To be depressed about how expensive but shyt the UK is

[OptimismvsRealism]

God it's expensive God it's shit

Please regale me with examples of how other places are also shit and it's not just here

I am a woman in my seventies I dont drive, I use public transport or walk. I no longer feel safe in this country of pissheads, drug users and rowdy teenagers when out and about. Unlike in Spain where behaviour of the general public is 100% better. Unfortunately since Brexit I dont have a big enough income to be allowed to become a resident now. AlsoI dont enjoy much confectionary anymore . The price is extortionate and they use less chocolate and more milk and sugar. The price of food I have no complaints with but Yes I would say the UK is Shyte now

Yes Sundays were interminable.

No you're totally correct it's an absolute dump and we pay through the nose whilst in turn subsidising the bone idle and newcomers and it makes me sick. So your 100% right.

I lived in Canada if you think the UK is expensive you should try that on for size - if they could find a way to tax air they would

It’s the rain. Gawd. It’s constant now and the lovely autumnal blue skies and crisp cold days can feel like another age. Having said that, I’ ve lived in 3 other countries and I started to miss the rain but I also missed our seasons, these are not so well defined just a few years later. But, I also missed the radio, the music, the tv and the BBC, the chat, the knowing of the ways, norms and values, basically our culture. You don’t appreciate it so much until you don’t have it. But it’s special.

In Australia, you pay a lot for everything. Depending on where you live you pay more than other states. Going on holiday ridiculously expensive and far away from most places. Going out unless it’s the beach is expensive. it’s always hot. So hot you can’t go to the beach or leave aircon places. Running aircon day and night so you can escape the terrible heat is expensive.
Food more expensive than UK.
Healthcare expensive and hospitals always full. 8-9 hour waits in A&E. I could go on!

I lived in Europe also and whilst it’s cheaper spending pounds when you earn the local currency it’s ridiculously expensive also.

UK isn’t so bad.

I moved to a southern European country earlier this year. Not one of thr richest. What I would say is:

• healthcare is definitely better - yes you pay for use but it's an insurance system and fees are low. And you can get appointments immediately, usually the same day, and the care, both GP and hospitals, is top notch.
• food, eating out, entertainment etc are cheaper and better quality though food is more seasonal
• anything to do with govt is much harder than the uk
• societally it's more traditional/conservative so sometimes I miss the diversity of the uk & social progressiveness
• local schools are well regarded and of a good standard, teaching seems to be held in high esteem as profession
• rubbish collection is worse, the uk seems very clean in comparison.

I spend a lot of time in Barcelona, own a share of a house there with 2 friends who live permanently...the supermarket shop is appx 25% dearer...electric is dearer, water and gas about same as uk. transport is much cheaper. council tax lots cheaper. generally its safe to walk around, no stabbings, phone thefts, streets are clean, lots of police. our place is just outside so its totally safe, centre of barcelona has lots of pick pocketing. but you just dont see the swarms of crack users that london has and the fly tipping and rubbish all over. health insurance is not too dear and its excellent. all dentists are private but appx 30% cheaper than uk. I would love to move over permanently, so much is free...music festivals, and the nice weather to just be outside and go for walks or the beach etc. coffee in cafe is also cheap at £1.20, not the stupid london prices of £4.20........but overall, its just so civilised, no gangs of teens or druggies on the streets intimidating people.

The 1970s were much worse. At least things improved during the 1980s and quite quickly. Frankly I would return to the 1980s in a heartbeat.

I live "over the channel" in France and food prices here are higher than in the UK. The grass is always greener, they say...

It is not always hot in Australia - for a start it's a continent as well as a country - you wouldn't say that about the USA would you? Everywhere in Australia has seasons.

I've been to A&E on a number of occasions and have always been seen in about 20 minutes.

A UK friend who lived here in Melbourne for year in '23 said everything was much the same as the UK except alcohol, and Australian wages were way higher.

Wouldn't it be nice if negative people started to appreciate what they have rather than what they haven't got ?
People's lives are being destroyed around the world by wars, droughts, famines, hurricanes, floods etc and here we have complaints about rain and prices.

I live in France and can assure you that the price of supermarket shopping is almost 25% higher than in the UK. Eating out is reasonable providing you avoid the more upmarket restaurants and stick to the menu du jour. But generally life here in France is every bit as expensive as the UK. For example, a second hand car here could cost twice the price of the same car in the UK.

I do think this is a case of the grass is always greener. I've lived in a few countries now and honestly the UK is not bad. Yes it's expensive but so is everywhere. I know the NHS has its faults but damn I have had outstanding care this year from them. Even today my GP called me with blood test results and told me to go straight to my local hospital to be assessed and I was seen immediately and I am getting a blood transfusion tomorrow. I think if you are miserable you will be miserable everywhere

Agree , and the uk takeaway is much dearer . And the bloody parking fees everywhere!

What is a meal deal?

I’m Australian, visited the UK for a month recently. Almost everything was significantly more expensive there. With the exception of some supermarket groceries. The cost of petrol and utilities alone in the UK is much more expensive than here.

A lot of things are the same cost in AUD as GBP.

But you get 2 AUD for 1 pound.

So a takeaway coffee here, $5, 5 quid in the UK.

McDonalds Big Mac meal, $13 here, 13 quid in the UK, etc

Have you actually ever been to Australia?

You know it snows here. And the southern part of the country is cool to moderate most of the year. I turned my aircon on 3 days last summer. And our electricity costs pretty much peanuts compared to the UK.

I think you will find the wages are higher, which surely compensates somewhat. You can't compare prices without looking at income.

Could not agree more with your comments.
I am currently in Turkey and many of the turkish people think the exact same about their own country. They think UK would be a better option for them. Have said we have same problems but without the sunshine.

Lucky you, my kids are on multiple waiting lists some so long we have no idea they’ll be seen. We’re living with the impact such waits and lack of care bring.

Sure, my comment wasn't intended to be a complete appraisal of the relative merits of living in either country, but what I observed on holiday this year. When I studied and lived in France I used to stock up on toiletries in Boots when I came back to the UK as it was quite hard to get mid range stuff where I was living.

You probably could have got sorted at a pharmacie with an ear infection though.

Italy isn't expensive as such, but average wages are lower and its really hard for young people to get a job.

Public health care is still pretty good though (especially in the North), and the trains are a bargain.

I agree and some of the comments on here are from people whose lives/lifestyles are shyte but are blaming the country they live in.

Yes, it is shit. It is all about the terrible quality of life, miserable weather and people can be a bit hostile thought polite. plus, on top they charge premium prices for their food and services. There are a few things better than other countries like renewing your passports or driving licenses and getting things delivered to your home quickly. Logistics in concerts and festivals and the NHS when it works for you in your area. Mainly if you are heathy person and only use it little. Taxes are too much for high earners as you get very little back.