I moved from the UK to the US more than 10 years ago — here are 14 things I still miss

Lydia WarrenMar 15, 2022, 21:13 IST

Outside a stately home in Sussex, England.Lydia Warren/Insider

I grew up in southeast England but moved to Atlanta in 2009 and New York in 2011.
While I love living here, there are many things I miss about life in the UK.

When I moved to the US, I was surprised by how much of a culture shock I experienced.

In front of the Manhattan skyline in 2013.Lydia Warren/Insider

It may have a bad reputation, but I miss British food, from roast dinners and endless cups of tea, to Walkers crisps and pasties.

Walkers crisps.Lydia Warren/Insider

America has sports bars, dive bars, and swanky rooftop bars, but nothing compares to the great British pub.

With my husband at the pub.Lydia Warren/Insider

I miss being understood whenever I meet new people because of my accent and the words I use.

When I say "water," Americans always ask me to repeat myself.Getty Images/Matt Cardy

Americans are more direct in how they communicate, and sometimes I miss the shared understanding of biting one's tongue.

President Trump with Queen Elizabeth in 2019.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images

I also miss the British sense of humor — some of it just won't fly here.

Hosts of the "8 Out of 10 Cats" comedy TV show.Courtesy Channel 4

The UK has its centuries-old history and deeply ingrained sense of tradition.

Historic street in Winchester, England.Lydia Warren/Insider

Marks & Spencer is a British institution that just doesn't have an equivalent in the US.

A Marks & Spencer store in Liverpool, England.Moomusician/Shutterstock

A decade of living here and American supermarkets still confuse me — I miss their British counterparts, such as Tesco or Sainsbury's.

Customers in a Sainsbury's store in Redhill, Surrey.Reuters

For all the criticism it comes under, I'll admit it: I miss the British media.

British newspapers.Robert Alexander/Getty Images

British newscasters tend to be a bit more low-key than some of their US counterparts.

British newscaster Jon Snow drinks a cup of tea during a Channel 4 News break.Michael Walters - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

I also miss the TV commercials, where companies show off their sense of humor and don't peddle medicines.

A Christmas ad.John Lewis & Partners/YouTube

After paying for healthcare, I miss the National Health Service, where I didn't have to pay a penny, and anyone can get healthcare, regardless of income.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, looks at a tribute to NHS workers.BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

I also miss being able to vote in a country where I live, work, and pay taxes.

Voting booths.Michael Reaves/Getty

Of course, I miss being around family and friends I've known my whole life.

Family in the UK.Lydia Warren/Insider

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I moved from the UK to the US more than 10 years ago &mdash; here are 14 things I still miss