Likes & Dislikes about the UK
There is no perfect country, of course.
Likes: Food, beer, history, countryside, beaches, healthcare, most people.
English food is not bland, and the beer is not flat and warm. There is a diversity of cuisines, including traditional regional dishes, and those bought in and adapted by immigrants, such as Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Greek, Thai, Italian, French and so on.
There are over 700 breweries in the UK, producing all different styles of beer from Lagers to Stouts. Many of these beers are brewed to be served at a temperature of around 52F (11C), and not just above freezing point. where they would lose much flavor and character.
There is much history to be seen, explored and discovered in the UK. It's been said that one of the differences between the UK and the US, is that in the UK a hundred miles is a long way; in the US a hundred years is a long time.
Touring in the countryside, whether it's walking or driving or even on a bus or train, is usually a real pleasure, and there's little better than spending a quintessential English summers day rambling along footpaths.
There are some great beaches, even though the water isn't too warm, even in summer, Many have blue flags denoted a good standard of water cleanliness.
The National Health Service isn't faultless, but by and large, it serves the citizens and residents of the UK well, and although many folks complain about it, it's a bit like a bus service - you don't realize how much you wished it were there, when you move elsewhere, and it isn't.
Sometimes the UK has a reputation for being unfriendly. It's not true. You find people of all social levels everywhere of course. The British in general (dangerous thing, generalization), are perhaps a little more reserved that some other nations, which leads some to think they're unfriendly. However, once you've made friends with a Briton, they're frequently some of the warmest people around.
Dislikes: Too much red tape/bureaucracy, not enough local democracy, weather.
There is way too much 'big brother' and 'nanny state' mentality. Too much money is wasted on unnecessary bureaucracy. There are more people working in the Department for Transport alone these days, than were in the whole of the British Government in the 1930's when Britain ruled over a quarter of the globe.
There's not enough local democracy. Too much money goes to central government, a percentage of which filters back, depending on the policies of the party in power at the time. People should have more of a vote in how money that they contribute in local taxes is spent. That just doesn't happen in the UK.
The weather. Not much anyone can do about that. Which is probably a good thing. The first country to be able to control the weather will have a weapon infinitely more powerful than any nuclear arsenal. London and the south east gets about 25 inches a year; the Welsh mountains and Scottish Highlands over four times that amount. There are lots of gray days certainly, but generally speaking, not as much rain as some people might think.
Why didn't I mention taxes more?
Well, income tax is comparable to most other countries. Corporation tax, if you're setting up your own business is lower than some, including the US. If you win the UK lottery you get to keep it all, tax free. The tax on fuel might be high, but if you compare that to the much lower levels of fuel tax in say the US, but then factor in high health care premiums, I would argue that you're financially often better off with the UK system. There is no free lunch anywhere.