What are some nice things about raising kids in the U.K.?

Posted by lightwing91@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 67 comments

My husband and I are foreigners living in Italy. We are considering moving to the U.K. for various personal reasons, including raising our baby boy (nearly 8 months right now) closer to family. I am half British but grew up mainly in Asia, so I don’t feel particularly British myself and honestly feel pretty foreign whenever I visit too! (My husband is American and we were living in California before this.) I am very attached to our current city in Italy, and there are many nice things about raising kids here. A lot of things about the U.K. intimidate me as a parent: the intense drinking culture, expensive education, NHS seems like a bit of a mess compared to the quality of healthcare in Italy, etc. However, for many reasons that are too complicated for this post, the U.K. (specifically England) may end up being the right choice for our family. I don’t want to be so negative — surely there must be some nice things about raising kids there too. Are there any parents who could provide their perspective?