It looks like we are going back
Jun 22nd 2003, 9:11 pm
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 40
About North America
I used to live in Edmonton, Canada for 8 years and I hated.
I found people there very unfriendly food tasteless and job opportunities very few.
Edmonton is very remote city ,winters are very harsh between -30 and -50, summer I would call it spring very short.
Currently I live in USA, but I think you as UK citizens are very lucky if I was one of you I would never live here in north america.
Being born in Poland doesn't give me much opportunities now , although I would love come back to europe and live there for reasons other people mentioned already.
By the way just came back from london 2 weeks ago and love it
I am jelaous
I found people there very unfriendly food tasteless and job opportunities very few.
Edmonton is very remote city ,winters are very harsh between -30 and -50, summer I would call it spring very short.
Currently I live in USA, but I think you as UK citizens are very lucky if I was one of you I would never live here in north america.
Being born in Poland doesn't give me much opportunities now , although I would love come back to europe and live there for reasons other people mentioned already.
By the way just came back from london 2 weeks ago and love it
I am jelaous
Jul 21st 2003, 7:49 pm
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Location: Ex Teesside, England Now in Edgewater, Maryland USA
Posts: 98
Re: Going home
Originally posted by GetMeOutOfHere
Since 1997, NL(new labour) have begun the so-called "Third Way" project, first term in office they did nothing except benefit from economic policies inherited from the Tories. That lasted until the end of their first term and Blair called an election just as people were beginning to question what had they done, hospital waiting lists were growing, crime was rising alarmingly, illegal immigrants were hell bent on getting in to the UK even though many are just economic migrants. Anyway, Blair pleaded for another term in office and the UK public fell for it, and now we can see that the "Third Way" is just the same old Labour socialist TAX & SPEND dogma with a glossy spin to it. Taxes are rising to pay for thier grand plans, nothings improving and our billions in extra tax is getting wasted. The economy has been growing only on the back of property equity increases, people remortaging and spending money thats not theirs. Trouble is around the corner, the chancellors figures are wrong, more taxes will be required. Crime is increasing, judges want criminals not to go to jail, the police are powerless, schools & hospitals have been caught out fiddling figures to look as if they are hitting their targets. Most are working not knowing if they will have a job next year, wages for the majority are decreasing in real terms. The public sector wage bill is increasing 1 in 4 now work not contributing to the economy, while those in the private sector are working longer hours with more reposibilities and no extra pay.
I'll stop now but theres plenty more I could add....and you want to come back to this quality of life?
Since 1997, NL(new labour) have begun the so-called "Third Way" project, first term in office they did nothing except benefit from economic policies inherited from the Tories. That lasted until the end of their first term and Blair called an election just as people were beginning to question what had they done, hospital waiting lists were growing, crime was rising alarmingly, illegal immigrants were hell bent on getting in to the UK even though many are just economic migrants. Anyway, Blair pleaded for another term in office and the UK public fell for it, and now we can see that the "Third Way" is just the same old Labour socialist TAX & SPEND dogma with a glossy spin to it. Taxes are rising to pay for thier grand plans, nothings improving and our billions in extra tax is getting wasted. The economy has been growing only on the back of property equity increases, people remortaging and spending money thats not theirs. Trouble is around the corner, the chancellors figures are wrong, more taxes will be required. Crime is increasing, judges want criminals not to go to jail, the police are powerless, schools & hospitals have been caught out fiddling figures to look as if they are hitting their targets. Most are working not knowing if they will have a job next year, wages for the majority are decreasing in real terms. The public sector wage bill is increasing 1 in 4 now work not contributing to the economy, while those in the private sector are working longer hours with more reposibilities and no extra pay.
I'll stop now but theres plenty more I could add....and you want to come back to this quality of life?
Jul 22nd 2003, 8:22 pm
#33
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2003
Location: Exit UK 23rd Mar 2004, arriving in NZ 29th Mar (stop off LA Disney)
Posts: 385
Re: Going home
Originally posted by Daveyboy
Im currently going thru applying for a fiance K1 visa to join my fiance in the US as I live in N.East England. After reading some of the stuff on here about people going back to the UK I started questioning my future. However Im glad I read your letter as it reminded me why I was happy to go to the US. Thanks
Im currently going thru applying for a fiance K1 visa to join my fiance in the US as I live in N.East England. After reading some of the stuff on here about people going back to the UK I started questioning my future. However Im glad I read your letter as it reminded me why I was happy to go to the US. Thanks
I hope you are happy and that married life(when it comes) is good for you & your fiancee.
After 12 yrs and 3 kids, I love my wife just as much, and our kids have made us realise that we have to get an UK exit plan sooner rather than later.
Be happy
Aug 12th 2003, 4:18 am
#34
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4
There's something missing
It's the small things.....
No black widow spiders in UK country gardens
No one will ever comment on my kids red hair ever again
Or my accent
Main St smells of donuts
Who will put spf 45 on my pale faced children at recess
How do you feel if you are not Homecoming Queen
It takes a long time to get anywhere
It's too hot to go to the park in the summer
Food doesn't taste of anything
Yogurt isle in uk supermarket is massive
The children don't know their family
5 weeks holiday in UK
2 weeks in US
People smile but don't listen to one another here
Racoons will not dig up my Hostas and annuals in UK
Draft guiness
Sunday roast
beer gardens
my friends
Green
I can identify an English person from 20ft and I'm never wrong, they stand out, so I guess I still do
Long to wrap myself in the old, oversized, overcoat that is the familiar scent and comfort of home
What are your small things?
Best of luck to all who adventure and return to tell their tale.
No black widow spiders in UK country gardens
No one will ever comment on my kids red hair ever again
Or my accent
Main St smells of donuts
Who will put spf 45 on my pale faced children at recess
How do you feel if you are not Homecoming Queen
It takes a long time to get anywhere
It's too hot to go to the park in the summer
Food doesn't taste of anything
Yogurt isle in uk supermarket is massive
The children don't know their family
5 weeks holiday in UK
2 weeks in US
People smile but don't listen to one another here
Racoons will not dig up my Hostas and annuals in UK
Draft guiness
Sunday roast
beer gardens
my friends
Green
I can identify an English person from 20ft and I'm never wrong, they stand out, so I guess I still do
Long to wrap myself in the old, oversized, overcoat that is the familiar scent and comfort of home
What are your small things?
Best of luck to all who adventure and return to tell their tale.
Aug 12th 2003, 6:46 pm
#35
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Right to roam
Originally posted by English Mummy
It's the small things.....
What are your small things?
Best of luck to all who adventure and return to tell their tale.
It's the small things.....
What are your small things?
Best of luck to all who adventure and return to tell their tale.
But "going for a walk" is nigh on impossible. In the "city" (why is every poky little community called a "city"?) there are just no wide open spaces, and in the country, walking in wide open spaces means you're likely to get shot by the farmer whose land you're trespassing on....
Little things:
A good cup of tea (unless I make it myself)
Entertaining journalism (the only entertainment in my local rag is laughing at the 2nd grade level errors in English)
Irony and self-deprecating humour
Broad mindedness (remember, I'm in the south)
Marks and Spencers food
A good curry (unless I make it myself)
"English" conversation (not the language; the mentality)
More than 5 minutes of advert-free TV
Radio 2 (though I do listen via the BBC Web site)
And, of course, family and friends (sniff!)
Aug 12th 2003, 7:06 pm
#36
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Going home
Originally posted by GetMeOutOfHere
I'm just stating how it is, people forget when they are away from UK for a while and remember the 'Good ole times'.
.....
I'm just stating how it is, people forget when they are away from UK for a while and remember the 'Good ole times'.
.....
Unfortunately that UK no longer exists, times have moved on and they, as likely as not, will be disappointed and will not find what they are looking for.
Sure there are a few small things that the UK has that other countries don't, but there are, ..... er, ....... "several" major problems that the UK has that don't seem to be likely to be addressed any time soon.
Aug 12th 2003, 10:36 pm
#37
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Going home
Originally posted by Pulaski
I firmly believe that most people who have lived overseas for five or more years and feel the need to get back to the UK are not looking to go back to the UK, they are looking to go back to the UK that they left.
Unfortunately that UK no longer exists, times have moved on and they, as likely as not, will be disappointed and will not find what they are looking for.
I firmly believe that most people who have lived overseas for five or more years and feel the need to get back to the UK are not looking to go back to the UK, they are looking to go back to the UK that they left.
Unfortunately that UK no longer exists, times have moved on and they, as likely as not, will be disappointed and will not find what they are looking for.
As for me, I must be exceptional (my Mum always told me so, anyway). because I actually found that when I went back after 17 years, I liked the "new" U.K. even better than the U.K. I left 17 years earlier. Maybe I had just grown up in the meantime and that explains my different opinion, but other than having taken on some undesirable US characteristics (the victim culture/increased litigiousness, for example), I found the U.K. I moved back to made me quite proud to be living there, more so than when I was there in '83.
Last edited by dunroving; Aug 13th 2003 at 4:38 pm.
Aug 14th 2003, 12:57 am
#38
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 711
I have to agree with you Dunroving. If you try and go home on a regular basis and stay in contact with family and friends then you are able to stay current with what is going on back home and know how it has changed.
I plan to move back May/June '04. For me the biggest factor is getting my children into the UK school system. I disagree with waiting until Kindergarten and then for what so a 6 year old can cut, colour and glue for 2 1/2 hours a day!
I want to move back to where people are honest and upfront - not false, so nice that you need a bucket and so two faced that you don't know who you can trust.
England here I come in another 10-11 more months!
By the way I've been here 7 years and have done very well going to university and obtaining 2 BSc's and working but I've always known that I would retuyrn home at some point.
I plan to move back May/June '04. For me the biggest factor is getting my children into the UK school system. I disagree with waiting until Kindergarten and then for what so a 6 year old can cut, colour and glue for 2 1/2 hours a day!
I want to move back to where people are honest and upfront - not false, so nice that you need a bucket and so two faced that you don't know who you can trust.
England here I come in another 10-11 more months!
By the way I've been here 7 years and have done very well going to university and obtaining 2 BSc's and working but I've always known that I would retuyrn home at some point.
Aug 14th 2003, 1:55 am
#39
.
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
Posts: 8,933
Re: Going home
Originally posted by Pulaski
I firmly believe that most people who have lived overseas for five or more years and feel the need to get back to the UK are not looking to go back to the UK, they are looking to go back to the UK that they left.
I firmly believe that most people who have lived overseas for five or more years and feel the need to get back to the UK are not looking to go back to the UK, they are looking to go back to the UK that they left.
We're 8 years out, and although there are still things I miss a lot, I don't feel any particular urge to get back to the UK per se - I did a 3 month stint back in London a couple of years back, and that was enough to remind me why I wanted out of there! But as my family in the UK get older, and my own kids have started to come along, I am starting to feel an urge to get closer to the UK side so that my kids grow up knowing my family a bit better than a once a year vacation can provide. But then we moved here (US) last year to be closer to my wifes parents for a while, so I guess my family will have to wait a bit longer before we descend on them on a more permanent basis. But I guess we will one day, probably before the decade is out.
Aug 14th 2003, 7:07 am
#40
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4
Regarding your point, Pulaski about returning to the life/country I left behind, I don't feel the same way. I'm not atall nostalgic for that life, that was the one I wanted to leave behind me forever. Isn't that why we all venture overseas?. America gave me the biggest career break of my life, and I'm a better person all round for it. I definately don't hanker after a damp flatshare, low paying, can't seem to make progress kinda job, or sweaty, summer tube commute. No, I'm returning to a different UK because I'm a different person now, with different needs and aspirations. Right? Started going through stuff today and vow to make trip to off-load at Salvation Army every day, feels great. Not sure how My husband is going to feel about his baby blanky, and grotesque ceramic beer tankards, hmm??, must try not to be over zealous.
Aug 14th 2003, 5:27 pm
#41
Oxymath and eremite
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Wanker's Corner, Oregon.
Posts: 255
[QUOTE]Originally posted by English Mummy
>Regarding your point, Pulaski about returning to the life/country >I left behind, I don't feel the same way. I'm not atall nostalgic >for that life, that was the one I wanted to leave behind me >forever. Isn't that why we all venture overseas?
I think we all have our own reasons for being here, some of us are here for purely economic and career reasons, others because of our spouses and spouse's families. We moved here originally because Mrs. Stumpy missed her family. We had a good quality of life in England, and have done quite well here though the perfect country doesn't exist.
>... No, I'm returning to a different UK because I'm a different >person now, with different needs and aspirations. Right?...
So if the changes in you and the changes in England coincide, then the move back is probably a good thing for you. Personally I feel far more at home here now, and every time I go back to England to visit the place seems even more congested, difficult to get things done, and just "dumbed down" somehow... Again, not to say that America is perfect, but through my eyes it seems as though England has adopted a lot of the less appealing aspects of American culture, and at the same time is still trying to retain a semi-functioning nanny state. When that is coupled with the imminent surrender of national sovereignty to Europe, I think that makes for a pretty combustable mixture.
>Regarding your point, Pulaski about returning to the life/country >I left behind, I don't feel the same way. I'm not atall nostalgic >for that life, that was the one I wanted to leave behind me >forever. Isn't that why we all venture overseas?
I think we all have our own reasons for being here, some of us are here for purely economic and career reasons, others because of our spouses and spouse's families. We moved here originally because Mrs. Stumpy missed her family. We had a good quality of life in England, and have done quite well here though the perfect country doesn't exist.
>... No, I'm returning to a different UK because I'm a different >person now, with different needs and aspirations. Right?...
So if the changes in you and the changes in England coincide, then the move back is probably a good thing for you. Personally I feel far more at home here now, and every time I go back to England to visit the place seems even more congested, difficult to get things done, and just "dumbed down" somehow... Again, not to say that America is perfect, but through my eyes it seems as though England has adopted a lot of the less appealing aspects of American culture, and at the same time is still trying to retain a semi-functioning nanny state. When that is coupled with the imminent surrender of national sovereignty to Europe, I think that makes for a pretty combustable mixture.
Aug 14th 2003, 6:40 pm
#42
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Originally posted by Stumpyguy ..... Personally I feel far more at home here now, and every time I go back to England to visit the place seems even more congested, difficult to get things done, and just "dumbed down" somehow... Again, not to say that America is perfect, but through my eyes it seems as though England has adopted a lot of the less appealing aspects of American culture, and at the same time is still trying to retain a semi-functioning nanny state. When that is coupled with the imminent surrender of national sovereignty to Europe, I think that makes for a pretty combustable mixture.
Congestion is getting steadily worse, public transport is bursting at the seams yet cost of using it is climbing and yet no improvements are forthcoming, the cost of housing is insane, the (state) schools are in a grim way and yet going private isn't an option (see cost of housing, above).
And then there is the "problem" of the current government's off-stated intentions to hook up the British economy to the old nag that is Europe. .....
Aug 15th 2003, 5:40 am
#43
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 404
Originally posted by davidjh
Here in Alberta Canada the labor laws are very weak.
Allot of people work without any played holiday and organizations can lay people off for simple thinks like not fitting in with co-workers.
Also if you get laid off the law states that any one-week notice is required.
People start work here at 8 not 9 and in allot of cases are expected to work though to 5:30 pm.
When I was in England I worked 8 to 4 with five weeks paid holiday with the norm being 4 weeks
And we have it easy here in comparison to the US were things are allot tougher than here.
In a BBC survey the average North American works 2 months on average a year longer compared to the average European.
Also health in the US over 5 million people have no health care benefits with 100% in the UK.
The thing a dislike the most over here is the commercialism with is extreme and the sport, which totally crap.
Here in Alberta Canada the labor laws are very weak.
Allot of people work without any played holiday and organizations can lay people off for simple thinks like not fitting in with co-workers.
Also if you get laid off the law states that any one-week notice is required.
People start work here at 8 not 9 and in allot of cases are expected to work though to 5:30 pm.
When I was in England I worked 8 to 4 with five weeks paid holiday with the norm being 4 weeks
And we have it easy here in comparison to the US were things are allot tougher than here.
In a BBC survey the average North American works 2 months on average a year longer compared to the average European.
Also health in the US over 5 million people have no health care benefits with 100% in the UK.
The thing a dislike the most over here is the commercialism with is extreme and the sport, which totally crap.
I dont know about Alberta, But my Hubby's Employee's start at 8am, First break at 10am, lunch time is 12pm half an hour, 2nd break is 2.45 15 mns home is 4pm all Stat holidays off with pay.
They take holidays if they want or just work if they want.........
I think our employee's do all right as I did when I worked for Sears...
I do believe this is the norm and the rules ............set out by Labour relations..................( I think i'ts them)........
Jan= 1st.
April= Good Friday
May=Victoria Day
July=Canada Day
Aug=B.c Day
Sept=Labour Day
Oct= Thanksgiving
Nov= Remembrance Day
Dec Xmas
Aug 15th 2003, 5:43 am
#44
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 404
Originally posted by april
I dont know about Alberta, But my Hubby's Employee's start at 8am, First break at 10am, lunch time is 12pm half an hour, 2nd break is 2.45 15 mns home is 4pm all Stat holidays off with pay.
They take holidays if they want or just work if they want.........
I think our employee's do all right as I did when I worked for Sears...
I do believe this is the norm and the rules ............set out by Labour relations..................( I think i'ts them)........
Jan= 1st.
April= Good Friday
May=Victoria Day
July=Canada Day
Aug=B.c Day
Sept=Labour Day
Oct= Thanksgiving
Nov= Remembrance Day
Dec Xmas
I dont know about Alberta, But my Hubby's Employee's start at 8am, First break at 10am, lunch time is 12pm half an hour, 2nd break is 2.45 15 mns home is 4pm all Stat holidays off with pay.
They take holidays if they want or just work if they want.........
I think our employee's do all right as I did when I worked for Sears...
I do believe this is the norm and the rules ............set out by Labour relations..................( I think i'ts them)........
Jan= 1st.
April= Good Friday
May=Victoria Day
July=Canada Day
Aug=B.c Day
Sept=Labour Day
Oct= Thanksgiving
Nov= Remembrance Day
Dec Xmas
Aug 15th 2003, 12:06 pm
#45
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 711
Yes, Employers in the States are not that generous