While the UK and the USA share many similarities, there are also some huge differences. One woman who left her home in Seattle to move across the Atlantic 11 years ago has shared what she has learned since then.
From the Pacific Northwest to England
Elise, originally from Seattle, has more than 25,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly shares insights into her life as an American living in the UK. In a recent post celebrating 11 years since her move, she revealed key lessons learned over the past decade-plus.
She wrote: 'Happy 11 years of living abroad to meeeeee. Though my life certainly looks very different to how I imagined it when buying my one-way ticket from the USA to the UK 11 years ago (who let me DO that?!), I am so so so thankful for the life I’ve built here abroad in England. Sharing a few of the things I’ve learned since moving here - there are sooo many more, but here are just a few.'
Key Observations
Elise noted that coming from the Pacific Northwest, she was used to wild animals and natural disasters being an occasional part of life, whereas life in England is very rarely affected by those things – aside from flooding in some areas, extreme weather is uncommon and dangerous wild animals are few.
She was also surprised by the amount of time off UK employees receive. 'British employees are entitled to 28 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), whereas there is no federal legal requirement for PTO (Paid Time Off) in the USA,' she said.
One lighter observation: 'British people put raisins in way too many baked goods (in my opinion).'
Family, Outdoors, and History
Living apart from family and friends is hard, but it makes you appreciate time together more. Elise praised the English countryside for its access to walking paths, noting that public rights of way allow walking, cycling, or horse riding in nearly any direction. She also appreciated the UK's historic sites, with many old buildings preserved under strict regulations for listed properties or run by organisations like the National Trust or English Heritage.
Convenience and Home
Elise remarked that the American obsession with convenience isn't necessary or always healthy. She also reflected that 'home' is a complicated word with multiple meanings.
Social Differences
She observed a big difference in social behaviour: 'Americans really do talk to strangers far more often. It's always jarring to go back home and have people start up conversations with me at restaurants, in the grocery store, etc.'
She also emphasised that London is not indicative of the entire UK: 'It's a small island, but with vastly different traditions, cuisines, accents, way of life, etc from country to country or even county to county.'
Personal Achievements
Finally, she noted: 'I can do hard things, like successfully applying for many visas with no legal guidance, passing my Life in the UK test, sorting out my NHS and National Insurance, learning how to get a job abroad, etc on my own.'
Public Reaction
Elise's post attracted a wide range of comments, with many sympathising with her views on raisins. One person said: 'As a British person, I am 100 per cent with you on the raisins.' Another wrote: 'It’s really embarrassing how many times I’ve bitten into something expecting chocolate and gotten raisins instead lol.' And someone else said: 'Thank you for bringing attention to the raisin crisis.' Replying to one comment, Elise added: 'I just don’t understand why they have to be in everything.'
