Most Americans have seen Harry Potter or Downton Abbey, so they may think that they know all that there is about living in the UK.

But for many who travelled across the pond from the US to set up home there, big surprises awaited them - and they've been airing what raised the eyebrows on an internet forum.

One said he discovered a 'culture of functioning drunks', another 'primitive' laundry services. But there was praise, too - especially for the NHS and the transport system.

Although the two countries speak the same language and have a shared history, the US and the UK have very different cultures (stock photo), as an internet forum revealed

As one American ex-pat, Kasey Coff, pointed out: 'There is a huge cultural gap - it is, in every respect, a foreign country.'

The comments were made on forum Quora, which posed the question: 'What is it like to move to England from the States?'

'In London, the following factors usually determine your ability to connect with others - your accent, your secondary school, and your uni,' described one American, Sanford Dickert, living abroad.

He added: ' As many others have said, this is a culture of "functional drunks" - capable of carrying on until 3am in the morning, stumbling home and then waking up for work on Friday, with a slight reduction in performance.'

He described the city as a 'culture centered around pints and pubs'.

Nearly everyone who posted on the forum commented on the ease of public transportation in the UK, specifically in London (stock photo)

British aspects that many people admired included public transportation, the NHS, and a more 'relaxed' office culture.

One of many to comment on public transportation, James Baxley said: 'London has a great transportation system, it can take you anywhere you want in the UK and to major connections in continental Europe.'

Many Quora users commented on the convenience and superiority of the NHS compared with American health care systems.

One user said: 'The NHS. Is fabulous. Once you've got a home address, find your nearest GP and register.'

The National Health Service was another popular subject on the forum, with many Americans commenting about the ease of British health care

Shannon Idzikowska, an ex-pat who now considers herself a Londoner, said: 'We are much more relaxed about work tasks and creating a balance for our own sanity.

'You won't be seen as a "bum" because you didn't work 60 or even 40 hours this week.'

Less popular with Quora users include early closing times and over-crowding of McDonald's.

Mr Baxley described why it is 'hard living in the UK as an American'.

He said: 'I tried to go to the Asda down the road, which had a giant, blazing green sign out front which read "Open 24 Hours".'

'Sunday evening at seven I tried to shop and the Asda was closed.

'I mentioned this to a friend and he said that 24 hours just meant weekdays.'

Mr Dickert added: 'Everything closes by five pm on Sundays.'

One difficulty brought up by multiple people was doing laundry in the UK, and specifically the lack of access to tumble dryers

Many Americans who posted on the forum brought up their difficulty doing laundry, and lack of access to a tumble dryer.

Dawn Marchant, who has been in the UK since marrying a 'Brit' in 1995, said: 'I would give my right arm for an American washer and dryer, and you won't understand this unless you've seen the laundry situation here.'

Additionally, nearly everyone who commented mentioned something about the food, with many saying they were surprised by the abundance of good eats.

Mr Dickert said: 'There are amazing restaurants to be found in London - some great restaurants and farmers markets.'



However, one American who was stationed here during his time in the US Air Force, said: 'McDonald's locations tend to be mobbed most of the time. For a reason.'