Originally Posted by trottytrue

Place by the sea meant within the UK.

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills

Oh OK then how about Guernsey or Jersey, they are UK aren't they, every time I see them on TV or in pictures it looks lovely and sunny. My Nana went on holiday there in summer back in the 70's and always came back with a sunburn

Originally Posted by cheers

That reminds me of the not too complimentary statement "he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing"

Something to think about.

Why back home in the states we could get that twice as big at half the price! lol

Originally Posted by trottytrue

I been to Jersey and I really liked it I also like the Isle of Wight so many nice places.

Originally Posted by ldyinlv

Thank you Rodney,
Yes I am excited, and just a little sad, saying goodbye is never easy. I have been packed for a while, and also have 4 suitcases...
I will keep in touch and let evryone know how its going. Its going to be different I know, but I am looking forward to the new adventure..

Don, Miracle whip, is a form of mayonaise..
Jackie

Originally Posted by Beedubya

Are you doing a bit of Match making there Don?

Originally Posted by cheers

Nay, Nay, Nay lass.
There are about 20 Costco Warehouses in the UK and in order to become a member you have to be in a business (like Quantas)
It is much easier to become a member in the US.
It costs $50 a year for a membership here in the US. We are not a member this year because we don't need to buy in quantity and we like keeping the $50.
There is one in Liverpool and one in Chester. Take your pick.
Let me know if I can answer anymore about them

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56

Let me add, Costco is run by a man who cares about his employees, unlike GREEDY Walmart/Sams/Asda, he's a hands on type, the type of person Id love to work for.

I reccomended Costco to my best friend in the UK and he loves it, No dissapointments, Its not just bulk food, you can buy Tvs, computers, Electrical, Tyres, phones, garden supplies, eyes glasses, prescriptions, Gas and much more.

Originally Posted by Beedubya

For those of us without a car in the UK, this seems a pretty good deal, Train and Car......

http://carhire.thetrainline.com/?clientId=255554#quote

Originally Posted by Tyrone

Hi Jasper123
I have been enjoying your observations and comments on your return home. I live in Westchester, NY which is about 30 mins ride by train to Manhattan. I left NI after college in the late sixties and landed in NY and stayed a while before travelling and living in Toronto and Sydney in the late 70's and back to NY in 1980. I am eligible to register for Medicare this November and I have decided next year I will retire in NI as I have lots of cousins back there. My main reason for leaving family here and returning is that I have a fear of ending up in a nursing home in NY State. As an american citizen it will be easy to come back and forth to shop and visit friends and my docs for yearly checkups as they are direct daily flights into Belfast. I did look into purchasing a home in NI but I was advised that it was cheaper for me to rent and live of the 401K interest along with my monthly SS so that I have to find out about. I have started keeping a folder with all the great ideas that I see posted and I appreciate all the input and as I gain info on my journey I will go in and list it. I basically have 18 months to go, I am going back in April or May this year for a quick research visit and ask lots of questions, I will not get a pension at home although for a laugh I asked as I worked all my college years in the summer they said I would qualify for 89p! I did not ask anything else as I was LOL with the gentleman. Anyway this is a brief synopsis of my story and I am full of fear but will go foward with the plan as leaving home as a young graduate and returning as a senior person is going to be a challenge so bring it on.
There is no place like home.....look forward to reading your listings as I am really a secret lurker!
Tyrone

Originally Posted by callé

you are too right. No matter how prepared you think you are or how British in the blood, it is a real culture shock. Not because it isnt what you want or who you are..but because its all of a sudden 'unfamiliar'. I think you cant really get past this point until you really do feel that all is familiar again and that takes time. I think we all look back at some point and think 'why did I make my life so difficult? Things were not perfect , but they were comfortable.'
I have been through some rough spots in the past five years, and even though I started to feel settled and happy...it was only recently, like in the past year that I can honestly say that its all familiar now and I know what I am doing. I am really comfortable now. really really comfortable.
Its a relief because now I finally feel that I am in my own element and yes, I truly am British in my blood. But you cant rush this, not after spending so many years away and learning different ways. It does take time. Lots of time.

Originally Posted by Beedubya

For those of us without a car in the UK, this seems a pretty good deal, Train and Car......

http://carhire.thetrainline.com/?clientId=255554#quote