The UK is a popular destination for Americans looking to relocate for education, work, and stay. While the two countries share much of the history and have many similarities, the UK is better than the USA in many ways.
But there are points where the US is better than the UK. For example, the weather in the US is better. The US also has larger houses, and the prices of food and clothing are generally lower here.
Since you are relocating to the UK, SDC International Shipping will share some of the pros of living in the UK vs. the US to convince you in your decision of making a leap toward this amazing country.
So here’s how the UK beats the US.
Work-Life Balance
If you are moving to the United Kingdom as a worker, you are on a good side. Compared to the US, work-life balance is much better in the UK. For example, according to employment law, Brits get 28 days of paid leave for every working year. It isn’t a legal requirement in the US, and most Americans will get only 10 days of paid leave per year.
But the best indicator of the difference in work balance between the two countries is where they stand on their policies on childcare.
A 2021 Unicef report revealed that of the wealthiest countries, the United States is the only rich country without nationwide paid maternity leave. An American parent will likely be entitled only to a 12-week of unpaid leave.
On the flip side, under statutory law, qualified employees in the UK can take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave. These two examples show how much the UK is better than the US regarding work-life balance.
Poverty Level
Although the average income in the USA is higher than in the UK, poverty is more visible in the US than in the UK. According to the House of Commons Library, one in six people in the UK have a low income. Even those who find themselves impoverished are supported to a greater extent. You may even find that people in the UK are more charitable.
School Shootings
If we look at the 2022 crime rate of both countries, we’ll see that the UK and the US are pretty close – the US – 47.81 and the UK – 46.07. Yet, when it comes to school shootings, the UK is much better. People generally don’t fear each other because they are unarmed, and shooting sprees are an unlikely scenario.
Healthcare System
To be unwell in the United States can be a scary thing. For instance, the average UK health spending in 2020 was 3,840 pounds ($4,316), while in the USA, the figure for the same period was $11,945, according to the Health System Tracker.
Even with this contrast in cost, it’s typically easier to get a doctor’s appointment in the UK than in the US. Plus, you don’t need to pay for prescribed medication because the UK’s National Health Service covers all expenses.
Unfortunately, the US’s privatized and unregulated healthcare system often results in people selling their homes to fund surgery, and because of that, there’s a fear of bankruptcy.
Eating Healthier
Americans are used to fatty and salty food with savory flavors. Europeans, on the other hand, do not tend to eat processed food. Also, the portions at the restaurants are very big in the US, just enough for two persons.
A survey held in 2019 by the George Institute for Global Health showed that the UK ranks first for healthy sugar, salt level, and bad fats, with the US coming second and Australia third.
Higher Education
The US and the UK boast some of the best universities globally, but studying in the US is more expensive than in the UK. For example, the annual tuition fee at Stanford University for the 2022-2023 academic year is $55,693, not including room and board and student and book fee allowances.
In contrast, The University of Oxford, named the best in the world, offers affordable undergraduate education for just around $11,000.
Tax Audits
Brits don’t need to fill out a tax return form because they have a PAYE (Pay As You Earn), so each employer is in that system. All the tax issues are done between HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) and PAYE. Employees can access the system online and see their tax information, the expected pension amount, etc.
Cat Treatment
If you are moving to the UK with a pet, you may love this. Cats in the UK can freely go outside for as long as they want. Brits believe that not allowing their cats to have a walk outside is cruel.
In the US, most cats are kept indoors because home is considered safer for them than outdoors.
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