sharke

jamesg1213

sharke

jamesg1213
I'd be interested to hear more pros and cons of living in the US from the two ex-pats (Rain & Sharke) - apart from TV and wine.

For me the biggest thing is the general attitude of people. Now I'm not knocking any of the British friends and family I have back home, but I find that in general that people in the States are more motivated and ambitious, and more positive about crazy ideas that you have to make money. There is more of a "go for it!" attitude in the states than there is in the UK. Of course you're going to find exceptions in both countries, but I'm talking about in general. When I first came to the states I lived in Nantucket and was immediately impressed by how many people had built their own houses, deal with their own sewage, take their own trash to the dump etc. Back home I just never saw that level of independence as the general feeling is that the government should do all of those things for you. 
 
The US is just a far more colorful, interesting place than the UK overall. There is more variety, more individualism, more color, more culture, more positive people, more ambition, more opportunity. 
 
Let me just give you a little example of attitudes which sticks in my mind. I remember a year or so before I came to the states, waiting for a bus in Newcastle City Center. It was December, but a very sunny day, so I had shades on. There was a couple of young women standing nearby and one of them says to the other, "sunglasses in winter, who does he think he is, a film star?"
 
I'm not claiming the US is perfect or not without its own serious problems. But having lived a long time in both countries, I do feel qualified to make an overall comparison. 

 
Exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to read when I asked, thanks. A good friend of mine lived in the US for many years and has given me quite an insight into living there (California, Chicago and Northern Michigan mainly) so I was interested to hear another point of view.
 
It's been interesting living in Scotland for 14 years and looking at England from a (smaller) distance. Like I said before, I do miss The Cotswolds but I suspect that if I went back it wouldn't be how I remember it (even if I could afford to go back, which would require a lottery win).
 
Nonetheless, if anyone ever asks me, I never refer to myself as 'British', I will always be English, and a Glosterman at heart.
 

 
Scotland has this romance about it though, yes? I have family on Skye and as a kid we used to drive up there every year from Newcastle, through the Highlands, and it's so spectacularly beautiful that I was deeply moved, even as a 10 year old. And I used to visit Edinburgh quite a bit in my early 20's, again a very beautiful city that just has an amazing vibe about it. However I remember visiting Edinburgh again in my late 20's and feeling a little "meh" like I just didn't feel it any more. I did also experience a bit of anti-English snobbery from some Scots - not too much, but enough to make me think that if I moved there (and I did think about moving to Edinburgh for a while, to take up a voluntary position with the Scottish Wildlife Trust - didn't happen though) that it might grate after a while. 

A lot of Scotland is absolutely stunning yes, very romantic. Glencoe for example, just awe-inspiring. Down in this South West corner there's not so much anti-English feeling as in parts of the North, it's quite a different blend. They're sometimes referred to as 'Galloway Irish' because it's only a skip across the water to Belfast.
 
You know what I miss the most? A 'local'. Pubs as I knew them in England don't exist here, there are bars and hotels, but nowhere really you can wander down to and have a chat over a pint with a few people you know. That community 'hub' doesn't seem to exist.
 
Edinburgh is a fantastic city but I think most Scots would see it as 'snobby', especially Glaswegians  I would buy a weekend flat there though (lottery win..again..)

Thus proving my point spacey. This is an emotional subject to you, not an intellectual one.

craigb
"The grass is always greener..." they say.
 
(Oh yeah, and I would never want to live in New York City either.)

We needed our own grass, and generally, Scottish grass is cheaper than English grass.
 
(...and I wouldn't want to live in Newcastle either )

The Coffee House has been on the WATCH list for some time! You know who you are! I Am one of the main watchderee guys. If you have been in the CH more than once and have made comments then you well nuff said
 
look over your shoulder,slowly, at least once every 5 minutes!

In my case it's which ever way my head still will turn! Usually my left then if that doesn't work I bend over to see what's behind me but I have to remeber that everything will be upside down

It's great to hear you feel at home Rain.
I've never lived outside the US but I know I would appreciate being/feeling welcomed elsewhere should I ever have to leave.
 
I do think that ones views of the US may be somewhat different when they have a heritage and lifetime of experiences.
 
I remember, probably as many others, sitting around listening to grandparents talk with family about the past and changes. Some good and some bad about everything from losing family/friends in wars to just trying to make ends meet.
I can see that aspect alone having great impact on ones views and feelings about the US.
 
I read about our Navy Seals being told to remove the "Don't Tread On Me" patch and couldn't help but think how right Khrushchev may have been. For those that may not recall he told Kennedy that he didn't need to invade the US that it would be destroyed from the inside. Patriots of the US see this crap and can't help but wonder if the bus even has a driver. I wouldn't be surprised if others here didn't know our Seals are being treated this way and I damn sure don't understand how Americans that do know can sit back and take this kind of sh!t.
 
Others, immigrants may just not see how the "changing of the guards" chips away, changing "things" at the top levels while they also ignore taking care of the infrastructure -busy focused on changing a neighboring countries back yard rather than cleaning it's own...talking about building walls after they bug the hell out of others to tear down theirs.
 
I think the conversation about how living in the US is very different when one looks at the very many issues American Patriots are facing compared to talking about the countryside views and price of wine...a conversation that I wouldn't mind but Cake would have a heart attack. (probably on oxygen support now)
 
I do think that many Americans think that the true state of the union is that Khrushchev was right.
So how is living in America? It's great if you keep your head (and ass) in the sand. But stick either out your faced with nothing but BS from our legal system - and do I really need to give examples that will make you think that can't possibly be true in US?- to our governments from cities to states to country which the majority are in the same condition as our infrastructure.
 
The real condition and how living in the US is, is nothing more than your state of mind. If you're a dumbass without a care in the world and not sure what's going to happen today because you live for the moment...well then you probably think it's heaven. If you're not...then you better keep your eyes open, fly right and work your ass off...and try to learn a little about how to vote, for people with concerns about correcting our problems...now that'll sure keep you busy trying to find them and if you do, determine if they're really a US citizen.
 
 
 

ampfixer
I propose that if you live in a place where you get clean water out of a tap in your home, regular electricity supply and live without fear of those you encounter every day, then you are better off than half of the planet. Much of this planet is a corrupted, violent mess and I consider myself lucky to be anywhere in North America.
 
I really wish I had never responded to the OP, and have no idea why I did. Another case of internet stupidity. I really dislike the way this thread has evolved because it showed me a side of people that I would rather not have seen. Most of the folks that have participated are "forum pals" and I enjoy their observations and discussions. Hopefully this thread will crawl off the page and into the archives.

You know what? I left here for a year and now that I've posted a few times I've been wondering why too and haven't thought of one good reason. Pretty much sums it up.