Life in the UK

 I figured that since I've lived here for quite a while, I'd answer some questions about how I'm finding life here; just in case anybody's interested.

What's your favourite British staple?

Fish and chips.

What's your favourite biscuit?

Probably just the classic Chocolate Digestive. They're heavenly when they're dunked and the tea starts melting the chocolate on the top. Plus, they're one of the more resilient biscuits when it comes to dunking.

What's your favourite tea?

I recently fell in love with Earl Grey. I love the citrusy notes in it.

What's your favourite things about the UK?

• The cool and rainy weather. 
• Healthcare is free at the point of service. 
• Workers are legally required to receive a minimum of 28 days of paid holiday. 
• Sales tax is already added to items you buy, so if you see a £1 packet of crisps on the shelf, you are only having to pay £1 at the till. 
• There's absolutely no shortage of public transportation - trains, buses, coaches, taxis, etc - and there's no shortage of bicycle routes. 
• It has beautiful countryside scenery - particularly Scotland and Wales.
• Income tax is done FOR you over here, and it's only applicable if you earn over a certain amount.
• Minimum wage goes up every April. It's not a massive increase, mind, but at least it's not stagnant like it is in the U.S. Different age groups beneath the age of 23 have different hourly wages.
• Auroras can happen here. I have yet to see one, but they're more common in Scotland.
• There are plenty of footpaths around. I love going on long walks and taking in the scenery around here. There's even a scenic footpath that takes me to the town centre.

What's your least favourite things about the UK?

• In the vast majority of the southern parts of England, the water is naturally hard. Limescale cakes our appliances frequently, and soap struggles to lather up. It leaves my skin and hair feeling weird after a shower, too. On the plus side, we never have to worry about calcium or magnesium deficiency.
• Having to pay £150+ in Council Tax per month, and also having to pay monthly for a TV license, even though I never watch actual TV.
• I miss thunderstorms. We don't get them very often here.
• There is a very disappointing lack of public swimming pools here. The only pools available are tied to sports centres.
• Foods I really enjoyed - such as ranch, alfredo, or mac and cheese - are not common here.
• I wish more restaurant chains came over here, such as Wendys, Sonic, and Red Lobster.
• While I do like the rain, the cloudy skies can get in the way of astronomical events such as eclipses, auroras, or meteor showers.

What are your favourite things to do in the UK?

Go travelling. Visit town centres. Explore new places. At the end of the day, though, I absolutely love spending time with my in-laws. They are a blast to be around.

Do you get homesick, or miss America?

I do miss my family, but I don't have any regrets on moving here. I feel most at home here.

Do you plan on going back to America?

To visit, yes. But it just all depends on if/when the costs of things ever calms down or not.

How far ahead are you in time?

The UK sits six hours ahead of Central Standard Time. You can do the maths if you live in other American time zones.