Adjusting to a new life in the UK from the US

Well of course you don't have to sell my home country to me..LOL...I would love to move back but my o/h will not consider it...but thanks for all that info, because no-one can see 2 sides of the coin regarding 2 separate Western countries than 2 people in your exact position. One American and One Birtish.
As you know many Brits believe very heartily that life would be so much better if they lived in the USA...perhaps if they are of working age it may be so, but for quality of life perhaps not so much..
 

hollydolly said:
Well of course you don't have to sell my home country to me..LOL...I would love to move back but my o/h will not consider it...but thanks for all that info, because no-one can see 2 sides of the coin regarding 2 separate Western countries than 2 people in your exact position. One American and One Birtish.
As you know many Brits believe very heartily that life would be so much better if they lived in the USA...perhaps if they are of working age it may be so, but for quality of life perhaps not so much..
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Hope that didn't sound anti-American because we aren't. And I'm also British - naturalised in 2007.

I guess if I was a young Brit looking for a good career I'd be looking at the US as well. Many Scots have asked me why I would want to live here when I could be in the US. One said she'd love to live in the US because of all the great theme parks. :rolleyes: Doh. My brother (a professor) was on sabbatical in London with his family for 6 months a few years ago. He said he'd have loved to buy a house and stay in London but his pay would be a fraction of what he gets in the US and the house would be double or triple the price of his in the US.
 
This is the biggest reason people would like to live in the USA because of the huge differences in the pay structure and the cost of property. I'm always astounded at just how much most Americans (outside of the major cities) get for their money compared to what we get here..

I have a friend who is a Nuclear scientist and after he left University about 30 years ago he left to live in the USA...he would desperately love to return to England, but he would earn a 10th here of what he earns in the US, and have to pay at least 5 times more for an equivalent size property.
 

hollydolly said:
This is the biggest reason people would like to live in the USA because of the huge differences in the pay structure and the cost of property. I'm always astounded at just how much most Americans (outside of the major cities) get for their money compared to what we get here..

I have a freidn who is a Nuclear scientist and after he left University about 30 years ago he left to live in the USA...he would desperately love to return to England, but he would earn a 10th here of what he earns in the US, and have to pay at least 5 times more for an equivalent size property.
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True. $$$ is what sends people. Our income converted to $$ would make us well off in the US, but that's before healthcare and the private health/dental/prescription insurance we'd have to buy and all the copays, although both of us are qualified for medicare. But, no thanks.
 
Anyway, was thinking about my trip here, leaving the US for the last time as a resident. I transferred through Newark and it's the first time I saw the Statue of Liberty.

Transferred through Heathrow here and immigration gave me a hard time grilling me with questions. Then up to Glasgow and, Holly, you'll know the tv screen that says 'who is waiting for you?'. Aye, he was in it. :)

I was very tired so we drove by way of Gourock and the ferry. When we pulled up in the driveway (first time I'd seen it) he said 'welcome home'.

On the trip to Glasgow to take his daughter to the train for the trip back to uni, we drove back home via the Rest and Be Thankful. (breathtaking scenery!). I had tears in my eyes for a good part of the drive. Couldn't believe how lucky I was! :love_heart:
 
Awww honestly that brought a lump to my throat I was reading it out to my husband and I got choked when you mentioned the Rest and be Thankful..it's such a beautiful place, my husband has never seen it..so I had to show him pictures..
 
hollydolly said:
Awww honestly that brought a lump to my throat I was reading it out to my husband and I got choked when you mentioned the Rest and be Thankful..it's such a beautiful place, my husband has never seen it..so I had to show him pictures..
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That drive seems like a dream now and I was worried I'd wake up. Moi? Good husband, gorgeous country? Have I won the lottery as well? :sentimental:
 
hollydolly said:
Well of course you don't have to sell my home country to me..LOL...I would love to move back but my o/h will not consider it...but thanks for all that info, because no-one can see 2 sides of the coin regarding 2 separate Western countries than 2 people in your exact position. One American and One Birtish.
As you know many Brits believe very heartily that life would be so much better if they lived in the USA...perhaps if they are of working age it may be so, but for quality of life perhaps not so much..
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Sorry Holly but this is one British person that has never ever considered living in the U.S., not even to visit for a holiday.:)
 
I would love to visit ..but I'd only do it once because of the long flight ( back problems) and I'd really need to find the very nicest place , I'd hate to go to somewhere on my one trip to find it was a big disappointment..
 
hollydolly said:
I would love to visit ..but I'd only do it once because of the long flight ( back problems) and I'd really need to find the very nicest place , I'd hate to go to somewhere on my one trip to find it was a big disappointment..
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Lots of great places depending on your interests. Scenery, city, culture, history. But the shortest trip from London would be NYC - about 6 hours I think.
 
My daughter has been to California...several times, and New York several times. She's also been to Toronto Canada several times...I on the other hand have never been to any of them.

What Ideally I would like would be somewhere hot..but with spectacular views..but not far from the coast or amazing rivers for boating , and with loads of interesting sights to see (historical or geographical) with some great shopping and lovely hotels and gentle night life for middle aged people not youngsters.. ..and with really friendly locals.. :D Tall order maybe... LOL
 
hollydolly said:
My daughter has been to California...several times, and New York several times. She's also been to Toronto Canada several times...I on the other hand have never been to any of them.

What Ideally I would like would be somewhere hot..but with spectacular views..but not far from the coast or amazing rivers for boating , and with loads of interesting sights to see (historical or geographical) with some great shopping and lovely hotels and gentle night life for middle aged people not youngsters.. ..and with really friendly locals.. :D Tall order maybe... LOL
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Very tall. I don't know of a place that has all that, but maybe some others might. How about Boston - Cape Cod area?
 
I was just browsing a site last night (sorry, didn't save the link) that profiled York. If there were anyplace in England I'd like to live that would be on the top of my list. Gorgeous place, at least in pictures.
 
SifuPhil said:
I was just browsing a site last night (sorry, didn't save the link) that profiled York. If there were anyplace in England I'd like to live that would be on the top of my list. Gorgeous place, at least in pictures.
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I love York! And there are beautiful villages all around Yorkshire and on the coast. I visited Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay one year by myself as husband wasn't interested. And visited York with my sister. Don't think I want to live right in town though as it's usually jam packed with tourists.

York with my sister:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/anniedanny/sets/72157625058609844/
 
One of the advantages of living in Scotland is the ease of getting to places for short visits in both Scotland and England (Wales and Ireland, not so short). With a senior railcard we can get discounts on train trips and sometimes visit London (4 hours once we get to Glasgow). I love the train especially when we can get deals on first class (free food and drink). Of course, once we get to London finding accommodation that isn't outrageously expensive entails extensive research.

Even after 15 years (actually 13 with being in Africa 2 years) there are still many, many places in both Scotland and England I have yet to see and would love to. Some I will have to go solo (as I have twice) as husband isn't interested. Or when my sister comes to visit. She loves history as well.
 

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