An American woman who swapped life in the United States for the UK says the move completely changed her outlook—and left her convinced she'd been sold the wrong idea of success for years. Mindy Hickson says living in Britain has shown her what she calls "the simple life" and challenged everything she once believed about happiness. Sharing her experience on her YouTube channel, The Hickson Diaries, Mindy listed seven reasons why she believes life in the UK offers a different way of living. Her comparisons have centred on healthcare, work-life balance, community, food and everyday safety. Mindy argued that Americans grow up believing success follows one rigid formula. She said people are taught that owning a huge house, driving two large SUVs and earning an ever-increasing salary are the ultimate signs of achievement. But after moving overseas, she said that belief no longer felt universal. "Growing up in the US we're indoctrinated into believing that success looks like a specific set of things," she said. She added that stepping outside what she described as the "US bubble" gave her a fresh perspective. According to Mindy, she now better understands why some Europeans say Americans are "rich in things, but extremely poor in time." The first major difference she highlighted was healthcare and financial security. Mindy said she felt that in the United States there is a constant background fear that one unexpected crisis could destroy everything a person has worked for. While acknowledging that the NHS is "not perfect," she said it provides reassurance that serious illness is less likely to result in financial ruin. "Nobody here in the UK is losing their house because they got sick," she concluded. Community life also stood out as a major contrast. Mindy said Britain offers more public places where people can spend time together without feeling pressured to spend money or seek constant entertainment. She described the UK as having spaces where people can simply exist around others without paying entry fees or dealing with what she called an "over abundance of stimulation." That atmosphere, she suggested, creates a stronger sense of community than she experienced in America. Work culture was another area where she noticed a dramatic shift. According to Mindy, British employers appear to place greater value on allowing workers to rest and disconnect once the working day is over. By comparison, she argued that taking breaks in the United States is often treated as a weakness. She said productivity can become "weaponised" in American workplaces, creating additional pressure on employees. Her fourth reason focused on ageing. Mindy said she believes older people in the UK are treated with greater dignity, pointing to benefits such as free bus passes that help retirees and pensioners remain mobile and independent. Food also made her list of major differences. She said she found food in the UK to be less processed and felt there was a stronger emphasis on quality rather than simply eating larger quantities. Shopping habits have also changed since relocating. Mindy said the absence of ultra-fast delivery services encourages people to think more carefully before buying, making purchases feel more deliberate. She said the slower pace has helped her stop buying items simply "to fill a void." Instead, she believes she has become more intentional about what she chooses to purchase. The final reason she gave centred on personal safety. Although she acknowledged that crime still exists in the UK, Mindy said she feels noticeably less anxious during everyday life. She explained that she no longer feels the need to constantly check exits when entering buildings or public venues. Instead, she said she generally feels less on edge than she did while living in the United States. Mindy's reflections are based on her own experiences since relocating to Britain and have been shared with viewers through The Hickson Diaries. Her comments present her personal comparison between life in the two countries rather than universal conclusions. For Mindy, the move has transformed her understanding of what success and happiness can look like. Rather than chasing bigger homes, larger salaries and more possessions, she says she has come to value time, community and a slower pace of life above all else. I quit US for the UK and realised I've been lied to my whole life
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