Small talk & Chit chat

[g0ggles1994]

It's a pain to live in the UK as a techie these days.

Live in the city: Great internet circuits but massive housing costs
Live outside cities: Better housing costs but worse internet.

Where I live I have a choice by either getting cucked by Openreach because I can get a maximum of 30Mb/s FTTC but I can use my own routers and such, or cucked by Virgin who offer 2Gb/s FTTP but their Hub that I have to use doesn't support Modem Mode so it severely messes with my home network so I'm having to use double NAT which I really do not want.

I just wish Virgin would use ONTs like Openreach so we don't have this mess.

 

[Dicehunter]

It's a pain to live in the UK as a techie these days.

Live in the city: Great internet circuits but massive housing costs
Live outside cities: Better housing costs but worse internet.

Where I live I have a choice by either getting cucked by Openreach because I can get a maximum of 30Mb/s FTTC but I can use my own routers and such, or cucked by Virgin who offer 2Gb/s FTTP but their Hub that I have to use doesn't support Modem Mode so it severely messes with my home network so I'm having to use double NAT which I really do not want.

I just wish Virgin would use ONTs like Openreach so we don't have this mess.

Living in the UK is just a pain in general, I'm constantly stressed out and shook up.

In 2 weeks I'm finally upgrading from 21Mbps net to 500Mbps fiber after multiple ISP's petitioning the local council for 7 years... but in roughly 6 months, All being well I have that long, I need to move out as the estate agent I rent off wants me out due to the kitchen and spare bedroom concrete floors having multiple holes in them due to cowboy workmanship, They ran out of concrete for the top layer so used cement which has broken into pieces over time and as the government recently removed a lot of policies and laws that protected tenants it means lots of headaches incoming... joy... I hate the way England is run.

 

[AlienALX]

Living in the UK is just a pain in general, I'm constantly stressed out and shook up.

In 2 weeks I'm finally upgrading from 21Mbps net to 500Mbps fiber after multiple ISP's petitioning the local council for 7 years... but in roughly 6 months, All being well I have that long, I need to move out as the estate agent I rent off wants me out due to the kitchen and spare bedroom concrete floors having multiple holes in them due to cowboy workmanship, They ran out of concrete for the top layer so used cement which has broken into pieces over time and as the government recently removed a lot of policies and laws that protected tenants it means lots of headaches incoming... joy... I hate the way England is run.

Could be far worse, you could be in Germany.

 

[Dicehunter]

Could be far worse, you could be in Germany.

I lived and worked there only a few years ago with over half my family living there now, Germany even with any shortfalls makes the UK look like it's 50 years behind especially with general standard of living.

Would I live there again ? No, I found the lifestyle too hectic and my home town of Berlin has gone ultra ultra ultra far left which makes me dry heave.

So yeah you are right, I could be in Germany, Thankfully not though ^_^

 

[NeverBackDown]

I lived and worked there only a few years ago with over half my family living there now, Germany even with any shortfalls makes the UK look like it's 50 years behind especially with general standard of living.

Would I live there again ? No, I found the lifestyle too hectic and my home town of Berlin has gone ultra ultra ultra far left which makes me dry heave.

So yeah you are right, I could be in Germany, Thankfully not though ^_^

I hear the Fins are really happy. Could try there ^_^

 

[Dicehunter]

I hear the Fins are really happy. Could try there ^_^

Wouldn't mind, would have to see about employment.

On a side note, the "building management" and a surveyor came round today to have a look at the damage to the kitchen floor, it developed cracks and holes due to shoddy workmanship and sub-standard materials.

I reiterated my plans to move around January as I need to for work but cannot leave before then due to the apartment I'm moving to not being ready before then and no way in hell am I living on the street, The landlord is getting his nearly £800 for a crap hole per month.

They just looked at each other in a sort of "He sounds very peed off" way ^_^

So hopefully for the moment at least I can relax.

 

[AlienALX]

I hear the Fins are really happy. Could try there ^_^

TBH it is all mostly a state of mind. Well, unless you live somewhere really depressing like London.

People where I live all moan and complain about it all the time. Me? I love it.

Why wouldn't I?

I think it just comes down to some people not being happy, period. You could put them in any place in the world and they would still find reasons to complain.

 

[Dicehunter]

TBH it is all mostly a state of mind. Well, unless you live somewhere really depressing like London.

People where I live all moan and complain about it all the time. Me? I love it.

Why wouldn't I?

I think it just comes down to some people not being happy, period. You could put them in any place in the world and they would still find reasons to complain.

Also comes down to income, You could live in an elvish paradise but if your work life is stressful it makes no difference, With the job market being constantly in flux in this country it makes having any type of security difficult especially with workers rights being kind of crap.

Now my cousin on the other hand is on benefits due to a work accident that left him unable to work and he leads a pretty stress free life never needing to worry about rent, utilities or food. For those of us who need to work though it's a different matter entirely and it's friggin knackering.

I think I may take a tumble down some stairs and get on benefits, I'll be in a wheelchair but hey ho no stress anymore

 

[Dawelio]

Also comes down to income, You could live in an elvish paradise but if your work life is stressful it makes no difference, With the job market being constantly in flux in this country it makes having any type of security difficult especially with workers rights being kind of crap.

Now my cousin on the other hand is on benefits due to a work accident that left him unable to work and he leads a pretty stress free life never needing to worry about rent, utilities or food. For those of us who need to work though it's a different matter entirely and it's friggin knackering.

I think I may take a tumble down some stairs and get on benefits, I'll be in a wheelchair but hey ho no stress anymore

Even though I understand it's a joke, but that would give you stress in other ways, that you just didn't would exist for you before you're actually in that position.

And being paralyzed in any way is not fun, I am not, but I imagine just ask anyone that is, what would one wish of theirs be... most likely not be paralyzed.

"An healthy person worries and wishes for a million things. But an ill person only wants and wishes for one thing - to be healthy"

 

[NeverBackDown]

If you aren't happy where you are. Then move. Simple as. I wasn't happy in West US. Now I'm other side of the country. Couldn't be happier. New job, started a family, live with like minded people. Life's good. It's still stressful but it's not because of where I am. And that's the part I can control, so I drove 2000 miles to get rid of those issues.

 

[Dicehunter]

If you aren't happy where you are. Then move. Simple as. I wasn't happy in West US. Now I'm other side of the country. Couldn't be happier. New job, started a family, live with like minded people. Life's good. It's still stressful but it's not because of where I am. And that's the part I can control, so I drove 2000 miles to get rid of those issues.

Liveable flats in England, Or apartments as you call them in the US, Right now are like literal gold dust. In the US it would be easier as you have a LOT more choice as you have an entire continent filled with choice, Here it's really not that simple to just say "Thanks for all the fish, I'm moving!" I also have several other responsibilities that I cannot just walk away from so the entire situation is a pain in the butt.

If I didn't have certain responsibilities I would book a flight to Texas right now and be in the US tomorrow living on my besties land... but these responsibilities are not something I can shirk off to someone else.

 

[AlienALX]

Liveable flats in England, Or apartments as you call them in the US, Right now are like literal gold dust. In the US it would be easier as you have a LOT more choice as you have an entire continent filled with choice, Here it's really not that simple to just say "Thanks for all the fish, I'm moving!" I also have several other responsibilities that I cannot just walk away from so the entire situation is a pain in the butt.

If I didn't have certain responsibilities I would book a flight to Texas right now and be in the US tomorrow living on my besties land... but these responsibilities are not something I can shirk off to someone else.

You only get 90 days in the USA. After that you need to return.

BTW trust me, it is better to live in the UK than America. That is coming from someone who has done both. At least when we get cancer here we don't lose everything we own and have to start a go fund me.

Happiness comes from within. It has nothing to do with money. Life is what you make it.

 

[Dawelio]

You only get 90 days in the USA. After that you need to return.

BTW trust me, it is better to live in the UK than America. That is coming from someone who has done both. At least when we get cancer here we don't lose everything we own and have to start a go fund me.

Happiness comes from within. It has nothing to do with money. Life is what you make it.

As much as I know about the US, it's a country with many opportunities for sure. Albeit living there, with the health care system that they have, I'd be stressed out of my life just simnply thinking of that one thing alone.

Which is why my country may not be everyone's first choice, but our health care system is probably amongst the better ones in the world.
Essentially pay $20 for each medical visit that you do, then when you get to around $1200 during an year, the next appointments are free during that year as the state pays that. Most surgeries that you may have are also free, as they are being paid by the state as well.
We don't need any sort of health insurance just to be able to visit the dentist or so. Which I see as a really huge medical benefit and why our system is one of the best in the world.

Sure we may have higher taxes on our incomes, around 30%, but that is well worth it considering above amongst other things. Would rather have a smaller bump on my income each month that you don't see anyway and essentially don't need to worry about massive medical bills whenever you may need to make a visit.

 

[Dicehunter]

You only get 90 days in the USA. After that you need to return.

BTW trust me, it is better to live in the UK than America. That is coming from someone who has done both. At least when we get cancer here we don't lose everything we own and have to start a go fund me.

Happiness comes from within. It has nothing to do with money. Life is what you make it.

True, With renting though it's just having that ever looming threat of "We don't know if we want to kick you out today... maybe in a few days, Maybe in a few weeks or maybe next year".



It's just really bloody stressful as the flat I'm moving to with my dad, Me being my dads full time carer, Isn't ready to move in to until roughly the middle to end of January which is only 7 months away but that's when the current tenant is moving out, I reiterated this to the the surveyor, He seemed understanding so I'm hoping he puts in a good word with the landlord as I've never missed a rent payment and outside of the damage to the floors caused by shoddy materials the place is as clean as a dentists office 24/7.

 

[Warchild]

If you aren't happy where you are. Then move. Simple as. I wasn't happy in West US. Now I'm other side of the country. Couldn't be happier. New job, started a family, live with like minded people. Life's good. It's still stressful but it's not because of where I am. And that's the part I can control, so I drove 2000 miles to get rid of those issues.

This 100%. Got tired of UK, so moved to Norway. Only time I go back is to visit siblings. Best move I could have made.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Liveable flats in England, Or apartments as you call them in the US, Right now are like literal gold dust. In the US it would be easier as you have a LOT more choice as you have an entire continent filled with choice, Here it's really not that simple to just say "Thanks for all the fish, I'm moving!" I also have several other responsibilities that I cannot just walk away from so the entire situation is a pain in the butt.

If I didn't have certain responsibilities I would book a flight to Texas right now and be in the US tomorrow living on my besties land... but these responsibilities are not something I can shirk off to someone else.

I'm not saying it's easy. Once the life situation is resolved you just gotta do what's best for you.

In the US on a Visa would make things more challenging than being a citizen I would imagine for health care or what not. I would say if you were serious about moving to anywhere in the US you figure out citizenship as fast as possible.

As much as I know about the US, it's a country with many opportunities for sure. Albeit living there, with the health care system that they have, I'd be stressed out of my life just simnply thinking of that one thing alone.

Which is why my country may not be everyone's first choice, but our health care system is probably amongst the better ones in the world.
Essentially pay $20 for each medical visit that you do, then when you get to around $1200 during an year, the next appointments are free during that year as the state pays that. Most surgeries that you may have are also free, as they are being paid by the state as well.
We don't need any sort of health insurance just to be able to visit the dentist or so. Which I see as a really huge medical benefit and why our system is one of the best in the world.

Sure we may have higher taxes on our incomes, around 30%, but that is well worth it considering above amongst other things. Would rather have a smaller bump on my income each month that you don't see anyway and essentially don't need to worry about massive medical bills whenever you may need to make a visit.

People who don't know much about US healthcare always say how bad it is. In order to get good health insurance you need a good job or at least one that pays for your insurance. If you don't work you don't end up getting a plan through your employer. You can get private insurance but it's more costly. Is it expensive? For a family plan yes. Individual? It's not to expensive. It also depends where you live.

For example my dad's job has amongst the best plans you could reasonably get in the country. My mom had a major hip replacement surgery. $80,000. My dad paid $10. He isn't some engineer or anything fancy. Blue collar worker no educational degree.

Is our healthcare system confusing? It definitely is in comparison I would imagine to EU. But the wait times are little, getting care when needed is not some arduous tasks I hear a lot about England. Regardless it can be improved. The reason it can definitely be expensive is because of big pharma but that's a whole can of worms I definitely will not get into for the sake of everybody lol

This 100%. Got tired of UK, so moved to Norway. Only time I go back is to visit siblings. Best move I could have made.

That's awesome to hear. It's a challenge to move that far, heck I'd imagine even harder across water! Lol

 

[Warchild]

Healthcare here is awesome. Each year you pay up to 300euro whether its your local doctor, or hospital. Once you hit that limit, you get a free card where you no longer pay for anything for the rest of the year. Its covered by the government. That includes, doctor checkups, surgeries, all medication etc

 

[Dawelio]

If you aren't happy where you are. Then move. Simple as. I wasn't happy in West US. Now I'm other side of the country. Couldn't be happier. New job, started a family, live with like minded people. Life's good. It's still stressful but it's not because of where I am. And that's the part I can control, so I drove 2000 miles to get rid of those issues.

I strongly disagree with this... it's definitely not as "Simple as". Far from it.

It takes a huge amount of time, energy, money etc to move and especially between countries. Hence it's not as simple as you make it out to be.

Shouldn't just assume that everyone is or have been in your position. Not everyone might be as fortunate or have the same circumstances and benefits that you might have had. Again, just as much as I know of your situation here, you know of anyone elses. Hence one shouldn't just assume it's as simple as move if one isn't happy. If that were the case, why isn't everyone? Probably because it's not. I have moved once in my life and it was as simple as just moving. Hence why I strongly disagree with your statement.

This is an perfect example of it's easier said than done.

Healthcare here is awesome. Each year you pay up to 300euro whether its your local doctor, or hospital. Once you hit that limit, you get a free card where you no longer pay for anything for the rest of the year. Its covered by the government. That includes, doctor checkups, surgeries, all medication etc

Basically like us, only that we have the limit at half of those 300 euros ^_^

 

[AlienALX]

As I have said, being happy yourself is the biggest step.

Complaining? just fuels unhappiness. I know, I sound all annoying like someone training sales staff but I can't emphasise enough how important it is to see the world with happiness and not negative. If you do the latter it does not matter where you live. Basically? you could find fault with anywhere on earth if you did that.

This is why I am an avid opponent of the term "FML" that people were throwing around. It has to be singlehandedly the most ungrateful term I have ever heard in my entire life.

Bless your life. You only get one of them, like I say life is what you make it. See the beauty in things not the misery.

 

[AlienALX]

People who don't know much about US healthcare always say how bad it is.

That is not what I said dude. Or rather, that was not what I meant. Your healthcare system is the best on the planet. If you have access to it.

And therein lies the problem with a capitalist for profit healthcare system. Because when I list off the following you will understand it perfectly.

1. Like you said, you need a good job to access good healthcare. Meaning that when you are 0 years old you better pray that you either have parents with the money to get you into college OR be one in a thousand and have a very high IQ or be very good at sports to get you into that job. Because without it? your whole life out there will suck balls.

2. Pray that you never become unwell to the point that the insurance company, as they do, will just refuse to insure you and or keep paying. Like I said, I have seen SO MANY people lose every penny they have, run out of money and then start a gofundme just to access that healthcare. And they usually die dirt poor because they can not afford to cure themselves.

3. Without a college education and diploma? it doesn't matter how good you are at something in the USA as I found out. I ended up working at fukkin Burger King. Even though I had 25 years experience in IT and at the time, servers and networking. Skills I totally let slip.

4. A good job (see all of the above). Not one where they screw you on a zero hour contract and hire you for 39 hours so they don't have to offer you anything.

I am not aware of Dice having the above. Not rich parents, or diplomas, or much else. Sure, he has a lot of experience doing what he does but they will laugh at him when he arrives in the USA. As such, I think he is better off where he is. Because as much as people moan and complain about the UK saying it is broken and etc etc? it is still by far the best place I have ever lived (and I have been about a bit to know.).