Pros And Cons Of Living In The UK

Itching to experience pub culture, fish and chips, and red double deckers? You might consider a move to Great Britain.

But, before you make the commitment to uproot your life and settle in the nation famous for its tea-lovers, check out these pros and cons of living in the UK.

The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of four nations — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They are all easily accessible from each other and have their own charms and quirks. 

However, most people considering a move to Great Britain think of England, which is why this list of advantages and disadvantages of living in the UK is mostly focused on this country. 

If you’re looking to move to Wales, Scotland, Or Northern Ireland, don’t exit the page just yet, as you’ll find that these points are applicable to each of the four nations within the kingdom.

Pros Of Living In The UK

There are a plethora of reasons to move to Great Britain. However, for the sake of this post, we’ve narrowed it down to these main advantages of living in the UK.

Thriving Arts And Culture Scene 

The UK isn’t lacking when it comes to arts and culture. In fact, there are over 170 museums in London alone. From galleries featuring masterpieces by Monat to museums that showcase the history of dinosaurs, there is something to suit every interest. The best part is that most of these cultural hubs are free to visit.

Outside of museums, you’ll find a lively theater scene across the country, showing family favorites, such as The Lion King, which has been a fixture at the Lyceum theater in London since 1999. Festivals are popular throughout the summer, and Gay Pride is celebrated in a colorful affair across the nation.

Excellent Healthcare

The healthcare system in the UK is renowned for being one of the best. The National Health Service (NHS) was established in 1948 and has been providing free healthcare to the nation ever since. Unlike in the US and several other countries, you will not need to pay to see a doctor, receive treatment, undergo surgery, or even have a baby. While breaking your arm is never pleasant, taking off the pressure of finding thousands of bucks to pay for your recovery is a relief.

The NHS is undoubtedly one of the biggest pros of living in the UK, however, as it is a free service, it can become stretched. Long waiting times are common and it may take over a month before you can see a doctor, by which point your symptoms might have cleared. Alternatively, you can choose to access private healthcare, which is quick and reliable, with excellent facilities. It is a costly service, however, you’ll still pay less than in other countries. 

Easy Access To Europe

Because of the UK’s close proximity to mainland Europe, city breaks are easy and cheap to organize. You can choose to take a short flight to a European country for the cost of lunch, as there are often deals with low-budget airlines that start at just £10. It takes just over two hours to reach Spain from London, and if you want to travel to Berlin, you can catch a flight that lasts under two hours. Wherever you’re heading in Europe, it will likely take you less than four hours to get there.

Alternatively, you can use the Eurotunnel, which connects England and France, and allows you to take your vehicle with you on your adventure. The service takes just 35 minutes and is easy to use. You can drive your car on board and can put your feet up for half an hour while you make your way through the tunnel to the land of the croissant.

Diversity Of Landscapes

From bustling metropolises filled with beeping taxis and electronic billboards to tranquil seaside towns where the only sound is the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore, another benefit of living in the UK is its diversity. And, the great news is that you can travel from one to the other in just a few short hours.

If you love to be swept up in the hustle and bustle of the city, you should head to London, Manchester, or Edinburgh. Those who are interested in history will love the cultural cities of Oxford and Cambridge, while nature lovers will revel in the beauty of Cornwall or the Brecon Beacons.

Cons Of Living In The UK

Alongside these fantastic reasons to reside in Great Britain, there are also several cons to living in the UK.

Bad Weather 

Its rainy and wet weather is something the UK is famous for across the world, so it’s no surprise to find it on this list of drawbacks. While these things are often exaggerated, in this case, the weather is really as bad as they say. The climate is notoriously unreliable, which means you’ll need to check a weather app every day, regardless of whether there are cloud-free blue skies overhead.

An umbrella is a must-carry item and rain showers happen often and unexpectedly. From September to May, the weather is unpredictable, with windy, rainy, and generally gloomy days being common. Temperatures drop below freezing during the winter and rarely climb above 15 degrees Celsius, aside from the summer months.

From June to August, a switch happens and the sun peeks out from behind the clouds. During this time, you can expect scorching temperatures of up to 32 degrees Celsius, which Britain’s infrastructure is not built for. Homes don’t have air conditioning and were constructed to keep heat in, meaning the summer feels less manageable than in other European destinations.

High Cost Of Living

If you’re looking for a country with a low cost of living, keep on searching. One of the biggest cons of living in the UK is its expense, which is climbing all the time. Rent is always the biggest expense and varies dramatically depending on where you live.

If you want to lease an apartment in London, you’ll pay at least £800 per month for a poky studio on the furthest and least desirable outskirts of the city. For this price, you can expect the standard of your accommodation to be pretty dire, and if you want a nicer place or a little more room, you’ll pay upwards of £1,700 for a one-bed apartment in central London.

If you choose to live elsewhere in the country, you’ll benefit from slashed prices. Up north, you can pay as little as £300 per month for a studio or £400 for a one-bed apartment. However, this comes with a cost and you’ll likely be far away from any major cities or things to do, and the town your apartment is located in will often be far from idyllic.

High prices extend to bills, which have recently seen a massive increase and are still growing, and may set you back over £500 per month, and in some cases a lot more. Dining out costs approximately £30 per person at an average restaurant and public transport is notoriously expensive. Season tickets into the city by train can cost around £400 per month, however, if you live within reach of the tube network, you can travel fairly cheaply.

High-Stress Lifestyle 

The rat race is on in the UK, which means there is a poor work-life balance. Citizens can be obsessed with making money, leading to early mornings and late nights in the office. Employers often take advantage and expect unpaid overtime from their employees, and many workers check their emails multiple times on their days off. 

Complicated Visa Process

In the last few years, the UK has left the European Union (EU), meaning citizens from other EU countries can no longer enjoy free movement to the island. The visa process is extremely difficult and refusal is common. If you wish to remain in the country for up to six months, you’ll pay £100 and need to prove that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay.

There is no specified amount that you need to have in your bank account. However, you must speak with an immigration officer about your plans and they will decide whether your budget will cover this.

There are also a plethora of work visas available, which can cost up to £700 and are valid for up to two years. However, if you want to settle in the UK for good, you’ll need to apply for permanent residency, after living in the country for five years on an alternative visa.

Poor Public Transportation

The transportation network is another disadvantage of living in the UK and leaves a lot to be desired. From buses to trains or tubes, you’ll find any mode of public transport to be unreliable and expensive. You can wait an hour for a bus that never shows up, or pay £20 to travel 30 minutes into the city.

There are also many destinations across the UK that can’t be reached by public transportation, leaving you with two options — hire a car or jump in a taxi. The former is the better option as it’s easy to drive around the UK, and is the perfect destination for a road trip. The latter will make your eyes pop out of their sockets when you see the price.

Final Thoughts On Living In The UK

After reading this list of pros and cons of living in the UK, you may have already decided whether life in good ol’ Blighty is for you or not. If you’re still struggling to make your mind up, write a list of things that are important to you in a location and see whether the UK matches these priorities.

The UK is a brilliant place to live for those who earn a high salary, want to country hop while maintaining a home base, or love getting swept up in an artistic culture. However, if you’re looking for a low cost of living, sunny climates, and a country that’s easy to get around without a car, we recommend you continue your hunt.

Are you still looking for your perfect European destination? Check out these posts:

• Pros and cons of living in Malta
• Pros and cons of living in Cyprus
• Pros and cons of living in Amsterdam