To think England is a bit boring?

[Annalikesblue]

I'm from England originally. I was working abroad for a long time.

I moved back recently to work, and for a family reason. I probably won't stay here forever. Maybe for two to three years max.

Do any of you think that England is a bit boring?

Every street, wherever you go,
has the exact same shops.

The Weather is bad. People are miserable. When you go to groups, people are so serious.

It just seems so dull and lifeless

Because I’m fed up with people moaning about how crap this country is. Have they any idea how lucky they are to live in a relatively safe, rich place with healthcare etc.
I fully realise that lots of people in this country have a tough time, but honestly we are so lucky to live in a developed country.

Yes we are lucky in many ways I agree.

But what is the criteria for a "developed country" when many people have food poverty and are relying on food banks?

I do think there’s a real issue about not having pride in our country, there’s so much self flagation going on, it’s almost as if certain elements don’t want us to be proud of who we are. We need to celebrate both the national culture and our local culture. There should be much more teaching about these cultures in our schools.

I would say unreservedly that the UK is one of the best countries in the world and we need to be proud of it.

Yes and the same for me. I don't deeply hate England. I just wanted to have a bit of a moan about the bad parts.

Just after living in a place that was better connected to pther countries, i felt a real sense of isolation when I came back to England. I also have found that people haven't been very friendly so far. But I will try and join other groups.

I felt sad today, and I felt a bit better after moaning on here, and when people reminded me of the good parts.

So thank you!

I dunno... I come from a "developing country" with high crime rates.

My lifestyle was miles better over there (including free healthcare!)

Had never been a victim of crime over there, but over here it's 3 and counting. And the police did f'all.

Oh and did I mention that university is free over there too?

Absolutely - I also think there are people (on here and IRL) who seem to make it part of their identity to complain and be miserable about absolutely everything.

We live on an island so yes we are 'isolated' especially since we are no longer part of the European community. Brexit - the gift that keeps on giving.

No it's fabulous. I live in a beautiful, rural location. All the people I love are a few minutes drive away. There is plenty to do and ,if I want really fabulous things to do, I can get on a train and go to London for the day.If I want to hear and see the sea it's a few hours away.I am safe. My children and grandchildren are safe. They can live their lives without fear of being shot or displaced or blown up. It's a wonderful, wonderful country to live in . Those of us who live in England are incredibly lucky. If you look for negatives you will always find them.I prefer to look for positives.

I don’t agree that England is boring at all. I love living here and am always grateful that this is my home. There’s so much history, amazing art galleries, theatres (not just the West End), beautiful countryside, beaches, a huge variety of world cuisine and so much more. Transport is relatively good meaning you can explore other cities and areas easily. I’m well travelled and whilst I love visiting new places, I also love to go home.

I was in a "developing country" once,

and I received much better health care than I've ever received in England. They were so quick and efficient.

I disagree. On one little island we have a huge variety of people, cultures and places. It's beautiful because of the rain.

I could point out that you are in a good position that not everyone in England is in though, not everyone in England lives in a lovely rural location.

And many children are having to rely on food banks for food.

I would rather food banks and sanitation than shanty towns and dysentry.

No I don't think England is boring at all, history everywhere, beautiful countryside, an amazing coast, a lot of amazing creativity, art, music, literature. We are so multi cultural. That alone makes England way more vibrant in my opinion than countries who do not have as many people from all over the world.

You mention isolated, we are really not isolated, we are right next to Europe and closer to the states than the rest of Europe. If you want isolation, try living in Australia, you really feel far away there and it costs a fortune to get anywhere that is not Australia.

However I don't think we're at our best right now, I think many years of austerity, brexit, Covid and cost of living have taken their toll. But I really doubt that this is unique to England.

Yeah my point is that she said England is fabulous, I just pointed out that is her life that's fabulous, which sounds quite privileged, which is not the experience of everyone in England.

And mine is that compared to a huge proportion of the world even the worst life in the UK is fabulous in comparison. Why do you think so many people travel here to make their life here?

Anyway England is great for a lot of people. I know that.

I've decided to give myself a year, and If I'm still unhappy and struggling in a year,

I'm going to move to another country.

I have citizenship of another European country.

There's no point staying anywhere I am unhappy.

Because they have an idealised notion of it.

Maybe but if that were the case why stay?

Probably because they spend a lot of money to get here.

Wherever you go, there you are.

I was genuinely happier in another country.

I didn't think I would be this unhappy in England, until I moved here.

True but if they weren't invested in the country why double down and spend more money (a very large sum) for right to remain/citizenship if it's so awful? Do what a lot of people do when migration hasn't worked out, stay for a few years and then return home.

What happens to the poorer people in that "developing country"? Often extreme poverty is what enables those with relative wealth to experience such "luxury".
I had a baby in a developing country. The healthcare was impeccable. Meanwhile other mothers in that country die because they don't have £6 to travel to the hospital.
The NHS might be far from perfect, but at least it's there for everyone.

Anyway as I said ill give it a good go for a year. And make the best of it while I'm here.

I'm not stuck anywhere