Advice needed for move to England from US
May 11th 2024, 4:49 am
#31
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2024
Location: Scotland
Posts: 11
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
Here I am again, over a year after starting this thread, still in the US. A lot has happened since, and I now really want to go in the next 2 months.
My little older dog passed away and I now have a small puppy.
Please help me decide where to move.
I have been trying to decide where to move for literally years.
I have dual citizenship US and Irish. Never been out of the US. 70 years old, alone except for my little dog. I'll be moving alone and not going to anyone, wanting to start a new chapter, getting involved with community and having many of the things I have here in a suburb of Chicago-shopping, medical care, vet, good roads.
I want to rent a house - bungalow, one level in a good area. I work independently and remotely so I need good internet.
Healthcare is important and good ambulance service just in case.
I'm not visiting first, just getting off a plane and going to the place I rent beforehand.
Please give your best advice people...I have to decide and get on with it.
I've been looking into Cheshire.
Thanks in advance.
My little older dog passed away and I now have a small puppy.
Please help me decide where to move.
I have been trying to decide where to move for literally years.
I have dual citizenship US and Irish. Never been out of the US. 70 years old, alone except for my little dog. I'll be moving alone and not going to anyone, wanting to start a new chapter, getting involved with community and having many of the things I have here in a suburb of Chicago-shopping, medical care, vet, good roads.
I want to rent a house - bungalow, one level in a good area. I work independently and remotely so I need good internet.
Healthcare is important and good ambulance service just in case.
I'm not visiting first, just getting off a plane and going to the place I rent beforehand.
Please give your best advice people...I have to decide and get on with it.
I've been looking into Cheshire.
Thanks in advance.
May 13th 2024, 12:43 am
#32
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,161
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
I agree with the others, get yourself an AirBnB for a month or two first, and then see if you like the area enough to commit to rent there. If you have never even left the US, you could be in for a huge culture shock and end up hating it and wanting to move back or to move elsewhere in the UK. So I wouldn't rent a house you've never seen unless you know the area well, it could turn out to be a very expensive mistake.
I'd slow it down a bit, get over there but use temporary accommodation first in the area you think you might like to move to. Then you'll have time to explore a bit and find somewhere that really suits you.
Good luck.
I'd slow it down a bit, get over there but use temporary accommodation first in the area you think you might like to move to. Then you'll have time to explore a bit and find somewhere that really suits you.
Good luck.
May 13th 2024, 1:04 am
#33
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,371
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
Hello,
I am hoping to move within the next 3-6 months from the US. I've not been to the UK and I don't necessarily plan to make a trip beforehand if I can avoid the expense.
I'm a US/Irish dual citizen. I have an older dog that will come with me. I am in my 60s, work as an independent contractor, and also have some health issues but nothing that will stand in the way of making this move.
I would like to rent a nice bungalow in a good area with trees and parks. I don't want to be in a crowded city, nor do I want to be out in the country. I want to be near a vet, doctor's offices, and a good hospital just in case. And good shopping is very important.
In terms of my finances, I would say I'm in the middle to upper class here in the US.
I am concerned about things I hear in the news about the state of the NHS, ambulances, cost of living, strikes, shortages, crime, but I feel if I choose the right location I'll be fine.
I would love to get some advice and recommendations from anyone.
Thanks in advance.
I am hoping to move within the next 3-6 months from the US. I've not been to the UK and I don't necessarily plan to make a trip beforehand if I can avoid the expense.
I'm a US/Irish dual citizen. I have an older dog that will come with me. I am in my 60s, work as an independent contractor, and also have some health issues but nothing that will stand in the way of making this move.
I would like to rent a nice bungalow in a good area with trees and parks. I don't want to be in a crowded city, nor do I want to be out in the country. I want to be near a vet, doctor's offices, and a good hospital just in case. And good shopping is very important.
In terms of my finances, I would say I'm in the middle to upper class here in the US.
I am concerned about things I hear in the news about the state of the NHS, ambulances, cost of living, strikes, shortages, crime, but I feel if I choose the right location I'll be fine.
I would love to get some advice and recommendations from anyone.
Thanks in advance.
May 13th 2024, 1:13 am
#34
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,849
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
Family member was in hospital in Taunton for heart issues recently. Spent about 3 weeks in there and was very impressed. Said he was tempted to stay longer just for the good meals they gave him! He's usually incredible critical of anything government related so this is a pretty good recommendation.
May 13th 2024, 5:43 am
#35
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,558
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
IMO you goofed by immediately replacing your sadly departed dog with a puppy. Moving alone, and finding short-term rented accommodation, would have been considerably cheaper and easier than moving with a dog. Once settled you could have got yourself a new dog.
May 13th 2024, 10:30 am
#39
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,371
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
Family member was in hospital in Taunton for heart issues recently. Spent about 3 weeks in there and was very impressed. Said he was tempted to stay longer just for the good meals they gave him! He's usually incredible critical of anything government related so this is a pretty good recommendation.
May 13th 2024, 10:36 pm
#40
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 73,059
May 14th 2024, 12:30 am
#41
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,849
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
sorry 'A Bit Cheeky' but just what do you imagine Somerset is like?
Must send this to my relative, he is the first to admit he has rather a "colourful and eventful" past life and he will just crease up laughing at the thought of Taunton being a dangerous hotspot!
TBH if someone is worried about anywhere in Somerset being "dangerous" when compared to the likes of Chicago, they should forget the whole of the UK straightaway!
Last edited by Pollyana; May 14th 2024 at 12:34 am.
May 14th 2024, 12:51 am
#42
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 32
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
Ah, not so much fun then
I can't stop
sorry 'A Bit Cheeky' but just what do you imagine Somerset is like?Must send this to my relative, he is the first to admit he has rather a "colourful and eventful" past life and he will just crease up laughing at the thought of Taunton being a dangerous hotspot!
TBH if someone is worried about anywhere in Somerset being "dangerous" when compared to the likes of Chicago, they should forget the whole of the UK straightaway!
May 14th 2024, 3:29 am
#44
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 32
Re: Advice needed for move to England from US
Good advice from those who suggest temp living arrangements. I have to say I'm more inclined to just sign a lease for a year and look around while living in a stable place. I do not like airbnb type places at all.
Last edited by A Bit Cheeky; May 14th 2024 at 3:31 am. Reason: Addition
Helen
