Pros and Cons of Living in England
Last updated on Aug 13, 2025
Summary: The UK is a great place to live, offering a high quality of life, excellent healthcare and education, and a vibrant culture. However, living in the UK can also be expensive, with high taxes and the cost of living in some areas being particularly high. Additionally, the weather can be unpredictable and the UK is often subject to long periods of rain. On the other hand, the UK is a diverse and multicultural country, with a wide range of activities and attractions to explore.
What are the pros and cons of living in England?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in England responded:
"I enjoy the wide open spaces, seeing cows and people horse riding nearby. I like that I am 30 minutes or less to London. I like that museums and galleries are free," said one expat in living in Welwyn, UK.
"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the rich cultural heritage of England, as well as the vibrant cities and beautiful countryside. They also enjoy the excellent public transportation system, the wide variety of restaurants and pubs, and the friendly people. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the weather in England to be too cold and wet, and the cost of living to be quite high. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who are not native English speakers," wrote one expat in UK.
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What do expats in England appreciate most about the local culture?
"The main plus for me is the NHS. I was lucky to have good health insurance in the US and was close to top-notch hospitals and doctors. But many Americans have had to live with poor health care or none. The Affordable Care Act is in the throes of changing that, whereas the UK has provided full coverage for everyone for a long time at no point-of-service cost. The other thing I appreciate is good public transportation," explained one expat.
"Expats in England appreciate the friendly and welcoming attitude of the local population, the rich culture and history evident in the many architectural monuments and buildings, the diverse and vibrant music, art, and cultural scenes, and the excellent public transportation system. They also enjoy the fact that England is a safe and tolerant country with a wide array of social activities and services available to all," said one person in UK.
This is a personal property finding service. I team up with a buyer and help you find the perfect property for your needs. I am your man on the ground and expert in the market. Whatever is important to you will be my mission to bring you what you want without all the stress whilst guiding and protecting you in the process.
This is a personal property finding service. I team up with a buyer and help you find the perfect property for your needs. I am your man on the ground and expert in the market. Whatever is important to you will be my mission to bring you what you want without all the stress whilst guiding and protecting you in the process.
What do expats find most challenging?
"The greatest difficulty I had was in finding a job at the level I had had in the US. Another challenge is getting used to housing. Space is at a premium and very few houses provide the storage that Americans are used to," replied an expat in Leeds.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to England?
- Where should I setup a bank account in England?
- Will I be able to find a job in England?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in England appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in England?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in England accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in England like?
- How are healthcare services in England?
- What are medical services in England like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in England?
- What are emergency services like in England?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in England?
- How are local medical facilities in England?
- As a foreigner living in England, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?