sallysimmons

Yes if you take out Applecare rather than a retailer's warranty. We bought iPhones before we left and I have used Applecare here in the Uk several times for help calls. We also used it the other day for an iMac that we bought two years ago. But Applecare only lasts 3 years so it depends when you are leaving.

sallysimmons

You know, this myth is exactly that - a myth! People here moaned about rain and bad weather this summer, but it really wasn't that bad at all. We had some lovely weather here in Yorkshire and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Was it 80 degrees every day? No - in fact I don't think it reached 80 degrees on more than 2 or 3 days all summer - but it was sunny more often than it rained. I noticed though, that most Brits don't seem to notice the sunny days - only the wet ones!

We were out the other day with a friend of ours and I said to him 'what a glorious day! Look at that blue sky!' He turned to look out of the window, way into the distance, and then said 'yeah, but it's dark over there. I bet it's raining by lunchtime.'

That sums up the British attitude to the weather IMO. Never happy unless they're moaning

Perth

Yes, I had read about Applecare. We don't have iphones right now, only cheap ones but might do that too. Will wait until a few months before we leave to get both. Had read that it was cheaper to get those kinds of things in the US. And if we get the ipads instead of taking our laptops, we will have less to carry. Is there no extended warranty for beyond 3 years?

Perth

You know, I am not keen on rain because I plan on walking A LOT, since I don't do it as much as I want to in Florida because of the heat. But I have nothing against overcast. As a matter of fact, it was foggy and overcast this morning and I had a lovely extra long walk with the doggie. I had an American friend who went to live in York with her UKC husband, but they came back after 2 years because she just couldn't stand not seeing the sun everyday.

Whereabouts are you in Yorkshire? I have old chums from my days at boarding school in Devon who came from Sheffield on a school exchange. My best friend is now a farmer in Barnsley.

scot47

I am in a place that fits your criteria - except for rain and proximity to London. Bliss - I can live without a car and walk where I have to. The invention of the suburb and the peripheral housing estate was NOT progress. People are supposed to live in a TOWN.

(My location is a crrefully guarded secret, known only to a select few.)

J.JsOH

We like the town center of Norwich.
It has all the shops and market imaginable, in a historic town setting but with new town center malls.
There is thriving arts scene.
There are plentiful buses, local and long distance.
Popular football club.
History with castle and cathedral and museums.
Good fast overhead electric train to Cambridge and London.

Friendly and Safe, yes, as far as I know, Norfolk is generally lower crime stats than other counties. I never been accosted in Norwich (we visit a few times a year).
Lively night life, with clubs open until 4 a.m. (not that I go to clubs but I heard the clients in the streets from my hotel)

Norfolk trends to lower rainfall.
Not so hilly that you can't walk anywhere in county. Quite a good public footpath network.
Lovely coast but expensive in places popular for 2nd homes.
Can be cold winds on exposed coast if wind from North East.

Self pro-claimed City of Ale with excellent and plentiful pubs. (we are there next weekend for a Xmas pub crawl with group of friends and stay over)
Not well connected by road, particularly to midlands and North.

We live in West Norfolk and although the nearby countryside / coast ticks all boxes we would rather live with Norwich as our nearest city (but here we are nearer to aging family in Lincolnshire whereas Norwich would be double the journey length for us to travel often)

There other post the past few months from people interested in Norwich / Norfolk. A forum search might produce more comments for you.

scot47

As for the rain, remember that saying from Billy Connolly," There is no such thing as bad weather - just inappropriate clothing !"

jasper123

Sally got to agree with everything you say here, this summer everyone in Portsmouth was saying oh so much rain and we havent had a summer at all,
I just dont get it!!!! its like there living somewhere else from me I cant even count how many lovely days I spent on the beach this year (4 miles away --- or 20 minutes by bus) yes there were rainy days, but most of time it was only part of the day or at night, and I just love how quickly the weather changes here from a couple of hours of rain and then stops and the sky turns a beautiful blue and the glorious sun is yet again shining ever so brightly, I doubt if most days got more then high 70,s but that just suits me fine as I suffered for 14 years in Las Vegas, one of the hottest and dryest places on earth with way over 320 days of sunshine a year ---- ouch who needs that much sunshine, not me!!!
And yep your certainly right about the moaning Brits, but it seems to make them happy when they moan I say what the heck does the average Joe Bloggs over here have to moan about Most really dont seem to have a clue how sooooo good they got it!!!

sallysimmons

We're in Harrogate right now renting, but we're buying a house in Airedale. Very excited to be getting out into the countryside. I don't mind rain - that's why God made wellies

dontheturner

Except Ziplocs, which are available in the UK, too....In the ''Lakelands Catalogue, for sure.

cheers

Thanks for the update, now to spend time on researching Airedale.

You made my day.

Cheers

Perth

Oooh, nice. Just saw your blog! Would you believe I am just at the point in the 1st 50s and 60s where you had just returned from your initial trip over, and your DH was just about ready to say yes to going back for good! Who needs the telly when I have you lot And yes, my DH mentioned we would need some wellies. I think I could get used to walking in the rain

Perth

Don't much like the Florida heat either, and even the sunshine became overrated when you had the benefit of it every day. We used to get a lot more rain in the past too but, as with everywhere else, our climate is changing, apparently for the drier. Was wondering how I would adjust being home, but I think I will do just fine. I responded to your earlier welcome message to me, but don't know if you saw it. I asked how your mum was. I do hope she is well.

Perth

Agreed to everything you just said! Says she who presently lives in an unwalkable suburb...

#1 reason to go back healthcare; #2 reason no car. We are even thinking of never buying a house again either, just renting. Free and easy...that's the plan

Good on you for keeping your location a secret. Keeps it livable that way... although I am just a tad bit green with envy

Perth

Thank you for the info Been looking at websites and I think I am getting excited about Norwich. Best of all, there are Irish music sessions in town, so hubby can continue his love affair with the concertina