Sorry but it is for quality of life. It is however where I choose to live. This is not a whine.It's my observation. I will always live now in Scotland ,visit Ireland,Wales and England and appreciate those too.
To be second best to the finest living is no disgrace.

Interesting - as I found myself swearing more when I first came to NYC and it took a large effort on my part to reduce it!! Also where in NY are you as I can assure you many people swear in NYC - and surrounding areas - on a regular basis. I doubt I go a day without hearing someone swear on the streets here - and I live in a very prosperous area of Jersey City and work in the Chelsea area of NYC.

I'm sure the UK has issues very similar to the US but I would rather face those issues closer to my family thank you very much - and enjoy seeing my nieces and nephews grow up!!

I maybe used the F-bomb a half-dozen times in 16 years in the States (and always in conversation with the same person, so effectively I pretty much never used it).

Here I find myself using it constantly, usually when I'm talking about my job or some useless customer service I've encountered.

Anyone who uses the word "ghastly" is not in touch with the real world. Does she have a double-barreled surname, too?

The Tampa bay area -- you should see how much this place has changed over just the past 3 years never mind the past 20?

Where in Florida are you?

I'm in NYC too and I never hear people swear the way I hear when I go home. My co-workers curse when something goes really badly, and I had one boss who could make a Leeds United football hooligan blush, but as a general rule that's been my experience for the last 15 years. I only go to Chelsea on the weekends for the market so maybe I'm missing out

I too want to be close to my family, but I am coming to realize that I will be giving up a lot in terms of lifestyle in order to do it. It's all just part of the decision-making process I think. Cursing doesn't bother me at all - but whining and complaining and negativity does. I think that will be the hardest thing for me to get used to.

I live in Spain....and totally disagree...Britain is no way 2nd rate to Spain.

Serious unemployment and no job prospects especially for young people.

Terrible state and much worse than the UK.

Can´t wait to go back to England...

Ah yes, "ghastly" .. my late mother's most frequent term of opprobrium. For instance, England was an "absolutely ghastly country." Over the years I tried to tell her (to no avail) that Egypt had changed a bit since she was last there, in 1947.

The only thing that gave her any hope for the future was looking forward to going to live in Libya; or Egypt; or Switzerland in retirement. Of course, she never did, she lived in Sevenoaks until she died.

Oh dear; I wonder if the UK has changed as irrevocably since 1991 as Egypt has since 1947?? Can you still engage reliable parlour maids? Are the bobbies still on the beat? Is there still a reliable P&O service to Egypt and India? Is Mr. Baldwin still in No. 10?

No, but one can still get a decent cup of cha so all is not lost!

Have to admit she's not at all in touch with the real world and is a bit like Robin's Mum.

I hear it's shocking. Some are even taking up with young men, demanding a full day off instead of half, and complaining that gruel 3 times a day isn't nutritious enough. I'm not sure how a person is supposed to set up a respectable household under such conditions.

I hear you can get Eastern European girls though.

My mother was a character. She disliked Americans, Socialists and Jews. I guess that had some influence on my choice of a companion for life.

As long as they black the grate of a morning and attend family prayers, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.