I earn poor money relative to a comparative US citizen, but I wouldn't swap places if given the chance.
I walk my kids to school, and local schools are pretty good.
I cycle them a couple miles down the canal to the local sports centre for cheap swimming and recreation. I have many free high quality playgrounds nearby within walking and cycling distance, and streams and woods to play in. As a result my family can get away with a single medium sized car and use it infrequently.
I don't think there are many places in the - especially affluent areas - where this would be the case in the US, but I may be wrong.
I paid little for university and get free healthcare, which has been excellent quality whenever I've needed it (including for the birth of my two kids).
My employer gives me 30 days leave a year, with the option to buy more (and I do). There's no implicit pressure not to. I was able to take 6 months of after the birth of each of my kids on shared parental leave, which my employer had a legal duty to allow me if asked.
There are many beautiful historical places to visit for little money. The coast in any direction is within a day's drive and a varied holidays can be had without flying.
My country has in the pipeline 100GW of wind power, meaning that in a couple of decades energy is likely to be abundant and cheap if on a smart plan.
We do lots wrong as a country, and I haven't listed the negatives, but Britain is far from a failed state.
Have you ever lived anywhere else other than the UK? Almost everywhere in Europe has all the nice things you described, but cost of living is lower (parity adjusted - meaning you make less than in London in absolute terms, but the money buys you more quality of life).
I earn poor money relative to a comparative US citizen, but I wouldn't swap places if given the chance.
I walk my kids to school, and local schools are pretty good.
I cycle them a couple miles down the canal to the local sports centre for cheap swimming and recreation. I have many free high quality playgrounds nearby within walking and cycling distance, and streams and woods to play in. As a result my family can get away with a single medium sized car and use it infrequently.
I don't think there are many places in the - especially affluent areas - where this would be the case in the US, but I may be wrong.
I paid little for university and get free healthcare, which has been excellent quality whenever I've needed it (including for the birth of my two kids).
My employer gives me 30 days leave a year, with the option to buy more (and I do). There's no implicit pressure not to. I was able to take 6 months of after the birth of each of my kids on shared parental leave, which my employer had a legal duty to allow me if asked.
There are many beautiful historical places to visit for little money. The coast in any direction is within a day's drive and a varied holidays can be had without flying.
My country has in the pipeline 100GW of wind power, meaning that in a couple of decades energy is likely to be abundant and cheap if on a smart plan.
We do lots wrong as a country, and I haven't listed the negatives, but Britain is far from a failed state.