Would I be happy in the UK?
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:17 am
#1
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Would I be happy in the UK?
I'm the opposite of you guys, being an American with an English-originated family, my grandma was born in London in 1922 and still took her tea and largely raised me so I've always felt as English as I do American. I live in Oregon and I dislike it here and I dislike America in general, for several reasons:
*People here are very unfriendly, flaky and untrustworthy for the most part, and generally have an overly high opinion of themselves. Here on the West Coast people generally only hang out with people they knew as children/teenagers or who are connected to their "circle" in some way. It's almost impossible to make real friends at work or school here and if you even say "hi" to somebody you don't know their "creeper alarm" goes off and they give you a judgmental look.
*American society is hateful and hardass. People here despise and look down on the poor and people of other races, even many people who call themselves "liberals" and vote Democrat. The death penalty and eliminating/reducing welfare are very popular here. I find most Americans are callous, unforgiving, uncharitable and self-righteous. Americans love guns and sadistic punishments and are highly fearful of strangers. There are good people here, but IMO they are the minority. Most people are just looking after themselves and don't care about anyone else.
*America has awful worker and healthcare rights. I can't afford decent care, even though I am slowly turning diabetic. I have Medicaid but it's garbage and my parents' insurance will no longer cover me when I turn 26 next January. You are expected to work your ass off for practically nothing here if you don't have a degree (which in the US cost an arm and a leg if not more), and often even if you do. The only good paying jobs in Oregon are in the IT and healthcare industries, neither of which I have the interest or aptitude for.
If you aren't a workaholic and have any sense of work/life balance people look down on you and refuse to associate with you for being "lazy".
*People are dogmatic and too political here. You are either a stuffy politically correct socially liberal/fiscally conservative yuppie or a religious gun nut, there's very little in between here. Almost no laid-back socialist-minded people at all in this country, everyone is very shrill. And West Coast people are offended extremely easily and many have absolutely no sense of humor or mercy. If you offend somebody once they will hate you forever and never forget it. It's very puritanical and anti-fun here. Oh yeah everything on the West Coast closes super early and even the cities like Portland that are supposedly walkable and have good transit really are not at all. They are just lauded because they have any transit or walkability whatsoever. Gangs are everywhere and it's not safe to walk outside at night even in the small towns, especially for women. It's still the Wild West here.
I know I sound really judgmental and negative but it's honestly how it is here! I'm constantly trying to send out positive vibes to people and I just get shot down for it, and then suddenly they wonder why my mood sours. People are weird here!
Would I be happier in the UK, or are we looking at a "out of the frying pan and into the fire" type situation? I've also considered Quebec. I just want a saner, laid back life with people who have kinder values and aren't so damn pissy and work-obsessed. Even my own family kind of suck TBH and buy into all the American Calvinist/Puritan crap.
*People here are very unfriendly, flaky and untrustworthy for the most part, and generally have an overly high opinion of themselves. Here on the West Coast people generally only hang out with people they knew as children/teenagers or who are connected to their "circle" in some way. It's almost impossible to make real friends at work or school here and if you even say "hi" to somebody you don't know their "creeper alarm" goes off and they give you a judgmental look.
*American society is hateful and hardass. People here despise and look down on the poor and people of other races, even many people who call themselves "liberals" and vote Democrat. The death penalty and eliminating/reducing welfare are very popular here. I find most Americans are callous, unforgiving, uncharitable and self-righteous. Americans love guns and sadistic punishments and are highly fearful of strangers. There are good people here, but IMO they are the minority. Most people are just looking after themselves and don't care about anyone else.
*America has awful worker and healthcare rights. I can't afford decent care, even though I am slowly turning diabetic. I have Medicaid but it's garbage and my parents' insurance will no longer cover me when I turn 26 next January. You are expected to work your ass off for practically nothing here if you don't have a degree (which in the US cost an arm and a leg if not more), and often even if you do. The only good paying jobs in Oregon are in the IT and healthcare industries, neither of which I have the interest or aptitude for.
If you aren't a workaholic and have any sense of work/life balance people look down on you and refuse to associate with you for being "lazy".
*People are dogmatic and too political here. You are either a stuffy politically correct socially liberal/fiscally conservative yuppie or a religious gun nut, there's very little in between here. Almost no laid-back socialist-minded people at all in this country, everyone is very shrill. And West Coast people are offended extremely easily and many have absolutely no sense of humor or mercy. If you offend somebody once they will hate you forever and never forget it. It's very puritanical and anti-fun here. Oh yeah everything on the West Coast closes super early and even the cities like Portland that are supposedly walkable and have good transit really are not at all. They are just lauded because they have any transit or walkability whatsoever. Gangs are everywhere and it's not safe to walk outside at night even in the small towns, especially for women. It's still the Wild West here.
I know I sound really judgmental and negative but it's honestly how it is here! I'm constantly trying to send out positive vibes to people and I just get shot down for it, and then suddenly they wonder why my mood sours. People are weird here!
Would I be happier in the UK, or are we looking at a "out of the frying pan and into the fire" type situation? I've also considered Quebec. I just want a saner, laid back life with people who have kinder values and aren't so damn pissy and work-obsessed. Even my own family kind of suck TBH and buy into all the American Calvinist/Puritan crap.
Last edited by mfarrington2014; Jun 2nd 2015 at 8:31 am.
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:20 am
#2
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
I'm the opposite of you guys, being an American with an English-originated family, my grandma was born in London in 1922 and still took her tea and largely raised me so I've always felt as English as I do American. I live in Oregon and I dislike it here and I dislike America in general, for several reasons:
*People here are very unfriendly, flaky and untrustworthy for the most part, and generally have an overly high opinion of themselves. Here on the West Coast people generally only hang out with people they knew as children/teenagers or who are connected to their "circle" in some way. It's almost impossible to make real friends at work or school here and if you even say "hi" to somebody you don't know their "creeper alarm" goes off and they give you a judgmental look.
*American society is hateful and hardass. People here despise and look down on the poor and people of other races, even many people who call themselves "liberals" and vote Democrat. The death penalty and eliminating/reducing welfare are very popular here. I find most Americans are callous, unforgiving, uncharitable and self-righteous. Americans love guns and sadistic punishments and are highly fearful of strangers. There are good people here, but IMO they are the minority. Most people are just looking after themselves and don't care about anyone else.
*America has awful worker and healthcare rights. I can't afford decent care, even though I am slowly turning diabetic. I have Medicaid but it's garbage and my parents' insurance will no longer cover me when I turn 26 next January. You are expected to work your ass off for practically nothing here if you don't have a degree, and often even if you do. The only good paying jobs in Oregon are in the IT and healthcare industries, neither of which I have the interest or aptitude for.
If you aren't a workaholic and have any sense of work/life balance people look down on you and refuse to associate with you for being "lazy".
*People are dogmatic and too political here. You are either a stuffy politically correct liberal or a religious nut, there's very little in between here. And West Coast people are offended extremely easily and many have absolutely no sense of humor or mercy. It's very puritanical and anti-fun here. Oh yeah everything on the West Coast closes super early and even the cities like Portland that are supposedly walkable and have good transit really are not at all. They are just lauded because they have any transit or walkability whatsoever.
Would I be happier in the UK, or are we looking at a "out of the frying pan and into the fire" type situation? I've also considered Quebec. I just want a saner, laid back life with people who have kinder values and aren't so damn pissy and work-obsessed. Even my own family kind of suck TBH and buy into all the American Calvinist/Puritan crap.
*People here are very unfriendly, flaky and untrustworthy for the most part, and generally have an overly high opinion of themselves. Here on the West Coast people generally only hang out with people they knew as children/teenagers or who are connected to their "circle" in some way. It's almost impossible to make real friends at work or school here and if you even say "hi" to somebody you don't know their "creeper alarm" goes off and they give you a judgmental look.
*American society is hateful and hardass. People here despise and look down on the poor and people of other races, even many people who call themselves "liberals" and vote Democrat. The death penalty and eliminating/reducing welfare are very popular here. I find most Americans are callous, unforgiving, uncharitable and self-righteous. Americans love guns and sadistic punishments and are highly fearful of strangers. There are good people here, but IMO they are the minority. Most people are just looking after themselves and don't care about anyone else.
*America has awful worker and healthcare rights. I can't afford decent care, even though I am slowly turning diabetic. I have Medicaid but it's garbage and my parents' insurance will no longer cover me when I turn 26 next January. You are expected to work your ass off for practically nothing here if you don't have a degree, and often even if you do. The only good paying jobs in Oregon are in the IT and healthcare industries, neither of which I have the interest or aptitude for.
If you aren't a workaholic and have any sense of work/life balance people look down on you and refuse to associate with you for being "lazy".
*People are dogmatic and too political here. You are either a stuffy politically correct liberal or a religious nut, there's very little in between here. And West Coast people are offended extremely easily and many have absolutely no sense of humor or mercy. It's very puritanical and anti-fun here. Oh yeah everything on the West Coast closes super early and even the cities like Portland that are supposedly walkable and have good transit really are not at all. They are just lauded because they have any transit or walkability whatsoever.
Would I be happier in the UK, or are we looking at a "out of the frying pan and into the fire" type situation? I've also considered Quebec. I just want a saner, laid back life with people who have kinder values and aren't so damn pissy and work-obsessed. Even my own family kind of suck TBH and buy into all the American Calvinist/Puritan crap.
Good luck!
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:29 am
#4
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:34 am
#5
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
I see you live in Oregon too. In what ways do you think the UK is worse? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what roughly is your income level? I only make about $10K a year and on the West Coast, that pretty much means roommates, never going to the doctor or doing anything fun and ramen. I'm sure in the UK you couldn't live off that little either, but you could at least get healthcare and get to where you want to go relatively easily. I don't have a car so my options for work and such are extremely limited and I generally have to take any job I can get, though because I have a disability I usually have to throw in the towel because it's just too much for me. I have high-functioning autism so I "melt down" over too much stress/overstimulation.
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:44 am
#6
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
I see you live in Oregon too. In what ways do you think the UK is worse? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what roughly is your income level? I only make about $10K a year and on the West Coast, that pretty much means roommates, never going to the doctor or doing anything fun and ramen. I'm sure in the UK you couldn't live off that little either, but you could at least get healthcare and get to where you want to go relatively easily. I don't have a car so my options for work and such are extremely limited and I generally have to take any job I can get, though because I have a disability I usually have to throw in the towel because it's just too much for me. I have high-functioning autism so I "melt down" over too much stress/overstimulation.
At your income you should easily qualify for the 'Oregon health plan' ?
Any full time minimum wage job would nearly double your salary. $9.25X 2080hrs =$19240 annual.
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:50 am
#7
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
My only real hope is for my own photography/website development business to eventually become successful but so far I haven't made a cent. I know that my SSI benefits will be taken away at some point due to the rising tide of libertarianism here in the States.Yes I have the Oregon health plan, but I find it's not very generous at all and covers almost nothing beyond the most basic care. Living in the US is like a third world country for lower-income people, you have very few rights or perks of citizenship and it seems like everyone wants to take you for every penny you aren't worth.
Last edited by mfarrington2014; Jun 2nd 2015 at 8:53 am.
Jun 2nd 2015, 8:57 am
#8
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
Unfortunately very few jobs in Oregon are willing to give you full time on minimum wage, and due to my disability I don't think I could work 40 hours a week in retail/food service which are the only jobs I qualify for since everything else seems to require a degree here My only real hope is for my own photography/website development business to eventually become successful but so far I haven't made a cent. I know that my SSI benefits will be taken away at some point due to the rising tide of libertarianism here in the States.
Yes I have the Oregon health plan, but I find it's not very generous at all and covers almost nothing beyond the most basic care. Living in the US is like a third world country for lower-income people, you have very few rights or perks of citizenship and it seems like everyone wants to take you for every penny you aren't worth.
My only real hope is for my own photography/website development business to eventually become successful but so far I haven't made a cent. I know that my SSI benefits will be taken away at some point due to the rising tide of libertarianism here in the States.Yes I have the Oregon health plan, but I find it's not very generous at all and covers almost nothing beyond the most basic care. Living in the US is like a third world country for lower-income people, you have very few rights or perks of citizenship and it seems like everyone wants to take you for every penny you aren't worth.
Jun 2nd 2015, 9:10 am
#9
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
That's not what I'm looking for. I don't want to sponge off the British dole, I want to be able to live in a country that will allow me to succeed without kicking me in the pants and treating me badly.
Jun 2nd 2015, 12:20 pm
#11
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
Unfortunately that's the way Blighty is going as well, thanks to the Conservatives.
Jun 2nd 2015, 12:37 pm
#12
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
Forgive me, but I'm going to be completely blunt and tell it as I see it. I'm not trying to be mean...
Your situation sucks, there's no doubt, but it's going to suck wherever you are. There are thousands of people with disabilities that have a positive outlook and organizations thriving by employing them! All you have to do is find and hook up with them.
A certain amount of charity is needed, whether you want it or not. I'm not talking about sponging from the government, but a leg up. It may be a religious group (church or mission based) or even a government program, but I'm willing to bet there's something in your area or not too far away that would help.
What's holding you back and making you miserable is YOU, not your location.
Once again, I apologize for being a straight-shooter, but I'm willing to bet it's what others are thinking.
I wish you nothing but good luck and I wish I was closer to help you in your quest for some happiness. You have one of the world's greatest tools for finding information right in front of you now. Here's a website to get you started - Google.
Your situation sucks, there's no doubt, but it's going to suck wherever you are. There are thousands of people with disabilities that have a positive outlook and organizations thriving by employing them! All you have to do is find and hook up with them.
A certain amount of charity is needed, whether you want it or not. I'm not talking about sponging from the government, but a leg up. It may be a religious group (church or mission based) or even a government program, but I'm willing to bet there's something in your area or not too far away that would help.
What's holding you back and making you miserable is YOU, not your location.
Once again, I apologize for being a straight-shooter, but I'm willing to bet it's what others are thinking.
I wish you nothing but good luck and I wish I was closer to help you in your quest for some happiness. You have one of the world's greatest tools for finding information right in front of you now. Here's a website to get you started - Google.
Jun 2nd 2015, 12:51 pm
#13
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
Are you a UK citizen?
Rene
Rene
Jun 2nd 2015, 1:14 pm
#14
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
Moving to another county can be stressful, but it can also be fun and exciting. However, if you really want to leave the US on what basis will you be able to live and work in another country. Do you have other citizenships, special skills or relatives that can sponsor you? If you want a slower life pace why not go to HI.
Jun 2nd 2015, 1:17 pm
#15
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 572
Re: Would I be happy in the UK?
Forgive me, but I'm going to be completely blunt and tell it as I see it. I'm not trying to be mean...
Your situation sucks, there's no doubt, but it's going to suck wherever you are. There are thousands of people with disabilities that have a positive outlook and organizations thriving by employing them! All you have to do is find and hook up with them.
A certain amount of charity is needed, whether you want it or not. I'm not talking about sponging from the government, but a leg up. It may be a religious group (church or mission based) or even a government program, but I'm willing to bet there's something in your area or not too far away that would help.
What's holding you back and making you miserable is YOU, not your location.
Once again, I apologize for being a straight-shooter, but I'm willing to bet it's what others are thinking.
I wish you nothing but good luck and I wish I was closer to help you in your quest for some happiness. You have one of the world's greatest tools for finding information right in front of you now. Here's a website to get you started - Google.
Your situation sucks, there's no doubt, but it's going to suck wherever you are. There are thousands of people with disabilities that have a positive outlook and organizations thriving by employing them! All you have to do is find and hook up with them.
A certain amount of charity is needed, whether you want it or not. I'm not talking about sponging from the government, but a leg up. It may be a religious group (church or mission based) or even a government program, but I'm willing to bet there's something in your area or not too far away that would help.
What's holding you back and making you miserable is YOU, not your location.
Once again, I apologize for being a straight-shooter, but I'm willing to bet it's what others are thinking.
I wish you nothing but good luck and I wish I was closer to help you in your quest for some happiness. You have one of the world's greatest tools for finding information right in front of you now. Here's a website to get you started - Google.