The Truth about Living in England – 36 Pros and Cons

Expats Review Living in England 

English people love to moan, and of course, living in England is not always great, but there are positives too. It is good to know that your experience will highly depend on where you are coming from in the world, and where you will live when you arrive. Nico has lived in Bratislava in Slovakia, we have both lived in Australia, and now we live in Manchester in England. 

Living abroad is never easy, and it can be quite a shock to live abroad and then return home. It’s a gentle reminder that the grass is not always greener, and these opinions about living in England are based on individual circumstances and may not apply to everyone.

You might disagree with some or all of these ideas. We found ourselves disagreeing too, so we asked 6 expats who live in different parts of the country to share their ideas with us. Including expats from Spain, the US, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. All these amazing people live in England, not the other countries that make up the UK, hence the living in England theme. 

It’s amusing because some of the most searched terms around this topic on Google are Why is living in England so depressing? And Why do I hate living in England? Therefore, we aim to explore some ideas about why people have these thoughts, but also look at positives. There is a side to every story, and some of the pros can be cons and vice versa – it’s all subjective.

Life in England 

There are many things about England that you need to know and we will cover them in this article. England is home to cosy pubs, grand cathedrals, world-class art, literature, and is a powerhouse of history, traditions and culture. Where do you start if you are thinking about living in England? Hopefully, we will cover most of the important points.

South England vs North England

The divide between the North of England and the South of England is something you need to consider. It is argued that there are obvious cultural, economic and social differences depending on where you live in the country. The line where the North-South divide lies is disputed and is based on many factors, including industrial decline and stereotypes.

What you need to know if you are considering moving is more factual. For example, health conditions are seen as being worse up north, house prices are higher in the south, and the average earnings are higher in the south too. However, this is not a simple rule because there are exceptions such as middle-class areas like Harrogate in Yorkshire and Bowden in Cheshire in the north and poverty-stricken areas in the south, including many London boroughs. 

Moving to England

After Brexit, there have been some changes if you want to live in the UK. Non-EU and EU citizens now have to follow the same rules, and they have to follow a new points-based system with a total of 70 points needed.

You can get points through having different skills, speaking English, having a job offer and more. There is now a salary threshold with minimum earnings of £25,600. Although, if you earn less (at least £20,480) and you have a job offer from a shortage sector or a PHD, you can still get approved. Of course, this only came into effect from January 2021, and we are not experts on the matter. So please read the Government advice.

Tips for Living in England

• Open a bank account. For foreigners, a good one to go with is Lloyds because it is easy to get. After all, you only need a proof of address. Starling is a good online British bank to go with if you are looking for somewhere safe and ethical to put your money.
• Apply for a National Insurance Number as soon as you can because the process can take months. However, your employer will let you work if you are in the process of getting one. 
• There’s more to living in England than living in London, and each city has different opportunities. For example, Bristol, Manchester and Brighton are popular cities for expats.
• If you want to experience living and working abroad, read our ideas about what you should consider before you step foot on the plane!

 19 Good Things about Living in England – The Pros

Let’s start with the positives because it is not all doom and gloom, is it? In no particular order, these are some of the pros of living in England.

Fast and Cheap Connections 

England is home to major international airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted, amongst smaller but busy airports all over the country. London has a large population and is a big centre of finance, and consequently, there are great connections all over the world.

Also, in two or three hours, you can be anywhere in Europe for a perfect weekend getaway, and it is only 7 hours from London to New York. There is also the EuroStar where you can spend your weekend in Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam just by catching a train. The ferry connection is also convenient, so you can enjoy more beautiful parts of the world quickly and with your car if you choose to. Imagine a weekend in Cologne, Bratislava, Padua, Lisbon and even Sardinia.

The Weather

Of course, the English weather is not always great (we live in Manchester) but the weather is quite mild all year round. There are not many times where you cannot go outside because of the weather – it is never too hot or too cold. A great aspect of the English weather is that during the summer, the daylight hours are very long, which means that you can do a lot and make the most out of your day. 

Charming Villages

England is full of beautiful quaint, historical villages that are perfect for a weekend break or a day trip. They are dotted all over the country with some of the best in the Peak District or the Cotswolds. If you think of quintessentially English villages from TV or film, you can find them easily. The British are proud of these villages, and you don’t need to live in one to experience their charm and colour. They are not just in England though, this is a positive of the UK in general – just look at Portree on the Isle of Skye. 

Pub Culture

Pub culture is very important in the UK, and if you are going to live in England, you will learn this quickly. You can drink legally from the age of 18, and it is a popular place to socialise. Strangers talk to each other, (especially in small pubs), it’s a great place to hang out with your friends whether you are a student, a worker or retired. It is a regular spot to go after work to socialise with your colleagues, no matter where in England you are.

One good thing to know is that prices vary a lot from the North of England to the South and even in cities. The pub food can be good and substantial, but also greasy depending on where you go, and you should end your pub evening with some chips and gravy if you want to feel like a true British person. Even though pubs are in decline, in some places there are still many pubs. For example, it’s said that York is home to over 365, one for each day of the year! Although, we recently heard this is a myth!

Healthcare and the NHS

The UK healthcare system is free and accessible, so if you are coming from a country where you have to pay for healthcare, then you will be grateful. You do not have to worry about calling an ambulance, getting diagnosed with an illness and going bankrupt in the process. However, not all healthcare is free in the NHS, such as dental work, and sometimes there can be long waiting times if your life is not in immediate danger. Generally, the service and care you get through the NHS are outstanding, and you only have to look at the work they do to see that. 

The National Parks, Countryside and Hiking

The English countryside is full of open green spaces and is home to 10 beautiful National Parks. There are coastal and inland national parks that showcase the real beauty of the country. For example, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and the Lake District. They are a great escape from city life to feel immersed in nature. Also, there are plenty of world-class hiking routes, from the Pennine Way to Hadrian’s Wall, Helvellyn, Malham Cove, Stanage Edge and the Jurassic Coast (to name only a few). 

History

England is full of history at every turn, and historically it is one of the most influential countries in the world. You can see many castles, Roman ruins, as well as famous historical landmarks such as Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, the Tower of London and Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire. They are littered all over the country, which means that you can visit them at your leisure, no matter where you are in England. Interestingly a lot of the cities boast incredible historical centres to walk around, that you should take advantage of when living in England.

Literature 

From Chaucer to Shakespeare to Austen to Dickens to the Brontes, to Orwell, to Tolkien and many more. The plots and books play a huge part in popular culture. Living in England, you can be exposed to this and see literature come to life. Of course, there are so many things you can see including a live performance at the Globe Theatre, the Bronte house in Harworth or George Orwell’s plaque on Portobello Road in Notting Hill in London.

Day Trips

England, compared to many other countries in the world is a small country, which means that it is easy to reach places for a day trip. There are so many that it can be difficult to choose from and they are dotted all over the country. Some of the best include (but not limited to) Bath, The Jurassic Coast, Cambridge, The Cotswolds, The Peak District, York, Durham, Arundel and St Ives.

“You are always close to something to do whether it is a national park, a city or the beach.”

Multiculturalism

Certain areas of England are very diverse, such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. Historically immigrants flock to larger cities for work, and a result of this has led to multiculturalism. There are also individual cities that have different proportions of ethnic groups, such as Liverpool. Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe due to trading links with Shanghai dating back to the 1890s. England’s colonial past has also influenced multiculturalism, and today people still migrate to England from former colonies.

Although, we are not saying that the whole of England is multicultural, as smaller towns and villages are less likely to be. However, some of the expats we asked, argued that multiculturalism has led to open-mindedness and acceptance and that they feel welcome because of this.

Traditions

There is more to the country than castles and hills, and if you live in England, you should experience these traditions at least once. For example, there is Cheese rolling in Gloucester, where thousands of people roll and chase cheese down a hill. There’s also Bonfire Night, where you can experience fireworks, bonfires, sparklers and toffee apples. If you want more, you should also try Cornish Hurling or experience the summer solstice and Stonehenge in summer.

Access to Museums

England is home to some of the best museums in the world, and the best part about them is a lot of them are free. Of course, some of the best are in London, such as the National History Museum and The British Museum. However, there are some fascinating ones all over the country, such as the Beamish Museum, and the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, amongst many more in towns and cities. 

Sport

Sport in England plays an important role in society and if you love different sporting events, then living in England will be a good option for you. Not only are there world-class sporting events, such as the football Premier League, Wimbledon, and International Cricket such as the Ashes. Many sports originated in England, such as football, rugby and cricket and have led the sport to play a significant role in many people’s lives. 

Beaches 

Of course, England is not known for beaches, so it may seem a bit crazy that this is on the list of pros about living in England. However, if you know where to go, England is home to some beautiful beaches, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. Cornwall and Devon are the obvious choices with many beautiful beaches. However, you should also consider, Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast, Hunstanton in Norfolk, Shell Bay in Dorset, Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire and Whitley Bay in Tyneside.

Developing Careers and Availability of Jobs

The job market in England is known to be flexible, and there are lots of opportunities. It is progressive because new jobs and trends are always coming into force, whereas other countries are less open to change. Therefore, there are many jobs where you can ‘climb the ladder’ in England, and although it is sometimes harder for expats, it is not impossible. Most of the expats we talked to have not found it too difficult to get a professional job that matches their skills.

Business Opportunities and Entrepreneurship 

In England, it is generally not too difficult to set up a business. You can register a company online in less than 48 hours. As a liberal country, it is quite similar to the US and is accommodating to new businesses, such as new IT startups. Another good point is that the taxation system, which is not as high as in other countries around the world. 

Shopping

England is home to incredible shopping, from the high street to designer to quirky independent shops and markets. The variety of shops available ensures that there is something that everyone can enjoy, no matter their budget, style or location. If you head to the big cities, you will find everything and more, including city-centre and out of town retail outlets. In a nutshell, if you need something – you can get it.

Live Local even in Huge Cities

There are 51 cities in England, and some of them have extremely large populations. For example, almost 9 million people are living in London, but this does not mean that you still cannot live like a local, due to the boroughs and the communities that surround them. This is similar in other large cities, such as Manchester, where the boroughs of Didsbury, Chorlton to name a couple, create a strong community feel, so close to the heart of the city.

Music and Theatre (The Arts)

England is known for its incredible music and theatre scene. Just think about The Beatles, The Clash, The Smiths, Queen, Bowie, Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Adele (to name only some). This means that the music scene is outstanding and all over the country you can watch live music and enjoy world-class festivals. For example, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Download. Access to the theatre is also superb, with the West End in London being the centre but also many cities across England including Sheffield, Birmingham and Bradford showcasing excellent theatres with world-class shows to enjoy.

17 Disadvantages of Living in England – The Cons

It’s not all sunshine and smiles when you live in England…. Here are some of the negative parts of living in England.

The Weather

Unfortunately, the sky in England is often grey and you should always carry an umbrella because a rain shower can come out to surprise you. It does not help that we live in Manchester, which is a city that is known for its rainy weather. However, rain is usually quite fine, so you can go outside without really getting too wet, so it is usually not an obstacle to your everyday life. In terms of the quantity of water in mm, it rains more in Rome than in London. However, if you are lost for a conversation to have with an English person, it is always acceptable to comment on the weather, and they love to moan about it.

Accommodation Costs – Buying and Renting

Every year thousands of people relocate to England, and they have all encountered the same issues. Should I buy or rent? You may find unpredictable estate agents, unforeseen costs and a crazy amount of paperwork. The good part is, there are lots of places available to rent, but the cons are you don’t know whether your landlord will be trustworthy or not and it can be expensive for what you get. A lot of expats move to London, and whilst the city is incredible, renting costs are extremely high for what you can get.

On the other hand, buying a house and getting a mortgage may not be that difficult for expats compared to locals, but getting on the property ladder is difficult and expensive for everyone. Especially if you already have property abroad and don’t get expats started talking about Council Tax, that’s a whole other issue! If you are considering moving to England but are put off by the costs in London, just remember that other cities offer much lower living costs, cheaper houses and cheaper rental costs.

Work-life Balance

Not applicable to every job, but to many, is the poor work-life balance that is prominent in English society. It is common for some workers to feel stressed and overworked, which this means that social and family life can be disrupted. If you compare the work-life balance to Australia for example, it is poor. Generally, Australians seemed to understand when it is time to turn in, including managers, and you are expected to clock off and stop when your shift is over. Although, there are currently lots of initiatives around work-life balance, mental health and well-being, so hopefully this can become a con of the past.

Expensive Trains and Public Transport

If you want to book a last-minute trip on England’s train line, then you might as well forget it. Unless you have booked your ticket months in advance or are a proud owner of a Railcard (which is very easy to get) the costs of travelling on the British train line is quite frankly ridiculous. The cost of public transport can be very high, even for short journeys. Therefore, you need to learn the tricks around them, for example, you can buy day passes and weekend passes if you don’t want to break the bank!

Food 

England does not have a good reputation for its food. Of course, there are the traditional English breakfasts, the Sunday lunches and the Yorkshire Puddings, but is not generally as good as other countries. That being said, due to multiculturalism in England, and mass immigration the variety of food options available are excellent and you can find food from Lebanon, to Korea, India and Thailand to name a few. 

Making Friends

If you are an expat, making friends can be difficult no matter where in the world you are. Generally speaking, English people are known for being reserved and ‘not as loud’ as some people from other countries and they may take a little bit longer than other nationalities to form meaningful friendships. On the other hand, they can also be friendly, helpful and polite. This con comes down to where you are, how much you are willing to put yourself ‘out there’.

Disclaimer: we are not saying that you won’t be able to make friends living in England, just be prepared that some people will be reserved!

Bank Holidays

The UK has 8 bank holidays a year, and these are national public holidays, but they are not non-working days like most countries in Europe. British workers have 28 days of annual leave per year, which is one of the highest in Europe (equal to Estonia). However, many European countries such as Spain, Italy and France do have more bank holidays, so it will only be a good thing if you are from a country with less bank holiday days. 

(Some) English Attitudes

English is a language of circumstances. Words can have different meanings in different circumstances. Even though this happens in other languages, English people have a quite subtle (not necessarily negative) and indirect way to say and ask things. This can create confusion and awkwardness when the other person is not a native speaker. For example, ‘Do you mind passing me that cup of tea?’ instead of ‘Can you pass me that cup of tea?’. That probably wasn’t the best example, but you get what we mean.

England is London Centric

London is known as the centre of life in England and many young professionals move there from all over the UK to start their careers. Arguably, London and the South-East of England receive preferential treatment on a range of things. It is true that many people think of England and immediately do not see past London, but in reality there is so much more.

However, due to the controversial HS2 train proposal, this could change in the future. Although, it will not benefit everyone, so whilst the London to Manchester and London to Leeds connection will be stronger, most places in North East England will not benefit from it.

Accents

Where you come from matters and in England you will notice the accents and dialects that reveal a person’s identity. Dialects and accents are always changing, and spoken English is varied across regions. For someone moving to England, this can get very confusing and even if you speak English well, there is no guarantee that you will understand what someone is saying or that you will have heard the words they say before. However, once you get to grips with the distinctive accents, you’ll be able to ‘recognise where people are from’, and that’s always a great conversation starter but it does take a while to get to grips with all of them.

Binge Drinking

England (and the rest of the UK) has a big reputation for binge drinking. However, the reality is that people drink in different ways, and some people don’t drink at all. The proportion of adults who drink alcohol changes in different areas and different groups. Therefore, for someone considering moving or living in England, the issue with drinking would be that some people who do not drink, often feel excluded because of the strong pub culture that is prevalent. Whether or not this would impact your life in England, really comes down to the individual.

Brexit

Whether we like it or not, Brexit needs to be mentioned due to the implications it has for those looking to live in England from abroad. Whilst it is not impossible to move, it certainly is not as straightforward as before if you are from the EU but time will only tell us how difficult it will be. We just hope that it does not put people off. Time will tell.

Obesity

In England, the majority of adults are overweight or obese, and it is a common problem. It is estimated to affect 1 in 4 adults in the UK, and there is no quick fix. A lot of English people have quite poor diets but of course, this is a problem in many other countries too. It is also good to know that this is not everyone and a lot of people enjoy eating healthy, exercising, and there is a gym culture. So if you love fitness and want to move to England, there are lots of opportunities to get involved.

Businesses close early on Sundays

This is inconvenient if you are used to everything being open all the time. If it is ‘10 pm on a Sunday evening – you cannot just pop to the shops’. Living in England requires organisation and preparing for the store closures. It’s funny because you soon get used to it and it becomes a habit, but it would be unusual if you’re used to a 24/hr life. The workers deserve Sunday evenings off though, right?

Racism

Racism exists in England, and it is good to know that before you decide to move. It is a reality, and many people from black and minority ethnic groups face inequality and social injustice daily. Many facts and statistics back this up, and quite frankly this could have its post all together based on inequalities in employment, education, housing and the justice system to name just a few. 

Overcrowding

England and the rest of the UK are under incredible population pressure. It is one of the most nature depleted countries in the whole world and despite the small land area it is estimated to be the biggest nation in Europe by the end of the century. This has led to overcrowding, especially in large cities, such as London, with people living on top of each other. 

However, as the current trend is moving out of the cities to have more space, who knows what the future for England will be.

Cities are (generally) not bicycle and pedestrian-friendly

Arguably, London is the least bike-friendly city in the country, and the Department for Transport’s data conveys that 61% of British people believe that it is too dangerous for them to cycle on the roads. However, some cities are making considerable improvements. These include Leicester, Leeds and Liverpool that have their own ‘cycling revolutions’ to make cycling a safer and easier mode of transport.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in England

What is living in England like? Is living in England good?

We have covered a lot of what it is like to live in England above, but one of the things that came up in our questions with the different expats was the cultural differences that you will experience living in England that they didn’t expect. 

‘For instance, when you go to the doctors in Germany, you say hello to everyone in the waiting room, and when I did it here, everyone looked weirdly at me’.

‘A phrase that particularly cracks me up is, you alright? Because in America that means are you all right, is something going on? So I’m like, yeah I’m fine, just normal and that’s just like way more than an answer than they needed’. 

‘People don’t like being randomly talked to, but that being said when you do talk to them and you know them, they are just so friendly and a lot more fun because drinking culture is so much of a thing here – people have way better of a time’. 

Is living in England expensive?

The cost of living in England depends on where you live. There are usually competitive prices, and if you live outside of London, it may not be as expensive as you think. Although the wages are higher in London, you can be working to pay for your essentials, whereas elsewhere in England you may not earn a higher wage, but your disposable income will be greater. It all comes down to individual wants and actions. Some of the least expensive cities to live include Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Norwich and the most expensive are Milton Keynes, Bath, Reading and London. 

There you have it, both sides to the story about living in England. A huge thanks to everyone who gave their opinions for this article. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with any of the ideas? Let us know in the comments we’d love your input! Like we said, as we wrote this article, we disagreed with each other and isn’t life all about sharing, challenging and developing our ideas about the world around us?

Are you interested in reading more travel stories?  Read about:

What it’s like to live and work in Sydney, Australia.

What it’s like to live and study in Uppsala, Sweden.

What it’s like to live and work in Seoul, South Korea.

If you want to share your experience with us – get in touch!

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Photo Credit: averagelives.com and unsplash.com.

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