In need of some advice
Apr 19th 2014, 8:43 pm
#211
Was in Canada, now home.
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Devon
Posts: 3,388
Re: In need of some advice
I'm very delighted for you EnglishMaple.
Apr 19th 2014, 10:50 pm
#212
WhiteRabbit
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,480
Re: In need of some advice
I'm here! And I've just had a lovely meal with a complete stranger! I arrived at a restaurant at the same time as a man of my age did and he said do you want some company? So I said yes so long as you don't hit on me! So we had a great conversation, nice meal and we both made a new friend (emphasis on the friendship - not my type to date but nice to have conversation with). And then he insisted on paying for the meal which was incredibly kind of him before dashing off to catch a train up North to where he lives. This, my first evening in London (as I arrived late last night) - feels like a good start!
I've also put a post up in the Back Home thread but it's waiting to be moderated - so I won't post anymore here and will probably post another update on the Back Home thread at some point. But couldn't resist sharing this story!
I've also put a post up in the Back Home thread but it's waiting to be moderated - so I won't post anymore here and will probably post another update on the Back Home thread at some point. But couldn't resist sharing this story!
Apr 19th 2014, 11:12 pm
#213
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland, just!
Posts: 2,053
Re: In need of some advice
I'm here! And I've just had a lovely meal with a complete stranger! I arrived at a restaurant at the same time as a man of my age did and he said do you want some company? So I said yes so long as you don't hit on me! So we had a great conversation, nice meal and we both made a new friend (emphasis on the friendship - not my type to date but nice to have conversation with). And then he insisted on paying for the meal which was incredibly kind of him before dashing off to catch a train up North to where he lives. This, my first evening in London (as I arrived late last night) - feels like a good start!
I've also put a post up in the Back Home thread but it's waiting to be moderated - so I won't post anymore here and will probably post another update on the Back Home thread at some point. But couldn't resist sharing this story!
I've also put a post up in the Back Home thread but it's waiting to be moderated - so I won't post anymore here and will probably post another update on the Back Home thread at some point. But couldn't resist sharing this story!
Welcome home! What a great story. It reminds of the film with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey.
Apr 20th 2014, 7:23 am
#214
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 203
Re: In need of some advice
I'm generally quite a cautious person (these kinds of things don't generally happen to me) so it was nice to say yes to something and have it work out so well.
Apr 20th 2014, 8:02 am
#215
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,139
Re: In need of some advice
When I first visited Frome, Somerset to view two potential rentals, I took the train from Paddington and changed at Westbury for the 'baby train'. Whilst waiting for that train I got talking to a man in the waiting room, and we travelled together to Frome (only 10 minutes). He then offered me a lift in the taxi he took into town, dropped me off at the top of the street I needed to be on, and paid for the trip wihtout taking a penny from me. Said it was his 'welcome to Frome' for me. I never saw him again, but have never forgotten the kindness. There are some very nice people in this world.
Apr 20th 2014, 2:26 pm
#216
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 203
Re: In need of some advice
Aww that's nice. I find kindness means a lot - especially when things are uncertain - it takes on even more significance doesn't it?
Apr 20th 2014, 6:15 pm
#217
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,139
Re: In need of some advice
Apr 20th 2014, 10:08 pm
#218
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Apr 25th 2014, 3:01 pm
#219
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Re: In need of some advice
Hi Englishmaple,
As you and others on this forum know i am also moving back to the UK next year, i am also 50 and moving back with no job or a place to live, i have been looking at places and have decided on a i bed annexe or bed sit if i can find one that accepts pets as i am taking my small dog with me.
I won't lie i am scared to death, i am planning to have at least 6 months savings to live on but worry about finding a job also, but i cannot stay here, i miss the UK so much, i am also currently separated after a bad marriage, but honestly i would rather live in the UK broke than stay in the US for the rest of my life lonely and miserable, as you know i have no family here and my only child lives in the UK now.
So i say go home girl!!!! we are not spring chickens but we are not old either, better now than never, alot of people on here wish they would have gone home when they had the chance, yes it will be tough at times but we will be stronger and happier in the long run.
Good luck and keep us posted, we are all here for you and understand what you are going through
As you and others on this forum know i am also moving back to the UK next year, i am also 50 and moving back with no job or a place to live, i have been looking at places and have decided on a i bed annexe or bed sit if i can find one that accepts pets as i am taking my small dog with me.
I won't lie i am scared to death, i am planning to have at least 6 months savings to live on but worry about finding a job also, but i cannot stay here, i miss the UK so much, i am also currently separated after a bad marriage, but honestly i would rather live in the UK broke than stay in the US for the rest of my life lonely and miserable, as you know i have no family here and my only child lives in the UK now.
So i say go home girl!!!! we are not spring chickens but we are not old either, better now than never, alot of people on here wish they would have gone home when they had the chance, yes it will be tough at times but we will be stronger and happier in the long run.
Good luck and keep us posted, we are all here for you and understand what you are going through
May 10th 2014, 9:01 am
#220
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Live in Brisbane Australia
Posts: 4
Re: In need of some advice
Dear lady...I read your post and I can sympathies with you.I am a lady on my own,and a bit older than you. I am in Australia{Brisbane} and want to return to U.K. later this year.I have been here over11 years and like you, have no family back in U.K.
Yes it wont be easy I know,but the feelings you feel won`t go away, they will always be there.Also I lived in Canada many years ago with ex husband. I lived in Edmonton and it was horrible{sorry] Desolate, freezing in Winter, and the only thing that interested people as far as I could see was sport.If you don`t like Ontario you definitely won`t like Edmonton..
It doesn`t get any easier with time and in fact gets worse..
I expect it to be alien and difficult to begin with back home .So much has changed and it takes time to readjust.Not having family support makes it harder for me too.However I look to all the things I enjoy there and I know it is worth it just to be home..
Yes it wont be easy I know,but the feelings you feel won`t go away, they will always be there.Also I lived in Canada many years ago with ex husband. I lived in Edmonton and it was horrible{sorry] Desolate, freezing in Winter, and the only thing that interested people as far as I could see was sport.If you don`t like Ontario you definitely won`t like Edmonton..
It doesn`t get any easier with time and in fact gets worse..
I expect it to be alien and difficult to begin with back home .So much has changed and it takes time to readjust.Not having family support makes it harder for me too.However I look to all the things I enjoy there and I know it is worth it just to be home..
May 10th 2014, 3:38 pm
#221
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: In need of some advice
I brought clothing that I did not need here - heavy winter wear. I have not used any of my lovely sweaters in the 3+ years I have been back, but if I were living in Scotland or the far reaches of England or Wales, perhaps I would use them for outdoor needs.
I scanned all but the last year of my US tax returns. I also scanned all documents as back up in case the originals were ever lost, and scanned all my photographs and family memorabilia. I digitised all my CDs onto iTunes on an external hard drive that I bought in the US, and gave all the discs to friends. I culled my book collection - hundreds of books were sold for pennies on the dollar. That is my sorrow - losing my books. If I could do it again and had the money, I would ship all the books over and leave the clothing behind!
May 10th 2014, 3:42 pm
#222
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: In need of some advice
I suppose this means I shouldn't take back home my Eddie Bauer down coats. I wear them all the time in the winter here. Some parts of the UK can be very cold, though!
May 10th 2014, 3:44 pm
#223
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: In need of some advice
Hi Englishmaple,
As you and others on this forum know i am also moving back to the UK next year, i am also 50 and moving back with no job or a place to live, i have been looking at places and have decided on a i bed annexe or bed sit if i can find one that accepts pets as i am taking my small dog with me.
I won't lie i am scared to death, i am planning to have at least 6 months savings to live on but worry about finding a job also, but i cannot stay here, i miss the UK so much, i am also currently separated after a bad marriage, but honestly i would rather live in the UK broke than stay in the US for the rest of my life lonely and miserable, as you know i have no family here and my only child lives in the UK now.
So i say go home girl!!!! we are not spring chickens but we are not old either, better now than never, alot of people on here wish they would have gone home when they had the chance, yes it will be tough at times but we will be stronger and happier in the long run.
Good luck and keep us posted, we are all here for you and understand what you are going through
As you and others on this forum know i am also moving back to the UK next year, i am also 50 and moving back with no job or a place to live, i have been looking at places and have decided on a i bed annexe or bed sit if i can find one that accepts pets as i am taking my small dog with me.
I won't lie i am scared to death, i am planning to have at least 6 months savings to live on but worry about finding a job also, but i cannot stay here, i miss the UK so much, i am also currently separated after a bad marriage, but honestly i would rather live in the UK broke than stay in the US for the rest of my life lonely and miserable, as you know i have no family here and my only child lives in the UK now.
So i say go home girl!!!! we are not spring chickens but we are not old either, better now than never, alot of people on here wish they would have gone home when they had the chance, yes it will be tough at times but we will be stronger and happier in the long run.
Good luck and keep us posted, we are all here for you and understand what you are going through
It is nerve-wracking, there is no doubt. However, the thought of NOT going home is worse to me.
May 10th 2014, 3:47 pm
#224
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: In need of some advice
I'm here! And I've just had a lovely meal with a complete stranger! I arrived at a restaurant at the same time as a man of my age did and he said do you want some company? So I said yes so long as you don't hit on me! So we had a great conversation, nice meal and we both made a new friend (emphasis on the friendship - not my type to date but nice to have conversation with). And then he insisted on paying for the meal which was incredibly kind of him before dashing off to catch a train up North to where he lives. This, my first evening in London (as I arrived late last night) - feels like a good start!
I've also put a post up in the Back Home thread but it's waiting to be moderated - so I won't post anymore here and will probably post another update on the Back Home thread at some point. But couldn't resist sharing this story!
I've also put a post up in the Back Home thread but it's waiting to be moderated - so I won't post anymore here and will probably post another update on the Back Home thread at some point. But couldn't resist sharing this story!
May 10th 2014, 4:10 pm
#225
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland, just!
Posts: 2,053
Re: In need of some advice
I brought my Eddie Bauer down coat. I wore it, at times, the first winter I was back, but this winter, it didn't see the light of day. I did bring some bed linen, that I already had as a Cdn Queen size fits a UK King size. I did buy a couple of bed skirts from Restoration Hardware as I couldn't find a similar quality here, however, as you are handy with a sewing machine, you could probably make them yourself. Maybe bed skirts (valances) aren't that popular here. I do wish we had Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn here, they have such nice home accesories, but maybe I just haven't found their equivalent here.