Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9120747)

Barbara,

Any news on the London job?

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 9120847)

No Cheers if I were not fortunate enough to be living with my Mum I would no way have enough money to survive on S/S plus a few quid from the British pension for time served, ---- no indeed not, --- not if I had to pay rent for a one bedroom flat, well having said that I could just squeeze by maybe if the rent was say no more then £350 per month (Inclusive of council tax) and not having a car of course and just the free bus pass ----- which incidently I love :) :D :thumbsup:
PS but try finding a one bedroom flat here for £250 or £300 + council tax, especially in the South of England where I am,

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 9121408)

:eek: shame on you posting that picture I'm so hungry and that looks delicious :lol:

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 9121408)

:eek: shame on you posting that picture I'm so hungry and that looks delicious :lol:

Originally Posted by Englishmum (Post 9121438)

Did you know that there is a Costco in Glasgow (and many other cities in the UK)?. Perhaps they have them. I believe that you can get a day-pass from Customer Services to look around the warehouse to see if you would want to join.

If you have a US-issued Costco card you can also use it in the UK and other Costco's worldwide (and vice-versa). I think it may even be cheaper to join in the US - the card is issued on the spot - and then use it for the next year in the UK.

http://www.costco.co.uk/Locations_ho...asgow_x_O.html

http://www.costco.co.uk (for all other locations)

Originally Posted by Celticspirit (Post 9121676)

None in Northen Ireland alas.......we met a lady in Sydney who had lived in California for 30 years.......she was soooo excited that Costco was opening there. I think it is already in other Australian cities. it is so much better than Sam's.

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9121689)

What is Costco and should I be getting a card? According to somebody on here they are going to have Costco's in the UK........I do hate to miss out on a bargain!! :sneaky:

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9121721)

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:lol:)
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.:D
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 trottytrue (Post 9121769)

Place by the sea meant within the UK.

Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 9121769)

Place by the sea meant within the UK.

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 9121796)

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 :D

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9121433)

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 (Post 9121801)

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

Originally Posted by ldyinlv (Post 9121591)

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 (Post 9121610)

Are you doing a bit of Match making there Don? ;)

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9121721)

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:lol:)
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.:D
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 (Post 9121890)

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 (Post 9121931)

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 (Post 9121058)

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 (Post 9121206)

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 (Post 9121931)

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 (Post 9121106)

Thanks Aviva.
I have not heard that so I will check it out next week and make a posting on the answer.

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9121785)

.....it must be warm down there as they have palm trees, in fact that is the only place I saw them in the UK

Originally Posted by dontheturner (Post 9121811)

Perhaps, that is where the obesity is coming from? just Sayin'

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9121015)

Rod,
Thanks.

Lets see if I had a monthly income of £1000 and found a place up north for £400 a month. That would leave £600 for food, power and such. I may make it?

Living expenses include:

Tax, Home Ins., TV Lic., Water?, Phone/internet, food and elec/gas.

Dunroving,

What do you think of an income of £1,000? Would a person make it without a car.

Originally Posted by Fish n Chips 56 (Post 9121890)

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.

Originally Posted by DDL (Post 9122368)

You will actually find, Don, when you return to the UK that portions here have become much larger than they used to be. I was very surprised by that fact.

It has been my personal experience over the past 5 months that plates of food brought to the table when eating out in a pub contain much more than I can even eat. It's interesting because 7 years ago, when I lived here before, I didn't find that to be the case.

Things have probably changed since you've been away. Now, 2% of the UK population are categorized as being morbidly obese and the NHS spends £10,000 on each one of those who have gastric bypass surgery.

62% of Britons in general are categorized as being 'obese' or 'overweight'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8646677.stm

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 9122384)

- Yes, and Scotland is up there in the front runners, when you look at the different UK countries separately. In terms of portions, I think you are right. When I go for my weekly Friday lunch of fish, chips and peas over in the student refectory, the dinner ladies know now that all I want is a "children's portion" of chips and peas - honestly, it's like a chip and pea mountain otherwise! (I can't stand to waste food).

Originally Posted by DDL (Post 9122368)

You will actually find, Don, when you return to the UK that portions here have become much larger than they used to be. I was very 2% of Britons in general are categorized as being 'obese' or 'overweight'.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8646677.stm

Originally Posted by dontheturner (Post 9122416)

Hi DDL, On the obedity issue, I did know that UK is going the way of US. I am on the Mailing list, for our local Telford & Wrekin Council, and yes, there are more potholes than ever, but they have put out, 16 teams of workmen, to go around dealing with the problem, now that the extreme winter weather has passed, and are asking residents, to ring a hotline number, and report them, to the the team leader.

Hope other Authorities are doing likewise. regards don.

Originally Posted by Easterndawn (Post 9121253)

Havent found any either had a friend bring some over when she was visiting Canada in the fall. It is similiar to mayo but with a kick to it, I actually like it much better than mayo and love it with chips

Originally Posted by DDL (Post 9122368)

You will actually find, Don, when you return to the UK that portions here have become much larger than they used to be. I was very surprised by that fact.

It has been my personal experience over the past 5 months that plates of food brought to the table when eating out in a pub contain much more than I can even eat. It's interesting because 7 years ago, when I lived here before, I didn't find that to be the case.

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9121457)

I mentioned that invitation for Americans in the UK to see the Kings Speech, well here is the finished production.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programme...ca/9368666.stm

Originally Posted by cheers (Post 9121032)

My son lived in M., among other places, during his two years in England and it was the worse place he lived. Having said that, if a person went 20 miles away it could be nice.

On the interest rates. It seems to me if people are not borrowing then interest rates should go down. Just sayin'.

Originally Posted by jasper123 (Post 9122572)

Wheres M.? :confused:

Originally Posted by Beedubya (Post 9121626)

We have Miracle Whip in Australia, it's a Mayonaisse, quite white in colour, is that the same one you mean Rodney?