cpltony

Sorry, quick replied the wrong person

Annikajj

Hi, Im half English, half Danish and Im moving to Norman, OK around July. I lived there for 2 years in 2002-2004 but was so unhappy that my husband agreed to move back to Greece (this is where I call home.... long story). We have lived here and tried to make it work but the travelling back and forth every few months is too much for him so we have decided to give Norman one more try.... Im sure if I could meet some Brits... or anyone from Europe life would be so different! Anyone out there?

BethOK

Hey there

Are you in Norman now? Sorry to hear your stay didn't go too well the first time, its does take time to settle down in a new country and being totally honest, Oklahoma is a BIG difference to England, well I have found anyway. I was so used to my regular 'girls night out' etc being able to jump on a bus to the mall, walk to the local store or pub here you don't have that.

I just asked my hubby (who was born and bred in N.E. Oklahoma) how far away Norman is, and what its like there, he said its a typical college town! Like that gives me a clue I have a few Brit friends around the USA, friends I have met online, one of them in WV and we speak very regularly on the telephone, she is originally from Wales I have found meeting other Brits online has helped me an awful lot, because we are all in the same boat and are a good source of support for one another, so if you need a shoulder, give me a shout.

Take care

Annikajj

Thanks for your reply... Im not in Norman yet, I am still in Athens, I will be visiting Norman again in about a week to see if I can make this move. I am no stranger to moving to new countries, to give you an idea, I have learnt 8 languages in my life. Its just that I had a bad experience the last time we lived there.... I was living in France, met my husband, fell madly in love and moved blindly to Norman, OK. I have lived in the US before but never in the midwest and I felt so landlocked among other things. I have always lived on the Mediterranean, near the sea. Im scared to bits that I make this move and end up hating it again. In all honesty, last time we lived there we had temporarily rented a duplex to give us time to find somewhere to buy. It was in the WORST area, I slept in the day and stayed awake at night, my daughter went to an awful school etc etc. I met no one I could relate to in any form or manner. Now my husband has bought a house in a lovely neighbourhood and I feel more positive that I will meet a wider variety of people, maybe that have at least travelled somewhat... Im so happy in Greece, but we will keep a rented house on an Island so that we can come and still enjoy the summers.... Its just really nice to know that there are Brits out there.. I'll need a good laugh now and again!

Arizona Wurzel

About 40 miles east of Phoenix AZ

BethOK

Gosh you have moved around. I do sympathize with you about living in a dodgy area, that can put you off for life! With any luck with the house you and your hubby have bought and seeing as its in a lovely neighborhood, everything should work out well for you, will keep my fingers crossed

My youngest son had a bad experience with one of the schools here, it was an elementary school, he only stayed there a year, we had stuck his name on another sch list and as soon as a slot became available he went to the other one, actually it was my hubby's elementary school and my son loved it.

It is kinda hard not living near the ocean, and I can understand why you would keep a house rented over in Greece, sounds wonderful. My hubby and I love the ocean, he was in the Navy in the late 70s, we met when he lived in Texas in 2002, not far from Galveston. But as his Mum still lived in OK and is on her own, we moved up this way to be closer to her. Since arriving in N.E. OK in 2004 we have moved, ermmmmm 4 times, and that does not include staying with my Mother in Law for 7 weeks while looking for a place. This last move, last August we bought a beautiful house and have sworn to one another that we are nailing the furniture down to the ground, we have had it with moving, its hard work and we are getting to bloomin old

Anyway best wishes with your move and once you have settled in perhaps we can swap phone numbers and have a good old 'CHINWAG' BTW is your hubby a Brit too? Take care

C.C

Hi there, I know exactly how you both feel!! Its so hard to settle in a new country and Beth you are right Okie is so different from England. I do miss my kids terribly and Newcastle is always going to be my home town, but because its different I try to look for the good points of living here. The way of life is slower that can be really nice, the air is very fresh, not much pollution were we are. Meeting new people is good too, I love to see different cultures.

Perhaps we can all keep int ouch and support each other, and if you are ever passing through Stillwater let me know we could meet for lunch or something.

Annikajj

My Husband in from Oklahoma, they just dont make em like that over here! Thanks for being here...

BethOK

hey you're so welcome, keep us posted on how things are going for you.

nakota

Hello there!I just wandered on this site....and saw this thread.I don't wish to intrude.
My fiance' is planning to move here from Chichester soon(fingers crossed)I'm worried that he'll be bored in Oklahoma....soon.At least we have good wind & lakes for him to windsurf.I'm almost in tears now thinking of him being homesick.Silly,I know.Should we travel to OKC for fun?And food?teehee For some reason,he REALLY likes it here!

C.C

Dont worry Nakota, he will love it here Im sure. Of course he will have times when he will be homesick but he is only human. When are you getting married? Is he coming over on a fiance visa??

nakota

Thank you for your encouragementWe filed our k1 last year and was approved end of Feb.FINALLY!!So,he'll more than likely fly here in first part of July.And marrying him as soon as he hits Okla.,hahahaha!!
Stillwater is a nice college town,lots of places within walking distance for you,I'd bet.I'm sure you enjoy that part of it especially!I love Stillwater.
The food items will be a bigger challenge for him,cause he studied to be a chef.ahhh well....pros and cons

C.C

Food is always a big challenge when you come from a different country. Its odd but chinese food is different in the US to chinese food in the UK, so on and so on. For me the bread was the biggest challenge, I still dont like the bread here, so I learnt to make it my self. Im sure that if he is a chef he will be able to over come anything he misses, though I do miss Indian Food and the good old british chips (fries to you) from the chip shops. Have you been to England??

nakota

No sadly,not been to England yet.Everytime I start to plan a trip,something happens...kids,my work,etc.You know how it goes.Will do after he's finally established in the US a bit.His medical visit(very athletic & healthy ) is end of this month.Then he'll schedule his Embassy interview.It's getting close,and NOW IM GETTING NERVOUS.So,Im trying to be of some support here in meantime to prepare,and also to keep my head up.Despite Embassy saying NOT to plan,we have to at least have some hopeful forethought ,eh?Even something as simple as food items,etc.We drive to Swanns Dairy in Claremore for double cream.mmm And yes,chinese and indian are different here,he says!Good idea about the bread!
Just cannot wait to to take him to our powwows!!! Season was over when he was here.........hahaha

limey1945

Living in Davis, OK, I really missed the UK food! Walmarts do a passable French baton - really. I am still waiting for them to stock Branston pickle though!
My wife makes really good UK type sausage rolls from US ingredients, as well as toad in the hole - some of us never lose the common touch I suppose.
Let me know if you need the recipe.
Best fish and chips - can't beat Long John Silvers - they also will sell you "proper vinegar"
"most like Heinz baked beans" - try Bush's Vegetarian Beans. (now there's a contradiction in terms)
I bring back from the Uk Polo mints, instant gravy granules and "proper" Cadbury's chocolate, Cadbury Roses (which all my US colleagues pinch) and Ambrosia creamed rice.I rely on Penzies for white pepper.