best/worst aspects of living in U.S
#46
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
Certainly not in NJ or any other state I've been to. Although I will say NJ drivers are courteous to pedestrians...they tend to slow down and let you cross. Drivers in the UK do the opposite when they see you crossing...they put their foot to the pedal (especially taxi and bus drivers).
Here, the quality of driving is far worse. The net result is that you have a lot of mellowed-out drivers doing stupid things, and thus, overall, it's still dangerous. But given the two choices, I'll drive here any day (west coast, specifically).
#47
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
A quick survey, if I may.
What I liked best about living in U.S:
...
general politeness of society (know this is a generalisation, but I found drivers more courteous, teens more verbal and friendly, generally a bit less aggressive than Uk society
...
trying to keep this balanced, 5 for each side! Would be interested in your likes/dislikes
Thanks,
Karin.
What I liked best about living in U.S:
...
general politeness of society (know this is a generalisation, but I found drivers more courteous, teens more verbal and friendly, generally a bit less aggressive than Uk society
...
trying to keep this balanced, 5 for each side! Would be interested in your likes/dislikes
Thanks,
Karin.
#48
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
Worst has to be cost of health care and fear of potential bankrupcy form a major illness or accident. I couldn't ever see many major negatives.
Best: weather; positive can-do attitude (yes, at the extreme end it can be a bit tedious); general politeness and friendliness/openness to strangers; customer service; easier to drive; far better work culture (in my profession; I know it's the opposite in a lot of others); lower cost of living (mainly due to low mortgage); grits; cheap(er) Ben & Jerry's; and of course weather ...
Best: weather; positive can-do attitude (yes, at the extreme end it can be a bit tedious); general politeness and friendliness/openness to strangers; customer service; easier to drive; far better work culture (in my profession; I know it's the opposite in a lot of others); lower cost of living (mainly due to low mortgage); grits; cheap(er) Ben & Jerry's; and of course weather ...
You and I must be long lost twins ... other than Grits, I could have written this myself
#51
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
Its' f***ing awful, and has the worst customer service of any store in the US hands down.
That is very true I am now starting to get used to it, and not being shocked everytime someone says 'cute sweater....'
Best
Being able to eat lunch outside most of the year
Kids summer camps
Having a pool in the back garden
Having some wonderful outdoor places to visit
Layed back driving
Halloween/Christmas decorations
Worst
It gets dark at 8.00pm even in summer
Lack of vacation
No half term breaks in schools, long, long summer breaks
Working conditions
Lack of humour in the workplace
Too hot to enjoy any of the outside places 5 months of the year
Fires actually being a weather condition, and f***ing scary
Best
Being able to eat lunch outside most of the year
Kids summer camps
Having a pool in the back garden
Having some wonderful outdoor places to visit
Layed back driving
Halloween/Christmas decorations
Worst
It gets dark at 8.00pm even in summer
Lack of vacation
No half term breaks in schools, long, long summer breaks
Working conditions
Lack of humour in the workplace
Too hot to enjoy any of the outside places 5 months of the year
Fires actually being a weather condition, and f***ing scary
#52
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
I've drive around most of the west coast and have to say apart from the cities, I think drivers are slower and more courteous. Cities however are a completely different animal all together, especially LA. LA nose to tail at 65mph seems to be the norm!
#53
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
Best
1.No half term, long breaks in between (means I can pack the oldest off to London once a year and be done with it!)
2. Turning right on red.
3. Outlet stores
4. Macys
5. Our Infiniti FX35
Worst
1. Lack of Saveloys, salt and vinegar crisps
2. Lack of vacation time
3. Not enough Jamaicans/Brits where I live
4. At Will employment
5. Poor dental coverage
1.No half term, long breaks in between (means I can pack the oldest off to London once a year and be done with it!)
2. Turning right on red.
3. Outlet stores
4. Macys
5. Our Infiniti FX35
Worst
1. Lack of Saveloys, salt and vinegar crisps
2. Lack of vacation time
3. Not enough Jamaicans/Brits where I live
4. At Will employment
5. Poor dental coverage
#54
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
I dont appreciate all the Home Depot bashing going on here...especially from all you girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#55
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Vienna, Northern Virginia
Posts: 152
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
Best:
4 distinct seasons
Whole Foods/Trader Joe's
cheap petrol
Hallowe'en
school buses
Worst:
Beaurocracy - takes an age to get anything done
Banking - so far behind the UK
No decent curry restaurants
Long summer school holidays
Lack of annual leave - have to work for years to build 2 weeks leave!
Appalling TV - adverts every 10 minutes
bugs/snakes
over the top on religion ( especially where we live!)
4 distinct seasons
Whole Foods/Trader Joe's
cheap petrol
Hallowe'en
school buses
Worst:
Beaurocracy - takes an age to get anything done
Banking - so far behind the UK
No decent curry restaurants
Long summer school holidays
Lack of annual leave - have to work for years to build 2 weeks leave!
Appalling TV - adverts every 10 minutes
bugs/snakes
over the top on religion ( especially where we live!)
#56
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
Best:
Ranch Dressing
Cheap Petrol
Friendly Service
Higher Salaries - slightly more left after cost of living - suprised that a 6 figure salary doesnt give u a lot left after bills though
Excellent Hospitals for childbirth - Admittedly Leeds in the UK was f***ng appaling.
Worst:
Its too bloody hot n humid in Kansas
A general view of quantity over quality
Terrible TV (except HBO )
Bugs
Less annual leave and an unwritten rule to do an extra 20% onto of the 40 hour work week.
Some of the worst drivers I have ever seen (but I hear thats mostly a KC thing)
Crap Schools unless u pay 10k per year, per child to go private
Second hand cars that in the Uk would be 700 quid are closer to 5000$
Ranch Dressing
Cheap Petrol
Friendly Service
Higher Salaries - slightly more left after cost of living - suprised that a 6 figure salary doesnt give u a lot left after bills though
Excellent Hospitals for childbirth - Admittedly Leeds in the UK was f***ng appaling.
Worst:
Its too bloody hot n humid in Kansas
A general view of quantity over quality
Terrible TV (except HBO )
Bugs
Less annual leave and an unwritten rule to do an extra 20% onto of the 40 hour work week.
Some of the worst drivers I have ever seen (but I hear thats mostly a KC thing)
Crap Schools unless u pay 10k per year, per child to go private
Second hand cars that in the Uk would be 700 quid are closer to 5000$
#59
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
I find outlet malls mostly overrated...most of the stuff is made for the outlet stores. The rest you can usually get cheaper when the department stores have sales.
Saying that last summer I bought a pair of UGG wellies...sheepskin lined from toe to the cuff at the top for half price.
Saying that last summer I bought a pair of UGG wellies...sheepskin lined from toe to the cuff at the top for half price.
#60
Re: best/worst aspects of living in U.S
I find outlet malls mostly overrated...most of the stuff is made for the outlet stores. The rest you can usually get cheaper when the department stores have sales.
Saying that last summer I bought a pair of UGG wellies...sheepskin lined from toe to the cuff at the top for half price.
Saying that last summer I bought a pair of UGG wellies...sheepskin lined from toe to the cuff at the top for half price.