As of 2025, would you rather live in the UK (London)or US?(New York, California, New Jersey, Florida)
Posted by Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 172 comments
russ_1uk@reddit
I am in London. I am leaving this country for the USA this year and I will be glad to see the back of the United Kingdom. I can't wait to get out of here.
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
Your reason?
russ_1uk@reddit
England - especially London - is entirely unrecognizable from the place I grew up in (fair -I'm in my fifties). It's declined so rapidly in the past ten years for many reasons, it's really very sad.
I don't agree with what successive governments have done, how my tax is spent... so many reasons. I hate it here and I can't wait to go somewhere else.
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
Do you really dislike it that much? What else do you dislike?
russ_1uk@reddit
See what u/md9476 said: "As a whole, Britain has completely lost its identity due to successive governments who have systematically destroyed the once wonderful island."
Useful-Risk-4340@reddit
Only cities and dormitory towns. Outside of Bristol, the West Country has barely changed. For authentic culture all anyone need do is ignore the mainstream media and move to a semi-rural area. There's more internal migration these days, ie English people without local roots moving in, but that is all. And some of what made the area distinctive has weakened now that the WW2 generation has died, but life is in no way unrecognisable. The worst that can be said is there are more cars on the road, village shops and post offices have gone and some highstreets are looking a bit shabby because everyone shops online.
Ok_Giraffe3185@reddit
Absolutely not!!London is the best capital in the world by far and it s the capital of the world!now it s better than years ago!!
russ_1uk@reddit
Enjoy.
md9476@reddit
This is the EXACT reason why I moved to Australia. As a whole, Britain has completely lost its identity due to successive governments who have systematically destroyed the once wonderful island.
russ_1uk@reddit
100% - and anyone that pretends otherwise is just doing it for claps and clicks.
Birbattitude@reddit
You were very precise to say “all of the United Kingdom”. Not Scotland?
Ok on a more serious note may I recommend Canada or Australia or even New Zealand as an alternative?
Because I’m your age and I don’t recognize my country anymore either. I’m originally from California and even there it’s…over.
Plus things are insane over there dude/mate, pick up a paper, log into a news site; there’s a British cartoonist LOST in the ICE detention system, not to mention all the Germans, Canadians and French people they’re detaining or otherwise harassing.
Just giving you some friendly input.
russ_1uk@reddit
And that is very much appreciated. Really, so kind of you to take time out for this. And it's funny how our perspectives are the same... but different.
I was in San Francisco many years ago and I loved it... but that was 2008, I can imagine its a different world now.
As I reflected on this, I realized that a lot of it is that I don't want to watch my own country go down the toilet. I'd rather be a foreigner somewhere else than actually see this happening to a country that I used to love.
"Going down the toilet" is of course a matter of - again - perspective.
There are people that don't share my perspective (and nor should they) and I imagine think that the UK is a great place to be. And that's fine... honestly, they're welcome to it.
sailoorscout1986@reddit
Why dude/mate?
jspurgeonzoo@reddit
If you come to the US, you are entering a fascist state and you had better make sure your Visa is iron clad, even then make sure you have a plan in place in case you disappear into their detainment system. Go read about Jasmine Mooney.
russ_1uk@reddit
Only if you define "fascist" as "stuff I don't agree with."
Ok_Giraffe3185@reddit
Because UK is so better than horrible USA about almost everything!it s simple like that!!UK is one of the best countries in the world by far!!it s so amazing country!
svenz@reddit
I’ll be the contrarian and say I’d pick the US over the UK. And it all comes down to one little thing - the weather. Sick of it after 11 years.
CoolGirlAsks@reddit
but winters in NY & chicago are brutal. Depends where you live I guess. Dont you miss EVERYONE going outside when its sunny in London? it feels like more of a community (bad example of that but you see what I mean)
krkrbnsn@reddit
I'm from California (Bay Area) and now live in the UK (London). I 100% prefer where I am now.
Things I miss about the US:
Things I love about the UK:
CastlesandMist@reddit
Same here! SF to London. U make great points. Give me a shout if u wanna grab a pint. 🙂
East_Hunter@reddit
Chicago to london! Can I come for the pint too? Haha
CoolGirlAsks@reddit
I have been thinking of moving from London to Chicago. Why do you prefer London? I'm originally from the atlantaa area but have been in london for 10 years
lieutenantbunbun@reddit
Yeah! I want to come!
CastlesandMist@reddit
Come on over!
lieutenantbunbun@reddit
Dm me! Let's hang. London ♡
CastlesandMist@reddit
Yes, absolutely. DM me.
No-Tip3654@reddit
So the UK offers a higher quality of life if you disregard the weather in comparison to California?
Worldly-Chicken-307@reddit
Depends on where in California. If you live on the coast in a city like Laguna then it’s 5-10C cooler than going 2.0 ish miles inland (like Anaheim). And in the middle of summer that a massive difference and makes the coastal towns WAY more pleasant. I actually miss the seasons of England. Also, London is way more mild and drier than some northern cities on western side like Manchester.
Birbattitude@reddit
I’m surprised and intrigued by this. I’ve seen a lot of negative posts about London, and it doesn’t usually rate highly in lists of potential destinations.
I’m an ex Californian, and I always say I couldn’t go one degree farther north and tolerate the winters, and I get tons of sun, at just under 45 degrees Celsius in south east France.
I’d rather be in Rome, except for the brutal summers. I can’t imagine being in the British Isles, tempting as the people be.
No-Tip3654@reddit
Is Rome actually warmer though than the Provence? You live in the Marseille-Aix-en provence, Avignon, Toulon, Nice/Monaco, Menton area so just the cote d'azur, the french riviera, right?
SeanBourne@reddit
Lots of Provence that an expat would move to is right on the Med, Rome a large, dense city that’s inland. That’s got to make a difference. Add in no Air Con, and I could well see Rome being brutal vs. a less densely populated area.
jellybreadracer@reddit
Personally as a Californian I prefer to work to live than live to work in the us. Weather is much better in ca and Mexican is infinitely better. But could be worse on both accounts in the uk
No-Tip3654@reddit
So let's say you live of off royalties and don't have to work a 9-5 corporate job. Would you still prefer London over California?
krkrbnsn@reddit
For me the weather is a consideration but not a life changing one. Universal healthcare, work life balance and ease of travel are things I place on a higher pedestal.
The UK weather isn't horrible year round, especially down in the south west around London. Spring through Autumn is pretty nice and it's actually very similar to parts of Bay Area. Winter isn't great though.
spacedog8015@reddit
Same and agree so much especially the Mexican food and high salaries 😂
Proof_Flan3028@reddit
ive lived in LA for 3 years, wet cold cities my whole life before - almost 40. this is my favorite city ive ever lived and i dont really want to move. but i am getting sick of the never ending blue skies - some days are just too bright and i dont like it when its too hot. east coast goth heart or something. but i have also become more of a nature person than i ever have and LOVE the parks and wilderness esp for my dog.
but the US is scaring me - SF could be perfect climate but I'm looking into PhDs in london/eu. My question is am I being silly? If i get to London will my love for clouds just become gloomy? I feel like CA has been amazing for my mental health. I've been to Hyde Park but can you get out to the countryside etc and hide from the city like you can in LA so easy?
Worldly-Chicken-307@reddit
I’ve lived in both. London has A LOT of nice parks. SoCal- not so much. I’m in OC atm, and you have to drive to all the parks and there aren’t actually that many- and they’re often not far from freeways. Weather is great in England on the eastern side, but in Manchester and western side it’s way more gloomy. The constant blue skies are quite boring here, and I think it makes people go mad. The weirdest interactions I’ve had in UK have been when there’s been perpetual bright and hot weather for several days.
spacedog8015@reddit
Majority of England IS country/suburbs. London is very small. 40 mins by tube and you’re basically in the country.
thecanadianjen@reddit
The making friends part is rough at first but there’s a time I realised that in Canada and the US if you heard say coworkers talking about plans to go grab a pint after work around you and weren’t invited you would never dream of asking to go. It would be so very rude. But in the UK they expect you to invite yourself. They mention it around you as a way for you to opt in if you’re interested with no pressure so you don’t feel you have to say yes. When you realise that difference it all becomes so much easier to make friends i promise
spacedog8015@reddit
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a job here so haven’t encountered that scenario…
Proof_Flan3028@reddit
just volunteer to drink at your local pub for full shifts
thecanadianjen@reddit
Ah I’m sorry that’s rough. What have you tried so far on the meeting people and finding friends front? Asking so I can give better advice
spacedog8015@reddit
Book clubs and writing groups, that sort of thing. It’s hard because I don’t have the money to do lots of social activities because of the job situation (even free stuff because transport is so expensive!). if I had an income it would be easier to get out of the house more.
thecanadianjen@reddit
I understand completely. I’m in the NW and Canadian but would be happy to chat and hang out if we are ever in the same area! Pm me if the urge ever strikes!
spacedog8015@reddit
North West London? Me too!
thecanadianjen@reddit
Oh no! In the NW like Manchester haha
spacedog8015@reddit
Oh haha
adventureclassroom@reddit
Visit the Peak District for hiking!
spacedog8015@reddit
I want to! No car makes it tough though.
adventureclassroom@reddit
You can get the national express to Derby for a 7 quid from London. It takes 3 hours.
spacedog8015@reddit
3 hours to go hiking!
prettyprincess91@reddit
Also Bay Area to London - 5 years+
Theatre is so much cheaper than NYC or LA and I’ve seen over 400 shows!
redditoruser182828@reddit
US. Hated the UK when I lived there. Weather sucks, food is awful, salaries are lower, mass immigration issues, people are cold and harsh, worst place I ever lived.
ExcitementBorn8727@reddit
People in the UK cold and harsh? I disagree and I was born in London and live in London. The problem is is peoples expectations, a person's expectations and reality are two different things.
Ok_Giraffe3185@reddit
Bullshits!The problem are you,you are sick,UK is one of the best country in the world!it s an amazing country!!
Vivaciouskitty@reddit
This Exactly!!!! whats not to love about a country that is filled with doctors and engineers scamming day and night, stealing phones, harassing and molesting teenage girls and draining the welfare system. No other place gives me the thrill of making low wages and potentially getting stabbed
srirachapeasnax25@reddit
none of the above all are ridiculously expensive
ExcitementBorn8727@reddit
With people moving around the world more and more the whole world is getting expensive all those cheap countries like Thailand, Japan, China, Spain aren't cheap anymore.
devilman123@reddit
If money were not an issue, then London hands down. But these landlords dont take virtue signaling in rent, and as much as they may hate Trump, all they want is £££. So yeah, new york would be the superior choice for me, as I work in finance and NY has 10x more jobs.
ExcitementBorn8727@reddit
Crime insane in London? As a black woman who was born in North London in 1977 and still live in North London I have never been a victim of any crime and I was born in London. That's the problem with Social media people hype things up for views likes and clicks. Crime isn't insane in London at all and I was born in Islington.
emma279@reddit
I live in NYC and am from California (LA) and I would pick the UK in a heartbeat.
ExcitementBorn8727@reddit
New York City which is the capital of the US are more expensive than London because New York has more people compared to Londons 10 million. I've been to New York and California they are very expensive compared to London which is the city I was born in and live in.
Ok_Giraffe3185@reddit
By far!!yes!!
ExcitementBorn8727@reddit
London because London was the city I was born in in 1977, I was born in North London and live in North London.
ExcitementBorn8727@reddit
The UK because I was born in North London in 1977 and live in North London.
FarceMultiplier@reddit
London, without a doubt.
I'm Canadian, and an Ameriphile since the 70s. I married an American, who became a dual citizen and we have a dual citizen child. We are all ashamed of what the US has become and would never consider moving there. There are a million better places in the world than any of the listed US cities.
Ok_Giraffe3185@reddit
I agree with you!!
No-Rip9786@reddit
UK even with the hell going on there. UK hell is better than US hell IMO.
No-Rip9786@reddit
As a Brit whose lived in both countries equally, def UK
Bluetrekkie@reddit
I’d just kill myself and be reborn in Yorkshire. 👍
Great-Egret@reddit
I’m going to answer this very honestly having lived in both the UK and US. This is just my personal experience and no place is perfect.
I live in Boston and love it. Even though the current federal administration scares me, I currently feel somewhat insulated living in Massachusetts, a state that has in the last 3 elections not had a single county go to Trump. But if I had to choose only between those options you listed and could afford any of them, I’d pick London, Florida is an absolute nonstarter for me for political reasons and the other three are basically as expensive as London when you consider where we’d have to live for my husband’s work.
But financially London/the UK is unfortunately not the best choice for us. We lived in Canterbury previously and hated it, maybe if we had lived in London we would still be there, but it is so expensive. My husband is from the UK, so it is unfortunate because there is A LOT to love about that country. He works in chemistry research and the pay over there for that work even with a PhD is abysmal while here it is six figures. I’m a teacher and it’s similar (though not six figures, the pay is almost double the pay in England). Poverty wages in the UK versus Massachusetts and the workload and culture in English schools is abusive.
Public opinion from Brits shows they largely don’t care about teachers’ wellbeing and parents don’t get involved in their kids’ education. There are no special education teachers in schools which is craaaaazy and so I’m not surprised that a recent government report showed that most SEN children are being failed by the schools. I could go on and on about all the things that are wrong with British schools but it comes down to a few things: forcing schools to become academies in MATs that are all based in London, OFSTED, no real investment in support staff for teachers or students, and no real special education funding!
It’s also difficult because I am going through cancer and honestly I love my care team here in Boston. The NHS is wonderful to have financially but I had difficulties with accessing care when I lived in Canterbury. At one point I had PTSD from my abusive job teaching at a primary school (I was bullied by my mentor) and felt borderline suicidal and they said over the phone “don’t think you qualify for medication” and texted me a link to a mindfulness app.
I’m sure it is better in some parts of London, but I only have experience with the trust in Canterbury and they sucked! My friends over there going through cancer (who do live in London) have to deal with a tremendous amount of admin that I do not, which just isn’t right considering how exhausting and brutal cancer treatment is to go through.
I don’t think the NHS should be privatized, but the previous governments have made a mess of it that is not going to be easy to untangle.
IRUL-UBLOW-7128@reddit
Solid response. In a similar situation and San Diego would be tough to leave. Maybe once it is obvious the elections are rigged that will do it. I have Canadian, UK and US passports. Likely back to BC for me.
Great-Egret@reddit
I’d be more tempted by Canada if that were a realistic option for us, but it is hard to leave all our friends and the life we’ve established here. Having done it once, it’s extremely difficult socially even without a language barrier. Brits are probably more difficult than Cana
simple_explorer1@reddit
i think both canadians and brits are socially reserved
Tabitheriel@reddit
Um, I recognize that things are not so great in the UK at the moment. I visited London last year, and it was fun, but could have been better: economic problems, too many foreigners snapping up property and raising the rents, the aftermath of the Brexit. However, the UK still has a functioning government, and things could get better in time.
The US, on the other hand.... literally no one knows how bad things will get.
I visited friends and family in NY and NJ last year, as well. Don't get me wrong, I loved the NY club and live music scene. I visited the prettiest parts of NJ, lovely small towns with art galleries, adorable ice cream shops. But the lifestyle kills you! Two friends are/were homeless, living in a car, staying with mom and dad, going bankrupt, etc. People can't take a day off, or use an ambulance. Rents in NY and NJ are horrible, AND the other expenses are outrageous.
So, London it is. At least in London, you can get good, cheap food at Tesco's and the NIH won't bankrupt you.
Cold_Raspberry520@reddit
London has such a high homeless population.....this is how biased Reddit is it's crazy
throw_my_username@reddit
US will get better once Trump is out
kexlv@reddit
florida, i would never want to move to the UK with their terrible laws
molecularronin@reddit
Depends on the job/pay. If I'm in a high income field and am mainly concerned with income, USA without question. Other than that I'd say London without question
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
I am studying at University for Cyber Security degree(Bachelors in science). Should I move to the USA you think? I like London because of the proximity to Europe and the public transport which I am a fan of for whole my life, but salaries absolutely suck here yes
Wlcm2ThPwrStoneWrld@reddit
For cybersecurity, a million percent. The UK does not pay what the US pays for cybersec, flatly. They just don't.
molecularronin@reddit
That's your call. I live in EU and love it, but I wouldn't see much of a pay difference moving from academia here to academia in the US, so it's like well why the hell not haha. If your goal is to earn a comfortable/fantastic salary and potentially "do more" with your degree, then yes I would say find a great location in the US (new york/bay area/etc). Then, you can plan amazing trips (easily funded through your job lol) to Europe for vacations
Birbattitude@reddit
Somebody should point out how far California is. 10 hours from London over the pole to San Francisco. It’s like the Australia of the northern hemisphere.
Just a heads-up from someone who’s flown it too many times to count.
CptPatches@reddit
Money being no object, London. One of my favorite cities in the world. I actually really like the UK, and back when I had a British girlfriend, we had serious talks of moving there.
Also, "Florida" does a lot of heavy lifting here. There's a difference between living in Miami and living in Jacksonville.
Wlcm2ThPwrStoneWrld@reddit
Jacksonville and Miami both suck, just for different reasons. Fuck Florida ngl, UK > anything in Florida for me personally.
Appropriate_Farm3239@reddit
If you're sick, move to a socialist country with free healthcare. If you like bad weather, move to a country with weather that will keep you sick.
Affectionate_Care154@reddit
I find everyone saying this wild - I’m a dual citizen. My mother is from Ireland, I have had 3 close relatives in the past 3 years (an aunt and two cousins) die from cancer with days to months of being diagnosed. Two of them being quite young. My aunt went into the hospital on a Thursday with jaundice and was dead by Sunday - this just happened last month. There is no excuse in my opinion that the cancer got so bad that they didn’t catch it till she literally had a matter of days to live.
Why? Because the socialization of healthcare means the doctors are too busy, there are a finite amount of resources, they are not incentivized to run a bunch of expensive tests (which I know is terrible that money is the motivation here in the US but it does save lives)
My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer four years ago and is doing very well - it does help we are here in Boston. She has had world class doctors and treatments. Most everything is covered by insurance and the doctors run insane amounts of tests and she has about 12 specialists. That just doesn’t happen in socialized healthcare systems.
What good is free healthcare if it is subpar and you’re dead?
FjordTheory@reddit
UK > California > New York >>> New Jersey.
Florida is not an option.
ShortLadder9121@reddit
This is the correct order.
PoolSnark@reddit
The South is a big region (Germany and Italy will easily fit inside Texas). Are you sure you want to avoid all of the South?
dinoscool3@reddit
Yes.
PoolSnark@reddit
Your loss. Our gain. 😃
Salty_Possible155@reddit
why would anyone live in the bible belt
PoolSnark@reddit
Try Linville or Banner Elk or Blowing Rock, all lovely NC mountains towns. It’s not Hoboken, NJ or Gary, Indiana, or Pittsfield, Mass, but you’ll get by.
Able_Ebb2762@reddit
Ex military and military brat, lived in Texas Alabama Virginia NC SC and Georgia. NYC now. All this time i thought it was libtard city in the north east, little did i know the south was literally the 3rd world country i was raised to think everywhere else was
PoolSnark@reddit
Must have been base life. If you think, for example, that Fort Bragg is the same as Chapel Hill, you didn’t get out much. And if you think Charlotte, NC is third world, you haven’t used your passport often.
Able_Ebb2762@reddit
I lived in chapel hill and loved it actually, right after I got out. The triangle is the only place in the south I could live. But those great spots are such small little dots in a vast landscape. And when I started using my passport I realized a lot of places I thought were gonna be “shit holes” were a whole lot more developed than say, lillington NC or even San Antonio (my home home) as a whole
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
Why? Alligators?
ShortLadder9121@reddit
Can I ask where you're from?
The why is because the people in Florida are lunatics. Getting anywhere is inconvenient. Every road is a toll road. And honestly, it smells like rotting swamp in the middle of the state all year long.
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
Born in London but originally from Georgia the country in Europe/Asia
ShortLadder9121@reddit
Gotchya. Honestly, I'd stick to Europe. I believe that the EU and UK will probably become the largest groups in the entire world over the next few years. They are going to replace the USA as the major Western powers.
No-Tip3654@reddit
The EU? How? They are lacking behind economically and Russia is at the doorstep waiting to bring war upon the european people. The US is still hegemonic power on the worldstage. China hasn't taken over yet even though they grabbed the world by the balls by manufacturering everything. Culturally/politically they are getting a hold to in the West (look at all the autoritarian regimes rising). But at least its all "soft power" and there are no chinese troops yet stationed in Europe. Although I heard Putin wanted chinese troops in Ukraine as peacekeepers.
PoolSnark@reddit
That’s funny. Europe, the tech and productivity leader of the world ….. not.
BoysenberryFluffy78@reddit
Lived in NYC and London and here’s my take: NYC is generally more fun if you’re in your early 20s and you’re a student, but once you enter the workforce, be in relatively high-paying fields (finance/law/tech), then London would be a much better option. Here’s why: - Cost of living: Groceries and eating out are generally cheaper in London. Rental market is pretty much similar (if not worse in London for some neighbourhoods in London) but it’s pretty much negotiable cuz it’s very common to do flat sharing in London which could drive down the rent price. And thanks to the world-class public transportation system, it’s very very convenient to travel around the city, i’d say even commuting from the most isolated parts of London to zone 1 is still much more convenient than commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
Healthcare: NHS wins all the way. Yes the system’s indeed not the best but who doesn’t want a free healthcare? Plus the quality is not as subpar as people are speculating. Meanwhile, I can’t comprehend why Americans have to pay thousands just to call an ambulance while it’s free in London and they still turn up within 15-30 mins.
Ease of travel: London wins hands downnnn. As long as you don’t travel during peak seasons, you can easily book return flights to Europe or North Africa for less than £50. And you got an international train station right in central London that takes you to Paris/Ams/Rotterdam/Brussels in only 2hrs. US is just too far away and pretty much isolated and the flight tickets are $$$$.
Safety: While crime rates between these two cities are high, I’d feel much safer in London cuz people in NYC are much more in your face than London, plus knife crime is not as worse as gun crime tho.
Cleanliness: Again London wins.
DistinctHunt4646@reddit
I don't think it's right to lump all of the US together in this situation. Would I rather live specifically in Miami, Austin, Houston, or NYC than London? Absolutely in a heart beat I would take that opportunity. I love my community here in London and enjoy being able to travel easily to Europe and Asia, but as a young professional it is just a decaying, demoralising place to be.
I've grown up overseas and somehow landed in London for the past 6 years where I've finished school, university, and now started my career. The job market here is abysmal, economic incentives are non existent, attitude to wealth and success is awful, and it's frankly just not a nice place to be. If you're extremely fortunate in getting a (relatively) high paying job you work obscene hours in a miserable place just to give a substantial portion of it to a government that you hate and doesn't only fail to serve your interests but puts your hard-earned money to work worsening your life. Why the hell would I want to stay here?
In the past year I've been lucky to do several work trips to Miami, Palm Beach, NYC, and Austin - all are far better. The US is just so much friendlier, outgoing, and ambitious. There's things to do, people to meet, good food, nice weather, better pay, better quality of living, etc. The same is increasingly true for much of the Middle East and Asia. I love my friend group here in London but this is not the place for me. London is a great place to enjoy spending money, not making it. If I had a successful career would I move back here in 30 years time? Maybe, if it's managed to turn around the current downturn it's on, but for the time being there's just no appeal other than convenience of having studied here.
PriorImprovement3@reddit
Couldnt agree more. I was a doctor born and raised in London, lived there all my life and had the opportunity to work in NYC to do my medical training and stay in the US as a doctor permanently, I took the chance and haven't looked back. Medicine in the states pays far better than the universal healthcare system that is the NHS, plus the depressing food weather and people. UK is a inheritocracy and great place to keep your wealth, but awful for wealth creation as a working professional unless you have a business or are in big finance circles.
breaker-one-9@reddit
Spot on. So well said, especially that second paragraph is extremely relatable as far as I’m concerned
DistinctHunt4646@reddit
Thank you I'm glad it's not just me. Imo London's just a pretty objectively terrible place for anyone aspirational in their early 20s rn. I came here from abroad, got a perfect A*A*A* in Sixth Form, went to the #1 university in the UK for my UG degree (finance), and many of my cohort who did similar are all unemployed.
Not sure about you, but referencing my situation - the 'ideal' best possible outcome for so many would be a job in investment banking / finance - which often get 10,000 applications for 100 places, where at least 50% of which in any major London firm will go to diversity and inclusion schemes, effectively leaving 50 places. If you are so lucky as to be one of the <0.5% who gets one of those places, you might get a wage that actually allows you to live in London (\~£70k+) but you'll need to work >100hrs/week while putting up with the same bleak weather, shit public transport, hostile/crime ridden public spaces, and unreliable public services. You will still likely struggle for years to buy a home or any serious assets, all whilst giving away 35%+ of your hard-earned money for government after government who do not serve the nation's interests. If you dare to work hard for a bonus, you just move up into a higher tax bracket and give away tens of thousands to government revenues that have likely never served you in any way. In addition to all that, you also get the honour of being constantly shamed and demonised by society for pursuing any form of wealth.. I again just come back to the same conclusion - if that's the ideal outcome, why the hell would anyone choose to live here and pursue that?
azmus@reddit
Not uk and preferably not US but FL if I had to
prettyprincess91@reddit
London - I have a house in the Bay Area and still I just rent a flat in London and live there
Oftenwrongs@reddit
Better public transport, safety, work/life balance and vacation time. Closer to the rest of the world. Saner population. Healthcare for all. Europe over US any day of the week. Easy choice.
i-love-freesias@reddit
I think you need to discern working vs retired. I’m retired in Thailand and happy.
fromwayuphigh@reddit
If those are my choices? London, and it's not remotely close.
ImdaPrincesse2@reddit
🇩🇰
Worldly-Ad-9761@reddit
Neither
paws_boy@reddit
US 😭 unless I can live in Ireland or Scotland
SeanBourne@reddit
Very curious about this as London or LA (and maybe NYC) are the places I’d really even think about leaving Sydney for … but have heard both cities are experiencing issues in the last few years.
CantFstopme@reddit
Nope New Zealand suits us juuuust fine
SwimmingPirate9070@reddit
I'll take option 3
Independent-Power495@reddit
London..there is no contest
eurotec4@reddit
California.
dallyan@reddit
California for the weather and politics.
justanotherlostgirl@reddit
It's also tied to what field you're in. As someone trying to decide between NYC and California, I have experience in both and don't know what the next chapter in either looks like.
*London in a heartbeat if I could figure out out how to make it work - I don't care about a commute but have no idea how anyone affords it
Ok-Staff-62@reddit
UK. Can't you see what is happening in us? It's
orange codeeverywhere...Informal-Nebula1786@reddit
Overcooked greasy cheeto
Informal-Nebula1786@reddit
Snooker? Is that you? Did you post this for the Jersey Shore?
abzz123@reddit
I get the other locations, but how did Florida make the list?
1Angel17@reddit
US - Florida
East_Hunter@reddit
Also add New Delhi. Haha!
RedditorsGetChills@reddit
One of them has countries giving travel warnings to go there.
Easy choice.
percybert@reddit
The travel warnings are to say that you might be detained if you don’t have the correct travel documents - not unreasonable to be honest.
Medical-Ad-2706@reddit
A travel warning is a travel warning
percybert@reddit
There’s a big difference between acknowledging that you need to have the correct travel documents and being told you’ll be shot down in the street. The scaremongering is ridiculous
Medical-Ad-2706@reddit
There should be a warning for random mass shootings
jzkwkfksls@reddit
Eehh, no. That's not how that works...
emil_@reddit
That wasn't the case until 2 days ago mate...
jesick@reddit
Uk
GoldburstNeo@reddit
As of now, the UK because the conservative party there lost for the first time in 14 years (contrast to other anti-incumbency waves worldwide that saw more right-wing wins, including US of course). Plus of course affordable healthcare access.
Having said that, life in Florida at this point is nowhere near comparable to life in the other US states you mentioned, especially since DeSantis took over.
breaker-one-9@reddit
US hands down. Any of those places you mentioned. But I’m biased— I’m a dual citizen who moved to the US for higher salary and better quality of life. The UK’s economy is not in a good place at the moment and I grew tired of the weather and the class system.
Forsaken-Barracuda25@reddit
London for me. I lived there for many years and would love to go back again.
LukasJackson67@reddit
It all depends on how much money I have.
Unlimited money?
California.
Cinderpath@reddit
None of the above!
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
Not even London?
Cinderpath@reddit
Nope! Vienna, or somewhere in Spain, sure!
InternationalSea7622@reddit
London! It’s an incredible city.. I’m in NyC now and would love to move back if it wasn’t for my partner.
photogcapture@reddit
New York or California. Jersey is insanely expensive and Florida has defunded everything but has great wildlife & What do you want? Make a list of activities & then match it to the location. Do you want winter? Do you want warm, Atlantic or Pacific (they are different). California has a different social culture from NYC. Do you want city life or outside, suburbs or city. I would choose NYC or London for museums & restaurants and driving or train distance to outdoors.
Unhappy_Performer538@reddit
hands down UK
Affectionate_Age752@reddit
Anywhere but the USA
Popular-Capital6330@reddit
Is money no object? If yes, then California. Hands down.
Cojemos@reddit
London without a doubt any year.
Boludo0@reddit
Florida
oils-and-opioids@reddit
100% London, not even a question. Excellent public transport, vibrant city with lots to do, great travel connections to mainland Europe, Ireland and other parts of the UK, gun crime isn't a pervasive issue, better public services, less violent crime, etc etc. Oh and side benefit, we have plenty of eggs and a PM that isn't an international embarrassment
ApprehensiveStudy671@reddit
In the US !!
Natural_External5211@reddit
London and it's not even close...
jadedflames@reddit
LONDON. Jesus. Of course London.
widgetbox@reddit
California if I had enough money. Did live there for ten years so confident in that choice. Florida. Been there a few times would never live there. Confident in that choice too.
ExpatHomesItaly@reddit
People get so busy making Florida man jokes that they forget its a legitimately nice place in reality.
ExpatHomesItaly@reddit
US. Have lived around a bit and anyone saying the UK probably has never been there. And if they have then they probably never been to the US.
Or its just a bunch of American people who didnt get their way during the election just being salty.
ParadisHeights@reddit
London
owzleee@reddit
NOT THE US
78jayjay@reddit
how about u ask yourself that question and post the answer to anyone who cares
Max_Feinstein@reddit
Ouch. What about the OP's question compelled you to respond with a snarky comment?
PoolSnark@reddit
It depends on how much you value naturally absorbed vitamin D.
SnooPeripherals1914@reddit
As a Londoner i obv like the place but you will earn more in NYC
LockNo2943@reddit
Absolutely UK. Currently trying to flee the mess that is the US at the moment.
peterinjapan@reddit
I would love to live in London for a year. I would do so much sightseeing on when you would not even see me, my body would be a blur. There’s a Twinings tea shop that’s older than motherfucking America.
GingerSuperPower@reddit
I’ve always wanted to live in London for a while.
CountryRoads2020@reddit
Never been to London, but the UK isn’t Putin’s puppet, so that’s a yes from me.
ladybugcollie@reddit
UK - almost anywhere is preferable to the us right now
Medical_Wallaby_7888@reddit (OP)
Before this Trump madness I mean. Also why do you think that I got a down vote on my question? Did I ask something wrong?
Baejax_the_Great@reddit
Low effort post, probably. And that's not what "As of" means, if you meant to ask about prior to 2025.
RocasThePenguin@reddit
London. I loved living there very much.