My friend, fell 3 days ago, broke her upper femur, she was rushed by ambulance to Poole hospital, needed a new hip, was operated on the next morning, all done. No charge. Now out and recovering. All in 3 days.
Oh honestly. Firstly, he's said nothing about whether his friend's from the UK or not. It's very revealing that you assume she's not. Secondly, IF she isn't, she'll have had to pay for the correct paperwork to use the NHS when she came here. "No charge" doesn't mean it's literally free. It means it's free at the point of delivery.
I love your videos Alanna. I lived and worked in California for 14 years. I loved the weather, fresh fruits and veg, and the affluent lifestyle. Now I am back in the UK, much older and retired I realise that US healthcare is not good, particularly if you develop a long-term condition. When we flew back to the UK, from the air it was very striking how green Britain is. California is “the Golden State”, but really in summer it is “the brown state”. While over there, I went to a conference in Vancouver. I was surprised by how much Vancouver, especially the suburbs, felt like Britain. I really loved the place. I was offered a position at UBC, but after much serious thought decided that for the sake of our two sons, we should return to the UK. I really love your channel. You are such a lovely caring woman. I feel that we are very lucky to have you in the UK. Very best wishes to both of you.
I love how you are still discovering so much here. I also find it amazing, when a pub has been a pub for over 600 years and some are over thousand years! It's totally nuts!!
The NHS and annual leave (vacation time) it's the two things that keep me in the UK. I get 33 days annual leave and I love how it's law you have to take it. Also hail the NHS!
I would love all of that. Im American and feel slightly guilty taking one week off per year. I cant imagine getting a bit more than a month's worth of time off... not to mention not paying exorbitant amounts of money for healthcare. That would be nice!
@@mattalley4330 The thing about the NHS is that secondary care tends to be very good, I mean at times world class. Sure you might have to wait a bit but when things are urgent/semi-urgent they happen quickly. The problem is that primary care has deteriorated these last ten years or so due to various reasons but mainly the passing of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and a doctor shortage. I mean triaging in GP surgeries was almost unheard of 15 years ago. Now it's almost standard which might be a good thing in some ways but can be quite frustrating at times, especially if you have complex needs.
As a Brit I certainly don't think I'm perfect! I think the reason why some of us might come across that way can be boiled down to a Bill Bailey quote: Contentment is knowing that you're right. Happiness is knowing someone else is wrong.
None of us do, we're known to laugh at ourselves and be self-deprecating. A lot of people from a lot of countries come across as though they think they're perfect when discussing their country with outsiders. I would say Americans do this the most but people from every country does it tbh.
I could easily see myself living in the UK. I'm already an Expat, an American living in China since the 90s and I've kinda lived in the UK already, I mean I was here in England for 10 out of the 12 months of 2020 Thanks Covid and I find myself reliving that experience now. Thought I could come here in August and go home in November but caught Covid in Edinburgh in October. Rescheduled my flight for mid January so I could spend Christmas here with my Son and wouldn't you know my flight has been cancelled again Thanks Covid! I'm very comfortable here. I like the UK, I enjoy my time here and get along just fine here. I like the feel of life here. I like the quirkiness of some things. I like the feeling of history surrounding me. I'm already retired so I don't need to find work here so now I just need to convince my wife. Great video as always!
I tried to like this video multiple times. While I was watching there were several points where I thought, "Oh, that deserves a like" and then realised that I'd already done it. Good video pal!
I read in one of Bill Bryson's books that there were more 17th century buildings in his small village in Yorkshire than the whole of the North American continent. Us Brits are in danger of preferring 'sterile' to that.Thanks for reminding us.
Lovely video Allana. I'm a Canadian living in the UK now for 30+ years and all of your points are right on. We only part ways over Twiglets which I have grown to love!
Us Brits aren't perfect we know that and we laugh at ourselves when comedians mocking us ..we can take it..😅..Marmite is famous for a divide..the saying goes 'It's like Marmite you either love it or hate it' and NHS is wonderful ..people do complain but there are people working so hard under extreme conditions to help us. I personally too thank them for all they do and thank you for hilighting that we are lucky....hope you continue to enjoy living here in the 🇬🇧 the brits are good to you.
I always thought Canada felt "sterile" and lacked character because I've lived in cities all my life, surrounded by concrete and steel. Canada may lack character, but outside of large metropolitan areas, our country has some of the most breathtaking natural sights, wilderness, wildlife, etc.
Yeah I've lived in London all my life and like Alanna said, I have pretty much ignored all the interesting buildings here so I wouldn't care about the sterile buildings in Canada. I'd be much more interested in all the beautiful open spaces. Old buildings are cool but nothing beats the beauty of nature imo.
Thankyou Alanna it’s guys like you making a life over here is what I love about our country. We welcome with open arms guys who are honest and hard working such as you.
Once again by talking about Britain and Brits in your videos, you remind us of how much we have to be grateful for in this country. Also nice to see you have Richard Osman's book on your bookshelf. I loved the two books, I hope you did too. Cheers.
Agree the first one was outstanding. Got the second ready for giving on Mother's Day. As an aside, it's taking a risk to make a video with bookshelves in the background. Someone is bound to spot something to criticise but my eyesight is not good enough to read the titles.
That was such a nice video! I really like hearing about what you love about the country you moved to! I love how calming and nice your videos are too! It’s so cool to hear about what it’s like to move abroad! I really appreciate you and your videos!
“… and the aisles are kind of wonky …”. Isn’t that a fantastic word. WONKY. There is so much meaning bundled up in that word. Once it’s included in your vocabulary, no other word will do. Alanna, thanks again for a highly entertaining early morning ( it’s 0249 here in Sydney now) Your positive attitude to everything is so refreshing. It’s like a swig of tonic amid all the whinging around in these Covid-filled days . Thank you.
When I moved to Houston, Texas, I never got bored with $99 weekends to Miami or Las Vegas, including hotel and airfare! Re: Character; my local Tesco Express used to be a pub, and the pub used to be a church, the pub and supermarket were not allowed to pull down the small church spire, so I have a Tesco express with a spire!
Tomorrow I'm going to an old pub to pick up a jacket I ordered online. I love that an old building wasn't knocked down, but converted into a Sainsburys local.
Well done, Alana, you absolutely nailed it! Our two greatest creations are the NHS and the British pub. Keep up your brilliant posts, you've more than earned honorary citizenship now....................................................the ancient Englishman.
Thanks, Alanna, yet another compelling look at life in the UK. By the way, when visiting my relatives in Strood last week we had lunch in the Tudor Rose, Upnor on your recommendation, thanks. It's a wonderful little pub and the Ploughman's lunch was perfect! 🇨🇦🇬🇧
Just to say, the NHS have just saved my mums life. It hasn’t cost her anything at all at point of entry and she’s had two weeks of Intensive care and now two more weeks of respiratory specialist ward care... this is on going , perhaps for weeks to come with rehabilitation to follow... literally months of care. Mum had multiple pulmonary embolisms and lung sepsis. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Without the NHS she’d have lost her life savings and ended up in debt at 80 years of age had she been living in for example the United States.
Great video Alanna... Love it when you get a Sainsburys Local inside a former old pub or post office... I've heard about other countries holiday entitlement before & I still find it crazy! Keeping it to a minimum so I hopefully don't get "hated on" 😂😂😂 ... Patreon plug was great!
I'm moving to the UK for uni this fall!! Thank you for this video! I thank you for all of your hard work, I've followed this channel for a couple of years now! I can't wait to start my new life, and thank you for giving me some pointers! Furthermore, I plan on living and working in London after my studies! Sending love from the USA, I do plan on subbing to your patron!
This is an early ‘welcome to the country’, I hope that you enjoy your time here, but you may want to rethink your plan on living and working in London after your studies. London is very expensive to rent somewhere to live, you may find all your income goes on rent and leaves you with no money to spend on anything else. I think Alanna recently did a video on why she wouldn’t want to live in London.
@@sarahclifford2015 I do appreciate your comment and advice!! I've lived in NYC and LA also Seattle basically every big city in America I've lived in! I'm also aware that London is a very expensive city (one of the most expensive in the world!!) If I made it work over here in America I will find a way to make it work in London!! I understand it won't be easy but I love a challenge! Plus I've family in the London Metropolitan area!
@@Caesar_1415 Then you are sorted! This channel has great advice for those moving to the UK as well as being entertaining. Not sure what you define as the London metropolitan area but that can be interpreted as being a very big area around London. One similarity to NY is don't even think about driving in London - it is a nightmare. So, when looking at there to live, plan around transport convenience. North London has better transport than South London, but South London is greener and less densely-packed. And Crossrail aka the Elizabeth Line should make a big difference if you get to live near a station
The character and history aspect makes me think that it’s a while since Alanna took us on an excursion to some charming little town or castle. I really appreciate that sense that you are living in a museum with so much history everywhere. Thanks for another insightful presentation.
Great video as always Alanna, we're happy to have you 'in the group'! I had to laugh when you said some people in the comments might disagree that Brits had their problems. We're so self-deprecating as a nationality, anyone claiming Brits are perfect needs to hand in their Brit card 😂
What a lovely video! I agree with all of those things. I work in the NHS admin and speak to patients everyday. I believe that the last two years has made people appreciate the NHS much more than before. I remember as a youngster my Nan telling me how she had to pay when my Mum was born in 1945 - just couldn’t get my head around that.
Hi, Alanna, very interesting video. I must say your Tesco sounds interesting as well, mine resembles your description of the Canadian Walmart. Definitely agree about annual leave, mine was 6 weeks plus bank Holidays. Liked the Patreon plug and totally agree, anyone who enjoys Alanna's content should join Patreon you'll get double Alanna then.
I’ve been in Canada almost 5 years, having moved from the UK. I really love it here, but I totally get what you’re saying about character in the buildings etc. I find it very hard to judge from the exterior of cafes/bars/restaurants here if I’m going to like the place. I won’t think of going in just because it lacks character from the outside, just a box, then when I finally check it out, I get shocked how well decorated or cosy it is on the inside.
Lovely to hear a (former) outsider's response to our country. As much as I hate the idea that you might leave one day, is there anything bad enough about the UK that might make you want to leave? (Please don't go. You're one of us now.)
@@AdventuresAndNaps I'd like to see that video too but if you do it, it won't matter how many times you state "I'm not leaving", some people will still think you're leaving. It's a treacherous road to take. 🙂
We must not allow her to leave! If she is ever under threat of being deported, we shall all go to the airport and form a human chain to prevent her being taken out. 123,000+ people would be a lot to break through!
you get better with every video you post my friend! we could hardly see the terror in your eyes this time ;p. on a serious note, i really enjoyed this one mate! big love to all people :)
When we lived in Ontario, we sometimes visited family in the States. Although we enjoyed our visits, it was always such a nice feeling to come through the customs at Buffalo or Niagara, it felt safe and we were glad to be be back.
8:12 : Many Canadians share your enthusiasm for the UK - mainly because (massive generalisation alert) you take us as you find us, you join in whole-heartedly and (most of all) you don't seem to take yourselves too seriously. I do a lot of work in international consortia and the Canadians, the Dutch and the Scandinavians all have this attitude to a greater or lesser extent.
Old and Older The house I was born in (yes not a hospital) was built in 1712, pretty old. However the local co-op store I go to at least three times a week is located in a building that reads on a plaque (built 1523). That's old right? There's a small (tiny) house in a modern estate (about 15mi from me) that was built in 1162, which on its side is located the oldest pub in the county, established in 1298.
Love the NHS, they have saved my life more than once. I think we can honestly say you are a honorary Brit now. Oh and the 8th reason to move to the UK...... Alanna is here!
@@eadweard. I had a major operation last year that would have cost me well over $100,000 in the US, that's without all the medications and follow ups from multiple disciplines. Didnt cost me a penny. I pay £108 per year for about £10,000 in drugs. Without the NHS, I would have had to sell my house to pay for it all. I would say the NHS specifically, certainly is a life saver.
Super insight here, from our beloved CanadaBrit! 0:48 Not only this, but different people in different parts of the UK live differently. The lesson in this is a simple one: "it's OK to be different." That's not to say that it doesn't require courage to move to any place where your differences will be obvious, of course. 1:43 Food is one of the essentials of life itself, and it is in the food of most nations that you find something of the character - and even the history - of its people. And it's OK not to like all of it - Exhibit A(lanna): Marmite! - not all of the natives like all of it either, and if you don't like it because you've tried... well, at least you bothered to try! 3:49 Points 1 & 2 are bound up in this one, I'd say. New way of life, new food, new people, new sights, new environment, new climate, new culture. It's yours for the trying! 5:27 Sufficient to say that the NHS has been a sacred cow of the British people for the 75+ years of its existence, though it has also been a political football, for better and for worse. It was an "ideal idea," to coin a phrase; whether the idea was realised in a manner wholly consistent with the ideal is always a hot topic for debate, but not one to get into here. Hold it up against the American model and it's clear which is the superior one! 7:19 That's so sweet and kind of you, dear Alanna! We know we're not perfect - well, at least some of us do, at any rate - but if you have such nice things to say about us, we're clearly doing some things right and it's a comfort to know it. 10:00 It takes a foreigner to appreciate this one! Apparently, the present Queen has been quoted as saying that the problem with our history is that there's too much of it; we have tried to come into the modern world but we are guarded about our historic monuments and buildings, so all over the UK you will find characterful landmarks and structures, repurposed with varying measures of success.... 13:11 The UK has even more Bank Holidays this year (2022) because of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! You should make a video covering it if you can, Alanna - you will, along with all Brits, be witnessing a moment of history in the making, for no British monarch has ever reigned long enough to celebrate one until now. I for one would love to see what you make of it, as a foreigner but also a Canadian, being therefore part of the Commonwealth over which Her Majesty rules.
@@collodion1884 I AM ENGLISH. ENGLAND IS MY COUNTRY. ALANNA IS RUDE AND INSULTING TO ALL ENGLISH. SHE NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY GET ON A PLANE AND RETURN TO CANADA. SHE IS NOT WANTED IN ENGLAND. I WILL SAY AGAIN. I AM ENGLISH. ENGLAND IS MY COUNTRY
@@sewwoollyltd2726 Wow. Nothing says 'I have nothing to say' than 'All Caps'. These kinds of comments are why we can't have nice things in The UK. I'd take Alanna any day 😁.
You are a delightful young girl and watching your content always cheers me up. I regard you as being as British as I am, as a Welsh speaking Welshman. (Cymro Cymraeg) If you want real history, my language pre dates English in these islands by thousands of years!
Interesting views Alana, life anywhere isn’t perfect, but it’s what you make of it that counts. I’m glad to hear of all the things you love and yes the NHS is a great asset 👍😊
Alanna, if you don't like Marmite, try Bovril on your toast/bread. Bovril used as a spread is vaguely like Marmite but less salty and with a richer flavour and without the habit of burning the roof off your mouth.
@@nigelwest3430 you mean apart from the fact they both contain vegetable extract, salt, yeast extract, spices, added vitamins, have a similar salty flavour - admittedly Bovril having a "beefier" flavour - a similar consistency, both can be spread on bread or toast in a very similar way and used for flavouring and that I used them almost interchangeably as a child? Apart from all that you mean?
Thank you for being so nice about the UK, that sounds really cheesy, its good to hear someone who is not from these shores saying so many good things about where you are from, yes you knocked us a while back, but you had good reasons then too, you are a person who does not take without giving back and nobody can ask more than that of anyone, I actually feel that it is our responsibility to make sure that you are getting what you are entitled to, you give to the people of the UK and its only right and proper that we give something in return, I think the word that you were looking for about the Tesco car park and building is higgledy-piggledy (it probably from some old Latin word that means "a bit knackered"), whoever stamped your visa application made a good decision, they can retire happy with what they have done and thank you for choosing Britain :)
Everything you have said is so true! As for vacation, I work for a municipal government office in Ontario - we have 12 stat vacation days each year, but not all places get quite that many. However, it has taken me 12 years to earn my 4 weeks of annual vacation time! I agree about the lack of character in Canada. That is even the same with houses - people often build a brand new home that looks like a brick or vinyl sided tissue box! Can't wait to get back to my British family in Suffolk this year and enjoy the people, culture, food and so much more!
12 years to earn 4 weeks (20 days - 32 counting the statutory days) of leave is ridiculous. I'll be starting a job shortly where I will start with over 40 days off when you combine leave, holidays, and closures.
Very interesting Alanna. It probably needs someone coming into the UK such as yourself to see a lot of things you mention, such as just how good the NHS is and annual leave entitlement - and I've never thought of my local Sainsbury's as being full of character until now, just a bit dilapidated!! So thanks again for a great vid and thanks for pointing out what might be worth appreciating a little more👍👍
who could not make you feel welcome,you are always very upbeat,happy,and for the most always have a positive outlook,and you are honest,which is refreshing.It must take some guts to move to another country,especially at a young age,i would be terrified.only one thing i want to know Alanna,will we ever get to see the other half,the elusive boyfriend.
Thank you for this video! My partner and I are seriously considering moving to the UK (we're from ON Canada as well!) and I'm looking at all the information!
I lived in the UK but I moved to Brazil and I really want to move back to the UK because I feel like a fish out of water here in Brazil even though I've lived here for nearly five years.
I also am a Canadian from Ontario, trying to decide if I want to take the plunge and get an Ancestral Visa to move to the UK and work for 5 years (as a pathway to stay). Enjoying watching your videos and they are helpful. The NHS portion of the Visa is a heft chunk of change, but for 5 years of healthcare it also feels very reasonable.
Near where I live a local green valley has the remains of a 19t century water wheel .A local “village “that’s des res the old looking church used to be a gas works until the 20th century.If you poke around Britain has lots of surprises
I worked for the NHS in 1982 for almost a year in a clerical capacity. And I will state that to this day I have never worked with such a workshy bunch of people in my life. I was 17 then, and full of beans. And was told on more than one occasion to 'slow down because you're making everyone else look bad.' I couldn't stick it tbh. Spent many years after that working for the P.O. as a driver/postman. Where the work ethic was more 'Get it done! Get it done quickly! NO! Quicker than that..' So refreshing and it set me up for life as someone who when I've worked, I work hard. *edit* oh and yeah, I did crash a lot what with rushing so much. Haha!
I understand the take on 'character'. We met up with friends yesterday and had a pub lunch in a pub that was built in the 13th century. We thought nothing of it - it was just another pub.
I’m really pleased that you appreciate the culture and benefits of living here in the UK. It is not perfect and of course we all pay for many of our benefits through high taxation but it’s a more caring way of living than many countries. Canada also seems appealing but of course is different, whereas the USA frankly scares me with their crime statistics, Road deaths, guns, profit based healthcare etc.
You're looking well :) The annual leave entitlement and historic buildings are a couple of things I do appreciate about the UK, along with the countryside.
I'm a Brit, but have lived in Canada for many years. I understand completely what you mean about "character", and there's pros and cons about that as you pointed out. Ever doen a video about Brit humour?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts today. I hope things continue to go well for you in Kent. It seems a fun place. Must be great not to have to drive places!
This year we have 8 bank holidays plus 4 working weeks based on a 5day working week, making a total of 28 days. The employer must pay a day's basic pay for each of these days, not including bonuses or commissions which apply to a normal working week. Part time workers still get 5.6 weeks of what they earn in a working week. For instance someone working 3 days a week will get 16.8 days paid leave. Some European countries have more bank holidays and may get more paid leave than we Brits. I was actually shocked when I learned how little leave workers in the USA get, and now you tell me Canada is almost as bad.
We love Canadians because I think we think we still own you ;)...and we feel sorry for you because of your neighbours. With regard to character - my old barbers shop had a thatched roof. And also sold kayaks. I think it's still there, in Sidmouth. It was called Harpers. Went to Canada once and thought it was stunning. I'm glad we're being nice to you.
One thing that I found really good is that everything is so close. In Canada, it takes a long time to go somewhere different but in the UK it can be one county over. Not to mention you can go through multiple countries in like a day by just popping across to France 🇫🇷. It is the ease of access to so many different countries and cultures that are no more than a two hrs flight to get to that is so different from Canada. I once drive from Dover to John o Groats (company car free fuel) just to say I did and that can be done in a day. Taking a trip to Brugge through France is a lovely day trip but in Canada the only place you can go is the USA.
Yep, I visited the UK a few years ago (and am moving there for a job soon) and I keep saying that the UK is a tiny island nation. While not entirely accurate (northern Ireland is on a different island and great britain is significantly larger than say Fiji - which itself is more accurately a tiny islands nation), the fact that you can go from the northern coast of Scotland all the way down to Cornwall in a single (long 14 hours of driving) day and that same distance would only get you from Halifax (Nova Scotia) to Montreal (Quebec) or Ottawa (Ontario -but only if you passed through Maine instead of staying in Canada).
@@dealbreakerc it is very difficult to relay to many in UK the size of 🇨🇦 relative to 🇬🇧. I have driven from lands end to john o'groats and back to Dover in one 24hrs period with rest breaks. The island is really little compared to 🇨🇦 and if you are used to driving distance in Canada, then 🇬🇧 will seem tiny to you. You can drive from Folkestone to the south of France easily in one day or even Spain if you push it. I once drove from the south of Spain all the way back to 🇬🇧 in 24hrs with two of us driving. You mentioned that you are moving for work so I wanted to throw out to you the issue of driver’s license here. If you have a full Canadian DL, 🇬🇧 & 🇨🇦 have had a reciprocal agreement to swap DL licences since 1950’s. All you have to do is apply. (No Drivers Road Test) although! You will only be able to drive an automatic car as 🇬🇧 will not give you the license to drive standard unless, you can show that you passed a test in a standard vehicle in Canada. It is so messed up that although I was licensed to teach standard translation they still did not accept it. I had to get my former boss to write the DVLA to tell them I passed a test in a standard vehicle. In saying all that, there are far more choices with automatic transmissions here now then there were 20 years ago so you might just be fine with an automatic 🇬🇧 license.
I live in Oxford so you can't miss history. Also, you can replay parts from films such as the night time scene with the rats which Tom Cruise did in Queen's Lane and then in front of the Radcliffe Camera, so there are two-in-one's.
We are moving over in april 2023 cant wait New Zealand's where we live is an amazing place but very isolated .Our plan is to spend March to October in the UK and the rest back in NZ so never see winter
I grew up in one of the first British cities built with a checkerboard (blocks) system. I expect that all the tourists and expats at the time said it was lacking in character. Oh well, that was in 1225 - I expect they've got over it by now. 😁
I'm glad you had something positive to say about British food as I get fed up with all the disparaging comments some foreigners make about it. I'm a Brit living in Croatia and a lot of the food here is very bland, particularly cheese and apples.
hey alanna like the bit about architecture and character my local pub is from the late 1880s its got a very old feeling to it i have the orig last orders bell from it in my kitchen it was a gift from the landlord i also grew up in a 400 year old cottage with wonky floors!
I think that we do take the variety and character of our small country for granted. Having traveled to the US I was always struck by how the suburbs just went on for ever in places like Chicago and New Jersey. All low rise houses looking the same. Even in France which obviously has lots of history and culture the villages seem quite bland in comparison to the UKs villages. On the whole that is.
In the US, many companies are now offering "Discretionary Time Off" which does not accrue, but it also doesn't pay out if you leave the company. Theoretically, you can take time off, in between projects or after a large project, several times a year. I'm not sure which I like better. Liberal time off that gets paid to you when you leave, still seems the best to me.
its very true about character here in the uk . im 52 now and was born here . i live about 2 miles away from dudley castle and must have seen it 100s of times & basically take no notice on the history because im surrounded with old buildings . i could be sitting in a pub thats 400 years old and my brain does not register the fact that its old .
Been to ontario 3 times and when your a brit its all new and different..but i did notice what is said here about shopping we had to drive a bit of a way to shop and it was as described all laid out with everything in a big plot and again things are different. biggest shock was milk in plastic bags! never seen that before but i enjoyed my holidays although it was 10 yrs ago the last one.
Has to be said that a lot of large supermarkets over here (I mean those built in recent years) are rather sterile too... as you say, they do their job. However, if you don't have a car, they're not much use to you because they're often out of town. I'm lucky because I live just ten minutes' walk from the centre of Coventry and there's a Sainsbury... it's not massive (and it's in a 60s building) but it meets my needs. However there is also a Local one even closer and that's open from 7am until 11pm every day, including Sunday... smaller stores can avoid the 6-hour Sunday limit. On the architecture front in general, I'm very interested... I like all styles and the juxtaposition of them. I frequently tell people, if they're walking along a typical high street, to just look up above all those standard shop fronts... you'll often be very surprised at the sheer variety of ages and styles! Anyway, Alanna, keep up the good work... and sorry if I've misspelled your name!
I agree with everything you said. I have lived in the UK most of my life and have not seen most of it, although it is a small country. But then I am lazy. It is good to visit other countries or (even better) living in them for a bit. Gives one a different perspective on one's own country. The NHS is overall OK, and I agree it is infinitely preferable to the US system, where even private healthcare costs much more than in other countries.
As an American that has lived in Europe and visited both Canada and the UK many times, Canada is my favorite country of all of the countries I've been to. Old buildings, streets and roads are interesting to visit, but don't seem so great for day to day living. The UK has about the same population as France, but on half as much land. The population of Canada isn't huge and many Canadians don't travel outside of Canada and the US. Europeans always find it interesting to run into Canadians in Europe, because they see so few of them. Maybe European vacations seem expensive to Canadians, or maybe there just aren't a lot of Canadians to begin with. I went to Europe for a two month vacation and ended up staying for four years. It was exhausting always being a foreigner though. It was interesting, but I couldn't see living there longer.
I personally dislike living in the uk and am myself a self employed person living in a seaside resort in the north of England but a lot of uk people have different opinions depending upon there experiences and situation eg a person living in the city who has a good job and too preoccupied with it might think differently or the wealthy like the politicians and the royals . But personally I feel the only real positives about living here are the royal family , free nhs (which we have to pay for in our taxes anyways ) , and the economy, employment and education even though where I live there isn’t much of that . But for most it’s getting generally very hard for the young to find cheap housing , education is very expensive as your paying over £40k in student loans for a degree ,food prices and inflation are rising rapidly, a government who is full of promises who’s hardly delivering and isn’t really focused on the people but keeping themselves in power and concentrating on legally lining there own pockets and there’s a lot of inter party conflicts and dismissal , cost of renting has gone sky high , a lot of people can be quite unsociable if your a stranger and a lot of people are weary of each other and there are a lot of social and health issues , isolation and depression - overburdened nhs and long waiting times . The crime rate is fairly high in some parts . Some of the place looks gloomy - rundown shops and old houses , factories , warehouses and a lot of pollution including the air, water and all the chemicals in our overprocessed food - we are one of the most unhealthiest countries in Europe. Loads of homeless and people living in poverty looking to food banks , immigrants - brexit was supposed to have helped but it hardly hasn’t which was about the only distinctive thing the conservatives managed to achieve for us in the last 30 odd years and where I live there are large hotels housing these immigrants whilst the local council ignores the English homeless and druggies and prostitutes and other groups on the fringes of society that are living on the streets just outside . We also aren’t in with the euro like the rest of Europe so it costs more to go on holidays and the hassle of conversion and other problems it brings such as having to pay extra on buying goods from abroad as well as the problems this caused our businesses . Yeah we have the freedom to criticise the government at least which we do a lot of but we wouldn’t have to criticise the government in the first place if we had a good one . But a lot of it for me is the weather- most of the time in England the weather is crap especially in the north where I live - I work from home so because I don’t have loads of friends and family I like to go outdoors a lot to exercise and get fresh air to reduce the boredom of being inside but most the time the weather is gloomy eg it’s like I wanted to go for a long walk the other day and it was p***** it down all day for two days in a row and it’s mid summer - then we get tons of windy cloudy miserable days were it’s hard to motivate yourself to even leave the house - the weathers so unpredictable in the uk as well and you never know how it’s going to behave from one moment to another and that’s just summer - then there’s winter - freezing , raining, windy , Ice, cloudy , and where I live it starts geting dark very early and in mid winter it starts getting dark by 1pm and it can be dark as early as 3pm- and it’s almost as bad as this for almost half the year and it’s so depressing . And then when you eventually get a good day but because you’ve been so depressed having been stuck inside because of the bad weather you find it hard to motivate yourself to go outside and you’ll find you need a car a lot of the time especially in winter but it is a bit warmer in the south if your lucky enough to live there or can afford to live there but it’s not much warmer there either and there can be flooding in some parts . Then there’s all the heating bills you have to pay just to keep your house warm most of the year . Then when you do go outside your breathing in all the crap air full of pollutants so your probably doing yourself more harm than good and especially a lot of the beaches are polluted and the water is freezing and a lot of the food is highly processed and a lot of people are in poor health . I hate the UK- it’s just a small crappy post industrial island . I mean there are worst places in the world and other countries have there own problems but it wouldn’t be a bad place if the weather was better and the days were longer in winter as our economy is quite good and there are some interesting places to visit and there are things to do eg night clubs , bars, theatres , theme parks, cinema , beaches, countryside, large city centres and shopping , parks etc but when the weathers bad they are not that appealing . I personally wouldn’t recommend people come to live here if they have good weather and standard of living in there own country unless they are from a poor country with little prospects and not even for a holiday unless you want to visit a few of places worth visiting that have some cultural heritage like London inc Westminster or oxford or a warmer seaside resort like Cornwall - don’t bother with the rest . That’s why a lot of people move abroad from here which is what am going to do soon and am sure I’ll never look back .
Muchbasi love the UK there are a lot of towns where all the history has been bull dozed away. I had a 12 hour layover in Toronto when visiting the US as my late wife was American. I am glad my wife was not with me as Tironto has a shoe museum as my wife was obsessed with shoes. I would have lived to have gone to the Stanley cup museum but didn't have time to do so. My friends who collected me from rhe Airport live directly opposite the harbour on the other side of the lake. I may have to visit again sometime ( when the wold gets back to some kind of normality)
My friend, fell 3 days ago, broke her upper femur, she was rushed by ambulance to Poole hospital, needed a new hip, was operated on the next morning, all done. No charge. Now out and recovering. All in 3 days.
This really annoys me, she has contributed nothing to the NHS…she should’ve been charged for her treatment
Oh honestly. Firstly, he's said nothing about whether his friend's from the UK or not. It's very revealing that you assume she's not. Secondly, IF she isn't, she'll have had to pay for the correct paperwork to use the NHS when she came here. "No charge" doesn't mean it's literally free. It means it's free at the point of delivery.
@ Poole is in the U.K.!
American here. Yes, our healthcare is scary. It's appalling how inhumane it is.
The UK's is terrifying too
I love your videos Alanna.
I lived and worked in California for 14 years.
I loved the weather, fresh fruits and veg, and the affluent lifestyle.
Now I am back in the UK, much older and retired I realise that US healthcare is not good, particularly if you develop a long-term condition.
When we flew back to the UK, from the air it was very striking how green Britain is.
California is “the Golden State”, but really in summer it is “the brown state”.
While over there, I went to a conference in Vancouver.
I was surprised by how much Vancouver, especially the suburbs, felt like Britain. I really loved the place.
I was offered a position at UBC, but after much serious thought decided that for the sake of our two sons, we should return to the UK.
I really love your channel.
You are such a lovely caring woman. I feel that we are very lucky to have you in the UK.
Very best wishes to both of you.
I love how you are still discovering so much here. I also find it amazing, when a pub has been a pub for over 600 years and some are over thousand years! It's totally nuts!!
The NHS and annual leave (vacation time) it's the two things that keep me in the UK. I get 33 days annual leave and I love how it's law you have to take it. Also hail the NHS!
That's incredible!!
I would love all of that. Im American and feel slightly guilty taking one week off per year. I cant imagine getting a bit more than a month's worth of time off... not to mention not paying exorbitant amounts of money for healthcare. That would be nice!
@@mattalley4330 The thing about the NHS is that secondary care tends to be very good, I mean at times world class. Sure you might have to wait a bit but when things are urgent/semi-urgent they happen quickly. The problem is that primary care has deteriorated these last ten years or so due to various reasons but mainly the passing of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and a doctor shortage. I mean triaging in GP surgeries was almost unheard of 15 years ago. Now it's almost standard which might be a good thing in some ways but can be quite frustrating at times, especially if you have complex needs.
You don't have to take it
As a Brit I certainly don't think I'm perfect! I think the reason why some of us might come across that way can be boiled down to a Bill Bailey quote: Contentment is knowing that you're right. Happiness is knowing someone else is wrong.
I can always admire a BB quote. This one resonates with me particularly.
None of us do, we're known to laugh at ourselves and be self-deprecating. A lot of people from a lot of countries come across as though they think they're perfect when discussing their country with outsiders. I would say Americans do this the most but people from every country does it tbh.
Not being right wing, I must be the happiest bloke in the world.
I could easily see myself living in the UK. I'm already an Expat, an American living in China since the 90s and I've kinda lived in the UK already, I mean I was here in England for 10 out of the 12 months of 2020 Thanks Covid and I find myself reliving that experience now. Thought I could come here in August and go home in November but caught Covid in Edinburgh in October. Rescheduled my flight for mid January so I could spend Christmas here with my Son and wouldn't you know my flight has been cancelled again Thanks Covid! I'm very comfortable here. I like the UK, I enjoy my time here and get along just fine here. I like the feel of life here. I like the quirkiness of some things. I like the feeling of history surrounding me.
I'm already retired so I don't need to find work here so now I just need to convince my wife.
Great video as always!
You'd be welcomed Bob.
I tried to like this video multiple times. While I was watching there were several points where I thought, "Oh, that deserves a like" and then realised that I'd already done it.
Good video pal!
☺️
I read in one of Bill Bryson's books that there were more 17th century buildings in his small village in Yorkshire than the whole of the North American continent.
Us Brits are in danger of preferring 'sterile' to that.Thanks for reminding us.
"Us Brits are in danger of preferring 'sterile' to that."
Not THIS one, Buddy !
@@marvinc9994 Nor I !!!!!!!!!!
That was a good one! Well done - so nice to see you haven’t lost your enthusiasm for UK in your 6 years.👍
Thanks! 😃
Lovely video Allana. I'm a Canadian living in the UK now for 30+ years and all of your points are right on. We only part ways over Twiglets which I have grown to love!
Thanks so much!
Haggis is the deal breaker for me! 😀
Us Brits aren't perfect we know that and we laugh at ourselves when comedians mocking us ..we can take it..😅..Marmite is famous for a divide..the saying goes 'It's like Marmite you either love it or hate it' and NHS is wonderful ..people do complain but there are people working so hard under extreme conditions to help us. I personally too thank them for all they do and thank you for hilighting that we are lucky....hope you continue to enjoy living here in the 🇬🇧 the brits are good to you.
@@AdventuresAndNaps The UK is like New York in terms of food now, it's not like it was 40 years ago
I always thought Canada felt "sterile" and lacked character because I've lived in cities all my life, surrounded by concrete and steel.
Canada may lack character, but outside of large metropolitan areas, our country has some of the most breathtaking natural sights, wilderness, wildlife, etc.
Yeah I've lived in London all my life and like Alanna said, I have pretty much ignored all the interesting buildings here so I wouldn't care about the sterile buildings in Canada. I'd be much more interested in all the beautiful open spaces. Old buildings are cool but nothing beats the beauty of nature imo.
and bears, don`t forget the bears,, large cuddly things................. that eat people.
MARMITE has a stronge taste but if you anly use a tiny bit its very nice !.
@@toshe.6690 ...Bears are not the problem, it's the amount of stupid people that are.
@@irene3196 HA HA HA
Thankyou Alanna it’s guys like you making a life over here is what I love about our country.
We welcome with open arms guys who are honest and hard working such as you.
Thanks for watching!
Once again by talking about Britain and Brits in your videos, you remind us of how much we have to be grateful for in this country. Also nice to see you have Richard Osman's book on your bookshelf. I loved the two books, I hope you did too. Cheers.
Thanks for watching! Loved the first book, haven't read the next yet!
Reason number 8: Russians are invading.
Agree the first one was outstanding. Got the second ready for giving on Mother's Day. As an aside, it's taking a risk to make a video with bookshelves in the background. Someone is bound to spot something to criticise but my eyesight is not good enough to read the titles.
This has always been one of my favorite go-to channels! Such very true, cool stuff to share. Thanks a bunch Alana!
Wow, thank you!
That was such a nice video! I really like hearing about what you love about the country you moved to! I love how calming and nice your videos are too! It’s so cool to hear about what it’s like to move abroad! I really appreciate you and your videos!
Thank you so much!!
“… and the aisles are kind of wonky …”. Isn’t that a fantastic word. WONKY. There is so much meaning bundled up in that word. Once it’s included in your vocabulary, no other word will do. Alanna, thanks again for a highly entertaining early morning ( it’s 0249 here in Sydney now) Your positive attitude to everything is so refreshing. It’s like a swig of tonic amid all the whinging around in these Covid-filled days . Thank you.
I haven't watched yet but I assume it's pronounced WWAARNKEYYY
@@lxp one key is closer to the pronunciation.
Thank you for making me feel positive about my country again. It’s been a rough few years .
Thank you for watching!
When I moved to Houston, Texas, I never got bored with $99 weekends to Miami or Las Vegas, including hotel and airfare! Re: Character; my local Tesco Express used to be a pub, and the pub used to be a church, the pub and supermarket were not allowed to pull down the small church spire, so I have a Tesco express with a spire!
Tomorrow I'm going to an old pub to pick up a jacket I ordered online. I love that an old building wasn't knocked down, but converted into a Sainsburys local.
I’m moving from Houston to the UK! I can’t believe you enjoyed much in Houston… only when you got out haha!
How you go to Miami for $99 in the US?
Well done, Alana, you absolutely nailed it! Our two greatest creations are the NHS and the British pub. Keep up your brilliant posts, you've more
than earned honorary citizenship now....................................................the ancient Englishman.
I think the part you said about the old buildings is so cool. My mom and dad got married in a church that was built in the 1100s.
That's incredible!
I can top trump that. Two of my three children were baptised in an Abbey that dates from 674 AD (Hexham Abbey)
To me, your channel is the best. Love your sense of humor.
Wow, thank you!
What a great place to live. .The UK we all knock it but it's still home and there's no place like it . Many thanks. .
It really is!
Doesn't everyone knock where they live? The grass being greener and all that.
Thanks, Alanna, yet another compelling look at life in the UK. By the way, when visiting my relatives in Strood last week we had lunch in the Tudor Rose, Upnor on your recommendation, thanks. It's a wonderful little pub and the Ploughman's lunch was perfect! 🇨🇦🇬🇧
Ahh that's wonderful! Glad you had a nice visit!
Love Upnor.
Both Upper Upnor and Lower Upnor.
😊👍♥️
Just to say, the NHS have just saved my mums life. It hasn’t cost her anything at all at point of entry and she’s had two weeks of Intensive care and now two more weeks of respiratory specialist ward care... this is on going , perhaps for weeks to come with rehabilitation to follow... literally months of care.
Mum had multiple pulmonary embolisms and lung sepsis. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Without the NHS she’d have lost her life savings and ended up in debt at 80 years of age had she been living in for example the United States.
1:39
Great video Alanna... Love it when you get a Sainsburys Local inside a former old pub or post office... I've heard about other countries holiday entitlement before & I still find it crazy!
Keeping it to a minimum so I hopefully don't get "hated on" 😂😂😂 ... Patreon plug was great!
😂 Fingers crossed for you Gem! Thanks so much for watching!
I'm moving to the UK for uni this fall!! Thank you for this video! I thank you for all of your hard work, I've followed this channel for a couple of years now! I can't wait to start my new life, and thank you for giving me some pointers! Furthermore, I plan on living and working in London after my studies! Sending love from the USA, I do plan on subbing to your patron!
This is an early ‘welcome to the country’, I hope that you enjoy your time here, but you may want to rethink your plan on living and working in London after your studies. London is very expensive to rent somewhere to live, you may find all your income goes on rent and leaves you with no money to spend on anything else. I think Alanna recently did a video on why she wouldn’t want to live in London.
Ahh I hope you have a lovely move over here!! Thanks so much!
@@sarahclifford2015 I do appreciate your comment and advice!! I've lived in NYC and LA also Seattle basically every big city in America I've lived in! I'm also aware that London is a very expensive city (one of the most expensive in the world!!) If I made it work over here in America I will find a way to make it work in London!! I understand it won't be easy but I love a challenge! Plus I've family in the London Metropolitan area!
@@AdventuresAndNaps Of course! Thank you so much for your amazing content I will contribute to the patron at my earliest convenience!
@@Caesar_1415 Then you are sorted! This channel has great advice for those moving to the UK as well as being entertaining. Not sure what you define as the London metropolitan area but that can be interpreted as being a very big area around London. One similarity to NY is don't even think about driving in London - it is a nightmare. So, when looking at there to live, plan around transport convenience. North London has better transport than South London, but South London is greener and less densely-packed. And Crossrail aka the Elizabeth Line should make a big difference if you get to live near a station
The character and history aspect makes me think that it’s a while since Alanna took us on an excursion to some charming little town or castle. I really appreciate that sense that you are living in a museum with so much history everywhere. Thanks for another insightful presentation.
Thanks for watching!
Great video as always Alanna, we're happy to have you 'in the group'! I had to laugh when you said some people in the comments might disagree that Brits had their problems. We're so self-deprecating as a nationality, anyone claiming Brits are perfect needs to hand in their Brit card 😂
😂 Thanks so much!
@@AdventuresAndNaps car park
I love your videos, accent, outlook. Keep up the good work. I’m a 63-year-old Englishman.
Thanks for watching!
What a lovely video! I agree with all of those things. I work in the NHS admin and speak to patients everyday. I believe that the last two years has made people appreciate the NHS much more than before. I remember as a youngster my Nan telling me how she had to pay when my Mum was born in 1945 - just couldn’t get my head around that.
Thanks for watching!
Hi, Alanna, very interesting video. I must say your Tesco sounds interesting as well, mine resembles your description of the Canadian Walmart. Definitely agree about annual leave, mine was 6 weeks plus bank Holidays. Liked the Patreon plug and totally agree, anyone who enjoys Alanna's content should join Patreon you'll get double Alanna then.
Thanks so much Stephen!!
I’ve been in Canada almost 5 years, having moved from the UK. I really love it here, but I totally get what you’re saying about character in the buildings etc. I find it very hard to judge from the exterior of cafes/bars/restaurants here if I’m going to like the place. I won’t think of going in just because it lacks character from the outside, just a box, then when I finally check it out, I get shocked how well decorated or cosy it is on the inside.
Lovely to hear a (former) outsider's response to our country. As much as I hate the idea that you might leave one day, is there anything bad enough about the UK that might make you want to leave? (Please don't go. You're one of us now.)
You're too kind!! But that's a great question - I'll add it to my video idea list!
@@AdventuresAndNaps I'd like to see that video too but if you do it, it won't matter how many times you state "I'm not leaving", some people will still think you're leaving. It's a treacherous road to take. 🙂
@@AdventuresAndNaps Have you ever spoken about your favourite books? Your book shelves got me wondering.
We must not allow her to leave! If she is ever under threat of being deported, we shall all go to the airport and form a human chain to prevent her being taken out. 123,000+ people would be a lot to break through!
That's easy 'the weather'.... 😭
you get better with every video you post my friend! we could hardly see the terror in your eyes this time ;p. on a serious note, i really enjoyed this one mate! big love to all people :)
When we lived in Ontario, we sometimes visited family in the States. Although we enjoyed our visits, it was always such a nice feeling to come through
the customs at Buffalo or Niagara, it felt safe and we were glad to be be back.
😮
8:12 : Many Canadians share your enthusiasm for the UK - mainly because (massive generalisation alert) you take us as you find us, you join in whole-heartedly and (most of all) you don't seem to take yourselves too seriously. I do a lot of work in international consortia and the Canadians, the Dutch and the Scandinavians all have this attitude to a greater or lesser extent.
Old and Older
The house I was born in (yes not a hospital) was built in 1712, pretty old. However the local co-op store I go to at least three times a week is located in a building that reads on a plaque (built 1523). That's old right? There's a small (tiny) house in a modern estate (about 15mi from me) that was built in 1162, which on its side is located the oldest pub in the county, established in 1298.
Thank you for sharing your honest opinions❤❤❤❤
Love the NHS, they have saved my life more than once. I think we can honestly say you are a honorary Brit now. Oh and the 8th reason to move to the UK...... Alanna is here!
Ahh you're too kind!!
Well I suspect it was modern healthcare that saved your life, rather than the NHS specifically.
@@eadweard. I had a major operation last year that would have cost me well over $100,000 in the US, that's without all the medications and follow ups from multiple disciplines. Didnt cost me a penny. I pay £108 per year for about £10,000 in drugs. Without the NHS, I would have had to sell my house to pay for it all. I would say the NHS specifically, certainly is a life saver.
@@Martyntd5 It would have cost $100K even with a healthcare plan? Plus don't you pay more for the NHS via taxation?
@@eadweard. Not everyone has a positive experience of the NHS either.
I agree with you about the NHS. In Australia we have our own version and it's PRICELESS. Our public hospital in Geelong is amazing.
Don't come to Queensland then If you can get in it's ok but that's pretty hard
Super insight here, from our beloved CanadaBrit!
0:48 Not only this, but different people in different parts of the UK live differently. The lesson in this is a simple one: "it's OK to be different." That's not to say that it doesn't require courage to move to any place where your differences will be obvious, of course.
1:43 Food is one of the essentials of life itself, and it is in the food of most nations that you find something of the character - and even the history - of its people. And it's OK not to like all of it - Exhibit A(lanna): Marmite! - not all of the natives like all of it either, and if you don't like it because you've tried... well, at least you bothered to try!
3:49 Points 1 & 2 are bound up in this one, I'd say. New way of life, new food, new people, new sights, new environment, new climate, new culture. It's yours for the trying!
5:27 Sufficient to say that the NHS has been a sacred cow of the British people for the 75+ years of its existence, though it has also been a political football, for better and for worse. It was an "ideal idea," to coin a phrase; whether the idea was realised in a manner wholly consistent with the ideal is always a hot topic for debate, but not one to get into here. Hold it up against the American model and it's clear which is the superior one!
7:19 That's so sweet and kind of you, dear Alanna! We know we're not perfect - well, at least some of us do, at any rate - but if you have such nice things to say about us, we're clearly doing some things right and it's a comfort to know it.
10:00 It takes a foreigner to appreciate this one! Apparently, the present Queen has been quoted as saying that the problem with our history is that there's too much of it; we have tried to come into the modern world but we are guarded about our historic monuments and buildings, so all over the UK you will find characterful landmarks and structures, repurposed with varying measures of success....
13:11 The UK has even more Bank Holidays this year (2022) because of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! You should make a video covering it if you can, Alanna - you will, along with all Brits, be witnessing a moment of history in the making, for no British monarch has ever reigned long enough to celebrate one until now. I for one would love to see what you make of it, as a foreigner but also a Canadian, being therefore part of the Commonwealth over which Her Majesty rules.
Yeah! you should feel 'part of the group'! we're glad to have you!
☺️
Alanna moving to the UK and creating A&N has made TH-cam and our mental health a little bit better as well...🇬🇧
☺️
@@sewwoollyltd2726 Neither are you for that matter.
@@collodion1884 I AM ENGLISH. ENGLAND IS MY COUNTRY. ALANNA IS RUDE AND INSULTING TO ALL ENGLISH. SHE NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY GET ON A PLANE AND RETURN TO CANADA. SHE IS NOT WANTED IN ENGLAND. I WILL SAY AGAIN. I AM ENGLISH. ENGLAND IS MY COUNTRY
@@sewwoollyltd2726 Who pissed on your corn flakes this morning? I’m English too, she’s more than welcome from my perspective.
@@sewwoollyltd2726 Wow. Nothing says 'I have nothing to say' than 'All Caps'. These kinds of comments are why we can't have nice things in The UK. I'd take Alanna any day 😁.
You are a delightful young girl and watching your content always cheers me up. I regard you as being as British as I am, as a Welsh speaking Welshman. (Cymro Cymraeg) If you want real history, my language pre dates English in these islands by thousands of years!
Alanna, the new pop-up bubbles that you've started using are a nice touch!
Thank you!
Interesting views Alana, life anywhere isn’t perfect, but it’s what you make of it that counts. I’m glad to hear of all the things you love and yes the NHS is a great asset 👍😊
Thanks for watching!
H,Alanna,the rest of my rather murky ,so far day ,has just been brightened up.thank you.cheers Roly 🇬🇧.
Alanna, if you don't like Marmite, try Bovril on your toast/bread. Bovril used as a spread is vaguely like Marmite but less salty and with a richer flavour and without the habit of burning the roof off your mouth.
How can you say Bovril is similar to Marmite ? It's a similar colour and comes in the same shape jar, That's where the similarity ends..
@@nigelwest3430 you mean apart from the fact they both contain vegetable extract, salt, yeast extract, spices, added vitamins, have a similar salty flavour - admittedly Bovril having a "beefier" flavour - a similar consistency, both can be spread on bread or toast in a very similar way and used for flavouring and that I used them almost interchangeably as a child? Apart from all that you mean?
@@EASYTIGER10 I'm referring to the taste, not the list of ingredients
Bovril is also beefy drink
@@scottwebb1978 Bovril is Beefy, Marmite is not
Hay Alanna, you're fellow Canadian is on the box the noo, cha Dave, enjoy, greetings from Glasgow and shine on.
Thank you for being so nice about the UK, that sounds really cheesy, its good to hear someone who is not from these shores saying so many good things about where you are from, yes you knocked us a while back, but you had good reasons then too, you are a person who does not take without giving back and nobody can ask more than that of anyone, I actually feel that it is our responsibility to make sure that you are getting what you are entitled to, you give to the people of the UK and its only right and proper that we give something in return, I think the word that you were looking for about the Tesco car park and building is higgledy-piggledy (it probably from some old Latin word that means "a bit knackered"), whoever stamped your visa application made a good decision, they can retire happy with what they have done and thank you for choosing Britain :)
Everything you have said is so true! As for vacation, I work for a municipal government office in Ontario - we have 12 stat vacation days each year, but not all places get quite that many. However, it has taken me 12 years to earn my 4 weeks of annual vacation time! I agree about the lack of character in Canada. That is even the same with houses - people often build a brand new home that looks like a brick or vinyl sided tissue box! Can't wait to get back to my British family in Suffolk this year and enjoy the people, culture, food and so much more!
12 years to earn 4 weeks (20 days - 32 counting the statutory days) of leave is ridiculous. I'll be starting a job shortly where I will start with over 40 days off when you combine leave, holidays, and closures.
Very interesting Alanna. It probably needs someone coming into the UK such as yourself to see a lot of things you mention, such as just how good the NHS is and annual leave entitlement - and I've never thought of my local Sainsbury's as being full of character until now, just a bit dilapidated!! So thanks again for a great vid and thanks for pointing out what might be worth appreciating a little more👍👍
Thanks so much Malcolm!
Thank you so much for your videos🤩 I'm going to move into the UK so your channel is like a treasure for me😇
NOOOOO DONTTTT!!!! As a black man who who’s born in the UK is a terrible choice, I would rather leave that he!!hole
who could not make you feel welcome,you are always very upbeat,happy,and for the most always have a positive outlook,and you are honest,which is refreshing.It must take some guts to move to another country,especially at a young age,i would be terrified.only one thing i want to know Alanna,will we ever get to see the other half,the elusive boyfriend.
Thank you for this video! My partner and I are seriously considering moving to the UK (we're from ON Canada as well!) and I'm looking at all the information!
Ahh good luck!! Thanks so much for watching!
I lived in the UK but I moved to Brazil and I really want to move back to the UK because I feel like a fish out of water here in Brazil even though I've lived here for nearly five years.
I also am a Canadian from Ontario, trying to decide if I want to take the plunge and get an Ancestral Visa to move to the UK and work for 5 years (as a pathway to stay). Enjoying watching your videos and they are helpful. The NHS portion of the Visa is a heft chunk of change, but for 5 years of healthcare it also feels very reasonable.
Thanks for watching and best of luck with your decision!
Near where I live a local green valley has the remains of a 19t century water wheel .A local “village “that’s des res the old looking church used to be a gas works until the 20th century.If you poke around Britain has lots of surprises
I worked for the NHS in 1982 for almost a year in a clerical capacity. And I will state that to this day I have never worked with such a workshy bunch of people in my life. I was 17 then, and full of beans. And was told on more than one occasion to 'slow down because you're making everyone else look bad.' I couldn't stick it tbh. Spent many years after that working for the P.O. as a driver/postman. Where the work ethic was more 'Get it done! Get it done quickly! NO! Quicker than that..' So refreshing and it set me up for life as someone who when I've worked, I work hard. *edit* oh and yeah, I did crash a lot what with rushing so much. Haha!
Always putting a smile on my face.... Thank you Alanna..... :-)))) xxx
Thanks for watching!
@@AdventuresAndNaps Thank you for taking time to reply.... Lots of love to you :-))) xxxx
I understand the take on 'character'.
We met up with friends yesterday and had a pub lunch in a pub that was built in the 13th century.
We thought nothing of it - it was just another pub.
I’m really pleased that you appreciate the culture and benefits of living here in the UK. It is not perfect and of course we all pay for many of our benefits through high taxation but it’s a more caring way of living than many countries. Canada also seems appealing but of course is different, whereas the USA frankly scares me with their crime statistics, Road deaths, guns, profit based healthcare etc.
You're looking well :) The annual leave entitlement and historic buildings are a couple of things I do appreciate about the UK, along with the countryside.
I'm a Brit, but have lived in Canada for many years. I understand completely what you mean about "character", and there's pros and cons about that as you pointed out. Ever doen a video about Brit humour?
Thanks for watching! Not sure if I've covered humour in it's own video before
I've visited the US numerous times, but I would never do it without health/holiday insurance.
As someone who left the UK this is gonna be an interesting one to watch....
Thank you for sharing your thoughts today. I hope things continue to go well for you in Kent. It seems a fun place. Must be great not to have to drive places!
Thank you! American been here 3 and these are all on point!
This year we have 8 bank holidays plus 4 working weeks based on a 5day working week, making a total of 28 days. The employer must pay a day's basic pay for each of these days, not including bonuses or commissions which apply to a normal working week. Part time workers still get 5.6 weeks of what they earn in a working week. For instance someone working 3 days a week will get 16.8 days paid leave. Some European countries have more bank holidays and may get more paid leave than we Brits. I was actually shocked when I learned how little leave workers in the USA get, and now you tell me Canada is almost as bad.
thanks for the share, canadian people are always more nice than I could imagine
We love Canadians because I think we think we still own you ;)...and we feel sorry for you because of your neighbours. With regard to character - my old barbers shop had a thatched roof. And also sold kayaks. I think it's still there, in Sidmouth. It was called Harpers. Went to Canada once and thought it was stunning. I'm glad we're being nice to you.
One thing that I found really good is that everything is so close. In Canada, it takes a long time to go somewhere different but in the UK it can be one county over. Not to mention you can go through multiple countries in like a day by just popping across to France 🇫🇷. It is the ease of access to so many different countries and cultures that are no more than a two hrs flight to get to that is so different from Canada. I once drive from Dover to John o Groats (company car free fuel) just to say I did and that can be done in a day. Taking a trip to Brugge through France is a lovely day trip but in Canada the only place you can go is the USA.
Yep, I visited the UK a few years ago (and am moving there for a job soon) and I keep saying that the UK is a tiny island nation. While not entirely accurate (northern Ireland is on a different island and great britain is significantly larger than say Fiji - which itself is more accurately a tiny islands nation), the fact that you can go from the northern coast of Scotland all the way down to Cornwall in a single (long 14 hours of driving) day and that same distance would only get you from Halifax (Nova Scotia) to Montreal (Quebec) or Ottawa (Ontario -but only if you passed through Maine instead of staying in Canada).
@@dealbreakerc it is very difficult to relay to many in UK the size of 🇨🇦 relative to 🇬🇧. I have driven from lands end to john o'groats and back to Dover in one 24hrs period with rest breaks. The island is really little compared to 🇨🇦 and if you are used to driving distance in Canada, then 🇬🇧 will seem tiny to you. You can drive from Folkestone to the south of France easily in one day or even Spain if you push it. I once drove from the south of Spain all the way back to 🇬🇧 in 24hrs with two of us driving. You mentioned that you are moving for work so I wanted to throw out to you the issue of driver’s license here. If you have a full Canadian DL, 🇬🇧 & 🇨🇦 have had a reciprocal agreement to swap DL licences since 1950’s. All you have to do is apply. (No Drivers Road Test) although! You will only be able to drive an automatic car as 🇬🇧 will not give you the license to drive standard unless, you can show that you passed a test in a standard vehicle in Canada. It is so messed up that although I was licensed to teach standard translation they still did not accept it. I had to get my former boss to write the DVLA to tell them I passed a test in a standard vehicle. In saying all that, there are far more choices with automatic transmissions here now then there were 20 years ago so you might just be fine with an automatic 🇬🇧 license.
I live in Oxford so you can't miss history. Also, you can replay parts from films such as the night time scene with the rats which Tom Cruise did in Queen's Lane and then in front of the Radcliffe Camera, so there are two-in-one's.
Nice video as always Alanna. 🙂
Yay! Thank you!
I plan on getting a place to study Law in the UK in the next 2 years and I cannot wait to move there!!!
We are moving over in april 2023 cant wait New Zealand's where we live is an amazing place but very isolated .Our plan is to spend March to October in the UK and the rest back in NZ so never see winter
Enjoyed the video ! Thanks so much Alanna !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sounds like you've had a rich set of life experiences on your UK journey Alanna 😉- Keep living the dream ! 😎
Thanks so much for watching!
Good one, glad you are happy with your move.
Thanks for watching!
The national employment standard in Australia include 4 weeks annual leave. And 10 days personal leave for sickness or emergencies.
Alanna spot on as usual. We are not perfect but we know that. Its not a bad wee country.
Thanks for watching!
so glad you are happy in UK x
I grew up in one of the first British cities built with a checkerboard (blocks) system. I expect that all the tourists and expats at the time said it was lacking in character. Oh well, that was in 1225 - I expect they've got over it by now. 😁
Welcome back Alana. Do you EVER stop smiling? (Please don't, it's delightful)
I'm glad you had something positive to say about British food as I get fed up with all the disparaging comments some foreigners make about it. I'm a Brit living in Croatia and a lot of the food here is very bland, particularly cheese and apples.
hey alanna like the bit about architecture and character my local pub is from the late 1880s its got a very old feeling to it i have the orig last orders bell from it in my kitchen it was a gift from the landlord i also grew up in a 400 year old cottage with wonky floors!
So cool!
I think that we do take the variety and character of our small country for granted. Having traveled to the US I was always struck by how the suburbs just went on for ever in places like Chicago and New Jersey. All low rise houses looking the same. Even in France which obviously has lots of history and culture the villages seem quite bland in comparison to the UKs villages. On the whole that is.
Another good thing about the UK...Alanna lives here! 🙂🇬🇧
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In the US, many companies are now offering "Discretionary Time Off" which does not accrue, but it also doesn't pay out if you leave the company. Theoretically, you can take time off, in between projects or after a large project, several times a year. I'm not sure which I like better. Liberal time off that gets paid to you when you leave, still seems the best to me.
I really enjoy watching your channel!
I'm so glad!
its very true about character here in the uk . im 52 now and was born here . i live about 2 miles away from dudley castle and must have seen it 100s of times & basically take no notice on the history because im surrounded with old buildings . i could be sitting in a pub thats 400 years old and my brain does not register the fact that its old .
Been to ontario 3 times and when your a brit its all new and different..but i did notice what is said here about shopping we had to drive a bit of a way to shop and it was as described all laid out with everything in a big plot and again things are different. biggest shock was milk in plastic bags! never seen that before but i enjoyed my holidays although it was 10 yrs ago the last one.
Glad you had a good time in Ontario!!
Has to be said that a lot of large supermarkets over here (I mean those built in recent years) are rather sterile too... as you say, they do their job. However, if you don't have a car, they're not much use to you because they're often out of town. I'm lucky because I live just ten minutes' walk from the centre of Coventry and there's a Sainsbury... it's not massive (and it's in a 60s building) but it meets my needs. However there is also a Local one even closer and that's open from 7am until 11pm every day, including Sunday... smaller stores can avoid the 6-hour Sunday limit.
On the architecture front in general, I'm very interested... I like all styles and the juxtaposition of them. I frequently tell people, if they're walking along a typical high street, to just look up above all those standard shop fronts... you'll often be very surprised at the sheer variety of ages and styles! Anyway, Alanna, keep up the good work... and sorry if I've misspelled your name!
I agree with everything you said. I have lived in the UK most of my life and have not seen most of it, although it is a small country. But then I am lazy. It is good to visit other countries or (even better) living in them for a bit. Gives one a different perspective on one's own country. The NHS is overall OK, and I agree it is infinitely preferable to the US system, where even private healthcare costs much more than in other countries.
It's interesting to see yourself in someone else's mirror. Nicely observed and 100% right. Great video.
Thanks so much!
I always love your Patreon ads 😁
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As an American that has lived in Europe and visited both Canada and the UK many times, Canada is my favorite country of all of the countries I've been to. Old buildings, streets and roads are interesting to visit, but don't seem so great for day to day living. The UK has about the same population as France, but on half as much land. The population of Canada isn't huge and many Canadians don't travel outside of Canada and the US. Europeans always find it interesting to run into Canadians in Europe, because they see so few of them. Maybe European vacations seem expensive to Canadians, or maybe there just aren't a lot of Canadians to begin with. I went to Europe for a two month vacation and ended up staying for four years. It was exhausting always being a foreigner though. It was interesting, but I couldn't see living there longer.
I personally dislike living in the uk and am myself a self employed person living in a seaside resort in the north of England but a lot of uk people have different opinions depending upon there experiences and situation eg a person living in the city who has a good job and too preoccupied with it might think differently or the wealthy like the politicians and the royals . But personally I feel the only real positives about living here are the royal family , free nhs (which we have to pay for in our taxes anyways ) , and the economy, employment and education even though where I live there isn’t much of that . But for most it’s getting generally very hard for the young to find cheap housing , education is very expensive as your paying over £40k in student loans for a degree ,food prices and inflation are rising rapidly, a government who is full of promises who’s hardly delivering and isn’t really focused on the people but keeping themselves in power and concentrating on legally lining there own pockets and there’s a lot of inter party conflicts and dismissal , cost of renting has gone sky high , a lot of people can be quite unsociable if your a stranger and a lot of people are weary of each other and there are a lot of social and health issues , isolation and depression - overburdened nhs and long waiting times . The crime rate is fairly high in some parts . Some of the place looks gloomy - rundown shops and old houses , factories , warehouses and a lot of pollution including the air, water and all the chemicals in our overprocessed food - we are one of the most unhealthiest countries in Europe. Loads of homeless and people living in poverty looking to food banks , immigrants - brexit was supposed to have helped but it hardly hasn’t which was about the only distinctive thing the conservatives managed to achieve for us in the last 30 odd years and where I live there are large hotels housing these immigrants whilst the local council ignores the English homeless and druggies and prostitutes and other groups on the fringes of society that are living on the streets just outside . We also aren’t in with the euro like the rest of Europe so it costs more to go on holidays and the hassle of conversion and other problems it brings such as having to pay extra on buying goods from abroad as well as the problems this caused our businesses . Yeah we have the freedom to criticise the government at least which we do a lot of but we wouldn’t have to criticise the government in the first place if we had a good one . But a lot of it for me is the weather- most of the time in England the weather is crap especially in the north where I live - I work from home so because I don’t have loads of friends and family I like to go outdoors a lot to exercise and get fresh air to reduce the boredom of being inside but most the time the weather is gloomy eg it’s like I wanted to go for a long walk the other day and it was p***** it down all day for two days in a row and it’s mid summer - then we get tons of windy cloudy miserable days were it’s hard to motivate yourself to even leave the house - the weathers so unpredictable in the uk as well and you never know how it’s going to behave from one moment to another and that’s just summer - then there’s winter - freezing , raining, windy , Ice, cloudy , and where I live it starts geting dark very early and in mid winter it starts getting dark by 1pm and it can be dark as early as 3pm- and it’s almost as bad as this for almost half the year and it’s so depressing . And then when you eventually get a good day but because you’ve been so depressed having been stuck inside because of the bad weather you find it hard to motivate yourself to go outside and you’ll find you need a car a lot of the time especially in winter but it is a bit warmer in the south if your lucky enough to live there or can afford to live there but it’s not much warmer there either and there can be flooding in some parts . Then there’s all the heating bills you have to pay just to keep your house warm most of the year . Then when you do go outside your breathing in all the crap air full of pollutants so your probably doing yourself more harm than good and especially a lot of the beaches are polluted and the water is freezing and a lot of the food is highly processed and a lot of people are in poor health . I hate the UK- it’s just a small crappy post industrial island . I mean there are worst places in the world and other countries have there own problems but it wouldn’t be a bad place if the weather was better and the days were longer in winter as our economy is quite good and there are some interesting places to visit and there are things to do eg night clubs , bars, theatres , theme parks, cinema , beaches, countryside, large city centres and shopping , parks etc but when the weathers bad they are not that appealing . I personally wouldn’t recommend people come to live here if they have good weather and standard of living in there own country unless they are from a poor country with little prospects and not even for a holiday unless you want to visit a few of places worth visiting that have some cultural heritage like London inc Westminster or oxford or a warmer seaside resort like Cornwall - don’t bother with the rest . That’s why a lot of people move abroad from here which is what am going to do soon and am sure I’ll never look back .
Muchbasi love the UK there are a lot of towns where all the history has been bull dozed away. I had a 12 hour layover in Toronto when visiting the US as my late wife was American. I am glad my wife was not with me as Tironto has a shoe museum as my wife was obsessed with shoes. I would have lived to have gone to the Stanley cup museum but didn't have time to do so. My friends who collected me from rhe Airport live directly opposite the harbour on the other side of the lake. I may have to visit again sometime ( when the wold gets back to some kind of normality)