[Lycanthrop]

Originally Posted by gypsygirl I think England would change more than America, its still stuck in the 1980's which was bad enough the first time around LOL I guess we should wait for the gc at least, Im just SO ready to leave right now instead of being practical

It is ?????

I just went back and didn't see any skins, punks, mods........there seems to be a lot more affluence now than there was in the 80's........

The thing is......America really seems on an uneven keel these days. The changes here could be quite profound..........but thats just my opinion. And you know what opinions are like..........

[gypsygirl]

Originally Posted by NorthYorkshirelass We had lived just outside London and my family were in Leicester and Scarborough and my husbands family in Italy, so we would prob. get together about 4 times a year, but I think I feel almost a bit guilty that my kids don't get to have family times like we used to remember having with our families. My kids are v. sociable, so we need to make an effort and perhaps get more friendly with our kids friends parents, or join the p.t.a at my son's new kindergarten in the Autumn. That said, when we went to the kindergarten round-up the leader of the US equivalent of the girl guides stood and did a talk about the kdis joining, and I thought I was on candid camera...this woman was soooo enthisiastic and unreal, a real stepford wives moment... So think I may be a bit scared of getting too involved there!

I think everyones way too busy with soccer practice and all that to have friends here. I find most of them very fake and plastic. I wouldnt want to get involved in that either.

I think the 80's punks had more sense and left! The clothes, hair, music and neon signs stayed though

[gypsygirl]

Yes they could make some wonderful changes here, but they wont, I really dont see it. They wont even join in the international green changes that are being made, which really p's me off.
The media totally runs this country, but the Uk isnt far behind either these days.

[jumping doris]

Originally Posted by Lycanthrop Nyet.

Ahhh...Scottish.

[Englishmum]

Gypsy Girl - have you seen the 'Moving Back to the UK' board?

There are a couple of threads there right now which include the title "UK Update". The expats who've returned seem to be very happy (especially with the UK flexible work practices/annual leave).

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61


I too live in New Jersey. Are you near the Ringwood State Park area or heading out towards the Poconos? (I'm up for calling in for a cuppa LOL!)

I have a very good Aussie friend who lives in Boonton township which is semi-rural. She has 1 year old twins and a 7 year old, her Aussie husband is always out of the country with his job (Mexico, UK, Australia, Singapore) and like you, she doesn't drive either. Her lifeline is the internet.....she does virtually all her shopping online, even for groceries from Peapod. They're definitely planning on leaving the US in the next year or so, they like it here but not enough to spend the rest of their lives here. Just like me!

Have you looked into the costs of sending kids to college in the US....it's shocking....!

[Adnams]

Originally Posted by gypsygirl Thats what I meant LOL

Sounds like you need a trip home. I know you say you're broke but if you're truly thinking of going home but people are warning you that is changed (and it has a bit) then a trip back would help you you see any changes and make an informed decision. It will seem different as you will now have become used to a lot of things here (like the roads and driving) and England will seem stranger and more changed than it actually is. You say you're broke, well, if you can hang fire the open skies agreement kicks in next year and Ryan Air are going to be running flights from the UK to Providence Rhode Island for only seven quid!! I kid yee not.
I am the first one on that plane - just anyone try and stop me!
Good luck

[Jerseygirl]

Originally Posted by gypsygirl Thats why I wouldnt like another state, they are bad enough here! Ive heard all about the recluse spiders etc etc no thanks LOL We have a 6' black snake in our basement. Im told he is good for killing mice. Obviously not the mouse that sneaks into our kitchen at night, but Im not about to bring that up with him, hes bigger than me We get the bears, but I dont mind them Jersey girl you are right next door!

Thought I might be.

So you're in Sussex or Passaic.

[snowbunny]

Originally Posted by gypsygirl I think everyones way too busy with soccer practice and all that to have friends here. I find most of them very fake and plastic. I wouldnt want to get involved in that either. I think the 80's punks had more sense and left! The clothes, hair, music and neon signs stayed though

The US has changed a lot over the last twenty years IMHO (I'm a native-born American). I have to say that kids on both sides of the pond have given up trying to make a change or protesting unfairness -- it's now all about acquiring more Stuff and enlarging one's social network.

The GC won't solve your problems other than enabling more of your family to work. And it's easy to lose your status if you leave the country for an extended period of time. Citizenship can't be lost in this way but it'll be more years until you're eligible to naturalise.

If everyone in your family is unhappy here then why prolong the agony? If it's simply a choice between being unhappy and skint, or happy and skint, well....

Having said that....

once your husband has the GC, he's free to switch companies and you're free to move within the US. What does he do? Is he underpaid? Is he okay with working here (US work culture is very different to UK/European work culture) (questions for you to think about) The differences between living in one US city vs another can be amazing as can difference from being in one job to another.

I do agree that it would be helpful to go for an extended visit -- perhaps just you and the youngest? to the UK and get a feel for things. Immigrants are pouring into both the UK and the US.

Best of luck,
Amy.

[Adnams]

Originally Posted by snowbunny The US has changed a lot over the last twenty years IMHO (I'm a native-born American). I have to say that kids on both sides of the pond have given up trying to make a change or protesting unfairness -- it's now all about acquiring more Stuff and enlarging one's social network. The GC won't solve your problems other than enabling more of your family to work. And it's easy to lose your status if you leave the country for an extended period of time. Citizenship can't be lost in this way but it'll be more years until you're eligible to naturalise. If everyone in your family is unhappy here then why prolong the agony? If it's simply a choice between being unhappy and skint, or happy and skint, well.... Having said that.... once your husband has the GC, he's free to switch companies and you're free to move within the US. What does he do? Is he underpaid? Is he okay with working here (US work culture is very different to UK/European work culture) (questions for you to think about) The differences between living in one US city vs another can be amazing as can difference from being in one job to another. I do agree that it would be helpful to go for an extended visit -- perhaps just you and the youngest? to the UK and get a feel for things. Immigrants are pouring into both the UK and the US. Best of luck, Amy.

US work culture!! My OH says all they do is spend hours jabbering in meetings and doing precisely nowt!

[TouristTrap]

Originally Posted by Adnams US work culture!! My OH says all they do is spend hours jabbering in meetings and doing precisely nowt!

*See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil*

[Englishmum]

Originally Posted by Adnams You say you're broke, well, if you can hang fire the open skies agreement kicks in next year and Ryan Air are going to be running flights from the UK to Providence Rhode Island for only seven quid!! I kid yee not. I am the first one on that plane - just anyone try and stop me! Good luck

Where did you get this info? Have you got a link? OK...I'll be the second one on the plane LOL!

The only thing I've heard recently about the new open skies agreement is that BA is planning to have some 'business class' only flights (like Silverjet, Eos & Maxjet) but flying directly to cities like Zurich or Milan and by-passing London. Virgin are considering the same.

[Adnams]

Originally Posted by Englishmum Where did you get this info? Have you got a link? OK...I'll be the second one on the plane LOL! The only thing I've heard recently about the new open skies agreement is that BA is planning to have some 'business class' only flights (like Silverjet, Eos & Maxjet) but flying directly to cities like Zurich or Milan and by-passing London. Virgin are considering the same.

Last time I was home in the motherland - at Easter this year - it was in The Telegraph! I dont have a link but have searched their web site but its not a published fare yet. The open skies thing is a defo though - it has been tied up by the big players for years but after years in court the little boys finally won.
I will keep you posted as I find out more but its a reality fares are going to plummet next year. Ryan air will make their money by selling food and films and drinks. Pack sarnies and a couple of tinnies I say!

[snowbunny]

I too have heard that trans-Atlantic fares will decrease under "Open Skies" but I don't think they'll drop *to* seven quid.... maybe *by* seven quid, which will of course be eaten up by the rise in aviation spirit costs.

But off-season fares are still fairly reasonable and if I were the OP I would scrape together enough money to take self and youngest home for a visit to think things over.

[snowbunny]

Originally Posted by Adnams US work culture!! My OH says all they do is spend hours jabbering in meetings and doing precisely nowt!

Actually that would be the managers. Don't you read Dilbert?

Those of us who aren't managers have to make up for the time lost in meetings by working longer.

[Adnams]

Originally Posted by snowbunny I too have heard that trans-Atlantic fares will decrease under "Open Skies" but I don't think they'll drop *to* seven quid.... maybe *by* seven quid, which will of course be eaten up by the rise in aviation spirit costs. But off-season fares are still fairly reasonable and if I were the OP I would scrape together enough money to take self and youngest home for a visit to think things over.

I kid yee not, The Telegraph were quoting a press release from Ryan Air saying thats what they were planning. 7 quid = 14 dollars but uber uber cheap. Thats how Ryan air make their money. I flew from Stanstead to Barcelona for a tenner not so long ago. They're "awesome" as they say here.