SultanOfSwing

Some of us haven't been back to the UK in two years. Some of us have been back once in seven years. Honestly the way some people bang on you'd think it was elbow deep in chavs wearing white dog shit. However just like you get the 'the USA is highly regional' bollocks if you ever have the nerve to say you don't like something here, so is the UK.

I'm with Sally on this one, it is highly subjective. I'm not knocking the USA by any means but it's not all sunshine and lollypops out here. You might well love it and that's lovely but for me it's all right and no more, which is again very subjective.

The UK is where I want to be and no amount of 'it's gone to the dogs' mentality its going to change that.

For what it's worth, I'd take a million Heathrows over the shithole that is O'Hare.

rallybug

Isn't the sporting and educational opportunities dependent on where you live? For example, unless they lived in Swindon, I doubt that any of the towns are big enough for lots of opportunities on that front.

We're off on Wednesday down to Somerset for the UK celebration of our wedding last September, so get to meet up with my relatives and some friends, gives my wife chance to meet more of my relatives and friends, and her Mom and a friend are coming with us, so we get to show them some of the local area. Friends are coming down from the Isle of Man, Leeds, Suffolk, Kent and even the Netherlands, so Gin and I won't have to go anywhere

Lothianlad

The weather in the UK - grey skies are what you expect in this country as they are very common thanks to our geographical location, the Atlantic ocean and prevailing south west winds.

However, for much of February and March of this year cloudless blue skies lasted for weeks on end, and now, at this present time, many parts of England*have been officially declared "severe drought areas" - the worst drought ever recorded in parts of Eastern England and East Anglia - sixteen months ongoing of very low rainfall - the driest winter and spring on record in many areas.

*Eastern England - including East Yorkshire, East Anglia, South East England, Southern England, South West England, East Midlands, West Midlands - areas of official drought conditions.

April showers? Very hit and miss although sporadic showers are forecast for tomorrow Tuesday 17/04 in many areas.........cool!

MadRad

Interesting observations.

1. Heathrow isn't brilliant, but few airports are. Newark is particularly crappy - Heathrow is a paradise by comparison.
2. Petrol in the UK is outrageous. My parents live in the Highlands and the costs there are prohibitive. I do like the cheaper gas here. Unlike many other folk, I actually need to drive less here. I lived in a rural area in the UK so had a fifty mile commute each way to work, plus a bus on top. And the nearest major supermarket was 15 miles away, here it's 4. That said, the cost of car insurance is a rip off here.
3. The streets in major towns here are just as bad as the UK. And I miss the twisty fabulous country roads in Scotland - they're what driving was invested for.
4. I miss the lovely country pubs. I hate beer so can't comment on that!
5. Service here is generally fake, as others have said. And you don't get quality comments like 'Aww missus, that dress makes yer backside look awfy big, wait an ah'll get ye the other size', as I overheard in an M&S changing room in Glasgow at Christmas.
6. You're making me hungry!
7. The thing I miss most of all, after family.
8. Undoubtedly goods and services, restaurants and the like are pricey in the UK, but they are in parts of the US too. And I think they're generally better quality in the UK.
9. It definitely was rotten weather over Christmas!

As for the NHS, I wouldn't be here if it was for them. So I have nothing but praise. It's not perfect but it's damn good. So far, all my experiences of U healthcare have involved endless bureaucracy and loads of hassle.

Lion in Winter

Bob the Philosopher.

You're right, of course.

cindyabs

Exactly.

Bob

Can ad Boston, Logan to that list...there's just bugger all to do in that stinking shitter and the parking is outrageous.

Uncle Ebenezer

I'd say that was the perfect description, actually.

SultanOfSwing

Maybe for some parts but I never hear reports like that from the many friends and relatives I am still in touch with throughout the UK. It's sad if that's how your old stomping grounds have ended up though.

Uncle Ebenezer

I've said it before, but when I celebrate (flaunt?) my "Britishness", it's in memory of the country I grew up in and loved. It saddens me that it is only a memory and that place no longer exists.

SultanOfSwing

I suppose that's regional as well. When you grew up where I did, anything is an improvement on the bloody provos blowing shit up ...

By all accounts, from what I hear taking to people, it seems fine back home in Carrick and Belfast for me, my ma's the kind of bird that'd tell me if it had all gone to shit, which is handy. Smaller populations have their advantages sometimes.

You flaunt away though, nothing wrong with being proud of that which made you who you are.

michael rothwell

I loved MA but not the Health Insurance one big rip off and why is it
American Doctors all want you to see this person just so you can pay out
more money for the size of the country they should have cheaper health care america's is just about Money

Ethelred_the_Unready

Logan is a turd. East Midlands Airport has more facilities. Miami International is even worse.

Ethelred_the_Unready

Welcome to the United $tate$.

Beaverstate

The reason american doctors want you to see other doctors is american LAWYERS. Cover all bases so you will not be sued for millions. That also partly explains some of the high cost.