Life in UK vs US as a person of Indian origin

[Star555]

My family is Indian and we lived in London when I was a very young child (I have very few memories of that time) before moving to the USA. We had no other family in the UK so we didn't go back to visit regularly; but we did go to India frequently to see family and as a child I got my fill of Enid Blyton books, Cadbury chocolate, and cricket during our stays in India. I've always felt more connected to India and the UK than to the USA where I've spent most of my life, perhaps because I love ancient history and literature and the USA doesn't have much to offer on that front. I also feel that Indian culture is a bigger, more familiar part of the UK than the US. I always felt angry at my parents for having traded London for a smaller, less exciting American city but they like it here and say that the US is more advanced than the UK and it would be foolish to move back.

I will be finishing my degree in the US soon and have been thinking about looking for jobs in the UK, just to get a real taste of life there as an adult. Obviously I know that cricket/history/Cadbury chocolate aren't the important things to consider -- practical things like cost of living, healthcare, etc are far more important. Besides those universal considerations, I'd love to hear about experiences of other Indians on this board who have lived in both the US and UK. Specifically, as an Indian, did you feel like one country was subjectively better (less racist, better cultural fit, etc) than the other? Just for lifestyle reference, I would be working in tech and not raising a family anytime soon, so salary-wise I wouldn't be too concerned. And I am a non-vegetarian Hindu, so the need for wide availability of vegetarian/Halal options isn't an issue either.

I know that in the end, it all boils down to personal preferences but I would appreciate having any anecdotal feedback from fellow Indians who have lived on both sides of the pond!

Sorry, OP, I'm not Indian, but, as a person in their 60s, I'd say go for it, if you can find a way to get a job. I don't think that the UK economy is doing well at the moment. You are wondering about this in your early 20s and you will still wonder in your 40s. You are the age to take a chance without being encumbered by kids, mortgage, etc. Try it out. You may love it, you may hate it, but either way you would have that experience. Hopefully, people who have lived both places will give you some advice.

Also not Indian, but have lived in both the UK and US.

Personally I far prefer to live in the US, but as a new graduate in tech, so probably with good employable skills, I’d definitely give the UK a whirl if I were you.

If you can find a job, I’d definitely plan on spending a few years in the Uk and then you can make your own mind up. If you don’t like it, then you can return to the US.

Poking my head in as I have lived in US and UK -- not Asian but in areas with large Asian communities (north London, major East Coast cities).

In my opinion, the UK South Asian community has more prominence and is better settled. Many Indian-Americans are relatively recent immigrants and this affects things. But even in the decade-plus we have been here there's been changes. More politicians getting elected, people are even starting to know what cricket is (the T20 World Cup is going to be played partly in the USA). I've seen loads more Indian kids in the schools as my 3 have gone through.

Is racism better or worse -- I can't answer from the Asian perspective but as another minority I will say it is different. America is both more open in racism and in talking about it.

I would give it a go, you're young. But do be prepared for how much lower your salary will be.

I have lived in the US, Germany, Sweden, Singapore and the UK and the UK (especially London) is, by far, the most inclusive place for Indians. I have never experienced racism here in London. There are so many Indians always around, along with people from all backgrounds and nationalities, you never miss 'home' too much, wherever that may be. My friends in silicon valley earn much more though. And probably more successful in terms of startup exits and making millions. UK is good for a hassle-free life surrounded by like-minded people, culture, good food, nature and easy travel to anywhere in the world. I would choose London any day.

@Star555

If you're young and don't have the worries of looking after children, mortgage, health issues etc then there's no harm in taking the opportunity to move to another country for a few years. It's an experience that will either turn out good or bad, but you won't know until you try. You always have the option to move back home if things don't work out.

View it as an adventure and part of growing up. The UK is very different culturally with lots of different subcultures and regions.

I've never been to the US but moved to the UK as a young adult. Never lived in London - it seems ridiculously expensive and densely populated. I don't know how people manage there, but I guess some like the hustle and bustle of big cities. And of course jobs are plenty in London.

I think the pay in US is better from what I've heard, but UK seems to have better employment laws, holidays, healthcare etc - although in recent years the healthcare system is falling to pieces!!
Properties are small and house prices and rents are high - but depends on where you live. Britain is a small island compared to the US. Cars and roads are smaller / narrower 😁

I work in tech and have lived in Scotland for many years. Absolutely love it and love travelling all over the UK. The vast majority of people are lovely and very welcoming. Pretty much everyone loves curry 😂

I've not really mingled much with Indians and other South Asians here. There's a lot of the same drama and social dynamics I've disliked since childhood 😳
I think second and third generation Indians who were born in the UK are much better integrated and probably easier to get along with.

The population spread varies, so if you live in a place like London or Bradford you'll be surrounded by loads of South Asians, but you're unlikely to bump into one in say the far north of Scotland! Things are slowly changing though. London is so expensive that people are moving further afield.

Anyway good luck and hope you find someone here who has lived in both countries who might be able to advise you better.

I’m Indian. I have lived in the UK and in the US. The racism I faced in the UK was much more pronounced. Indians are not always seen as the model minority they are in the US. Lots of resentment against South Asians including students. The vast majority of Indian immigrants to the UK and their descendants are not as wealthy as the average Indian immigrant in the US. But there is lots of good Indian food and Indian items are available in most grocery stores. My last visit to the UK (I was here for almost 4 months on a research trip) I was shocked by how broken things are. Yes the healthcare is free at the point of use (you will pay an NHS surcharge) but a 10 hour wait in the ER is not unusual. Appointments with your PCP (the GP) is like gold dust. Prices are high and houses are small. Yes, there is history and culture. But I also missed the beautiful natural expanses of the US. The countryside in the UK is also beautiful but other than Scotland in a much more manicured way. DH is Indian American and he finds the UK quite a difficult place to live in. (We met in the UK as students and now live in a big expensive US city).

I agree with this. I am an Indian with families living in US, whom I visit yearly. I have lived in the UK and other European countries, one of them topping the ranking of best places to live.

I prefer UK despite all ita flaws. No country is perfect, so there are always tradeoffs. But overall UK was more welcoming and inclusive than others. There are ample opportunities to experience culture, good food, art, music. You get all sort of foodI, cuisines. Indian food is top notch at different budget levels. Compared to US, tradeoffs are lower salaries and small housing. There are a lot of Americans thriving in the London and other parts of UK. Try it for a while, it may require some adjusting time but I think it should be a great experience. Plus easy travelling to rest of Europe for history and culture.

There is nothing like an informed decision! Experiencing it for yourself will give you the confidence and prevent haunting ´What ifs’!

If you’re mainly raised in the US, and crave history, culture, and easy European travel - it may be for you. If you’re mainly raised in the UK, and crave bigger more modern surroundings and luxuries - it may be for you. As someone who has lived in both, but raised in one, my answer follows this logic. I’ve seen it time and time again - English people saying America is so much better and American people saying the UK is. They’ll make the same points about infrastructure and politics. The US has higher salaries… but the UK has free healthcare. The US has regular mass shootings… but there’s also violence in the UK. The US is enormous and there’s so much to explore plus beautiful landscapes… but from the UK you can easily fly around Europe! Both have racism.

See that's the thing. Both places can be good depending on your own experience.

Agree wealth is not comparable but Indians are respected. They are in medical peofessions, they are also doing well in other fields and respected. If you want to reach top in a corporate career and generate huge wealth, US is a better place.

I don't like US the way you do. It's too materialistic, my sister and her family plus my own in-laws live there. People live in their own bubble. My sister who grew up in India had to develop 'American' hobbies and had to watch American college football regularly as without it there is not much to talk to American friends, neighbours.

I can't force myself to develop hobbies I have no real interest in for sake of others and watch TV for being upto date on sports, for me quality of life is being able to do what I want to do. I have been so out of place with never ending talks on sports, gadgets. National parks are amazing but going to National park every weekend is not an option. For me what you do every week is more relaxing and easy in UK. I would rather have a picnic in summers or watch a movie and go for drinks in winter talk about sports in someone's home. Maybe if I went to US after college and lived, it would have been easy to accomodate to their culture. In middle we all get stuck to what we are used to.

Op, you are young, you go and experience yourself. You can always come back after a few years. UK is not that far behind US in advancement. There is history, music and great food and easy to travel to rest of Europe.

Some Indians are respected. There is a lot of sneering towards people from the subcontinent in professions that are seen less valuable. Lots of jokes about corner shops and so on.

Having lived 20 years in the US I have never watched American football for more than 10 mins. But I live in a very big metropolitan city that’s quite international/cosmopolitan. If I lived in rural Idaho I would have a different experience. I relax by reading, watching movies and having picnics with my family or going cycling etc. As I said if I lived in the rural Midwest life would be entirely different.
Between my city and London, London has much much better Indian food. And Europe is a hop, step and a jump away.