To not think the UK is as bad as everyone makes out?

[turkeypasty]

Sorry if this is an odd question but everywhere on mumsnet you see rants about how terrible everything is. I am European and could move abroad, but my son and husband (and myself) are super happy here in the UK, the primary school is lovely, we live in the North in the hills and get plenty of outdoor time... We earn ok but not massively and seem to live a good lifestyle- do you think that people just like to moan or have I got very low standards?! There seems to be issues in every country you live surely... It makes me genuinely think if I should move abroad whilst my son is still young, but then why should we if we are happy here? Just really interested in opinions!

You're right in that every place has its downfalls.

I think that it's feels as if it's getting worse rapidly with no improvement or hope on the horizon.

I would live somewhere else if I could and was younger. Not sure where.

I also think the weather doesn't help. I go on holiday a lot, but that's only because the weather here is so awful.

If it was 20 degrees and sunny each day I think more of us would be happier.

I do live somewhere that is quite rainy though.

People just love a moan.

You here people harping on about stuff they know nothing about. Complaining our supermarkets are expensive. Our groceries are dirt cheap compared to a lot of the world. Portugal has a minimum wage under €900 and yet their fresh fruit and veg is double or triple the cost of ours even though they can grow most of it.
Our meat and cheese is such good value for the quality when you look at the US etc.

I agree. I feel like it's 'trendy' to trash the UK, as we're not generally popular with the rest of the world.

However, I think there are far worse places to live. Climate wise, it's temperate and we don't generally have to worry about natural disasters. Human rights and healthcare are better than most places.

I look at places like America or the Far East and I think actually it's pretty good in comparison!

It’s completely mad to consider moving abroad purely because ‘everyone’ says so, when in fact you’re perfectly happy with life in the UK!

I think one of the oddities of the aftermath of British exceptionalism is that, if the UK can’t be great/preeminent, then it seems to have to be considered shambolic and a honking great failure by its own citizens!

When in fact it’s a place like any other, with periodic ups and downs, going through a tough time politically and economically, but with lots of wonderful things going for it. I lived there happily for much of my adult life, though left in the aftermath of Brexit. There are still things I miss, and London is one of the great cities.

Oh my goodness you are so right. In my country (wealthy central European) the groceries are literally almost double the price. People moan constantly despite having a really high standard of living. School meals in England are free at least in infants which is not the case in loads of European countries. Most people (I know at least) are polite.

The land itself is absolutely gorgeous, but most of the people are dreadful. Ugly houses everywhere, endless cars, litter, noise, stupidity and selfishness. We've got a ridiculously high population for the land mass, and it's ruined the place.

Yes so true! I quite like that it's not too hot and not too cold

There's no other country I'd rather live in, I'd just have better weather!

People often don't realise how exceptionally lucky they are to be born here. You have literally won life's lottery.

I think in recent years the UK has become a little more like the USA in the sense that it's a great place to live if you have money but there are many people living in deprivation.
For me personally, we're living a wonderful life. We live in a nice area. The state schools are brilliant. We had excellent care from the NHS. We live near a city but close to green spaces and beautiful countryside. Our quality of life is very good. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
However, I'm not blind to the people I see living in poverty. This is becoming a real issue. The equality is appalling. I also feel sad about the state of many UK towns which have shops boarded up and are looking increasingly scruffy. My own city looks great and is vibrant, but other places look like dumps. I'm also concerned by the division I've seen in society (for example, the riots last summer). This is making me feel very uncomfortable. I understand the same thing is happening in other countries.
If you're living a good life here, I see no reason for you to move.

I am very grateful that I kind of get to have the "best of both worlds"- travel to Europe and stay for extended periods if we like but also enjoy the beauty of the UK. I think the Lakes and Peaks are really beautiful. I just wish people everywhere would stop complaining!

spottedinthewilds

If it was 20 degrees and sunny each day I think more of us would be happier

This kind of weather has it's downsides though, you just have to look at what's happening in LA right now.

I guess it depends which part you live in
Plenty of areas close to me seem overpopulated, too much rubbish everywhere and generally run down. If you live in a part where there is more money around and people take more of a pride in their area / decent schools and infrastructure, it's not too bad.

That is very true and the inequality makes me very sad. It is true that it is unfortunately going that way in many EU countries as well. But yes the differences in the UK are very stark.

Yes- we are lucky to live in a lovely area!

You sound like you live in quite a nice place that works for you. I personally think that in general, the UK is in major decline. Can’t get GP appt, A&E waits are ridiculous, specialist/operation waits are months or years. Everything is a scrap/difficult - parking, traffic, most customers service consists of “not my department/responsibility”.

My ds is looking for student accommodation in a popular city. Mouldy, ridiculously small, in dodgy areas where litter is piled in the gardens etc - I’m disgusted. He doesn’t need a palace, just something basic, safe and functional in a reasonable area.

Each of these issues (and loads of others not mentioned) eats up time and energy. Things that should be so basic - a 2 minute phone call or ticking a box or parking a car - are so difficult. Basic stuff (eg electricity or olive oil) has become so ridiculously expensive. That’s the crux of it really - to get basic stuff done, it feels like you have to climb a mountain.

Totally agree that A&E waits and GP apps are a big problem. These kind of things are what makes me think if it would be better to move before it gets any worse.

Compared to many other countries lifestyle is good.
Compared to how it used to be 25 years ago it’s shit.

Yeah I have heard this a lot- it's interesting to get perspective like this as I have not lived here for that long

As EU I do look bit "well obviously" at people about rising food prices since they were always artificially low compared to the continent, but at the same time the quality of life is dipping. So that moan, I support. I mean like how the fuvk can people in rich country not afford heating their houses to even 18c is beyond me

I'm sure some people complain for the sake of it, but I haven't seen that. Where I am (nr London) the NHS is in crisis and has been for a while - they missed DMs illness for so long that when they finally discovered it, it was terminal. Our local primary is lovely - but the secondary nearby has a horrible rep, lots of anti-social behaviour and a very low rate of students going on to Uni. We're in an area with quite high crime rates and the police don't seem to have enough manpower to do anything about it.

I am getting annoyed that I pay 45% tax, but lots of public services are not up to scratch so end up paying out of pocket for them anyway - private medical cover, lots of things to keep DM clean/alive as there's only so many times she can be refused for PIP. Nephew has SEN and state education is just not fit for his needs, if we didn't step in and help with private school in the future I'm not sure what would happen! I'm all for everyone paying tax, and I understand I'm in a privileged position to be on that sort of money anyway, but it does sting when the system then doesn't work the way it's supposed to! Overall though as much as I find there are reasons to have a moan, I won't be going anywhere 😂 Though it would be a consideration if I didn't have DS/DM.

I think it's just become a bit of a meme online plus our culture lends itself to doing ourselves down - has the benefit of not living with overwhelming, blind patriotics all the time but it does get tiring the knee jerk response is how everything is terrible and we're all going to hell in a handcart. I've heard variations of this sentiment since I was a kid.

I think the truth is the West is in decline and we are feeling the squeeze and most people across Europe feel down about their prospects at the moment. I still like where I live and have no burning desire to leave. When you detach from the internet most people are nice and polite, I have a vast array of goods and services at my fingertips and I live in a country with beautiful landscapes and an a fascinating history. Really could be worse!

I agree that there are areas of the UK that is absolutely stunning but that matters less if the country isn't functioning. If young people can't afford to move out, if elderly people who fall and break a hip has to wait 14 hours for an ambulance, if a young child with a chest infection can't get in to see the GP, if a young middle earning family can't afford to have a second child because of the childcare costs and so on then there is very little consolation looking a pretty green hills and quaint stone cottages. I think that's the difference between the UK (at least England) now and the majority of european countries on a similar wealth level.

Besides what other countries favourite super villain is a penguin disguised as a chicken?

And the rubbish everywhere. Disgraceful and does give more vibe of deprived country. Saw cleaner poorer countries.
I think it's vombination of many things when it comes toa feeling rather than actual economic numbers.
Dirt, pollution (can't swim in most rivers now based on maps) etc getting worse on top of cal do add to general bleak feelings of despair.

Yep I love where I live and think we have a great lifestyle, and our children are having an amazing childhood here. I have travelled a lot, lived abroad and chose to settle in a lovely little coastal town in England. I often think people who complain constantly about this country are the ones who’ve never left it! (Other than their once a year all inclusive). There are issues of course but everywhere has issues, this isnt exclusive to the uk. Even the weather is no where near as bad as people act like it is!