OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Apr 7th 2010, 8:06 pm
#2461
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Charleston SC, USA, North Yorkshire, now Malta
Posts: 632
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Well Trottytrue, I can't report on sausages as I am a vegetarian! But I have had some good cheeses, such as Red Leicester, they are all better than the ones we got in the US. I have become quite partial to Jacob's Cream Crackers and Cornish Wafers (forget who makes them) with my cheese! Yesterday I had a homebaked scone still warm from the oven, at a garden centre coffee shop. That was with another group of my sister's friends – one of whom was on “The Weakest Link” and actually made it to the final!!!
Today we rode the bus to Newcastle, my sister has a bus pass, so it was free for her. For me it was a total of £10 return, which I didn't think was bad as it saved on petrol in the car and parking fees and hassle. The journey was very good, buses were on time, we changed only twice, and it took us about 2 hours (twice as long as with a car). One thing I found strange was that there was a butchers in the bus station!!! Do people buy meat there on their way home on the bus??? Newcastle Centre was very crowded for a Wednesday. The shops were crammed full with people spending lots of money by the look of it. There are some beautiful clothes about, a much larger selection of skirts and dresses than in the more casual US. Lots of people having coffee in the cafe, men included, we ate in John Lewis – a cheese scone in the morning and a fruit scone in the afternoon. Yummy!
My check card finally arrived today but I have a suspicion I can't use it abroad in a machine. I am not used to having to pay a monthly maintenance fee to bank, so I opted for the most basic checking account Lloyds Bank offers. I may have to change that later on.
Nothing else to report, tomorrow is another busy social day plus a walk! Hope my feet survive!!
Rodney, where are you????
Today we rode the bus to Newcastle, my sister has a bus pass, so it was free for her. For me it was a total of £10 return, which I didn't think was bad as it saved on petrol in the car and parking fees and hassle. The journey was very good, buses were on time, we changed only twice, and it took us about 2 hours (twice as long as with a car). One thing I found strange was that there was a butchers in the bus station!!! Do people buy meat there on their way home on the bus??? Newcastle Centre was very crowded for a Wednesday. The shops were crammed full with people spending lots of money by the look of it. There are some beautiful clothes about, a much larger selection of skirts and dresses than in the more casual US. Lots of people having coffee in the cafe, men included, we ate in John Lewis – a cheese scone in the morning and a fruit scone in the afternoon. Yummy!
My check card finally arrived today but I have a suspicion I can't use it abroad in a machine. I am not used to having to pay a monthly maintenance fee to bank, so I opted for the most basic checking account Lloyds Bank offers. I may have to change that later on.
Nothing else to report, tomorrow is another busy social day plus a walk! Hope my feet survive!!
Rodney, where are you????
Apr 7th 2010, 8:07 pm
#2462
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,198
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
A Big Step today, we had the realator in and have listed our house for sale. Mrs J is excited, Mr J has lost all feelings after months of decorating. If we just look at the house then why would we ever want to leave, it looks great with green lawns and azealias - but wait, we just had a taste of 90 deg F weather this weekend and it reminds us why we dislike the hot & humid summers here. And then we think about how will we afford healthcare when we are both out of work, and how he wouldn't want to maintain the house at it's peak again for a sale somewhere doen the line, and how we have a limited family and friend network here and....and...
So here we are, committed at last to selling the house, it's been a 1 year process of building up from "lets stay" to "lets leave"
Hubby has been told that as his office is closing, if he moves himself to UK then they would hire him there, but they won't cover re-location costs cos it's not a Corp need that he be there - oh well, the money would have been nice but it was only a vision so nothing lost and never part of our plan, at least he will have a job to step into when we get back, thats a lot to be grateful for. And so the trial of selling our house begins.........
So here we are, committed at last to selling the house, it's been a 1 year process of building up from "lets stay" to "lets leave"
Hubby has been told that as his office is closing, if he moves himself to UK then they would hire him there, but they won't cover re-location costs cos it's not a Corp need that he be there - oh well, the money would have been nice but it was only a vision so nothing lost and never part of our plan, at least he will have a job to step into when we get back, thats a lot to be grateful for. And so the trial of selling our house begins.........
I must say that once we put the sign out and started to list our furniture and Mr. DDL's car on Craigslist, it's all becoming a bit exciting. Still a lot of hard work ahead and loads of unknowns, but we're determined to look upon this whole thing as one big ADVENTURE!
The "let's stay" "let's leave" was emotionally draining for us, and we had been voicing those statements for at least 3 years.
Hear you on the heat and humidity! I am originally from Chicago but have lived down here for 30+ years and I STILL hate the summer weather. Mr. DDL admits that he will miss all the sunshine, but definitely not the heat/humidity.
Good luck with the house sale and looking forward to following your progress! Now go have a cuppa, you two.
Apr 7th 2010, 8:21 pm
#2463
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Nottinghamshire UK > Florida > UK 10days >Ireland > BACK IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE UK
Posts: 209
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
[QUOTE=aes1;8479615]Well Trottytrue,
My check card finally arrived today but I have a suspicion I can't use it abroad in a machine. I am not used to having to pay a monthly maintenance fee to bank, so I opted for the most basic checking account Lloyds Bank offers. I may have to change that later on.
QUOTE]
Hi we changed our Lloyds TSB cheque account to the basic one when we moved over here and we can use it abroad so you should be able to.
Just check what the charge for using it will be.
Chris
My check card finally arrived today but I have a suspicion I can't use it abroad in a machine. I am not used to having to pay a monthly maintenance fee to bank, so I opted for the most basic checking account Lloyds Bank offers. I may have to change that later on.
QUOTE]
Hi we changed our Lloyds TSB cheque account to the basic one when we moved over here and we can use it abroad so you should be able to.
Just check what the charge for using it will be.
Chris
Apr 7th 2010, 8:25 pm
#2464
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Charleston SC, USA, North Yorkshire, now Malta
Posts: 632
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Your post - once again - could have almost been written by me except that Mr. DDL (at this point, anyway) will not have a job to step into when we get back. But everything else is about the same. I had a realtor friend over last week to give us her honest appraisal of the house - but we did not go under contract with her. 6% commission will just eat up too much of any profit we might end up making on the house, and she was not (said her company would not allow) willing to negotiate the percentage down. So anyway, we stuck up a FOR SALE BY OWNER sign on Sunday and we already have our first viewing this Saturday! (We live in a small town about 35 miles from Charleston, SC) We're also not doing the numbers game with our listing price. We've listed it at the amount the realtor says it is worth and she was brutally honest with us that we should expect no more than that.
I must say that once we put the sign out and started to list our furniture and Mr. DDL's car on Craigslist, it's all becoming a bit exciting. Still a lot of hard work ahead and loads of unknowns, but we're determined to look upon this whole thing as one big ADVENTURE!
The "let's stay" "let's leave" was emotionally draining for us, and we had been voicing those statements for at least 3 years.
Hear you on the heat and humidity! I am originally from Chicago but have lived down here for 30+ years and I STILL hate the summer weather. Mr. DDL admits that he will miss all the sunshine, but definitely not the heat/humidity.
Good luck with the house sale and looking forward to following your progress! Now go have a cuppa, you two.
I must say that once we put the sign out and started to list our furniture and Mr. DDL's car on Craigslist, it's all becoming a bit exciting. Still a lot of hard work ahead and loads of unknowns, but we're determined to look upon this whole thing as one big ADVENTURE!
The "let's stay" "let's leave" was emotionally draining for us, and we had been voicing those statements for at least 3 years.
Hear you on the heat and humidity! I am originally from Chicago but have lived down here for 30+ years and I STILL hate the summer weather. Mr. DDL admits that he will miss all the sunshine, but definitely not the heat/humidity.
Good luck with the house sale and looking forward to following your progress! Now go have a cuppa, you two.
Good luck for everyone trying to sell!!!
Chris, I think I can only use it abroad at a Lloyds TSB machine, as far as I know there are none in Malta. Fee is 2.95% plus £1.
Apr 7th 2010, 8:52 pm
#2465
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Anna - AES1 ?
When you move to Malta, does your sister want a lodger ?
Mouth watering homemade food, country walks, nice day trips out etc
I could go for that no probs !
Glad your having a good time, you deserve it
Cheers
John
When you move to Malta, does your sister want a lodger ?
Mouth watering homemade food, country walks, nice day trips out etc
I could go for that no probs !
Glad your having a good time, you deserve it
Cheers
John
Apr 7th 2010, 8:54 pm
#2466
mrs sully
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 133
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Well Trottytrue, I can't report on sausages as I am a vegetarian! But I have had some good cheeses, such as Red Leicester, they are all better than the ones we got in the US. I have become quite partial to Jacob's Cream Crackers and Cornish Wafers (forget who makes them) with my cheese! Yesterday I had a homebaked scone still warm from the oven, at a garden centre coffee shop. That was with another group of my sister's friends – one of whom was on “The Weakest Link” and actually made it to the final!!!
Today we rode the bus to Newcastle, my sister has a bus pass, so it was free for her. For me it was a total of £10 return, which I didn't think was bad as it saved on petrol in the car and parking fees and hassle. The journey was very good, buses were on time, we changed only twice, and it took us about 2 hours (twice as long as with a car). One thing I found strange was that there was a butchers in the bus station!!! Do people buy meat there on their way home on the bus??? Newcastle Centre was very crowded for a Wednesday. The shops were crammed full with people spending lots of money by the look of it. There are some beautiful clothes about, a much larger selection of skirts and dresses than in the more casual US. Lots of people having coffee in the cafe, men included, we ate in John Lewis – a cheese scone in the morning and a fruit scone in the afternoon. Yummy!
My check card finally arrived today but I have a suspicion I can't use it abroad in a machine. I am not used to having to pay a monthly maintenance fee to bank, so I opted for the most basic checking account Lloyds Bank offers. I may have to change that later on.
Nothing else to report, tomorrow is another busy social day plus a walk! Hope my feet survive!!
Rodney, where are you????
Today we rode the bus to Newcastle, my sister has a bus pass, so it was free for her. For me it was a total of £10 return, which I didn't think was bad as it saved on petrol in the car and parking fees and hassle. The journey was very good, buses were on time, we changed only twice, and it took us about 2 hours (twice as long as with a car). One thing I found strange was that there was a butchers in the bus station!!! Do people buy meat there on their way home on the bus??? Newcastle Centre was very crowded for a Wednesday. The shops were crammed full with people spending lots of money by the look of it. There are some beautiful clothes about, a much larger selection of skirts and dresses than in the more casual US. Lots of people having coffee in the cafe, men included, we ate in John Lewis – a cheese scone in the morning and a fruit scone in the afternoon. Yummy!
My check card finally arrived today but I have a suspicion I can't use it abroad in a machine. I am not used to having to pay a monthly maintenance fee to bank, so I opted for the most basic checking account Lloyds Bank offers. I may have to change that later on.
Nothing else to report, tomorrow is another busy social day plus a walk! Hope my feet survive!!
Rodney, where are you????
You sound so busy but having a great time. Every time I go home I'm amazed when I see so many people shopping at all times of the day; probably because the shops are so interesting and there is so much choice. Ah well, I'll continue to dream but in the meantime I must check the newspaper and see where I went wrong in yesterday's crossword I look forward to 'eating' something yummy when I check your next post.
Apr 7th 2010, 9:01 pm
#2467
mrs sully
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 133
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Your post - once again - could have almost been written by me except that Mr. DDL (at this point, anyway) will not have a job to step into when we get back. But everything else is about the same. I had a realtor friend over last week to give us her honest appraisal of the house - but we did not go under contract with her. 6% commission will just eat up too much of any profit we might end up making on the house, and she was not (said her company would not allow) willing to negotiate the percentage down. So anyway, we stuck up a FOR SALE BY OWNER sign on Sunday and we already have our first viewing this Saturday! (We live in a small town about 35 miles from Charleston, SC) We're also not doing the numbers game with our listing price. We've listed it at the amount the realtor says it is worth and she was brutally honest with us that we should expect no more than that.
I must say that once we put the sign out and started to list our furniture and Mr. DDL's car on Craigslist, it's all becoming a bit exciting. Still a lot of hard work ahead and loads of unknowns, but we're determined to look upon this whole thing as one big ADVENTURE!
The "let's stay" "let's leave" was emotionally draining for us, and we had been voicing those statements for at least 3 years.
Hear you on the heat and humidity! I am originally from Chicago but have lived down here for 30+ years and I STILL hate the summer weather. Mr. DDL admits that he will miss all the sunshine, but definitely not the heat/humidity.
Good luck with the house sale and looking forward to following your progress! Now go have a cuppa, you two.
I must say that once we put the sign out and started to list our furniture and Mr. DDL's car on Craigslist, it's all becoming a bit exciting. Still a lot of hard work ahead and loads of unknowns, but we're determined to look upon this whole thing as one big ADVENTURE!
The "let's stay" "let's leave" was emotionally draining for us, and we had been voicing those statements for at least 3 years.
Hear you on the heat and humidity! I am originally from Chicago but have lived down here for 30+ years and I STILL hate the summer weather. Mr. DDL admits that he will miss all the sunshine, but definitely not the heat/humidity.
Good luck with the house sale and looking forward to following your progress! Now go have a cuppa, you two.
Apr 7th 2010, 9:05 pm
#2468
mrs sully
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 133
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Hello Taffy, must be time to send out the search party for Rodney. At least when he logs in next time he will know how much we have missed him.
Apr 7th 2010, 9:11 pm
#2469
mrs sully
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 133
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Aces1...OK I give in what have you been eating today. Had any good cheese or sausages. Not heard anything from Rodney 
he must be away.
Been working in the garden to keep it looking good need to clean the windows. Small things count when your trying to sell. Needs to look like you have taken care of it.
he must be away.Been working in the garden to keep it looking good need to clean the windows. Small things count when your trying to sell. Needs to look like you have taken care of it.
Apr 7th 2010, 11:17 pm
#2470
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Norfolk UK
Posts: 447
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Isn't that 'Let's stay, Let's Leave' just the worst time. There is so much that goes with it, 'shall we redecorate to sell or just leave it and travel', it even effects attitudes to shopping because if we decide to leave there is no point in buying anything new. Ugghh just horrible, it is the reason why I admire all the courageous friends on this forum who have taken the leap of faith. I keeping asking the Universe to let me know when is the right time, I'm beginning to realize that my heart is the only gauge. OK time to get back to my crossword. It's nice to know that I'm not alone with all this 'push pull stuff'
DDL, we had told our neighbors (the one that speaks to us) of our plans to leave and last weekend they sent across some visitors to express their interest, this before we even put up the board. We passed the name to our realtors, maybe this is a good omen. But still we want to see what other interest there may be, we are seeking to get through this in a timely fashion. Oh, we too have listed at a sensible proce, matching that of the same style house down the street that sold for a few months ago. With Zillow and such it's easy for buyers to know what else is previously sold on the street so they soon get sight of an overpricing.
Apr 7th 2010, 11:52 pm
#2471
mrs sully
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 133
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
I think part of the stay / leave struggle is knowing that we are bringing massive change upon our lives and it is a uphill climb to get there - but we move ahead knowing once we reach the top then the view to the other side will be just fantastic. Sometimes we lose sight of the destination in the fog.
DDL, we had told our neighbors (the one that speaks to us) of our plans to leave and last weekend they sent across some visitors to express their interest, this before we even put up the board. We passed the name to our realtors, maybe this is a good omen. But still we want to see what other interest there may be, we are seeking to get through this in a timely fashion. Oh, we too have listed at a sensible proce, matching that of the same style house down the street that sold for a few months ago. With Zillow and such it's easy for buyers to know what else is previously sold on the street so they soon get sight of an overpricing.
DDL, we had told our neighbors (the one that speaks to us) of our plans to leave and last weekend they sent across some visitors to express their interest, this before we even put up the board. We passed the name to our realtors, maybe this is a good omen. But still we want to see what other interest there may be, we are seeking to get through this in a timely fashion. Oh, we too have listed at a sensible proce, matching that of the same style house down the street that sold for a few months ago. With Zillow and such it's easy for buyers to know what else is previously sold on the street so they soon get sight of an overpricing.
.
Apr 8th 2010, 2:39 am
#2472
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,198
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Having some major dental surgery tomorrow and will be "out of commission" for a few days, but wanted to throw out this comment/question/topic:
Why is it that when I tell people/friends/family about our plans to move back to the UK, I feel like I have to tell them why - like I have to justify our decision to them? Do any of you feel that way or experience this?
Is it because 99% of the people I have told do not seem to understand/support our decision? Is it because they all seem to respond with, "WHY???"
It's really none of their business, but I find myself feeling a responsibility to tell them why.
Why is it that when I tell people/friends/family about our plans to move back to the UK, I feel like I have to tell them why - like I have to justify our decision to them? Do any of you feel that way or experience this?
Is it because 99% of the people I have told do not seem to understand/support our decision? Is it because they all seem to respond with, "WHY???"
It's really none of their business, but I find myself feeling a responsibility to tell them why.
Apr 8th 2010, 2:59 am
#2473
mrs sully
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 133
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Having some major dental surgery tomorrow and will be "out of commission" for a few days, but wanted to throw out this comment/question/topic:
Why is it that when I tell people/friends/family about our plans to move back to the UK, I feel like I have to tell them why - like I have to justify our decision to them? Do any of you feel that way or experience this?
Is it because 99% of the people I have told do not seem to understand/support our decision? Is it because they all seem to respond with, "WHY???"
It's really none of their business, but I find myself feeling a responsibility to tell them why.
Why is it that when I tell people/friends/family about our plans to move back to the UK, I feel like I have to tell them why - like I have to justify our decision to them? Do any of you feel that way or experience this?
Is it because 99% of the people I have told do not seem to understand/support our decision? Is it because they all seem to respond with, "WHY???"
It's really none of their business, but I find myself feeling a responsibility to tell them why.
Good luck with your dental surgery and speedy recovery
Apr 8th 2010, 8:04 am
#2474
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Been off the site for a few weeks now due to emergency surgery- been a long slow recovery, hoping to go back to work next 2 weeks.
ED- glad that things are finally working out for you, now just need that house to sell and the family be re united.
Relocateme- safe trip home-looking forward to hearing from you once you reach the "other side".
Everyone else who has posted- very interesting read!!
Our plans are to review things again in the fall- we own a USA business which has been struggling and this summer its either going to be make or break.
We are in Canada- and we have one very elderly dog 13 and a half- the Queen Mary gets so booked up so quickly, and we cannot risk her flying, she won't make it.
Take care all
ED- glad that things are finally working out for you, now just need that house to sell and the family be re united.
Relocateme- safe trip home-looking forward to hearing from you once you reach the "other side".
Everyone else who has posted- very interesting read!!
Our plans are to review things again in the fall- we own a USA business which has been struggling and this summer its either going to be make or break.
We are in Canada- and we have one very elderly dog 13 and a half- the Queen Mary gets so booked up so quickly, and we cannot risk her flying, she won't make it.
Take care all
Apr 8th 2010, 8:08 am
#2475
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK.
Oh yes DDL, I have certainly met with that, often followed by "but what about your children and grandchildren". I have 'friends' who think I am mad and take every opportunity to voice that opinion. My favourite one 'you are just running away'. From what I ask? I have a good life here with OH, a nice house, financially secure, family etc and how dare I think about what I would like - at 58! Well it is quite simple, 30 odd years on and I'm still the wrong way up, I don't want to spend my golden years (if I'm blessed with them) feeling I am in someone else's house. My children are in their 30's I gave them my most precious gift - my youth, can someone please tell me it is OK for me to have my Autumn at MY home. DDL I hope that tells you that you are not on your own. It isn't fair for some people to steal your joy; you have no responsibility to them to tell them anything and you have every right to enjoy every minute of your dream.
Good luck with your dental surgery and speedy recovery
Good luck with your dental surgery and speedy recovery
I've heard that statement many times, I think there are a few reasons people back home think we are NUTS.
Many Brit's look at other countries and think everyone has it better than they do, when they look at America they think Cheaper food, Cheaper gas/petrol, More sun, Bigger Cheaper homes, Cheaper Clothes/Levi's etc, Big cars, Numerous cars per family, Motorhomes, Boats, the list goes on etc.
I think Brit's watch American TV programs and think we live the life they see on the telly, they don't realize these things are expensive and out of many peoples financial reach.
I don't think America broadcasts the down side of living in America, why would they, I'm talking about the homeless and poor, the unemployment, the Drug problem, High murder rate, High bankruptcy rate, Earthquakes and other natural disasters, the lack of vacation time, I could go on, America usually shows the good America and Brit's focus on that.
There are many good things about America and the people have always made me welcome here, I will never say any different, still everything in life has trade offs.
If Brits only had two weeks vacation per year how would they feel? many people I know have only two weeks vacation, some just take the money and work their vacations.
Healthcare, sorry guys its my favorite hate, how many Brits living in the UK are stuck in a job they hate because it comes with great healthcare benefits?, Not anyone I know,
How many Brits don't have healthcare coverage?, and how many will risk losing their home if they get sick and cant afford medical bills?, I don't know any Brits that would trade their heath coverage for mine.
I'm with you Mrs Sully, Over 30 years and I'm still a fish out of water, I want to feel like a normal person in what I think are normal surroundings, I want to feel permanent for once in my life, I've always felt temporary here.
You really cant expect people back home to understand our issues unless they have walked in our shoes, I bet they would be surprised to see how many people are returning home from Australia, Canada and the USA.