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Archive » United Kingdom » Quality of Life in UK, compared to US & Canada

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Cosmopol Member Member # 7165	Posted October 05, 2003 06:25 PM I wonder if it would be of any interest to forum members to compare the quality of life in the UK with that in the US and/or Canada. >>>> A few disclaimders: 1) in this context I do not equate quality of life with "level" of life. It wouldn't be "higher" or "lower", "better" or "worse" in one country versus another. What I am looking for is to hear from people who have spent some time in any 2 or 3 of the mentioned countries, and compare their experiences, where they felt better, easier,happier, more fulfilled, etc for their own reasons. I.e., by quality of life here I don't mean the size of a paycheck or the square footage of your residence (although it partly counts for most of us), but rather what were you able to do better (or more of) in one country versus the other. Could be as intangible as socializing with co-workers (I was almost unable to do so at some of my US workplaces), or ability to attend poetry workshops, or no place to go fishing. 2) It is totally understood that quality of live is mostly an individual thing here; i.e., what may seem a dreadful little village in the North of the country to one, could be a serene paradise to another. 3) It is also understood that life is different in various parts of any country, plus there are differences among rural, suburban and urban lifestyles. <<<<<<< I guess I am looking for any personal impressions and experiences that you are willing to share, rather than any ultimate truth. Many thanks!
JavaMainfram unregistered	Posted October 06, 2003 12:45 AM USA: - only money matters; - politics & government dominated by Israel & Jews; - IT dominated by Indians; - dirty towns, streets & airports; - Manhattan, Colorado, Florida & California nice to see but apart these - slums only; - great but holly highways; - everybody lies; - excellent system of mortgage – loans for your home. - your children will learn about Holocaust, diversity & homosexuals in the kindergarten; - low & shameful level of public education; - cheap gas; - you can find many commodities cheaper than in your country of birth like (cars, electronics, and photo-video); - Spanish will replace English as a primary language soon; - leading Information Technology country; - despite recession salaries are still pretty good and better than in EU for specialists.
Cosmopol Member Member # 7165	Posted October 06, 2003 05:00 AM Nice to see both positive and negative sides listed... would you care to measure it against the other countries?
kantaloobi Member Member # 1969	Posted October 06, 2003 01:31 PM I had a friend visiting from the US recently, and he commented on how narrow the roads here, how old the buildings are, how small the size of a steak here, and how much more expensive it is to buy a cappucino in Starbucks in the UK compared to the US!!!! Two days later I told him to F back to his country
Kayalami Member Member # 5984	Posted October 06, 2003 02:35 PM See my last post here -------------------- ---audi alteram partem---
WH431 Member Member # 6144	Posted October 06, 2003 03:08 PM Hi Everyone, For Germany i can say from own experience that: - Standard of living is high. Cities and Motorways are mostly clean and tidy. - Relatively modren and well dveloped Infrastructure. Very good public transport system and accesibility. - Food and everyday stuff is much cheaper than in UK. - Being a social state the Taxes are too high but like in canada very good facilities provided by the Govt. (Education, Health care, Family support e.t.c) - Low crime rate - Good career prespectives for Qualified and young ppl. - An Intresting Soccer league. Negitive Aspects - Ppl arent very friendly ( and its noticeable very quickly,speically in small cities and towns). - German language is not known to many immigrants and takes time to learn. - Tax system is too high (abt 45% for a single living person). - No cricket!!!!! - No immigration law, hence difficult for new immigrants to come in and settle down like in Canada or in UK (HSMP). - Trade Unions are very strong and the Job market is less flexible for Empolyers (This is resulting into Jobs slowly going away from Germany). Regards WH431
Cosmopol Member Member # 7165	Posted October 06, 2003 06:59 PM Kayalami - thanks for the great comparison! Speaking of horrendous fuel prices, is public transportation well developed in major cities? That would allow to avoid that expense entirely. When I lived in various places in the States, I found it next to impossible to live and work without a car, and my monthly fuel expense was around $100. After I moved to New York City, having a car was not only unnecessary due to an excellent public transportation (in terms of coverage, not aesthetic condition), but simply prohibitive (lack of parking space at reasonable cost, horrible traffic jams and crazy driving). I kept the car in New Jersey, and only used it once every couple of months when I'd go out of town with friends. Two years later I sold it for lack of need, and since then the reports on cost of fuel have as much effect on me as the reports on rising cigarette taxes (I quit some time ago). Would it be realistic to live in or near a major UK city, such as London, and not worry about having a car? Thanks!
kantaloobi Member Member # 1969	Posted October 06, 2003 09:54 PM Hi, When you are talking about London, the same applies in comparison with what you said about New York. Even worse, now we have congestion charging which is 5 pounds a day to drive to the centre of London. It is not practical at all to have a car in the centre of London, and many of my friends that live in London don't use their cars much at all. The underground and bus service is expensive and crowded, but constitutes a much better option for travelling in London. The suburbs of London are not much better either, especially after congestion charging, which has pushed traffic away from the centre to the suburbs. In the rest of the UK, the case is not as bad as in London. So you can own a car and have the option of using it or using public transport.
Sasha3 unregistered	Posted October 13, 2003 04:13 AM Do the EU nationals eligible for FREE health care and FREE access to public education in UK as the UK citizens?
EuroCitizen Member Member # 2023	Posted October 13, 2003 03:47 PM quote: Originally posted by Sasha3: Do the EU nationals eligible for FREE health care and FREE access to public education in UK as the UK citizens? Yes and yes.
Sasha3 unregistered	Posted October 24, 2003 01:11 AM Can you provide the web sites addresses for two major food stores in UK. I would like to compare food prices. What is the major Real Estate agent in UK?
NEGRADA Junior Member Member # 7157	Posted October 24, 2003 02:59 PM http://www.tesco.com
maxleon Junior Member Member # 4649	Posted October 27, 2003 06:27 PM JavaMainframe,just out of interest ,are you jewish?
Rosemarry5 Junior Member Member # 7272	Posted November 20, 2003 03:35 AM I would like to ask about wage notion in UK. If the job post says 40,000 BP does it include a bonus or a bonus is an extra? What are the other benifits in addition to the 40,000 BP? The free state health insurance does it cover a dentist or hospital, emergency room or not?
Kayalami Member Member # 5984	Posted November 20, 2003 07:43 PM 1. I think you mean to say GBP? Wages are often quoted exclusive of a performance related bonus but may be inclusive of a shift allowance, london weighting etc. You should verify the info from the employer. 2. Most people given leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK for 12 months or more are entitled to free National Health Service treatment at the point of delivery. You should register with a local General Practitoner (refer to your local yellow pages) to whom you will seek consultations as needed based on an appointment system. You will get a NHS card within 3 months of registration. Prescriptions must be paid for unelss you are on benefits or are otherwise exempt from paying - the charge is currently about GBP 6.20 per item on the prescription which rises annually with inflation. If the GP at any time refers you to a consultant at the appropriate hospital you will also get this for free. These procedures may require inpatient treatment again free but you are placed in a standard NHS ward. You can pay to get a 'better room' with a private shower, tv etc. Accident & Emergency procedures are the same. Needless to say demand on NHS exceeds supply due to a severe shortage of staff so be prepared for lengthy waiting times especially for consultation appointments (3 mths) and inpatient treatments (18 mths). You can of course see the same consultant within a week if you have private medical cover - usually 400 GBP for a single male, non smoking with no adverse medical history. 3. You can also register with a dentist that is accepting NHS patients (these are getting to be like hen's teeth especially in the London area). Any NHS treatment will be subsidised so you will only pay 20% of the treatment costs. No NHS cover exists for 'cosmetic' treatment so if you want a gold crown to look cool get ready to pay for it. [ November 20, 2003: Message edited by: Kayalami ] -------------------- ---audi alteram partem---
Cosmopol Member Member # 7165	Posted November 20, 2003 09:23 PM quote: Originally posted by Kayalami: private medical cover - usually 400 GBP for a single male, non smoking with no adverse medical history. Would that be per month or annually? I kinda think it's the former, but wanted to check anyway...
Rosemarry5 Junior Member Member # 7272	Posted November 21, 2003 02:00 AM How about mortgage system in UK? In US you have to have a permanent job for at least 1 year and keep a good credit history by paying off your credit cards or car loans and you can get a mortgage as much as 3 times than your family income with 6% of down-payment. Please share your experience. What is the current mortgage rate in UK when somebody puts 10% of downpayment?