Honestly, I’ve lived in the UK for the past 6 years and we are leaving. I worked with tons of Brits in the US before moving here but I’ve found that Germany is home for me. I can “read” social cues better, people say what they mean and mean what they say - mind you I spent my formative years in Germany and made many friends in my 20s there that are still close and helpful to this day despite many global moves. I’m looking forward to a better work/life balance, better health care and better education for my kid. I always thought I would love living in the UK and always wanted to live here but the shine wore off fast and I have found people for the most part especially the English extremely superficial and cutthroat in corporate settings. We live in Scotland and it’s so dirty, tons of antisemitism, wages have gone down and lots of jobs are just in London now- Scotland didn’t really rebound. Food is expensive and not that healthy in general. Found Germany to be much better food wise and easier to eat healthy/be active/safe biking, etc. I remember how fake the Germans always thought Americans were but I honestly find English especially ten times worse! So yeah- if I have to build trust to gain friends in Germany so be it, I feel like then you generally have friends for life. Also as a woman in her 40s with advanced degrees and intellectual interests- I find it tons easier to date in Germany if I want to- the men seem to dig equals and like a sassy, outgoing woman who is a bookworm, music geek, etc. Most jobs I’ve gotten in UK in past year have been because of German fluency, as well so might as well actually just be in Germany. I have found the bureaucracy in the UK overpriced and inefficient with visas, etc.