gun rights
Health care issues
The weather depending on location. I hate hurricanes
I'm disabled and would be fucked for insurance coverage
Never-ending election cycles
...so many reasons.

Some places over there are beautiful though.

But is the UK not just as polarised? The Brexit vote split this nation in two and our own politics is becoming increasingly divisive, hostile and polarised - this is not a US problem.

Wildlife, guns, elitism, racism, politics, health care

The view is about the only thing I'm looking forward to right now! I've never been but the pictures I've seen are certainly stunning. Right wing but my husband is from Utah and that was his first choice so I think it's still the better option.

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but health insurance cover could well be included in the salary package. That's the norm in the US.

Racism
Cops with guns
Trump

But would you not class most of the responses here as racist/xenophobic?

Education system that's 2 years behind us

Both Connecticut and New York have easily accessible abortion and aren’t terribly religious, so ignore all the comments claiming you’ll be chained pregnant to a chair while fanatics chant scripture at you. 😂

Food prices in the US are terrible, and we do tend to drive everywhere. On the other hand, most Americans light up when we hear a British accent, and will want to ask you all kinds of questions about where you’re from. Great opportunity if you’re look to make friends, not so great if you’re very shy or introverted.

Guns, healthcare and women's rights. And more trivially, I'd hate not being able to walk places (although that will be area dependent).

Another one for your list OP...

But statistically it’s not even close. The chances of being a victim of gun crime in the UK are next to nothing (especially if you are not in a gang).

I live there for a few years. All of the above bothered me and contributed to me leaving. Other things that bothered me;

the general disregard felt towards homelessness (much lower then). These people are very old, disabled / mentally ill, and no-one seemed to care a jot.

the healthcare is not very good quality, despite being very expensive.

massive generalisation, obvs, but, the social style of interaction started to grate on me. Too showy, fake, bit shallow. Too much hugging and kissing everyone, saying how great / awesome everything & everyone is.

the news media (beyond a couple of newspapers) is DIRE.

Supermarkets (Safeway) surprisingly poor quality apart from upmarket ones (Wholefoods)

Positives:

Good restaurants (in big cities, anyway)
Varied landscapes to explore / sports and activities to do
Generally friendly, open, welcoming people & customer service oriented culture
Lots of history and culture to learn about
Proximity to South America for travel
High earning potential in some professions

I am a SAHM for now.

Both NY State and Connecticut are decent states to live and work. Loved NY state, great outdoors activities. Great Parks, lakes, places to visit.
If you have a dog, it needs hi-vis when out on walks, because of hunters more than anything else. And watch for those bears…….
Education is just ok; underfunded, teachers work incredibly hard.
Healthcare and dentistry are astronomical. Watch for Dr’s trying to overmedicate.
Much less rights in the workplace, less vacation time, women still have a hard time all over the US.
The politics are a bit scary just now.
Lots of lovely properties, obviously city dwelling extremely expensive.

The OP is talking about moving to New York - FYI you can get abortions there up to 24 weeks, as you can in many states. I'm not saying abortion access isn't a worry in some of the southern states but you need to fact check before posting.

I am European and lived in America for 15 years before moving here.

I certainly understand about missing family and not having Europe on the doorstep

America is vast and you will be in one of the loveliest parts of the country. It sounds like you can choose either to live decently to well in NYC itself or in Westchester or Fairfield County, CT.

Health care is a philosophical vexation I make no excuses for, but we always had fab health care and I have no doubt that you will, also. You won’t choose to live in NYC unless you can afford good schools (a few of the state schools in the city are superb) and the suburbs have wonderful state and independent options.

Although the school shootings are too horrific for words, statistically they are akin to where air safety was a few decades ago. We used to hear about one or two big crashes a year. Did they affect our travel decisions?

There are states where the gun culture could be a concern. NY and CT are not amongst them, except that there is some hunting in upstate NY.

American exceptionalism? Yes - however, I am gently bemused that a British person does not see the irony in finding this a concern. Your informal anthem is ‘Rule Britannia’ :)

Like London, NYC is one of the world’s great cities. The two are quite different but equally wonderful. The NYC suburbs are great places for the couples and families that can afford them.

My only concern is Donald Trump, but I think the Democrats will do the right thing and prevail