OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
#8941
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Well Trottytrue, Good luck with tomorrow's viewing - we all have our fingers crossed for you- then you can look forwards to getting things moving.
Regarding the mention, of Zip Cars - only in London I fear.
Take care TT, lets all hope for you! dontheturner
Regarding the mention, of Zip Cars - only in London I fear.
Take care TT, lets all hope for you! dontheturner
#8942
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
None of us can turn back the clock...........we have all (most) of us made bad financial decisions of one kind or another.........let's face it if we had a million £££££££££ in the bank we wouldn't be on here endlessly talking about it, we would be on the next plane out or the QM2 and on our way and setting ourselves up in a nice cosy cottage in the Cotswolds...........but we don't so we have to do the best we can.
As you have no family over there then the only person you are losing face with because you haven't "made" it in the USA is yourself..........so you either stay where you are because it is easier to stay stuck in lots of ways, or you feel the fear and do it anyway!!
I do feel a big block to a lot of people going back home is they don't want to answer questions of family and friends - that they feel like a failure or a loser, and I know for sure that is what kept me here when we first emigrated........BIG mistake number one!!!
Nothing could be further from the truth, we who go home with very little are not failures - at least we had the courage to try it and it didn't work, so what?
We just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down, and start all over again, I feel a song coming on.
As you have no family over there then the only person you are losing face with because you haven't "made" it in the USA is yourself..........so you either stay where you are because it is easier to stay stuck in lots of ways, or you feel the fear and do it anyway!!
I do feel a big block to a lot of people going back home is they don't want to answer questions of family and friends - that they feel like a failure or a loser, and I know for sure that is what kept me here when we first emigrated........BIG mistake number one!!!
Nothing could be further from the truth, we who go home with very little are not failures - at least we had the courage to try it and it didn't work, so what?
We just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down, and start all over again, I feel a song coming on.
I just cannot afford to walk away......I paid off half the house when we got married 13 years ago.......that will be my my only savings......
#8943
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Still, that's only 360 pounds a month. Most rents are around 600 pounds a month. Does she own her own home outright? Even so, though, I thought a week's groceries was around 60 pounds. And what about utilities? I still don't know how she does. I need to learn more about what things cost over there, I think.
#8944
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Regarding the mention, of Zip Cars - only in London I fear.
Don: Zip Cars are in the NY Area for ther last 10 years - they started in NYC and the concept was for residents to pick up in Manhttan anywhere they want and drop of at their apt, I have used it several times just to go shopping and pick up a piece of furniture it is very inexpensive and cheaper than the shipping delivery system, so delighted to hear they opened a branch in London.
Trotty True: I don't know what island of Staten Island the people would have sold - when you are on the Staten Island Ferry, going to Manhattan you pass Liberty and another small island owned by NY where they are thinking of leasing to someone who wants to open a casino and sports center....good luck with your showing tomorrow.
Tyrone
Don: Zip Cars are in the NY Area for ther last 10 years - they started in NYC and the concept was for residents to pick up in Manhttan anywhere they want and drop of at their apt, I have used it several times just to go shopping and pick up a piece of furniture it is very inexpensive and cheaper than the shipping delivery system, so delighted to hear they opened a branch in London.
Trotty True: I don't know what island of Staten Island the people would have sold - when you are on the Staten Island Ferry, going to Manhattan you pass Liberty and another small island owned by NY where they are thinking of leasing to someone who wants to open a casino and sports center....good luck with your showing tomorrow.
Tyrone
#8945
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
She does own the house, the mortgage was paid off when her Dh died suddenly. Electric and gas she pays on one of those year round same each month schemes, she also has a large 3 bed 2 bath and my Ds is living there, but utilities seem to be £50 a month and phone internet package unlimited is £45, council tax is £90 (high cost house/area) many near her are closer to £50 a month. Don't forget she also gets that heating allowance seeing it has dipped below a certain temp already thats a couple hundred towards her heating. Food she rarely spends more than £20 or £30 a week and thats with Ds there, they eat out on Friday nights, Chinese or fish and chips.
Could you please explain council tax? Is that for homeowners and/or renters and who pays rates?
#8946
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
The problem with driving here - especially on the freeway (motorway) is that there are some huge trucks (lorries) and in a smaller vehicle it can be very intimidating. I drive a Honda Civic (which in the UK is considered a mid sized car, but here is considered compact - the Honda Fit (Jazz) is considered sub-compact). It can be scary with all those huge trucks around you. I know if I lived in the UK driving a tiny car (such as the Honda Fit/Jazz) probably wouldn't bother me at all, but you don't get 18 wheeler trucks on the roads in the UK - here they are quite common.
#8947
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
She does own the house, the mortgage was paid off when her Dh died suddenly. Electric and gas she pays on one of those year round same each month schemes, she also has a large 3 bed 2 bath and my Ds is living there, but utilities seem to be £50 a month and phone internet package unlimited is £45, council tax is £90 (high cost house/area) many near her are closer to £50 a month. Don't forget she also gets that heating allowance seeing it has dipped below a certain temp already thats a couple hundred towards her heating. Food she rarely spends more than £20 or £30 a week and thats with Ds there, they eat out on Friday nights, Chinese or fish and chips.
That seems to be the key - owning your own home. It frees up a ton of money.
What is council tax? Thirty years ago when I lived in Scotland with my parents, I had never heard of it.
#8948
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
She does own the house, the mortgage was paid off when her Dh died suddenly. Electric and gas she pays on one of those year round same each month schemes, she also has a large 3 bed 2 bath and my Ds is living there, but utilities seem to be £50 a month and phone internet package unlimited is £45, council tax is £90 (high cost house/area) many near her are closer to £50 a month. Don't forget she also gets that heating allowance seeing it has dipped below a certain temp already thats a couple hundred towards her heating. Food she rarely spends more than £20 or £30 a week and thats with Ds there, they eat out on Friday nights, Chinese or fish and chips.
#8949
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Regarding the mention, of Zip Cars - only in London I fear.
Don: Zip Cars are in the NY Area for ther last 10 years - they started in NYC branch in London.
Trotty True: I don't know what island of Staten Island the people would have sold - when you are on the Staten Island Ferry, going to Manhattan you pass Liberty and another small island owned by NY where they are thinking of leasing to someone who wants to open a casino and sports center....good luck with your showing tomorrow.
Tyrone
Don: Zip Cars are in the NY Area for ther last 10 years - they started in NYC branch in London.
Trotty True: I don't know what island of Staten Island the people would have sold - when you are on the Staten Island Ferry, going to Manhattan you pass Liberty and another small island owned by NY where they are thinking of leasing to someone who wants to open a casino and sports center....good luck with your showing tomorrow.
Tyrone
#8950
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,610
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
To all who have wished me goodluck for tomorrow thankyou. Must admit I feel pretty lousy at the moment. Hot then cold. Didnt help I had to be outside putting up Christmas lights and decorations.
I dont know about the rest of you but Christmas is the hardest for me I have always been torn between my family here and my family back in the UK. Not only that it just so differrent. Even the tele is different in the Uk they do mention Christmas and they sing carols but here they seem only to celebrate the selling side of the season and calling it a holiday and a holiday tree. I watched as show on BBC the other day it was a cooking show and they said
I think we all have fears about going back home will it work or wont it. But till we try we will never find out.
I dont know about the rest of you but Christmas is the hardest for me I have always been torn between my family here and my family back in the UK. Not only that it just so differrent. Even the tele is different in the Uk they do mention Christmas and they sing carols but here they seem only to celebrate the selling side of the season and calling it a holiday and a holiday tree. I watched as show on BBC the other day it was a cooking show and they said
I think we all have fears about going back home will it work or wont it. But till we try we will never find out.
#8951
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I swiped this from another forum and thought some of you would like to read it
I am likely moving back to the states in 2011, and though I'm excited to go "home," there is a lot I'll miss. I've read every page, and I may be repeating some things, but here are mine.
The national obsession with toast for breakfast
Roundabouts
The Christmas Number One
Delicious, amazing, vegetarian food everywhere
You buy something online and it arrives the next morning, because the country's so small
Castles and towers
Indian food. Especially Sunday buffets.
There are no city blocks. The roads wind everywhere.
Long maternity leave
Small, fuel-efficient cars (it's not all about the biggest and newest here)
NCT groups and wonderful things for parents and kids
No one thinks twice about having a beer at lunch
Having tea with my elderly neighbors and listening to them talk about days in the RAF
Mail slots
English breakfasts
Dog love. You can take them off-leash anywhere and no one cares
Power showers and towel warmers
Just walking around and seeing things that have been around since before the USA was even a country
M&S
Box sandwiches
DVDs seem much cheaper here
Lovely parks nestled right in the middle of the city
Hedgehogs
The NHS
The Tube
Nandos
High streets
Even the conservatives here are fairly liberal by US standards
Meeting people from all over the world
The cars are all manual, and I feel like a race car driver
Buying all my socks at Primark
Gok Wan
British newspapers
Proximity to Europe. I've gone to Italy for a last-minute weekend trip before.
British sense of humor
Biscuits
My Boots rewards card
Cool accents
Everything seems more local in supermarkets
Amazing sparkling water (Highland Spring is my fave...it's so fizzy)
People aren't as competitive at work
Sweet popcorn and Pick N Mix at cinemas
Pubs, specifically Sunday Roasts
I'm sure there's loads more, but that's what I have off the top of my head.
I am likely moving back to the states in 2011, and though I'm excited to go "home," there is a lot I'll miss. I've read every page, and I may be repeating some things, but here are mine.
The national obsession with toast for breakfast
Roundabouts
The Christmas Number One
Delicious, amazing, vegetarian food everywhere
You buy something online and it arrives the next morning, because the country's so small
Castles and towers
Indian food. Especially Sunday buffets.
There are no city blocks. The roads wind everywhere.
Long maternity leave
Small, fuel-efficient cars (it's not all about the biggest and newest here)
NCT groups and wonderful things for parents and kids
No one thinks twice about having a beer at lunch
Having tea with my elderly neighbors and listening to them talk about days in the RAF
Mail slots
English breakfasts
Dog love. You can take them off-leash anywhere and no one cares
Power showers and towel warmers
Just walking around and seeing things that have been around since before the USA was even a country
M&S
Box sandwiches
DVDs seem much cheaper here
Lovely parks nestled right in the middle of the city
Hedgehogs
The NHS
The Tube
Nandos
High streets
Even the conservatives here are fairly liberal by US standards
Meeting people from all over the world
The cars are all manual, and I feel like a race car driver
Buying all my socks at Primark
Gok Wan
British newspapers
Proximity to Europe. I've gone to Italy for a last-minute weekend trip before.
British sense of humor
Biscuits
My Boots rewards card
Cool accents
Everything seems more local in supermarkets
Amazing sparkling water (Highland Spring is my fave...it's so fizzy)
People aren't as competitive at work
Sweet popcorn and Pick N Mix at cinemas
Pubs, specifically Sunday Roasts
I'm sure there's loads more, but that's what I have off the top of my head.
#8952
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Just looking at my last social security statement.
If I retire at 62, $1578 a month
If I retire at 66, $2151 a month
Are these figures likely to change in my next annual statement?
If I retire at 62 and take U.S. social security at 62 I will get $1578 a month. If I also begin to collect my company pension then, it will be $600 a month.
Now, if I do NOT retire at age 62 in the U.S. and decide to go back to Britain and work for three years there until age 65, what amount will I get at age 65 from my U.S. pension, not having worked in the U.S. for the last three years (until age 65)?
Also, if I work for three years in the UK, will that allow me to collect a very small UK government pension?
If I retire at 62, $1578 a month
If I retire at 66, $2151 a month
Are these figures likely to change in my next annual statement?
If I retire at 62 and take U.S. social security at 62 I will get $1578 a month. If I also begin to collect my company pension then, it will be $600 a month.
Now, if I do NOT retire at age 62 in the U.S. and decide to go back to Britain and work for three years there until age 65, what amount will I get at age 65 from my U.S. pension, not having worked in the U.S. for the last three years (until age 65)?
Also, if I work for three years in the UK, will that allow me to collect a very small UK government pension?
#8953
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Just looking at my last social security statement.
If I retire at 62, $1578 a month
If I retire at 66, $2151 a month
Are these figures likely to change in my next annual statement?
If I retire at 62 and take U.S. social security at 62 I will get $1578 a month. If I also begin to collect my company pension then, it will be $600 a month.
Now, if I do NOT retire at age 62 in the U.S. and decide to go back to Britain and work for three years there until age 65, what amount will I get at age 65 from my U.S. pension, not having worked in the U.S. for the last three years (until age 65)?
Also, if I work for three years in the UK, will that allow me to collect a very small UK government pension?
If I retire at 62, $1578 a month
If I retire at 66, $2151 a month
Are these figures likely to change in my next annual statement?
If I retire at 62 and take U.S. social security at 62 I will get $1578 a month. If I also begin to collect my company pension then, it will be $600 a month.
Now, if I do NOT retire at age 62 in the U.S. and decide to go back to Britain and work for three years there until age 65, what amount will I get at age 65 from my U.S. pension, not having worked in the U.S. for the last three years (until age 65)?
Also, if I work for three years in the UK, will that allow me to collect a very small UK government pension?
If you go to the SS site they have a section for Americans overseas..
Jackie
#8954
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I inherited my Dads 94 Camry when he passed away last year, its a wonderful car with almost 98000 on the clock, I've taken care if it since we bought it, it was a low mileage demo, always serviced it at the local Toyota where we bought it, we had looked at Rav4's and was about to buy one when my Dad passed away, the Camry sits in the garage of my parents unsold home, I take it out for a run every so often.
The Rav4 and CRV are called the same in the UK, both have diesel engines instead of petrol, The British Rav4 is better looking to me, new cuter front end.
My Brother in law is on his second CRV after I recommended him to buy the first one, he loves them.
#8955
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Also, this statement is 2009. My income dropped drastically this year and if it stays this way until 62, then I bet that will reduce my amount.