That hasn’t been my experience at all: Yes, bureaucracy is more prevalent, but it's manageable—at least as a German citizen.

Better jobs? Overwork, fewer holidays, less social security, and after years in the workforce, you’re left with a paltry state pension of £800–900 per month at best.

Better healthcare? Only if you compare private healthcare in the UK to public healthcare in Germany. My NHS experience involved endless waiting times, no personal doctor, no choice in doctors, and mostly brief 10-minute telephone appointments.

Better social services? Don't rely on them but childcare is prohibitively expensive. Out of work? You get 70% of your last salary in Germany for 1-2 years and after that the gov is paying your electricity, water bill and rent + a couple of hundred € to sweeten the deal.

Better restaurants? I agree.

Better transport services? Slightly more punctual, but the trains are in terrible condition, as is public transport in London. Strikes are frequent, and the costs are outrageous compared to Germany. Traffic? Ever took a bus through London. You might as well walk.

Better airports? They’re all the same to me. At the end of the day, you’re just passing through to another country. I fly regularly (1–2 flights a month), but I only spend 2–4 hours per month in an airport, so I’m not sure why this is considered a major factor.

And on a more personal note: Crime in London is out of control.

I’ve seen multiple people have their phones snatched—there’s not much you can do when the thieves are armed with hammers.

Just outside my flat, three people were recently stabbed, one fatally.

Where I play tennis, people have been robbed at "knifepoint".

Nearby, drug use is rampant in a park — in the summer laughing gas canisters litter the ground right next to a playground...

I’ve never experienced any of these issues in Germany. Admittedly, We all have different life experiences and priorities, but claiming that life in the UK is better than in Germany—and justifying it with these points—seems wild to me. Especially since I already live in London and not in the "North" were some things are even rougher.

user:	bbkingkrimson
created:	December 22, 2024
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