The 45 degree join in the US is different and to me safer,
Couldn't agree more. I've always found the UK join rather dangerous.
It's ok joining on the 45 if know exactly where the airfield is. But, I find that if I'm trying to find a small airfield I haven't visited before it's easier from 2000ft agl rather than circuit height 1000ft. From the overhead it's easier to spot the wind-sock, signal square and observe traffic in the circuit and generally get myself orientated to the field.
There is a US way of doing so, sometimes referred to as 'teardrop arrival' which pretty well describes the path of the joining a/c. In a nutshell you overfly the field MIDFIELD above circuit (pattern) height, typically at 2000 ft, of course taking potential jet circuit heights into account. This way you get to a great vantage point and see everything that's going on below you: traffic, windsock, a/c on ground. Importantly, doing this midfield you are not in anybody's way. You then proceed live side outside the pattern and descend in a long curved path (that's where the 'teardrop' comes from) upwind. Thus you have any traffic joining on the 45 in sight and can adjust accordingly. You then fly a standard 45 join. IMHO safest way to do it.