Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Regarding Ireland, things got pretty bad over there a couple of years back with the recession, but it's slowly bouncing back. We've been thinking of moving back there instead of to the UK, since it might be a better place for our son (mostly because the education system's better than the UK's and I have a lot of family there). So, here's some things to be aware of:

1) Ireland doesn't have an NHS, as such. Medical care is mostly paid for through private insurance, either through the state-sponsored insurance company, VHI, or through fully private insurance through a company like BUPA or Quinns. The big difference between private insurance in the US and Ireland is that pretty much everyone pays the same (fairly cheap) rates, there's no issues with pre-existing conditions or anything and that everything is covered (even hospital stays - no matter how long you're in there, the maximum a hospital can charge is around 700 euros, and the insurance will cover that). There is a universal scheme for those whose income is below a certain level though - if yo u're unemployed or on a low income, you can apply for a "medical card" which will get you free treatment everywhere. The Irish government has been discussing implementing a fully universal system, but this will probably have to wait until they've dug themselves out of the hole they're in.
2) The Euro. Ireland is a part of the single currency and this has certain benefits and problems - no having to change up money to visit the mainland EU, but you will have to exchange your euros for pounds if you want to visit the UK.
3) VAT is pretty high - 21% - and is set to go higher so Ireland can repay its EU bailout. So this means that almost everything you buy will probably be more expensive than you're used to.
4) The pace of life is a bit slower and more family-oriented than in the UK.
5) If you're outside the Dublin area, there's not much to speak of in terms of public transport so you'll have to drive. The Dublin area's pretty good though, with lots of buses, the LUAS light rail network and the DART trains.
6) Housing is ridiculously cheap in Ireland right now - the recession forced much of the immigrant Eastern European community (mainly Polish) who moved to Ireland as tradesmen, to go home, since their own economy was doing better, leaving many empty homes, including entire developments which are just sitting unoccupied. Depending on where you go, you can score a nice, new-build 3-bedroom house for under 100,000 euros.
7) The Irish love their animals. Although many of them are still of the "farmer" mindset and like them to live outside.
8) Better get used to drinking lots of tea and eating ham sandwiches and cakes - that's pretty much what every visit to an Irish person's house entails!
9) There is still work to be had in Ireland, in certain fields. The high-tech sector is still doing pretty well over there. And, if you're self-employed, the business taxes are some of the lowest in the world.
10) The quality of produce you'll find in the supermarkets is excellent, usually locally-sourced (with certification to prove it) and you won't find any GM foods or anything with HFCS. Superquinn's sausages are legendary. :)
11) Ireland is incredibly beautiful. IMHO, even more so than the most beautiful parts of the UK. There's something about that green, a shade you don't see anywhere else.
12) Irish people are very friendly. It went off the rails for a little while there, for a while all many Irish people would talk about was property prices and their share portfolios, but they seem to have rediscovered their humility since the recession!
13) They like people from overseas. Most Irish families have someone living abroad, so they're quite used to visitors from overseas, especially from Americans. They're also amused at how much of a big deal people in the US make of Paddy's Day. :)
14) There's been quite a big resurgence of the Irish language in recent years - there are areas in the country where it's still spoken as a primary language, and it's taught at all schools. The odd phrase in Irish might prove useful, as well as knowing what commonly-used Irish words like "taioseach" and "tananiste" mean.
15) Irish kids are clever. The Irish school system is excellent and seems to turn out better-educated kids than the schools in the UK.
16) Irish English, for the most part, follows British English in terms of spelling, grammer, etc, but has quite a few quirks of its own. You'll get an ear for them though.
17) The Irish are renowned as big drinkers - this isn't the case so much any more, but there will always be drink involved in social situations.
18) The Irish drive on the left, like in the UK, and you can be waiting forever to take a driving test (the current wait time is 2-3 years in most places!). But you can drive on a provisional licence (learner's permit) - in fact, quite a few people in Ireland have never actually taken their driving test and have continued to drive on their provisional licences for years! Petrol's expensive, like in the UK, but you'll find most Irish people drive smaller, diesel-powered cars as they're much cheaper to run.
19) Ireland does have gun crime - handguns are still legal in Ireland, unlike the UK, and you do occasionally hear about shootings, but this is rare. Just stay away from the shabby estates in the Northside of Dublin and you'll probably be OK.
20) Despite their very Catholic history and the fact that almost everyone there is at least "ethnically" Catholic, Ireland's becoming quite secular these days, which can only be a good thing.

Hope that helps. Ireland's still a great place, if you can get sorted with work. :)

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Wow, thanks for the incredibly comprehensive post, Rusty! Very good, useful info..I really appreciate it.
Do you have any idea what the cost for private health insurance might be? Also, how would you compare the Dublin area, inc. suburbs, Cork and Galway?

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Thanks for your post. I'll try to give a better picture of what I would I would like...

Firstly, I would say I am "middle class" in terms of finances, and hoping to better that soon. I would love to find a place that is just outside of a big town, probably outside London, as I would like to take advantage of shopping, theatre, events,etc on occasion. I would love a small house, one level, fenced in yard for my dog, in a good area. I would rather a small house in a good area than a bigger house elsewhere. I also don't want to be out in the country. I live currently in a suburb of a large city..far enough out to be pretty and quiet, but close enough to get into the city easily. Also, as I am moving alone and starting without knowing anyone I would,like to be in a place where I can meet people easily.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

You can see for yourself if you go to www.vhi.ie - it's about 85 euros a month for a decent VHI plan, a little more if you never want to have to pay a co-pay.

Dublin's obviously quite a bit more expensive than the rest of the country in terms of what property costs, but it's also got the most amenities and the best transport infrastructure. Cork's probably second most expensive, but, even so, it's far cheaper than Dublin, and Galway will be cheaper still. Take a look at the housing prices on www.daft.ie. Also, bear in mind what you save in property costs living is the more outlying areas, you'll lose in transportation costs and convenience. Also, being close to Dublin airport can't be underestimated.

Also, if you're considering Ireland, go and register on www.boards.ie - it's a huge forum site, with separate forums dedicated to almost everything. There's local forums for the various areas of Ireland too, so, if you're thinking about moving to a particular area, maybe go and ask some questions on there.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

As I said Im from the North but have lived down South as well, but Im sure loads of people will be able to recommend towns down south. What I can tell you is that the weather is better there, but house prices are expensive. But the thing is in England everything is a lot closer to get to, so even if you live in the city its really easy to be in the country for the day and the other way around.

Location is so important, so get as much info as possible. Having recently left I would say that there are places in the UK that are the total pits and places that are just idilic.

Good luck with whatever you decide:)

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Much of England, especially in the south, east and central parts are now suffering from a 16months plus long drought following month after month of well below average rainfall.....water use restrictions and hosepipe bans are being brought into operation in many areas.


......more civility....

Not necessarily so in London :blink: .......time constraints seem to preclude civility in the UK capital.


......much kinder attitude towards dogs......

"Dog Friendly" signs outside pubs and shops do exist but certainly not universal....more so pubs than shops - most pubs have beer gardens or beer courtyards anyway....guide dogs are accepted practically everywhere.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Don't fall into the American trap of thinking London is the only place with theaters and culture. There are lots of British cities with interesting cultural attractions and a vibrant arts scene, and lots of places that are only a couple of hours by train from London for those occasions where the show you want is only on there.

The problem with London is that prices are beyond ridiculous unless you're willing to live in a bad area. You say you want a good area, so for a small house expect to pay an arm and a leg (prices are higher than NYC). It's hard to know what you can afford without knowing what you earn but once you narrow down the 'good' areas you can go on Rightmove and see what you could actually afford.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I wouldn't quite say "a lot" but it does exist, and as the economic downturn progressed recently incidents of animal cruelty and abuse and abandonment increased quite alarmingly......as being shown on various TV documentaries involving the work of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Protection of Animals), the Cats Protection League and the Dogs Trust (who rescue dogs and home them for as long as necessary and never, ever put a healthy dog down - they are currenly opening up more rescue and homing centres for unwanted or abandoned dogs all over the UK.

Some of the cases shown on TV are unbelievably horrible, it's a shock to see just how cruel some people can be.....a woman going off with her kids and boyfriend on a ten days holiday on the Costa del Sol, leaving her dog to fend for itself in a locked house....neighbours alerted the RSPCA and they, along with the police, legally obtained the right to break into the house - the poor dog was sticking its nose and paws out of the letter box as they got to work....the dog's ribs were showing, dog muck all over the floors and it had resorted to eating bits of carpet and to drinking water out of the toilet pan.

When the dog was offered a bowl of food it gobbled it all down in just a few seconds.

Just one case out of others in a land reputed to be a land of animal lovers.....most of us are, but some most definitely are not, often for pure cruelly selfish uncaring reasons, not really excusable by reasons of no longer being able to afford keeping pets....animal agencies are always there to help out.

I adore all animals and feel very strongly about this sort of thing and am an active supporter of and volunteer with the Dogs Trust in the UK.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Yes, he can be quite near the knuckle :nod:. The thing is everything in UK life is 'sent up' constantly by almost everyone. It makes for a jokey happy atmosphere but please do not be offended by it or you will never fit in.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Hi Sile and everyone in this thread.

I've just finished reading everyone's comments. Thanks for all the info. I found my way here by googling "moving to England single woman" as I too have had this dream on my brain for the longest time. I however fully admit to having a very romanticized notion (I watch too many episodes of Escape to the Country), but I also sort of get the reality.

I currently live on the west coast of Canada, and while it certainly is lush and green and beautiful here (due to tons and tons and tons of rain), it has never felt like home.

My biological heritage is English and all of my ancestors dating back to 1700 (and probably beyond), are Londoners or South Englanders. I was adopted by a Canadian couple, and while I have spent my whole life here on the west coast of Canada, I'm currently at a time in my life where I have no reason not to make a break for it and see if what I've always dreamed of is out there (sadly I can't afford any of the properties seen on escape to the country). I do have some independent means of finance to tide me until I found suitable employment, hopefully in the culture/heritage/arts and am eligible to get a ancestry visa.

I am knowledgeable about UK life/culture, mostly through the media and television (have had a UK IP address subscription for a few years, so I tend to only watch UK tv online (not just Escape to the Country… but EastEnders too haha). In Canada we always had a lot of UK TV growing up, so most of us know the humour, and yes, we put a "U" in words like humour, colour, neighbour, etc

So erm, I'm not sure I'm as brave as Sile and would just up move without visiting first, but then again I am terrified of flying, so maybe just going for it is the answer. You do only live once, and I'm not really enjoying my life here so much; I crave culture and history and art, and it's just not here.

Sile, I'd love to stay in touch and hear about what you've decided to do, so I hope you'll keep up with this thread.

Thanks, everyone

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Sile

If I may ask, what part of the usa(midwest,Pacific west coast,metro nyc area) are you currently living? Might help in stirring you to a place more suitable.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Ukwinds, I am from the Midwest. Thanks for your interest. I certainly would love to have a good idea of where I would be happy there so,I could just go and land in the perfect place for me. This would be, of course, a huge move in every way. I know no one there. I believe I have some relatives that likely live somewhere in England, but I will have to do some genealogy research.
I must say, there are days I feel absolutely sure that this is the thing to do and other days I think I must be goofy to entertain the idea of leaving all I have ever known to move to another country alone.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Hi i am from UK but have been living in California for 28 years. I usually go home for a couple of months every year or two. I stay with my mum in Windsor, which is a train ride from London. I have been following your post with interest because i am often thinking of moving back and where would i like to live etc over the years. Economics and my daughter have prevented it so far. I am 52 and female. Maybe we happen to be there at same time and i can be of any help.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Sile

I don't think moving to a different country and leaving all you know behind is goofy at all, if you know in your core that the place where you are is not the place you wish to call home. A leap of faith,yes but its no different than any other judgement call we make in our every day life.It does however require greater planning and extremely reliable financial resources.

You can allways move back home if things were not to pan-out as planned.But what you can't do is turn back the clock and live a dream that has past you bye.These type of goals have an expiration date on them especially for individuals in our later years that move some where without knowing the lay of the land.At 65 years of age this goal is doable even if we've never lived in the country in question.

But to move to a strange new culture in a different country, is easier when we are in our 40's, and 50's in terms of socializing to make new friends, and in terms of setting up a support network and everything else that helps us to acclimate to a new place. I say, do careful research about every possible aspect, and if you are sure this is something you truly want,go for it.

Personally for me,I'm thinking about two areas,the outlining area of manchester because I enjoy being near but not in a large city.And the north has the reputation of being friendlier. Also in consideration an area about 50 miles near London. I'm still researching options.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Hello

I've read this whole thread with interest.

I'm Irish, from Dublin but now live in England. When I first moved I lived in Central London and with every successive move have moved further out. I now live outside London in a semi-rural area but we are looking to relocate again. This time a much bigger move.

Rusty has said pretty much everything I wanted to about Ireland. It is a fabulous country but one which has changed hugely in the last decade. The boom has left a large legacy, especially in Dublin where large swathes of the city are covered in soulless new housing developments. If by moving you want a more quintessentially Irish house then I don't think those are for you.

I would happily move back to Ireland if employment for my husband were an option. His area is very specialised and one that unfortunately there is no market for currently there. If I were to move I would look at coastal or slightly inland Wicklow, Meath or north Co. Dublin. While these areas have suffered boom development with people priced out of Dublin using them as commuter areas there are still many 'old' towns largely unchanged. Bungalows are very common in these country towns and you will be able to get far more land for your money. You would need a car but if you were near a train station Dublin would be easily accessible.

London and surrounding areas are very expensive. Property prices are ridiculous. Public transport is also very expensive. We are 35 mins on the train for central London, a one way ticket is £6.60:eek: There are slightly cheaper options by way of travel cards (£18 I think) but fares are only set to rise. London is a wonderful city full of opportunity but for me, personally I've had enough. It's busy, frenetic, expensive, dirty in parts.

Weather wise south east England generally has a slightly better climate than Ireland. That said, both are frequently wet and grey. However, there is something amazing about walking on a beach when it's wet and windy. That's one of the things I miss most about living in Ireland. There are stunning stretches of coast within a few miles of where I grew up. I loved walking our dog there in Winter (off lead:thumbsup:). Now to take my dog to a beach I have a much bigger drive.

Without knowing what type of environment you envisage yourself living it's hard to suggest specific areas.

I realise I'm waffling now so to summarise, I would say definitely don't rule out Ireland from your move plans. I often read this blog which is an American woman's experience of moving to Ireland knowing nobody. It has a large foodie element which I love but even if cooking isn't your thing it might be informative.

http://anamericaninireland.com/

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Thanks so much. I will keep posting here as time goes on and I will keep your offer in mind. Windsor is a lovely place, isn't it? It's too bad you can't find a way to go back if that's what you want. Do you like where you live now in California?

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Thanks for this thoughtful post. It really made me think again about the idea that I don't want to regret later on not doing the things I have wanted to do and living my life to the fullest.

Manchester has been mentioned so much...I think it sounds like a place I should look into further.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Thanks for the info....very helpful. Btw, I read that blog every week!

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Hello once again. I now have a few more questions about moving to the UK. This time it's about how to come over whilst waiting for my Irish citizenship. As I have mentioned, I am in the process of getting it, and I have been told it could take anywhere from a year to a year and a half. It is also possible that it could come sooner but I can't be sure. So, I know that I can come to the UK and stay up to six months as a visitor, but I think if I come as a visitor there is no hope of applying for any kind of extension, or leave to remain. I am trying to figure out how I would be able to come in any other way. As a self employed person I won't be looking to take a job away from anyone. I imagine I would have to prove I am self sufficient and would not be applying for any kind of benefits. So how do I come into the country as a US citizen waiting for my Irish citizenship so I can legally live and settle in the UK? I want to do this exactly right and legally, of course.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Nobody?

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I think you just have to be patient and hope that the Irish passport authority issues a passport to you without a long delay.

OTOH if you are a multi-millionaire I think most countries - including the UK - would be very happy for you to swiftly become a resident lol! :lol:

PS. I've just discovered that Boris Becker and the Formula 1 motor racing driver Kimi Raikkonen live in the same canton where we are in Switzerland as it has the lowest tax rates...(sadly my spouse doesn't get the tax breaks :( )

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

You could apply for a long-term tourist visa - the standard maximum length of stay is six months, but you can also apply for longer-term ones if you can prove you have enough money to support yourself.

You could also leave the UK at the end of a six-month stay for a week or two, then re-enter, thus starting off another six-month stay, although this might prompt some questions from the immigration officials when you come back. At the end of the day, they're most concerned with the fact that they don't want people coming in who are spongers, so if you do get pulled aside coming in and asked about your income, etc, be sure to have bank statements or other proof of income or savings with you.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I didn't think I had to apply for a visa to come as a visitor for six months. Are you sure about that? Also, how does one apply for the longer term one you mentioned? Is that done before you come into the country or when you have been there nearly six months? I don't want to take a chance going in and out and hoping for the best. I need to do this the right way. My intention is to really settle down somewhere.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

You're correct that you don't need to apply for a visa if you're only planning to stay for up to six months. If you want to stay longer, you have to apply for one, either that, or take the risk that you might get turned away at the border if you leave at the end of the six months and then return shortly afterwards. You can apply for FLR (further leave to remain) while you're in the UK - details are here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...eneral/extend/ - but you're probably better off applying beforehand. I can't find the exact page on the UKBA site about it, but here's the page about non-visa nationals: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...isa-nationals/

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

The sentence above leads me to advise you to visit England first before moving there. For someone who has spent her entire life in America and never visited another country, moving out of America, though exciting, would be rather unsettling and alienating I would think.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Gee, thanks.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I think you have to wait as long as it takes. Immigration is always a slow business - I've done it three times myself and never want to see another immigration official wielding forms as long as I live!

Regarding advice on moving back, my move has shown me how vital it is to start out in the right place. I rented short-term here (6 weeks) and now I wish I could stay longer. I suspect when we buy, it will be in this town. I recommend renting holiday lets in a few parts of the country and then seeing where you're happiest. Americans tend to think London = England, but nothing could be further from the truth. Like New York vs the rest of America, London is a world unto itself.

Go to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Lake District, Yorkshire, the Peak District, Norfolk. Go to the coast and to the Dales. Try a city, a market town and a village. If in the end you decide England isn't for you, you'll still have had a "grand tour" and an amazing experience. (And this doesn't have to be expensive - you could stay in caravans rather than in cottages in many places). You'll find many of your preconceptions are wrong - you might think you wouldn't like the weather up north for example, but unless you've been here and experienced it, you can't know. There's not all that much difference between the climate in any part of the country - think the degrees of difference between DC and New York rather than the difference between New York and Alabama. You might think you have to be near a big city, but then realize that other things become more important to you. There's no comparison between imagining and doing and if I were you, I'd approach this as a big experiment, learning as I go.

Oh and don't come in the winter. This is the perfect time of year to arrive in Britain.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Oh, wow. This, times a hundred! Especially since you're not moving with a job or family to orient you. Even a short visit first would be better than nothing.

I moved to Japan without having visited before -- but that was with an employer and lots of other people in the same position, plus I'd already spent time out of my home country. And it was still challenging. As was moving to California, where I at least speak the language. I think adventure is awesome, but you've got to give yourself the chance to succeed, and be practical about your preparation.

If you think a short visit isn't cost effective, Sally Simmons' idea of a 'grand tour' is fantastic. Kind of a 'try-before-you-buy' period. You could arrange your stuff to be shipped from the US at a later date, when you know you want to stay.

Even if you had traveled anywhere before, I'd still advise a pre-immigration visit, and since you haven't ever left the US I think it's absolutely vital. To assume it's an unnecessary expense is, in my opinion, very naive, as was your sarcastic response to Primula. It sounds like you might be rushing this.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Moshimoshi and primula,
The reason for my " gee, thanks" response is that it has taken me quite awhile to get to the point where I think I can do this, and then someone jumps in and says it's essentially a ridiculous idea to just go. But I am hardly rushing into this. I have been thinking about it and researching for years. This isn't just some flighty idea I just came up with yesterday. And saying I am naive...what is the point of that? I clearly don't know everything, otherwise I would not be on these boards asking questions.
Having said all that, I do appreciate your comments and suggestions and certainly have considered those ideas before you posted. I don't think visiting is an unnecessary expense, but it is an expense and I also hate flying, so I would like to just go once.

Sally, thanks for your thoughtful response and ideas. Although it sounds like a good idea in some ways, I would like to choose a place to rent for 6 months or so and travel out from there. Right now, I feel very discouraged and wonder if I should do this at all.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I don't think you should feel discouraged, but I do think that visiting beforehand is an expense that should be allowed for.

If you are going to move there without visiting, you should allow a large financial buffer for unforseen expenses and return airfare, should things not work out. Be optimistic but careful.

I only say this because you're in a pretty rare situation, a) having never left the US and b) not having a job or family specifically bringing you to the UK.

There's no reason why it can't work out, but I do think you have to be extra cautious. It's going to be a really new situation for you, without the support many other expats have.

I love living overseas, but even in an English-speaking country there are challenges and surprises, big and small. Some days that's great, and some days it really wears you down.

If you've never left America, you might not realize that a lot of the stuff you regard as 'normal life' is actually 'American life'. A million little things; attitudes to alcohol, how people chat at bus-stops, where things are in the supermarket, where best to buy homewares. It all sounds sooo trivial, but when you're overseas there's no escape from the unrelenting unfamiliarity, and - cumulatively - it can get you down. If you haven't been overseas before, this is going to be a bigger shock for you than most. It might also be weird to find yourself a 'foreigner' for the first time.

Given your circumstances, I just think visiting before you make a huge commitment would be safer. Again, I love living overseas, and I believe in all the 'you only live once' sentiment! But if you're a footloose nineteen-year-old, or a completely fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type, you have to go into it with your eyes open. It's more than just getting a passport and shopping for a location.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Hello! I don't think anyone is helping you by telling you to do it or not to do it, as no one can know all of your facts, circumstances, and thinking. That said, my help, as someone who has done what you are asking for advice about is this: 1) Plan in advance! 2) First, you need the proper entry visa, or citizenship rights. You can't just enter as more than a visitor, or enter as a visitor, with immigration intent. 3) You want to bring your dog? Did you know that it is safest to book your dog on the Cunard Queen Mary out of New York to Southampton, but there are only 12 kennels on boats with kennels, and they are booked often over a year in advance. Airlines force animals to come in CARGO and this can be dangerous or at least traumatic mentally and physically for the pet, so I've been warned, and I won't risk my pets health! 4) You could start off as a renter in a furnished apartment, and that way, your adjustment can be easier, and you can reverse your decision as well. Sometimes "holiday homes" can be found that lease out for terms--be careful for rents raised in off season and lease terms shortened, and go over the inventory with a fine-tooth comb! 5) When you do arrive, you may be able to join various groups or when work authorized, find "just a job," to help you get out and meet people and put some balance into your schedule even if you don't really need that job. GOOD LUCK and you can always GO BACK but you can't always GO FOR IT! : ) Don't listen to naysayers, it's your life, and worst case scenario, it doesn't work out!

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I don't think anyone has told the OP 'don't come'. Sometimes perceived naysayers are trying to help; the worst case scenario is actually that someones spends a lot of time and money doing something that eventually makes them unhappy, a long long way from home and support.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

So Moshi, Moshi, Would you tell the OP not to MARRY someone because he or she might eventually spend lots of time and money doing something that eventually makes them unhappy, and possibly away from home and support? I don't think that's for you to decide. When I talked about "don't come," why don't you think of that as "Suburban Road," and that often people in general may discourage someone from doing something that is a huge move. Also, I honestly believe that in part, we can make our own happiness, learn, and become a stronger person by a challenge. You have warned her though, there you go, she could be out time and money, and could be unhappy. Well, you could not try it, and say, what if forever too. People go into careers, relationships, businesses, and they can end up losing time, money and dreams can turn into nightmares. I still advocate better to spend a day as a tiger, than a lifetime as a sheep. I do not want to engage in a hostile dialog with YOU, so if you wish to escalate the posts to such, I'm not responding. (Had enough for decades of that). I'm only here, to offer information that I hope could be helpful to someone asking for that.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

If the OP had never met the guy, then, yes -- my advice would be not to marry him.

The OP started this thread asking for feedback. We're all perfectly entitled to give advice as we see fit. I'm giving my opinion based on having been an expat in three countries, as well as being a Brit who knew many Americans in England. I have no vested interest in discouraging people from big moves and changes.

I think 'better a day as a tiger than a lifetime as a sheep' is entirely admirable philosophy. But I also believe in 'look before you leap'. And when I ask for advice about moving overseas, I'd actually prefer specific info rather than 'go for it', which is just meaningless validation.

I think that's a really rude thing to say, as was your 'so, Moshi Moshi' introduction and your exaggerated portrayal of my opinion. Neither of us has even met the OP, and -- again -- we're both entitled to our own opinions. Please feel free not to respond.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

It's very easy to tell people to 'go for it'. Will you be around to help if it doesn't work out for her?

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

YES I WOULD SALLY! I helped hundreds of refugees, asylees, and family immigrants over the last two decades. I did tell her to plan, prepare the immigration rights, and consider a furnished rental property and that she could return home. If she would like to ask for further information or tips, I will be here for her, and I would actually travel (work permitting) to where she would be trying to settle to help her if she needed it, would you go the extra thousands of miles or just write a post?
I did not intend to engage in a debate with other posters, I meant that others, not posters would discourage her in general, and I do agree that a vacation or exploratory trip first is a good idea, and a pros and cons list. Very few people even CAN contemplate a move like this for a host of reasons. It is not for the timid either, it takes a lot. CHEERS.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

Honestly, you know I was rooting for you to just go for it, but if these very mildly cautionary posts are enough to discourage you, I'm not sure you should.

As others have said, moving abroad is tough. Many of your first days will be discouraging. You have to be OK with that or it won't work.

And as for settling in one place right away - I'm not sure that's a good idea when you haven't even visited. The place you choose will color your whole experience of the UK - if it's the wrong one, you could have an unhappy 6 months.

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

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Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I've thought about it, and yes, I think OP/SILE wishing for advice, should definitely first come on a short-term visit, and maybe tour, talk to Citizen's Advice Bureau representatives, explore options (there are "ramblers," walking groups), etc. for your interests. In my immigration and emigration administrative work, (and some flew through in just weeks, others if complicated could take forever), I have to say that part of my perspective has been helping people who already were absolutely determined to relocate and needed and depended on help from others for a number of things.
Sile/OP, here, doesn't have to go, and hasn't lived abroad, so thinking about this from a different perspective than someone hard set on this, even who hadn't maybe living somewhere first, why not rent the month-to-month three or six-month term "holiday home," and explore options from there. The UK is diverse as others have mentioned, Wales, Scotland, towns from Brighton/Hove to Cornwall (6-7 hours from London), and incredible scenery. It does take incredible courage and strength, and some days will be lonely and you have to make quite an effort to create a network for social and support if you don't have the incoming connections. I've heard a lot of stories about places all over the US and the World where people visit on a vacation, and then move there, and end up moving home, or they think they want to retire somewhere, buy a place, and end up wanting to return, still others keep two places. There also is the fact that a US Citizen or unrelinquished Lawful Permanent Resident always owes US TAXES on their world-wide income, but often your accountant can work with you on it or find you a referral. There are also tax treaties on some points. There are so many challenges, but it can also be a huge joy to overcome each one. Such as: I now have my National Insurance Number today, and a job, and my NHS number, and my provisional driver's license, and my bills all gathered and bookmarked-- but these would be things you have to manage only if you actually decided to move and not merely an exploratory trip.
What really made me rethink all this was the difference between advise and help after someone already did it which the later was what I usually have been called to do. I thought about a woman who wanted advice about divorcing someone under given facts, and I advised her she should, and my sister-in-law advised her under no circumstances should she do so. The result was that she didn't divorce, had children, and the spouse turned out to be a super-rat, and the woman was in a nasty divorce and had thrown away over a decade, and will have to face the next two decades, instead of possibly having met someone else while still very young and single. We never regret our wonderful children (I should hope), but this was a tough one. My sister-in-law felt enormous guilt for her role in this as an advisor. This is just one example.
So, don't give up, but don't jump in, just go on this trip with your eyes wide open, and as one other poster stated, don't be shocked about people having a few drinks in the pub! Cheers, E

Re: American would love advice re:moving to England
 

I have read all the queries and many of the responses. Although I would side with those recommending a visit, there is also a time in life when one can/should simply jump in the deep end. It's not as though it's irreversible; you can always return. All the very best - carpe diem!