Overall where would you rather live, the US or UK? (sales, health insurance)
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Where would you rather live, the United States or United Kingdom? Both are two of the richest countries in the world and offer many employment opportunities and are places one can live comfortably and be financially secure. Much poverty exists in both countries but it is nothing compared to poverty in third world countries and even China. I will weigh certain factors against each other and determine which country fares better.
Employment opportunities:
Both countries have lots of employment opportunities and have many immigrants relocating to both countries. However, the US wages are slightly higher and taxes slightly lower. Food and clothes are also cheaper in the US, despite being very similar in quality to the UK. Also, fairly large houses in the US are often cheaper than smaller houses in the UK.
Winner: US
Healthcare:
The US healthcare system is appalling for a country so wealthy. If you have a secure job your employer covers your health insurance. However, millions do not have secure health insurance. I do not believe treatment for health issues minor or major should be a luxury. The UK has a National Health Service free to the point of use. The winner on this issue is clear.
Winner: UK
Crime:
It is a well known fact that many shootings occur in the US, between rival gangs, civilians being shot, police shootings or school shootings. The fact many school kids have to go through security going to school is ridiculous. The UK has no gun violence as a gun cannot be purchased by civilians. However, knife crime is a massive problem in the UK resulting in many deaths especially in cities with very rough areas such as London, Birmingham and Glasgow. However, all of the previously mentioned US factors are worse.
Winner: UK
Education:
Both countries have some of the best universities in the world. Both have high levels of tuition, however, I believe the US is slightly more expensive, meaning many working-class parents can't afford to send their intelligent children to college which is unfair. However, the scholarships in the US are a very good thing. The US is a much bigger country with many more colleges to choose from.
Winner: US
Food:
Both countries have delicious food. The UK has fish and chips, steak and ale pie, full English breakfast and the US has cheeseburgers, burritos, pretzels. These are only a few of the many items both countries have to offer. Having eaten in both countries I prefer US food, even though UK food isn't far behind.
Winner: US
Government:
Last year, both countries had right wing Governments. Boris Johnson and Donald Trump are both very unpopular, however Trump is considerably worse. Although Biden is a poor choice for candidate, it is much better than having a right wing president, let alone one as deluded as Trump. Last year the UK would have won but the US now has a left wing Government and is responding to COVID much better. However politics is entirely subjective so take what I'm saying here with a grain of salt and feel free to disagree.
Winner: US
COVID Response:
Despite both countries being very affluent, just as affluent as Australia and New Zealand, they have had very poor COVID responses, while the former two have had brilliant responses and life has been normal there for some time. Both countries had shaky lockdowns, somewhat later than most places. However, the UK Government responded far better, mostly due to Trump downplaying the severity of the virus, while Johnson accepted its severity. Both countries have had very high death rates per capita, with the UK being slightly worse in terms of deaths. However both countries are having successful vaccine rollouts and slowly resuming to normal.
Winner: UK
Weather:
It is no secret that the UK weather is terrible with frequent overcast skies and cold temperatures, even in the summer. The US is more like a continent than a country with much of the country having blue skies and all four seasons. Many parts of the country are cloudy in winter but essentially everywhere gets a good amount of sunshine in the summer. Seattle, America's cloudiest city is still sunnier than Cornwall, the sunniest part of Britain. Seattle is also sunny most days in summer, despite being dreary the rest of the year. In the US you can experience arctic like temperatures in Minnesota in January and warm weather year-round in Miami. In most of the US, winter days are 9-10 hours long. The UK averages around 7-8 hours and is very dark in the mornings. You can get year-round abundant sunshine in LA and all four seasons in the midwest. The UK Weather is pretty much the same year round, with the temperature decreasing slightly as you move north. The winner here is clear.
Winner: US
Health:
Both countries have many fast-food chains that sell fatty foods. Many supermarkets in both countries also sell products high in sugars salts or fats. Both countries have high levels of obesity, especially in comparison to other parts of Europe. However, the US is slightly worse. The average American weighs considerably more than the average Brit and the portion sizes are considerably larger. There are many countries healthier than the UK, but in comparison with the US on health, the UK wins.
Winner: UK
People:
People in the UK, like most of northern Europe are very reserved and unsmiling. These people are friendly towards friends and family but not towards strangers. Small talk doesn't exist and if you say hello to someone you don't know they'll think you're crazy. People have manners in the UK always saying please and thank you, but are not friendly. Customer service, you will be greeted but very unlikely that smiling or small talk will happen, unlike the US. The US is the opposite, people will smile at you, even if you're a stranger, small talk between strangers is very common. Americans are also louder and more emotional than Brits which may seem annoying and even intimidating if you're not used to it, but it's much easier to befriend an American you meet on the street than a British person.
Winner: US
Overall, both countries have their pros and cons. The social system in the UK with their legislation is much better than the US. No school shootings, gun crime, healthcare financial issues. However, the US is cheaper for the same or better quality. My overall pick is the US. Despite the previously mentioned issues being uncalled for and not a problem at all in the UK, these issues are unlikely to eat away at the majority of Americans everyday of their lives. Where you live comes down to how it can make one happy. Living in a country where it is overcast 3/4 of the time, rains a lot is black at 7.45 for 6 weeks out of the year and seldom gets heat, and even when it is warm its not very warm, is not for me. The US has much better weather, the US winters may be more brutal but are sunnier and the summer comes around every year and is hot or warm and sunny almost everywhere. American people are generally happier and more outgoing which can make life better too. I'd rather live somewhere were people smile and greet me rather than frown and don't have small talk as part of their culture. Both countries are two of the best in the world, however my pick is the US. Please tell me which points of mine you agree/disagree on and which place you would rather live. This will be an exciting thread for Brits and Americans due to the subjective bias or possibly lack thereof, but will be more exciting to see people not from these two countries giving their views too.
Where would you rather live, the United States or United Kingdom? Both are two of the richest countries in the world and offer many employment opportunities and are places one can live comfortably and be financially secure. Much poverty exists in both countries but it is nothing compared to poverty in third world countries and even China. I will weigh certain factors against each other and determine which country fares better.
Employment opportunities:
Both countries have lots of employment opportunities and have many immigrants relocating to both countries. However, the US wages are slightly higher and taxes slightly lower. Food and clothes are also cheaper in the US, despite being very similar in quality to the UK. Also, fairly large houses in the US are often cheaper than smaller houses in the UK.
Winner: US
Healthcare:
The US healthcare system is appalling for a country so wealthy. If you have a secure job your employer covers your health insurance. However, millions do not have secure health insurance. I do not believe treatment for health issues minor or major should be a luxury. The UK has a National Health Service free to the point of use. The winner on this issue is clear.
Winner: UK
Crime:
It is a well known fact that many shootings occur in the US, between rival gangs, civilians being shot, police shootings or school shootings. The fact many school kids have to go through security going to school is ridiculous. The UK has no gun violence as a gun cannot be purchased by civilians. However, knife crime is a massive problem in the UK resulting in many deaths especially in cities with very rough areas such as London, Birmingham and Glasgow. However, all of the previously mentioned US factors are worse.
Winner: UK
Education:
Both countries have some of the best universities in the world. Both have high levels of tuition, however, I believe the US is slightly more expensive, meaning many working-class parents can't afford to send their intelligent children to college which is unfair. However, the scholarships in the US are a very good thing. The US is a much bigger country with many more colleges to choose from.
Winner: US
Food:
Both countries have delicious food. The UK has fish and chips, steak and ale pie, full English breakfast and the US has cheeseburgers, burritos, pretzels. These are only a few of the many items both countries have to offer. Having eaten in both countries I prefer US food, even though UK food isn't far behind.
Winner: US
Government:
Last year, both countries had right wing Governments. Boris Johnson and Donald Trump are both very unpopular, however Trump is considerably worse. Although Biden is a poor choice for candidate, it is much better than having a right wing president, let alone one as deluded as Trump. Last year the UK would have won but the US now has a left wing Government and is responding to COVID much better. However politics is entirely subjective so take what I'm saying here with a grain of salt and feel free to disagree.
Winner: US
COVID Response:
Despite both countries being very affluent, just as affluent as Australia and New Zealand, they have had very poor COVID responses, while the former two have had brilliant responses and life has been normal there for some time. Both countries had shaky lockdowns, somewhat later than most places. However, the UK Government responded far better, mostly due to Trump downplaying the severity of the virus, while Johnson accepted its severity. Both countries have had very high death rates per capita, with the UK being slightly worse in terms of deaths. However both countries are having successful vaccine rollouts and slowly resuming to normal.
Winner: UK
Weather:
It is no secret that the UK weather is terrible with frequent overcast skies and cold temperatures, even in the summer. The US is more like a continent than a country with much of the country having blue skies and all four seasons. Many parts of the country are cloudy in winter but essentially everywhere gets a good amount of sunshine in the summer. Seattle, America's cloudiest city is still sunnier than Cornwall, the sunniest part of Britain. Seattle is also sunny most days in summer, despite being dreary the rest of the year. In the US you can experience arctic like temperatures in Minnesota in January and warm weather year-round in Miami. In most of the US, winter days are 9-10 hours long. The UK averages around 7-8 hours and is very dark in the mornings. You can get year-round abundant sunshine in LA and all four seasons in the midwest. The UK Weather is pretty much the same year round, with the temperature decreasing slightly as you move north. The winner here is clear.
Winner: US
Health:
Both countries have many fast-food chains that sell fatty foods. Many supermarkets in both countries also sell products high in sugars salts or fats. Both countries have high levels of obesity, especially in comparison to other parts of Europe. However, the US is slightly worse. The average American weighs considerably more than the average Brit and the portion sizes are considerably larger. There are many countries healthier than the UK, but in comparison with the US on health, the UK wins.
Winner: UK
People:
People in the UK, like most of northern Europe are very reserved and unsmiling. These people are friendly towards friends and family but not towards strangers. Small talk doesn't exist and if you say hello to someone you don't know they'll think you're crazy. People have manners in the UK always saying please and thank you, but are not friendly. Customer service, you will be greeted but very unlikely that smiling or small talk will happen, unlike the US. The US is the opposite, people will smile at you, even if you're a stranger, small talk between strangers is very common. Americans are also louder and more emotional than Brits which may seem annoying and even intimidating if you're not used to it, but it's much easier to befriend an American you meet on the street than a British person.
Winner: US
Overall, both countries have their pros and cons. The social system in the UK with their legislation is much better than the US. No school shootings, gun crime, healthcare financial issues. However, the US is cheaper for the same or better quality. My overall pick is the US. Despite the previously mentioned issues being uncalled for and not a problem at all in the UK, these issues are unlikely to eat away at the majority of Americans everyday of their lives. Where you live comes down to how it can make one happy. Living in a country where it is overcast 3/4 of the time, rains a lot is black at 7.45 for 6 weeks out of the year and seldom gets heat, and even when it is warm its not very warm, is not for me. The US has much better weather, the US winters may be more brutal but are sunnier and the summer comes around every year and is hot or warm and sunny almost everywhere. American people are generally happier and more outgoing which can make life better too. I'd rather live somewhere were people smile and greet me rather than frown and don't have small talk as part of their culture. Both countries are two of the best in the world, however my pick is the US. Please tell me which points of mine you agree/disagree on and which place you would rather live. This will be an exciting thread for Brits and Americans due to the subjective bias or possibly lack thereof, but will be more exciting to see people not from these two countries giving their views too.
I'm sorry but I'm afraid your post is full of stereotypical inaccuracies.
I'm sorry but I'm afraid your post is full of stereotypical inaccuracies.
Would you care to name a few? I agree a lot sounds stereotypical but I don’t believe anything I have said is inaccurate. Just my take on these two countries and their features.
Would you care to name a few? I agree a lot sounds stereotypical but I don’t believe anything I have said is inaccurate. Just my take on these two countries and their features.
The US is a vast country and the UK does not resemble a lot of it.
In terms of London and the home counties, they are similar to NYC and it's expensive surrounding suburbs, whilst houses prices vary by region.
In terms of things like the weather it varies a lot across the US, and UK weather is generally mild winters, and cool summers however the UK can get warm weather in summer time and does experience heat waves, and it's not all gloom and doom.
Also the British love to smile laugh and make small talk, and you can talk to strangers, however you don't start talking about personal things with a stranger, but you can share a joke, talk about sport, the weather or make idle chat.
As for obesity, the UK has a lower rate than most Anglosphere countries.
As for knife crime it is no more of a problem in the UK than in the US, although the UK has very little gun crime, whilst in terms of health, most westernised countries have universal healthcare, so the US is the country at odds with the rest.
As for everything being more expensive in the UK, I don't think you have done enough research and as easthome rightly points out, you have been prone to a bit of stereotyping, even if it was by accident or through lack of research.
The US is a vast country and the UK does not resemble a lot of it.
In terms of London and the home counties, they are similar to NYC and it's expensive surrounding suburbs, whilst houses prices vary by region.
In terms of things like the weather it varies a lot across the US, and UK weather is generally mild winters, and cool summers however the UK can get warm weather in summer time and does experience heat waves, and it's not all gloom and doom.
Also the British love to smile laugh and make small talk, and you can talk to strangers, however you don't start talking about personal things with a stranger, but you can share a joke, talk about sport, the weather or make idle chat.
As for obesity, the UK has a lower rate than most Anglosphere countries.
Yes london and New York City are most definitely the most expensive parts of the countries, same
Goes for all of the largest cities in countries. I know that the sun does shine in the uk just nowhere near as much as in the USA. I was in the uk years ago for a week in summer the warmest it got was 23 Celsius which everyone seemed to think was hot, lol, and it was sunny about half of the time but another year I came for a week in summer and it just rained. I tried saying hello to strangers there I just got strange looks as if they’ve never had a stranger say hello to them before, I also tried making small talk and I didn’t seem to get much back. This is based on a few visits of mine and I don’t live there so can’t form a valid opinion but what I experienced was on par with most of what I’ve read especially in comparison to the us and parts of Southern Europe and Australia that tend to be more open and talkative. And I seen quite a lot of fat people in the uk to put it bluntly but the fat people were still not as fat as American ones.
The US is a vast country and the UK does not resemble a lot of it.
In terms of London and the home counties, they are similar to NYC and it's expensive surrounding suburbs, whilst houses prices vary by region.
In terms of things like the weather it varies a lot across the US, and UK weather is generally mild winters, and cool summers however the UK can get warm weather in summer time and does experience heat waves, and it's not all gloom and doom.
Also the British love to smile laugh and make small talk, and you can talk to strangers, however you don't start talking about personal things with a stranger, but you can share a joke, talk about sport, the weather or make idle chat.
As for obesity, the UK has a lower rate than most Anglosphere countries.
As for knife crime it is no more of a problem in the UK than in the US, although the UK has very little gun crime, whilst in terms of health, most westernised countries have universal healthcare, so the US is the country at odds with the rest.
As for everything being more expensive in the UK, I don't think you have done enough research and as easthome rightly points out, you have been prone to a bit of stereotyping, even if it was by accident or through lack of research.
I do believe Britain to be as expensive as Germany and France but more expensive than Spain and the us. In the uk was where I found out about products close to expiry being made cheaper so they’ll sell that does not happen in the us. Also £75 for a pair of jeans in the uk during a sale seemed a bit expensive when sales in the us tend to be much cheaper.
Perhaps an anecdote of people who made the decision.
My sister married a Brit. For their initial decade they lived in the US and England and he spent much of his time in Paris. At that point my sister became an English chartered accountant - a job she held until retirement.
Their daughter who was binational English and US was educated as an MD in England. So she had the choice of English or US nationality. Guess what she chose. She is now a Dane in Copenhagen. School and SO were part of it but she is now an MD PhD practicing in Copenhagen.
So a bright English/American doctor selected none of the above when making her choice.
Perhaps an anecdote of people who made the decision.
My sister married a Brit. For their initial decade they lived in the US and England and he spent much of his time in Paris. At that point my sister became an English chartered accountant - a job she held until retirement.
Their daughter who was binational English and US was educated as an MD in England. So she had the choice of English or US nationality. Guess what she chose. She is now a Dane in Copenhagen. School and SO were part of it but she is now an MD PhD practicing in Copenhagen.
So a bright English/American doctor selected none of the above when making her choice.
Denmark is more similar to Britain in terms of weather and social etiquette but far surpasses both countries in terms of quality of living having the best education system in the world. I know they have food banks in Britain and America I doubt these exist to a large extent if at all in Denmark, since the danish government knows how to feed their citizens.
Denmark is more similar to Britain in terms of weather and social etiquette but far surpasses both countries in terms of quality of living having the best education system in the world. I know they have food banks in Britain and America I doubt these exist to a large extent if at all in Denmark, since the danish government knows how to feed their citizens.
Britain has a climate similar to Northern France and Central Europe, and in terms of social etiquette, it often depends on where you live, as cities such as London are extremely busy like NYC are people often don't have a lot of time.
Quality of living, it's based on a number of things, which often work against countries with large cities, and it should be noted that London alone nearly has twice the population of Denmark.
As for the British they are known for their banter, humour and comedy and are nothing like many of the nations you are comparing them to.
The UK has a welfare state, including state benefits, tax credits, housing benefits, free school meals, free healthcare and a lot less homeless people than in many other countries.
Whilst the idea that other major European countries don't have food banks is nonsense.
Unlike the UK, there is a national food-bank organisation in Germany, known as the Tafel - the German word for table.
It runs more than 940 individual "food banks" in the network - but many operate more than one distribution centre, as do some of those in the UK.
In terms of actual distribution centres, Germany has about 2,000 - the same as the UK.
"So although the number of food banks in the UK has caught up with the number of locations in Germany, more people have been using them over the last few years."
Germany's Tafel organisation estimates it feeds some 1.6 million people regularly.
Denmark performs very well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries in the Better Life Index. Denmark ranks above the average in many dimensions: housing, work-life balance, social connections, environmental quality, civic engagement, education and skills, jobs and earnings, work-life balance, health status, subjective well-being and personal security. It ranks below average in income and wealth. These rankings are based on available selected data.
I've been to London but do not know enough about the UK in general to choose between the two.
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