Pros and Cons of Living in England

"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 a person living in UK.

"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 living in Leeds.

"Expats in England often find the social behaviour and etiquette challenging, as it can be significantly different from their own culture. Many expats find it difficult to understand the concept of "reserving" where topics of conversation are avoided, such as religion and politics. Additionally, expats may be caught off guard by how little personal space is given when in social situations, compared to their home country. The UK's dry and often subtle sense of humour and sarcasm can also be an adjustment for expats who are accustomed to direct or more explicit ways of expressing themselves," said a person living in UK.

"Many stores not being open in the evenings. All shopping, other than grocery, needs to be done on the weekend or during the workday," explained one expat living in Hereford.

"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," said one in Leeds.