My friend, fell 3 days ago, broke her upper femur, she was rushed by ambulance to Poole hospital, needed a new hip, was operated on the next morning, all done. No charge. Now out and recovering. All in 3 days.

American here. Yes, our healthcare is scary. It's appalling how inhumane it is.

I always thought Canada felt "sterile" and lacked character because I've lived in cities all my life, surrounded by concrete and steel. Canada may lack character, but outside of large metropolitan areas, our country has some of the most breathtaking natural sights, wilderness, wildlife, etc.

As a Brit I certainly don't think I'm perfect! I think the reason why some of us might come across that way can be boiled down to a Bill Bailey quote: Contentment is knowing that you're right. Happiness is knowing someone else is wrong.

I read in one of Bill Bryson's books that there were more 17th century buildings in his small village in Yorkshire than the whole of the North American continent. Us Brits are in danger of preferring 'sterile' to that.Thanks for reminding us.

I love how you are still discovering so much here. I also find it amazing, when a pub has been a pub for over 600 years and some are over thousand years! It's totally nuts!!

The NHS and annual leave (vacation time) it's the two things that keep me in the UK. I get 33 days annual leave and I love how it's law you have to take it. Also hail the NHS!

I love your videos Alanna. I lived and worked in California for 14 years. I loved the weather, fresh fruits and veg, and the affluent lifestyle. Now I am back in the UK, much older and retired I realise that US healthcare is not good, particularly if you develop a long-term condition. When we flew back to the UK, from the air it was very striking how green Britain is. California is “the Golden State”, but really in summer it is “the brown state”. While over there, I went to a conference in Vancouver. I was surprised by how much Vancouver, especially the suburbs, felt like Britain. I really loved the place. I was offered a position at UBC, but after much serious thought decided that for the sake of our two sons, we should return to the UK. I really love your channel. You are such a lovely caring woman. I feel that we are very lucky to have you in the UK. Very best wishes to both of you.

I could easily see myself living in the UK. I'm already an Expat, an American living in China since the 90s and I've kinda lived in the UK already, I mean I was here in England for 10 out of the 12 months of 2020 Thanks Covid and I find myself reliving that experience now. Thought I could come here in August and go home in November but caught Covid in Edinburgh in October. Rescheduled my flight for mid January so I could spend Christmas here with my Son and wouldn't you know my flight has been cancelled again Thanks Covid! I'm very comfortable here. I like the UK, I enjoy my time here and get along just fine here. I like the feel of life here. I like the quirkiness of some things. I like the feeling of history surrounding me. I'm already retired so I don't need to find work here so now I just need to convince my wife. Great video as always!

Once again by talking about Britain and Brits in your videos, you remind us of how much we have to be grateful for in this country. Also nice to see you have Richard Osman's book on your bookshelf. I loved the two books, I hope you did too. Cheers.

When I moved to Houston, Texas, I never got bored with $99 weekends to Miami or Las Vegas, including hotel and airfare! Re: Character; my local Tesco Express used to be a pub, and the pub used to be a church, the pub and supermarket were not allowed to pull down the small church spire, so I have a Tesco express with a spire!

That was such a nice video! I really like hearing about what you love about the country you moved to! I love how calming and nice your videos are too! It’s so cool to hear about what it’s like to move abroad! I really appreciate you and your videos!

Lovely video Allana. I'm a Canadian living in the UK now for 30+ years and all of your points are right on. We only part ways over Twiglets which I have grown to love!

“… and the aisles are kind of wonky …”. Isn’t that a fantastic word. WONKY. There is so much meaning bundled up in that word. Once it’s included in your vocabulary, no other word will do. Alanna, thanks again for a highly entertaining early morning ( it’s 0249 here in Sydney now) Your positive attitude to everything is so refreshing. It’s like a swig of tonic amid all the whinging around in these Covid-filled days . Thank you.

This has always been one of my favorite go-to channels! Such very true, cool stuff to share. Thanks a bunch Alana!

That was a good one! Well done - so nice to see you haven’t lost your enthusiasm for UK in your 6 years.👍

I tried to like this video multiple times. While I was watching there were several points where I thought, "Oh, that deserves a like" and then realised that I'd already done it. Good video pal!

Thanks, Alanna, yet another compelling look at life in the UK. By the way, when visiting my relatives in Strood last week we had lunch in the Tudor Rose, Upnor on your recommendation, thanks. It's a wonderful little pub and the Ploughman's lunch was perfect! 🇨🇦🇬🇧

Great video as always Alanna, we're happy to have you 'in the group'! I had to laugh when you said some people in the comments might disagree that Brits had their problems. We're so self-deprecating as a nationality, anyone claiming Brits are perfect needs to hand in their Brit card 😂

Lovely to hear a (former) outsider's response to our country. As much as I hate the idea that you might leave one day, is there anything bad enough about the UK that might make you want to leave? (Please don't go. You're one of us now.)

Thankyou Alanna it’s guys like you making a life over here is what I love about our country. We welcome with open arms guys who are honest and hard working such as you.

Just to say, the NHS have just saved my mums life. It hasn’t cost her anything at all at point of entry and she’s had two weeks of Intensive care and now two more weeks of respiratory specialist ward care... this is on going , perhaps for weeks to come with rehabilitation to follow... literally months of care. Mum had multiple pulmonary embolisms and lung sepsis. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Without the NHS she’d have lost her life savings and ended up in debt at 80 years of age had she been living in for example the United States.

Hi, Alanna, very interesting video. I must say your Tesco sounds interesting as well, mine resembles your description of the Canadian Walmart. Definitely agree about annual leave, mine was 6 weeks plus bank Holidays. Liked the Patreon plug and totally agree, anyone who enjoys Alanna's content should join Patreon you'll get double Alanna then.

What a great place to live. .The UK we all knock it but it's still home and there's no place like it . Many thanks. .

Great video Alanna... Love it when you get a Sainsburys Local inside a former old pub or post office... I've heard about other countries holiday entitlement before & I still find it crazy! Keeping it to a minimum so I hopefully don't get "hated on" 😂😂😂 ... Patreon plug was great!

Thank you for making me feel positive about my country again. It’s been a rough few years .

Well done, Alana, you absolutely nailed it! Our two greatest creations are the NHS and the British pub. Keep up your brilliant posts, you've more than earned honorary citizenship now....................................................the ancient Englishman.

I think the part you said about the old buildings is so cool. My mom and dad got married in a church that was built in the 1100s.

you get better with every video you post my friend! we could hardly see the terror in your eyes this time ;p. on a serious note, i really enjoyed this one mate! big love to all people :)

The character and history aspect makes me think that it’s a while since Alanna took us on an excursion to some charming little town or castle. I really appreciate that sense that you are living in a museum with so much history everywhere. Thanks for another insightful presentation.

I'm moving to the UK for uni this fall!! Thank you for this video! I thank you for all of your hard work, I've followed this channel for a couple of years now! I can't wait to start my new life, and thank you for giving me some pointers! Furthermore, I plan on living and working in London after my studies! Sending love from the USA, I do plan on subbing to your patron!

Love the NHS, they have saved my life more than once. I think we can honestly say you are a honorary Brit now. Oh and the 8th reason to move to the UK...... Alanna is here!

The UK has kind and respectful people and a very rich history . God bless them and keep them. Live long and prosper, UK ❤❤Love from Afghanistan❤❤

To me, your channel is the best. Love your sense of humor.

Enjoyed the video ! Thanks so much Alanna !

Thank you for sharing your thoughts today. I hope things continue to go well for you in Kent. It seems a fun place. Must be great not to have to drive places!

I’ve been in Canada almost 5 years, having moved from the UK. I really love it here, but I totally get what you’re saying about character in the buildings etc. I find it very hard to judge from the exterior of cafes/bars/restaurants here if I’m going to like the place. I won’t think of going in just because it lacks character from the outside, just a box, then when I finally check it out, I get shocked how well decorated or cosy it is on the inside.

When we lived in Ontario, we sometimes visited family in the States. Although we enjoyed our visits, it was always such a nice feeling to come through the customs at Buffalo or Niagara, it felt safe and we were glad to be be back.

Alanna moving to the UK and creating A&N has made KZfaq and our mental health a little bit better as well...🇬🇧

I grew up in one of the first British cities built with a checkerboard (blocks) system. I expect that all the tourists and expats at the time said it was lacking in character. Oh well, that was in 1225 - I expect they've got over it by now. 😁

Old and Older The house I was born in (yes not a hospital) was built in 1712, pretty old. However the local co-op store I go to at least three times a week is located in a building that reads on a plaque (built 1523). That's old right? There's a small (tiny) house in a modern estate (about 15mi from me) that was built in 1162, which on its side is located the oldest pub in the county, established in 1298.

Alanna, the new pop-up bubbles that you've started using are a nice touch!

What a lovely video! I agree with all of those things. I work in the NHS admin and speak to patients everyday. I believe that the last two years has made people appreciate the NHS much more than before. I remember as a youngster my Nan telling me how she had to pay when my Mum was born in 1945 - just couldn’t get my head around that.

You're looking well :) The annual leave entitlement and historic buildings are a couple of things I do appreciate about the UK, along with the countryside.

Interesting views Alana, life anywhere isn’t perfect, but it’s what you make of it that counts. I’m glad to hear of all the things you love and yes the NHS is a great asset 👍😊

Yeah! you should feel 'part of the group'! we're glad to have you!

I really enjoy watching your channel!

I love your videos, accent, outlook. Keep up the good work. I’m a 63-year-old Englishman.

Alanna, if you don't like Marmite, try Bovril on your toast/bread. Bovril used as a spread is vaguely like Marmite but less salty and with a richer flavour and without the habit of burning the roof off your mouth.

Very interesting Alanna. It probably needs someone coming into the UK such as yourself to see a lot of things you mention, such as just how good the NHS is and annual leave entitlement - and I've never thought of my local Sainsbury's as being full of character until now, just a bit dilapidated!! So thanks again for a great vid and thanks for pointing out what might be worth appreciating a little more👍👍

Thank you for sharing your honest opinions❤❤❤❤

Nice video as always Alanna. 🙂

I agree with you about the NHS. In Australia we have our own version and it's PRICELESS. Our public hospital in Geelong is amazing.

Sounds like you've had a rich set of life experiences on your UK journey Alanna 😉- Keep living the dream ! 😎

Thank you so much for your videos🤩 I'm going to move into the UK so your channel is like a treasure for me😇

I've visited the US numerous times, but I would never do it without health/holiday insurance.

H,Alanna,the rest of my rather murky ,so far day ,has just been brightened up.thank you.cheers Roly 🇬🇧.

You are a delightful young girl and watching your content always cheers me up. I regard you as being as British as I am, as a Welsh speaking Welshman. (Cymro Cymraeg) If you want real history, my language pre dates English in these islands by thousands of years!

Thank you for this video! My partner and I are seriously considering moving to the UK (we're from ON Canada as well!) and I'm looking at all the information!

I always love your Patreon ads 😁

Always putting a smile on my face.... Thank you Alanna..... :-)))) xxx

Thank you! American been here 3 and these are all on point!

Thank you for being so nice about the UK, that sounds really cheesy, its good to hear someone who is not from these shores saying so many good things about where you are from, yes you knocked us a while back, but you had good reasons then too, you are a person who does not take without giving back and nobody can ask more than that of anyone, I actually feel that it is our responsibility to make sure that you are getting what you are entitled to, you give to the people of the UK and its only right and proper that we give something in return, I think the word that you were looking for about the Tesco car park and building is higgledy-piggledy (it probably from some old Latin word that means "a bit knackered"), whoever stamped your visa application made a good decision, they can retire happy with what they have done and thank you for choosing Britain :)

Ahhaha loved it😀!!! You are my favourite Canadian too 🤗

Hi Alanna, another excellent video. It's great to hear that you're enjoying being with us, I travelled a bit as a younger man and enjoyed every minute, I always promised myself a visit to Canada, but not quite managed it so far, I remember having some old encyclopedias as a child, and there was a shot of the rocky mountain railway. OMG! Anyway, thanks for the video, ps, we'd be mates 👍

YOU R Hilarious, you need a show on the beeb, great editing!!!!

Good one, glad you are happy with your move.

I lived in the UK but I moved to Brazil and I really want to move back to the UK because I feel like a fish out of water here in Brazil even though I've lived here for nearly five years.

8:12 : Many Canadians share your enthusiasm for the UK - mainly because (massive generalisation alert) you take us as you find us, you join in whole-heartedly and (most of all) you don't seem to take yourselves too seriously. I do a lot of work in international consortia and the Canadians, the Dutch and the Scandinavians all have this attitude to a greater or lesser extent.

Everything you have said is so true! As for vacation, I work for a municipal government office in Ontario - we have 12 stat vacation days each year, but not all places get quite that many. However, it has taken me 12 years to earn my 4 weeks of annual vacation time! I agree about the lack of character in Canada. That is even the same with houses - people often build a brand new home that looks like a brick or vinyl sided tissue box! Can't wait to get back to my British family in Suffolk this year and enjoy the people, culture, food and so much more!

so glad you are happy in UK x

Super insight here, from our beloved CanadaBrit! 0:48 Not only this, but different people in different parts of the UK live differently. The lesson in this is a simple one: "it's OK to be different." That's not to say that it doesn't require courage to move to any place where your differences will be obvious, of course. 1:43 Food is one of the essentials of life itself, and it is in the food of most nations that you find something of the character - and even the history - of its people. And it's OK not to like all of it - Exhibit A(lanna): Marmite! - not all of the natives like all of it either, and if you don't like it because you've tried... well, at least you bothered to try! 3:49 Points 1 & 2 are bound up in this one, I'd say. New way of life, new food, new people, new sights, new environment, new climate, new culture. It's yours for the trying! 5:27 Sufficient to say that the NHS has been a sacred cow of the British people for the 75+ years of its existence, though it has also been a political football, for better and for worse. It was an "ideal idea," to coin a phrase; whether the idea was realised in a manner wholly consistent with the ideal is always a hot topic for debate, but not one to get into here. Hold it up against the American model and it's clear which is the superior one! 7:19 That's so sweet and kind of you, dear Alanna! We know we're not perfect - well, at least some of us do, at any rate - but if you have such nice things to say about us, we're clearly doing some things right and it's a comfort to know it. 10:00 It takes a foreigner to appreciate this one! Apparently, the present Queen has been quoted as saying that the problem with our history is that there's too much of it; we have tried to come into the modern world but we are guarded about our historic monuments and buildings, so all over the UK you will find characterful landmarks and structures, repurposed with varying measures of success.... 13:11 The UK has even more Bank Holidays this year (2022) because of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! You should make a video covering it if you can, Alanna - you will, along with all Brits, be witnessing a moment of history in the making, for no British monarch has ever reigned long enough to celebrate one until now. I for one would love to see what you make of it, as a foreigner but also a Canadian, being therefore part of the Commonwealth over which Her Majesty rules.

Great information

Near where I live a local green valley has the remains of a 19t century water wheel .A local “village “that’s des res the old looking church used to be a gas works until the 20th century.If you poke around Britain has lots of surprises

who could not make you feel welcome,you are always very upbeat,happy,and for the most always have a positive outlook,and you are honest,which is refreshing.It must take some guts to move to another country,especially at a young age,i would be terrified.only one thing i want to know Alanna,will we ever get to see the other half,the elusive boyfriend.

Hay Alanna, you're fellow Canadian is on the box the noo, cha Dave, enjoy, greetings from Glasgow and shine on.

the goldfinch and the secret histroy not being beside each other is making my brain itchy lol

You've been here long enough for me to consider you an honorary Brit Alanna. I have branches of my family tree who live in the US and Canada, so maybe we are distantly related :)

As someone who left the UK this is gonna be an interesting one to watch....

Very enjoyable vidio glad you are settled

Long live the NHS. I would hate for us to move to the US style healthcare system

I also am a Canadian from Ontario, trying to decide if I want to take the plunge and get an Ancestral Visa to move to the UK and work for 5 years (as a pathway to stay). Enjoying watching your videos and they are helpful. The NHS portion of the Visa is a heft chunk of change, but for 5 years of healthcare it also feels very reasonable.

I’m really pleased that you appreciate the culture and benefits of living here in the UK. It is not perfect and of course we all pay for many of our benefits through high taxation but it’s a more caring way of living than many countries. Canada also seems appealing but of course is different, whereas the USA frankly scares me with their crime statistics, Road deaths, guns, profit based healthcare etc.

I really love your take on the buildings. Every city I've been to, I have taken a keen interest in the built environment. Talking about markets, have you been to the Grande Place in Brussells? It's staggeringly beautiful. 499 years old.

I think that we do take the variety and character of our small country for granted. Having traveled to the US I was always struck by how the suburbs just went on for ever in places like Chicago and New Jersey. All low rise houses looking the same. Even in France which obviously has lots of history and culture the villages seem quite bland in comparison to the UKs villages. On the whole that is.

Great video. Originally, I was gonna put a generic comment to help you out with the ol' KZfaq algorithm. But I couldn't stop nosing at your bookshelf. Maybe we can get an 'Alanna's book reviews' video soon..??

I liked the Patreon plug 👍👍👍

I'm a Brit, but have lived in Canada for many years. I understand completely what you mean about "character", and there's pros and cons about that as you pointed out. Ever doen a video about Brit humour?

I understand the take on 'character'. We met up with friends yesterday and had a pub lunch in a pub that was built in the 13th century. We thought nothing of it - it was just another pub.

Welcome back Alana. Do you EVER stop smiling? (Please don't, it's delightful)

The national employment standard in Australia include 4 weeks annual leave. And 10 days personal leave for sickness or emergencies.

thanks for the share, canadian people are always more nice than I could imagine

Been to ontario 3 times and when your a brit its all new and different..but i did notice what is said here about shopping we had to drive a bit of a way to shop and it was as described all laid out with everything in a big plot and again things are different. biggest shock was milk in plastic bags! never seen that before but i enjoyed my holidays although it was 10 yrs ago the last one.

Now that ya get those holidays, will ya go to the north? We'll be happy to meet ya

One thing that I found really good is that everything is so close. In Canada, it takes a long time to go somewhere different but in the UK it can be one county over. Not to mention you can go through multiple countries in like a day by just popping across to France 🇫🇷. It is the ease of access to so many different countries and cultures that are no more than a two hrs flight to get to that is so different from Canada. I once drive from Dover to John o Groats (company car free fuel) just to say I did and that can be done in a day. Taking a trip to Brugge through France is a lovely day trip but in Canada the only place you can go is the USA.

In the US, many companies are now offering "Discretionary Time Off" which does not accrue, but it also doesn't pay out if you leave the company. Theoretically, you can take time off, in between projects or after a large project, several times a year. I'm not sure which I like better. Liberal time off that gets paid to you when you leave, still seems the best to me.

I live in Oxford so you can't miss history. Also, you can replay parts from films such as the night time scene with the rats which Tom Cruise did in Queen's Lane and then in front of the Radcliffe Camera, so there are two-in-one's.

hey alanna like the bit about architecture and character my local pub is from the late 1880s its got a very old feeling to it i have the orig last orders bell from it in my kitchen it was a gift from the landlord i also grew up in a 400 year old cottage with wonky floors!

The NHS and Fish & Chips, you forgot to mention Fish & Chips. Two great reasons alone to move to the UK Alanna. 🙂

So how many weeks holiday do you take at a time? I imagine you only take them in the summer although it can be hard over there to find a dry month LOL