‘Culture Shocks I Couldn't Get Over as an American Living in the UK’

Nice to hear a complimentary American who, unlike most, acknowledges that the world is sometimes better outside their own borders & lifestyles!!

The “constant rain” aspect is one that, I’m sure, depends on exactly which part of their continent (not equivalently small country) they’re from as, undoubtedly, compared to the southern states & east coast we ARE wetter but other areas maybe not so much so!! So I can happily live with & accept that one very minor niggle and am proud that she thinks most “shocks” are in fact compliments.
 
She is well known for posting about differences between US and UK. She prefers the UK to her native Florida particularly in the work-life balance area.
 
I had to look up the comparisons of US and UK healthcare, especially after I'm recalling a conversation I had with a US poster (can quite remember with whom) and said why it was a better system as "socialised medicine" than having to pay 'deductibles' and 'copays' allowing him to pocket more of the money he earned. I think he dismissed the idea!

I think our US counterparts are under the mistaken belief they have more access to specialised physicians than we do, with their system. The difference is only time, in my eyes.

Anyway, here's an average comparison:

US vs. UK Comparison (2025 Averages)Here's a side-by-side for key metrics. US figures from prior response, updated with 2025 projections (e.g., family premiums ~$24,000 unsubsidized, but averages account for subsidies).
CategoryUS (Person)US (Family of 4)UK (Person)UK (Family of 4)Key Difference
Total Per Capita Spending$14,000+ (public/private)N/A£3,500 (~$4,500)N/AUS 3x higher; UK mostly tax-funded.
Direct Payments (Out-of-Pocket)$1,500-2,000 (deductibles/copays)$4,000-6,000£250£650UK ~80% lower; no routine copays.
Insurance Premiums$7,000 (employer-subsidized avg.)$20,000+ (family plan)£0 (NHS free)£0US mandatory; UK optional private ~£2,000.
Taxes Funding Health$1,500 (Medicare payroll)$3,000£2,000-£3,000£4,000-£6,000UK higher % of income (~7-8% vs. US 2-3%), but universal coverage.
Total Annual Burden$10,000-12,000$25,000-30,000£2,250-£3,250£4,650-£6,650US families pay 4-5x more directly; UK via taxes but with less financial risk.
Insights: The UK system shifts costs to progressive taxes, reducing inequality—e.g., low-income families pay near-zero directly. US offers more choice (e.g., specialists) but higher bankruptcy risk from bills. For a £30k UK earner, total health "cost" (~£2,000) is ~half a US equivalent on $65k.
 
There’s an American and his wife who mae regular trips to the UK. Kalani and Savannah. They travel the country doing food reviews and like it here that much, they’re buying a place. Usually very complimentary of Manchester. They love our culture.
 
Sorry, couldn’t stand the combination of vocal fry and high rising terminal (Aussie inflection) in her speech.

Choose one annoying vocal pattern!!
 
LangleyBlue1970 said:
There’s an American and his wife who mae regular trips to the UK. Kalani and Savannah. They travel the country doing food reviews and like it here that much, they’re buying a place. Usually very complimentary of Manchester. They love our culture.
Click to expand...

Strangely he seems to pop up on my Facebook feed every time I go on there. No idea how as I dont follow him but yeh he does love the UK and to be fair some of the things he eats do look bloody good!
 
KS55 said:
She is well known for posting about differences between US and UK. She prefers the UK to her native Florida particularly in the work-life balance area.
Click to expand...

Having been to Florida I'd prefer anywhere than there.
 
Seems to be a lucrative grift to point out differences between cultures. Loads of social media accounts are at it.

It’ll die at some point when people get bored of it.
 
LangleyBlue1970 said:
There’s an American and his wife who mae regular trips to the UK. Kalani and Savannah. They travel the country doing food reviews and like it here that much, they’re buying a place. Usually very complimentary of Manchester. They love our culture.
Click to expand...
I worked at Manchester airport for a transport company for years before I retired, and we were used by an Anglo American company based near Manchester to run their people around. They were, in the main, Americans staying here for a week or so, and as well as taking them to and from their hotels to their place of work, we would also take them out to pubs in the surrounding area in the evenings.

I have to say, hearing what they were saying amongst themselves after they had enjoyed the food and the scenery, or just taking them back to their hotels after work and they were talking to me, they absolutely adored everything they encountered. I can't remember a single negative comment, they were unfailingly pleasant, but also genuine, and not just being nice. They loved being here.
 
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