Additional Coverage:
- I moved from the UK to the US but never adjusted to America’s work culture. After 20 years, I’m ready to move away. (businessinsider.com)
A British transplant living in the US for two decades is considering moving abroad, citing differences in work-life balance. While grateful for the opportunities afforded to her in the US, she finds the American work culture, particularly on the East Coast, to be unhealthy.
The higher salaries in the US are a significant advantage. She’s earned between $50,000 and $85,000 annually in various industries, compared to the $30,000 to $40,000 average in the UK.
This extra income helps offset the high cost of living and allows for some luxuries. However, she feels the financial benefits come at a steep price.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a constant struggle. She sets boundaries by avoiding emails before 8:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m., but often receives messages overnight from colleagues.
She’s experienced this across various sectors, from teaching and marketing to travel and law. The expectation to be constantly available is overwhelming.
Even simple pleasures like taking a full lunch break are met with surprise from her American coworkers. She often finds herself eating alone while they continue working. This contrasts sharply with her parents’ experiences in the UK, where long lunches and socializing with colleagues were the norm.
Despite enjoying the energy and confidence-boosting environment of the US, she misses the genuine connections she found easier to make in the UK. Even in Boston, a city she loves, she finds people rarely interact.
She yearns for a simpler life with stronger social connections and is exploring options for relocating abroad, prioritizing quality of life, culture, and retirement opportunities. For now, she continues to advocate for a better work-life balance in her current workplace.