OVER 50's+ MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Jan 9th 2011, 7:34 pm
#826
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I'm simply saying that I pay as much in tax here as I would in the UK, PLUS $1,400 for health care. When I go home, that $1,400 will stay in my pocket. So yes, in my mind, my health care in the UK will be "free."
btw - when I calculated my tax burden in both countries, I was including VAT. But my situation may be different from some. First, property taxes in NY are ludicrous so I will save thousands there. Second, the US has a really screwed up system of self-employment insurance when both husband and wife are self-employed. Our taxes for social security and Medicare are unbelievably high and our NI costs will be much lower. So bring on the VAT
Jan 9th 2011, 7:41 pm
#827
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Im the same way Dunroving, I earn Dollars not Pounds, the converting thing is ok for holidays but as a daily thing it is and unfair exchange, we should base price of goods and services against our income, its just too complicated to figure in every little cost which is what we should do to get a true cost value.
Jan 9th 2011, 7:43 pm
#828
Finally Home!
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Used to be New York, now North Yorkshire
Posts: 3,610
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
R
I wasnt being mean by having a new Thread opened I just feel Healthcare is a really big issue I think we can learn alot but discussions can get complicated and take up vast amouts of space and when you are trying to look back and find information that is helpful to all it gets tedious and others might feel the same way wading through pages of heathcare to look for a post that someone had written on buying or giving booksmarks to information was just taking forever.
I wasnt being mean by having a new Thread opened I just feel Healthcare is a really big issue I think we can learn alot but discussions can get complicated and take up vast amouts of space and when you are trying to look back and find information that is helpful to all it gets tedious and others might feel the same way wading through pages of heathcare to look for a post that someone had written on buying or giving booksmarks to information was just taking forever.
There are lots of topics of conversation here that don't interest me and I have to skip past them to get to the stuff I want to read. I'm sure that's the same for everyone else. I just don't see how we can eliminate health care from our conversations when it's the primary driver for many people to go home.
That particular conversation was initiated by a person who is sick and worried and was discussing her situation with friends. She got lots of helpful advice and much-needed support. Is she supposed to not mention her situation again? If I am thrown off my health plan next week do I have to start a new thread?
That doesn't make any sense to me. One of my reasons for wanting to go home is health care insecurity as I get older and I know I'm not alone judging by the number of times it comes up in conversation - most recently in Rodney's post. I want to discuss that here just as some others want to discuss their house sale or what kind of car they want to buy.
Last edited by sallysimmons; Jan 9th 2011 at 7:46 pm.
Jan 9th 2011, 7:44 pm
#829
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I used to convert US costs from $$ into ££, but I don't do that so much now, because the currency conversion varies so much and really, the realtive cost of something is related to your income. If I were working in the States, I'd be on a salary in $$ that is about the same number as what I get in ££ - so getting a door lock replaced for $300 in the US would constitute about the same relative cost as getting a door lock replaced in the UK for £240 (without VAT included).
Also, I think that UPVC door locks/handles that you get in the UK are more complicated than a typical US door lock (which is much more like the "old fashioned" circular metal door locks we used to have on wooden doors here in the UK).
That's why it is difficult to asnwer posts here on cost of living - it depends on your income, not on whatever the $$/££ exchange rate happens to be at the time the question is asked ...
Also, I think that UPVC door locks/handles that you get in the UK are more complicated than a typical US door lock (which is much more like the "old fashioned" circular metal door locks we used to have on wooden doors here in the UK).
That's why it is difficult to asnwer posts here on cost of living - it depends on your income, not on whatever the $$/££ exchange rate happens to be at the time the question is asked ...
He placed what looked like 2 flattened rubber balloons...one above the lock and one just beneath. Then using a small hand pump he pumped it twice and the door burst open. There was no damage...I didn't need a new lock but his 5 minute visit cost $400.
Jan 9th 2011, 7:46 pm
#830
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Honestly, I don't understand this.
There are lots of topics of conversation here that don't interest me and I have to skip past them to get to the stuff I want to read. I'm sure that's the same for everyone else. I just don't see how we can eliminate health care from our conversations when it's the primary driver for many people to go home.
That particular conversation was initiated by a person who is sick and worried and was discussing her situation with friends. She got lots of helpful advice and much-needed support. Is she supposed to not mention her situation again? If I am thrown off my health plan next week so I have to start a new thread?
That doesn't make any sense to me. One of my reasons for wanting to go home is health care insecurity as I get older and I know I'm not alone judging by the number of times it comes up in conversation - most recently in Rodney's post.
There are lots of topics of conversation here that don't interest me and I have to skip past them to get to the stuff I want to read. I'm sure that's the same for everyone else. I just don't see how we can eliminate health care from our conversations when it's the primary driver for many people to go home.
That particular conversation was initiated by a person who is sick and worried and was discussing her situation with friends. She got lots of helpful advice and much-needed support. Is she supposed to not mention her situation again? If I am thrown off my health plan next week so I have to start a new thread?
That doesn't make any sense to me. One of my reasons for wanting to go home is health care insecurity as I get older and I know I'm not alone judging by the number of times it comes up in conversation - most recently in Rodney's post.
Jan 9th 2011, 7:47 pm
#831
Home Sweet Home
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Im the same way Dunroving, I earn Dollars not Pounds, the converting thing is ok for holidays but as a daily thing it is and unfair exchange, we should base price of goods and services against our income, its just too complicated to figure in every little cost which is what we should do to get a true cost value.
Jan 9th 2011, 7:48 pm
#832
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
The internet is really slow right now. Anyone else notice? Maybe too many people are on it or sumit. Maybe I will reboot and see if that helps.
'Keep those cards and letters coming folks'
'Keep those cards and letters coming folks'
Jan 9th 2011, 7:52 pm
#833
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,606
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Actually Jersey Girl a few of us are irritated, just because one person seems to say what can and cannot be discussed here, we can talk about any other subject just not that one.
Health care is the main reason for me leaving this country, I think its a major issue but it upsets someone politically.
Just saying my piece.
Health care is the main reason for me leaving this country, I think its a major issue but it upsets someone politically.
Just saying my piece.
Jan 9th 2011, 7:56 pm
#834
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
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Jan 9th 2011, 8:06 pm
#835
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Yo yo ma playing background music
Posts: 285
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Actually Jersey Girl a few of us are irritated, just because one person seems to say what can and cannot be discussed here, we can talk about any other subject just not that one.
Health care is the main reason for me leaving this country, I think its a major issue but it upsets someone politically.
Just saying my piece.
Health care is the main reason for me leaving this country, I think its a major issue but it upsets someone politically.
Just saying my piece.
Jan 9th 2011, 8:10 pm
#836
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas, Nv
Posts: 1,000
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I agree, alot of us thought that was a great idea..but it got shoved away before it even began...
Jan 9th 2011, 8:10 pm
#837
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,005
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Jan 9th 2011, 8:10 pm
#838
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Actually Jersey Girl a few of us are irritated, just because one person seems to say what can and cannot be discussed here, we can talk about any other subject just not that one.
Health care is the main reason for me leaving this country, I think its a major issue but it upsets someone politically.
Just saying my piece.
Health care is the main reason for me leaving this country, I think its a major issue but it upsets someone politically.
Just saying my piece.
That was the reason for splitting the thread...and not because one person suggested it.