Torn Between Staying in the U.S. or Moving to the U.K.— Need Honest Advice

Posted by Murky-Commercial-112@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 61 comments

I’m not a permanent resident or citizen of either country, and I don’t currently have a feasible path to residency in either. I’m graduating in a month from a university in the U.S. and have two options ahead of me:

A 1-year job offer in the U.S., or
A 3-year position in the U.K.

Everyone around me keeps saying, “Why would you leave the U.S. for a failing country like the U.K.?” — and honestly, that’s been making my decision even harder.

I know that the U.S. offers better pay and more long-term opportunities, but the idea of having three years of stability and peace of mind in the U.K. is really tempting. On the other hand, I’m nervous about moving somewhere I’m unfamiliar with — the culture, policies, and lifestyle are all new to me.

With immigration getting tighter in both countries, I’m not sure which path is wiser in the long run. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’d really appreciate hearing your experience or advice on how life and work compare between the two.

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Jay-Dee-British@reddit

I've lived in both - I don't feel nervous about gun violence in the US in the places I've lived in. I didn't feel nervous about it in the UK either (or knives, but the US has higher knife crime anyway, per capita, and wasn't worried about that in US either). I tend not to live in cities but just outside them (in both countries) so perhaps that's part of the reason why I feel that way.

Wages are much higher in the US - but then on top of that you'll have to think about insurances/health costs. Buying or renting, again near cities or even in them, is high in both places. London prices are ridiculous for renting and buying - less so in other UK cities but anything in the SE of England, where I used to live, is also not good. Housing/flats/apartments tend to be smaller in the UK as well. Cars are a MUST in most places in the US, not so the UK.

Work varies between companies, never mind countries, but work/life balance is, imo, better in the UK and there are more worker protections. However, again, the US wages are much higher in general.

If your job offer in the US pays really well, you fulfill the working criteria (visa/sponsorship) and you enjoy the culture and lifestyle, and have no real need to leave, then I'd stay. If you want to see another country and experience it, then go. Only you can decide at the end of the day what your priorities are.

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Mysterious-Art8838@reddit

Ok now that I’ve googled, it surprises me that twice as many londoners have cars than manhattanites. But apparently the pop density is significantly higher in Manhattan.

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AnotherNoether@reddit

You might be comparing a single borough against a larger city

sneezyDud@reddit

People in the US saying that the UK is a failing country...

hailingburningbones@reddit

Yeah as an American I find that really bizarre. And also that deciding between the UK and US would be a tough decision.

Mangozilleh@reddit

Have you seen the tax, cost of living and low pay with the prospect of a reform government? Grass isn’t always greener

SuccotashUpset3447@reddit

I don't know why you are getting down voted. The shift to the far right in the UK is real.

It’s simply because there’s Americans that think they live in the worst place and can’t bare to think other places might not be in a similar situation

Our president is sending military to cities that don’t want it

Laszlo4711@reddit

And murdering people on boats in the Carribean while dissapearing immigrants from the streets. Why is this even a question?

Sea-Ad-9677@reddit

Correction: liberal politicians that deny there is lawlessness in cities don’t want troops. I believe most citizens in those cities want safety and security.

Give it time and the UK will be doing the same thing, they’re on the same trajectory

Pale-Candidate8860@reddit

I think a fair perspective would be if someone who is a dual national and travels between both were to say something.

I've only known the US and Canada, so I can not speak on the UK fairly.

Would be very interesting. We need to draft someone.

john510runner@reddit

I used to think the same thing. Until I learned how many people in the UK are missing meals because of the lack of money.

It’s not in the article but when the news broke on this there was another article that point out 1 in 4 people in the UK missed meals if they took out the region London is in.

Too lazy to find the article now but people in the UK have less disposable income than people in Arkansas and Mississippi.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/18/one-in-7-britons-skipping-meals-in-cost-of-living-crisis-says-tuc

That is atrocious but at times it looks like the US government is teetering on the brink of disaster which could be more damaging long term.

But any wealthy nation should not let people starve. And they don’t need to.

It’s a failing country in an economic sense

CantaloupeComplete57@reddit

I’ll give OP a little slack for being an immigrant themselves… but I mean gestures broadly

Past-Lunch4695@reddit

I know, right?!

Pegeola@reddit

The US is not somewhere you want to be right now as a non-citizen. It's a no brainer.

Get out of the US. Fascism is already here and our economy will be collapsing soon. Don't give it a second thought.

Humble_File3637@reddit

I have lived and worked all over the world. I have seen the pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, Victoria Falls, Machu Picchu, Leptus Magna, Big Ben. I started right out of college. I may die poorer than more but will be richer in many other ways. From the UK, you can cheaply access Europe, but there would be tons to do and see from your new home. You can always go back to the US but an opportunity to live abroad doesn’t present itself every day.

I came back from my first European job with only a little bit of cash, having spent five weeks skiing in five different countries that year. I don’t mean to brag, there were certainly trade-offs. But like they say, YOLO.

Best of luck!

paulross14@reddit

Totally agree!

FrauAmarylis@reddit

The taxes are astronomical here in the Uk. Inefficiency is a way of life.

London is a massive step down in Quality of Life.

Things like air conditioning, big refrigerators, dependable hot water, cafes and shops with long hours, friendly customer service, etc. are rare here.

Kiwiatx@reddit

These are all things that make the UK better especially if it repels people that care about such minor things.

mattbear@reddit

Originally from UK, now in US. My experience is that CoL is high in both places, but you get paid (vastly) more in US… and the UK is just a much poorer place. Also the US and UK are both massively variable depending on where you are. Where I live now in US has basically free healthcare for low income people, fantastic facilities, great biking, wonderful cultural life etc etc etc, but I know that isn’t the same everywhere.

Really… depending on your age, you might just go to the UK for the adventure. 3 years really isn’t that long, but going and experiencing another country is an opportunity that will stay with you forever.

ExcellentWinner7542@reddit

Follow your heart. There is no wrong decision.

Murky-Commercial-112@reddit (OP)

I have thought about this for too long that I am unsure what I really want anymore

I totally get that. Maybe you need to take a few days break of thinking about it.

You are very fortunate to have two great options.

NeoPrimitiveOasis@reddit

ICE isn't grabbing non-citizens off the street in the UK. They're doing so in the US.

NEWSBOT3@reddit

Yet. Reform are promising to do something similar, if they get in to power, which isn't impossible.

Neuroticcuriosity@reddit

We don't have ICE in the UK. A whole new task force would have to be set up, trained, geared up, etc. But to mention the next election isn't for another 4 years. and Reform can't even tie their own shoe laces when they do get into power so... There's that.

ComplexTeaBall@reddit

50/50. Ask me how I know🇺🇸

asselfoley@reddit

I'm dumbfounded by questions like this. It seems fucking obvious to me, but I realized that Americans aren't the only ones who have been brainwashed into believing in the original (non-financial) idea of "American exceptionalism". It consists of two parts:

"It can't happen [there]” and "When America does it, it's ok"

It's already happened, and it was never ok, even when 🇺🇸 did it

rosievonp@reddit

Go to the UK. A 3 year position gives you more experience and as you point out yourself, stability. The US is close minded and close doored right now and will not be much different in a year.

Common_Stomach8115@reddit

You'll make more money if you stay in the US. But England has around for 1,000 years, America for less than 300. In the UK you also have access to the amazing train system that puts the rest of Europe within reach.

Mabbernathy@reddit

Honestly my initial thought was the opposite of them, "Why take a 1-year job if you don't have to?" That sounds exhausting to take a job and have to start the hunt again after a few months.

Seriously, take the leap and try living abroad. I moved to the UK for an internship after college, and while the job wasn't a good fit for me (and I should have realized that before going), I often think back to my time there fondly. It's one of those things in life where I'm like, "I can't believe I got to do that."

3 years of stability in the UK gives less of a timer. Plus it would be 3 years towards your time for Permanent Residency. US is a lottery system when it comes to immigration unfortunately. So unless you marry a US citizen, you're only in America temporarily. The UK has a more permanent pathway for you.

Ksauce-@reddit

If I were you, absolutely choose the UK

I have lived, worked, obtained permanent residence and then citizenship, in both.

I’m currently in the US and would rather be in the U.K. HOWEVER when I say I’d rather be in the U.K. I really have a preference for London.

It does also depend on your industry and how much you’ll be earning but even then I think 3 yrs in the U.K. is better and so is healthcare, diversity and proximity to vacation in Europe.

UK, all day, any day. Do not come to USA.

MRSRN65@reddit

US citizen here. Have you seen the news lately?!

dajooba@reddit

How about where you came from? Why is not that an option?

Jolimont@reddit

QOL stands for Quality Of Life. It matters above all because we only have one (short) life.

Intelligent_Cut136@reddit

If I were you I’d check for the possibility to go for holidays to the UK, so you can get a feel of the place.

And also the American city you’d work in (unless it’s where you already live ofc)

But this depends on the person honestly. For me it’s super important being content with the weather/atmosphere of a place, for others not at all.

I only say this cause between the US and the UK I see no clear winner.

Unless one is clearly better for your specific area of work.

But the US has more money, and the UK has way better quality of life. So no idea how to rationally choose between the 2.

Are the 2 salaries too different? Cause if they were a bit similar, I’d probably choose the UK.

Unless it was a hot city in the US. I love the heat lol.

Ill-Amphibian-4179@reddit

What industry are you working in?

ibitmylip@reddit

this is the real question

DeliriousBookworm@reddit

Lol who convinced you the UK is a failing country?

You are not telling us your age! And where were you born?? Having said that! I would stay away from the USA ! 100% and go to Europe regardless! Where you can live a normal stress free lifestyle! Remember $$ is not everything!! However the real answer is : you should live near your family and your loved ones!! Not across the world!

Have masked thugs started abducting and disappearing people in the UK yet?

If so, then neither

Mr_Lumbergh@reddit

“tHe Uk Is FaIliNg!”

Yeah, look around bud. Pot, meet kettle.

Royal_Strength_7187@reddit

If I had a job offer in the uk I’d go there. The IS is failing economically too, has worse healthcare and is snatching immigrants off the street and putting them in jail just for funsies. I feel like for your peace of mind, UK all the way.

No-Pea-8967@reddit

I have lived in both. Some thoughts:

Will work sponsor you for both roles? Which city/location will each job be in? What is the pay for both roles? Finally, which job will give you the best experience for your future?

Without knowing the answers towards those questions, I lean towards UK. Getting 3 years of experience from 1 employer at the start of your career may be valuable.

freebiscuit2002@reddit

Are you eligible for a visa in either country?

You mention two possible jobs - but has either employer confirmed they will support your visa?

SlowDisk4481@reddit

1 year is nothing. If you like the US, you’ll probably like the UK too. I’d go with that route.

Btw, can we not have these posts written by ChatGPT?

MikeyLew32@reddit

The em dash always gives it away

sercaj@reddit

US,

Far larger economy and market. You’ll probably earn the same amount in the US that you’ll have earned in 3 in UK.

Job market here is bigger and I think if you still don’t like it try UK after.