amideislas

I find this thread rather curious... at least in my experience, until about 5 years ago, there were precious few Brits or Europeans who would publicly say anything complimentary about living in the US (and there are still some who would never stoop so low as to say anything complimentary about those arrogant, greedy, low-life uncultured yanks).

Until recently, the false stereotypes were rich. In fact, it was only about 3 or 4 years ago that a well-educated, otherwise "respectable" German acquaintance informed me in no uncertain terms that 70% of the US lives in poverty and the rest are all billionaires. Right, then. Testament to the influence of the media (media lemmingism being another ironic "only in America" stereotype - which most Europeans also are certain they're "above", yet at the same time swallow this kind of media-spun hype "hook-line-and sinker").

It's nice to hear some positivity, anyway. I've always liked the place, the people, and >most of< what it stands for. We could use some of that optimism and enthusiasm around here, even if it is considered a bit cheeky to be enthusiastic about anything.

steveq

You can take the 'r' out of Yorkshire Grit too.

LondonSquirrel

Remember that not every move would be a fair comparison either, as is often said on BE. So someone who moved from London to NYC might be more of an accurate comparison than rural Yorkshire to LA or Birmingham, UK to Maine.

fozzyb

They are still fair comparisons on a personal level - I read the OP's question with an emphasis on the "your" rather than as a question about life in general.

Eg a hypothetical Yorkshire farmer who marries an Angeleno woman may discover delights of city life that he had never considered before () so find his life better (far fetched I know ). He might have had a similar experience had he just moved to Sheffield, but just never considered it.

I agree it is completely pointless trying to compare life in general - there is so much more diversity within both countries.

Pulaski

"Might"?

fozzyb

He He.. I was expecting the opposite reaction there - when I wrote that line I was expecting a barrage of protest for even hinting that there could be a comparison between Sheffield & LA...

Pulaski

I wouldn't move to LA if you paid me!

Mrs Danvers

I think the thing I appreciate the most here is space. I think the south east of England in some places have higher population density than Calcutta. When I go back home I'm glad that I'm not living cheek by jowl with others. We can see mountains that are about 70 miles to the south. When I lived in the UK I couldn't see the horizon where I lived.

Of course the politics and the right wing nut jobs drive me crazy, but I solved that problem somewhat by stopping having cable TV. The being driven crazy, obviously I know the nut jobs are still there.

LondonSquirrel

I live in SE London, but on a hill. One direction I can see the countryside of Kent & Sussex, the other I can see The Shard, The Gerkin etc

fozzyb

We agree on that one...

Q: Where's the best thing to see in LA?
A: The view out of the aeroplane window at takeoff.

Mrs Danvers

That's nice. I am sure there are people in London/south east with a view. I just don't care for the density of the area anymore. I was used to it when I lived there but when I visit now I feel differently.

kins

I did London to Seattle to rural Suffolk to Macclesfield to small town Maine. Make of that what you will

Moses2013

To be fair, there are also areas that aren't densely populated in the UK. Someone living in the middle of New York wouldn't have much space either.

Beaverstate

There is a lot of space in the middle of New York, NYC no.

Moses2013

True