Back home, and it's heaven!
Aug 30th 2022, 9:46 am
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 74
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
I, a born & raised Brit returned to the UK after living in NYC for thirty years. My US born wife insisted on coming with me, can’t really blame her, I’m adorable! In all seriousness though I had given serious thought to returning home for a while but the time didn’t seem right especially as I had a rent stableized apartment in Manhattan, which believe me are like gold dust & are hard to give up.
But, after being made redundant at the beginning of Covid & also being around retirement age, my wife & I after much discussion thought “why not? let’s go for it!”
So, here we are, in jolly olde & so far so good, my wife especially loves being here. Lots of new things for her to adapt to, learn about etc but as I say she loves it here! I bought a cottage in a North Yorkshire market town (pop. 6000) eight years ago and my wife is loving setting up a cozy home for us both, new appliances, wood flooring downstairs to replace a beat up carpet, it’s all coming along nicely. We have a small back garden & instead of listening to the sounds of sirens all day in NY all we hear now is birds & the occasional lawn mower.
Of course I’m not happy with the political situation at home & the rise in energy prices & the inflation, but I along with many others can remember ice on the inside of our bedroom windows in the winter so we’ll wear an extra sweater, I know millions of people will have it worse than us unfortunately. So far the only downside to returning home is after 30 years away I renewed my season ticket for my team & so far we have yet to win this season, very worrying!
But, after being made redundant at the beginning of Covid & also being around retirement age, my wife & I after much discussion thought “why not? let’s go for it!”
So, here we are, in jolly olde & so far so good, my wife especially loves being here. Lots of new things for her to adapt to, learn about etc but as I say she loves it here! I bought a cottage in a North Yorkshire market town (pop. 6000) eight years ago and my wife is loving setting up a cozy home for us both, new appliances, wood flooring downstairs to replace a beat up carpet, it’s all coming along nicely. We have a small back garden & instead of listening to the sounds of sirens all day in NY all we hear now is birds & the occasional lawn mower.
Of course I’m not happy with the political situation at home & the rise in energy prices & the inflation, but I along with many others can remember ice on the inside of our bedroom windows in the winter so we’ll wear an extra sweater, I know millions of people will have it worse than us unfortunately. So far the only downside to returning home is after 30 years away I renewed my season ticket for my team & so far we have yet to win this season, very worrying!
Oct 14th 2022, 12:14 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
We're not really in a position to do a trial run because my partner runs a business and once it's sold & shut down it'll be time to move on.
I think my parents have valid points about the NHS. I very much respect the system and safety net that the NHS provides for the UK citizen. I'm appalled by the callousness of the US system where a few hospital stays can bankrupt a person if they aren't fortunate enough to have health insurance for one reason or another, but I won't allow myself started to get wound up about the subject!
I won't dismiss my parents' warnings about the NHS; we plan to budget for a private plan to give us a little more choice and to ease us into the system - as I do have some health concerns. Thanks!
I think my parents have valid points about the NHS. I very much respect the system and safety net that the NHS provides for the UK citizen. I'm appalled by the callousness of the US system where a few hospital stays can bankrupt a person if they aren't fortunate enough to have health insurance for one reason or another, but I won't allow myself started to get wound up about the subject!
I won't dismiss my parents' warnings about the NHS; we plan to budget for a private plan to give us a little more choice and to ease us into the system - as I do have some health concerns. Thanks!
Oct 14th 2022, 7:02 am
#33
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
Nov 2nd 2022, 8:40 pm
#34
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2016
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 12
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
Hi everyone, we've been back in the UK now for nearly 16 months. During 12 years in the USA I didn't think I ever really felt homesick but it wasn't until I was back that I realised that I had been. We've moved to Somerset, an area where neither of us had any history or association, it's proved to be a great decision. We purchased a home sight unseen (only via facetime), which we're very happy with, and we've been welcomed with open arms and are fortunate enough to have wonderful neighbours.
The stress of the moving back process, plus pandemic travel, plus cat transportation has now passed (it stayed with us for quite a while), and with the warm spring we're currently enjoying we've been able to get out and about a bit more exploring our county, and it's outstandingly beautiful. This was our last move, and that in itself feels like a great comfort.
We've got a great local doctors surgery, efficient NHS (yes! I was surprised too after all the negative comments I'd read), 10 minutes walk from the "High St", choice of 5 supermarkets and two great chippies to choose from. Our favourite chippie knew our names and remembered our regular order after the first three weeks of being back
, only a small thing, but made us feel great lol. We are a small town of only 9500 people, but our facilities are fantastic.
I recognise of course, that being newly retired, I'm living my best relatively stress free life! It would be entirely different if I had to look for work and endure 40 hrs in the office with a busy commute. However, for us, it's been the best decision ever to return!
Lastly, a word of thanks to all the forum experts who answered questions when asked. Much appreciated.
Best wishes to all.
The stress of the moving back process, plus pandemic travel, plus cat transportation has now passed (it stayed with us for quite a while), and with the warm spring we're currently enjoying we've been able to get out and about a bit more exploring our county, and it's outstandingly beautiful. This was our last move, and that in itself feels like a great comfort.
We've got a great local doctors surgery, efficient NHS (yes! I was surprised too after all the negative comments I'd read), 10 minutes walk from the "High St", choice of 5 supermarkets and two great chippies to choose from. Our favourite chippie knew our names and remembered our regular order after the first three weeks of being back
, only a small thing, but made us feel great lol. We are a small town of only 9500 people, but our facilities are fantastic.I recognise of course, that being newly retired, I'm living my best relatively stress free life! It would be entirely different if I had to look for work and endure 40 hrs in the office with a busy commute. However, for us, it's been the best decision ever to return!
Lastly, a word of thanks to all the forum experts who answered questions when asked. Much appreciated.
Best wishes to all.
How did you purchase a home without having a credit rating?
Nov 3rd 2022, 12:14 am
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Nov 3rd 2022, 7:29 pm
#37
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
Also to note. I left in 2008 and still have a reasonable credit score in the UK. The other trick is to have an Amex card and use global transfer to get a credit history.
Nov 3rd 2022, 7:48 pm
#38
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2016
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 12
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
You're very fortunate to have been able to keep your credit score. I've been gone for 20 years and no longer have my NI number, am no longer on the voting register, you name it I'm gone from it.
I do have American Express and could look at the global transfer option, providing I don't need bags of savings to maintain a ridiculous balance.
I do have American Express and could look at the global transfer option, providing I don't need bags of savings to maintain a ridiculous balance.
Nov 3rd 2022, 7:57 pm
#39
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
You're very fortunate to have been able to keep your credit score. I've been gone for 20 years and no longer have my NI number, am no longer on the voting register, you name it I'm gone from it.
I do have American Express and could look at the global transfer option, providing I don't need bags of savings to maintain a ridiculous balance.
I do have American Express and could look at the global transfer option, providing I don't need bags of savings to maintain a ridiculous balance.
As for the electoral register, as soon as you move back to the UK, you get back on the register..
Nov 3rd 2022, 8:07 pm
#40
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 525
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
And open a bank account, get a credit card, set up some direct debits (phone contract, etc.). If you have a job, this will also add to your credit score. It'll probably take time to find a house to buy, so in the meantime you will be building a credit score.
Nov 3rd 2022, 8:07 pm
#41
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 64
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
Nov 3rd 2022, 8:08 pm
#43
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2016
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 12
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
Nov 3rd 2022, 8:24 pm
#44
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 64
Re: Back home, and it's heaven!
I didn't actively do anything. Had a good rating when I left in 2009 and it was practically the same number when I returned in January 2021. Kept my UK bank account and credit card open throughout and used them from time to time on occasional visits back, apart from that nothing specifically.