So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
Apr 27th 2010, 4:35 pm
#1
BE Site Lead
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
Moved over in '04 permanently, since then...
Bush is out of office
Cost of tolls getting to/from Maine to Mass have gone up from $5 one way to around $12
The T was about $1 and now it's $2.30 save 30c with a Charlie card
Petrol was a stupidly expensive $1.30 or so...now it's $3
Eggs were about a $1 a dozen, now it's more than double
Milk was about 60c a small tub now it's about $1.70
Getting the car inspected was $8 and it's now $35 though it's only gone up $4 in Maine
Couldn't even get DSL at the in-laws back then...they can now and internet has gotten faster, just not much better
Had a kid, she just turned 2 last week
A couple of friends have gotten married, one divorced
Cost of a computer game was a bit pricey at $25 and now getting silly at $60
Beer in the US has gotten pretty good with the micro brews, it ain't all just rubbish Bud like it used to be
Winters have gotten pretty warm over the years, nothing as bad as the first one when the Penobscot bay froze over
Bunch of car companies have changed owners and gone bust, surprised more haven't though tbh
People actual cycle around now, still have to be brave, but it just didn't happen a while ago
I've put on and lost a stone in weight
Given golf a go...I'm right shit and open to the mocking with friends on that one and something I never thought I'd try, certainly in England
One thing that hasn't changed, I'm still a grumpy sod
Bush is out of office
Cost of tolls getting to/from Maine to Mass have gone up from $5 one way to around $12
The T was about $1 and now it's $2.30 save 30c with a Charlie card
Petrol was a stupidly expensive $1.30 or so...now it's $3
Eggs were about a $1 a dozen, now it's more than double
Milk was about 60c a small tub now it's about $1.70
Getting the car inspected was $8 and it's now $35 though it's only gone up $4 in Maine
Couldn't even get DSL at the in-laws back then...they can now and internet has gotten faster, just not much better
Had a kid, she just turned 2 last week
A couple of friends have gotten married, one divorced
Cost of a computer game was a bit pricey at $25 and now getting silly at $60
Beer in the US has gotten pretty good with the micro brews, it ain't all just rubbish Bud like it used to be
Winters have gotten pretty warm over the years, nothing as bad as the first one when the Penobscot bay froze over
Bunch of car companies have changed owners and gone bust, surprised more haven't though tbh
People actual cycle around now, still have to be brave, but it just didn't happen a while ago
I've put on and lost a stone in weight
Given golf a go...I'm right shit and open to the mocking with friends on that one and something I never thought I'd try, certainly in England
One thing that hasn't changed, I'm still a grumpy sod
Apr 27th 2010, 4:43 pm
#2
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
Posts: 6,363
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
well since autumn 2007:
we had another kid - and shes 15 months.
im still not working - which was not what i expected having always had a job of some kind
we own a truck - something we laughed a lot about others doing when we arrived.
ditto lawn tractor
ditto snow blower
we had another kid - and shes 15 months.
im still not working - which was not what i expected having always had a job of some kind
we own a truck - something we laughed a lot about others doing when we arrived.
ditto lawn tractor
ditto snow blower
Apr 27th 2010, 5:36 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
We have been in and out of the US since (my) first home here in (I think) 1997.
Two boys, youngest 17, oldest 22 and in the USN
Lots of animals, mainly cats and dogs...don't have any from original trip still with us
Made lots of American friends, still in touch with a lot.
Had 3 surgeries (lost over 100lbs, gained back about 15)
Hubby retired from AD after 23 yrs with AF.
Thought we would retire in IL, but moving again
Hubby has a truck, I never wanted one, but it was a gift from his Dad, now I love it!
Lots of increases in price, but pay has increased too.
Bought 3 homes, sold 2.....moved about 12 times
Made friends with next door neighbor, loved her to bits, now can't wait to see the back of her!
Seen and done lots of things I never would have if I had never come here.
Life has gotten easier each time we have come back to the US, thank goodness hubby has always had a secure career.
Hubby has lost his (biological) Mom, two Grandpa's one Grandma and one Gt. Grandma.
Lots of other changes, I think as you get older you just want things to settle down and don't enjoy the changes (or accept them as easily) as much as when you are younger
Two boys, youngest 17, oldest 22 and in the USN
Lots of animals, mainly cats and dogs...don't have any from original trip still with us
Made lots of American friends, still in touch with a lot.
Had 3 surgeries (lost over 100lbs, gained back about 15)
Hubby retired from AD after 23 yrs with AF.
Thought we would retire in IL, but moving again
Hubby has a truck, I never wanted one, but it was a gift from his Dad, now I love it!
Lots of increases in price, but pay has increased too.
Bought 3 homes, sold 2.....moved about 12 times
Made friends with next door neighbor, loved her to bits, now can't wait to see the back of her!
Seen and done lots of things I never would have if I had never come here.
Life has gotten easier each time we have come back to the US, thank goodness hubby has always had a secure career.
Hubby has lost his (biological) Mom, two Grandpa's one Grandma and one Gt. Grandma.
Lots of other changes, I think as you get older you just want things to settle down and don't enjoy the changes (or accept them as easily) as much as when you are younger
Apr 27th 2010, 10:58 pm
#4
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
A hellava lot. I now have three children one who will graduate Uni next month. So everything you said plus a ton more.
Mostly I have noticed my money doesn't go as far anymore.
Mostly I have noticed my money doesn't go as far anymore.
Apr 27th 2010, 11:34 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,043
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
I first moved to Ohio in 1992, petrol was 57c a gallon!
Been back and forth a couple of times since then.
Been back and forth a couple of times since then.
Apr 28th 2010, 12:37 am
#6
Dizzy Blonde
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio.
Posts: 964
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
I swore that I would never touch the crap they call Bacon......
Now I can't get enough of it :P
Now I can't get enough of it :P
Apr 28th 2010, 1:43 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Mendocino, California
Posts: 954
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
What a great question..... lets see I arrived here in 83.
Cigs were less than a dollar
Reagan was in office
Gas was about 79 cents
You didn't have to show car insurance ( in CA )
You could ride without a helmet ( CA )
Pot was illegal ( CA )
No commercial computers or cellphones. ( course that applies to everywhere )
I was thinner
The Aids scare, you needed a doctors note to go on a date.
I t would be interesting to reverse the question, i.e. What has changed in the UK since you left.
Cigs were less than a dollar
Reagan was in office
Gas was about 79 cents
You didn't have to show car insurance ( in CA )
You could ride without a helmet ( CA )
Pot was illegal ( CA )
No commercial computers or cellphones. ( course that applies to everywhere )
I was thinner
The Aids scare, you needed a doctors note to go on a date.
I t would be interesting to reverse the question, i.e. What has changed in the UK since you left.
Apr 28th 2010, 4:01 am
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
We are relative newcomers, came in 2005.
A welcome change of President.
Children have grown from sweet little kids to sullen teenagers.
Still unsettled as to where we are going to be in the next few years.
But touch wood things are going well
Apr 28th 2010, 4:17 am
#9
BE Site Lead
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Apr 28th 2010, 4:19 am
#10
BE Site Lead
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
They were $3 a pack when I arrived, around $8.50 these days...not bad rate of inflation
Oh, the bike helmet, that hasn't changed in Maine, can still ride without one, you do have to wear one on a pedal bike though, till your 18
Oh, the bike helmet, that hasn't changed in Maine, can still ride without one, you do have to wear one on a pedal bike though, till your 18
Apr 28th 2010, 4:30 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Mendocino, California
Posts: 954
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
Oh, the bike helmet, that hasn't changed in Maine, can still ride without one, you do have to wear one on a pedal bike though, till your 18
Apr 28th 2010, 12:36 pm
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: killeen texas
Posts: 822
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
Our daughter! she has turned into an American DIVA! 
Apr 28th 2010, 12:52 pm
#14
With 'er indoors :-D
Joined: May 2003
Location: DE, USA
Posts: 162
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
My hair has got greyer
My waist has grown wider
Been through 3 progressively larger homes and 4 progressively nicer cars
One son and one dog have joined the family
Two guinea pigs, two hamsters, two hermit crabs, two ducks and two fish have come and gone.
Had two weddings and two funerals in the family.
Earn 2.5 times what I did when I first got here
My waist has grown wider
Been through 3 progressively larger homes and 4 progressively nicer cars
One son and one dog have joined the family
Two guinea pigs, two hamsters, two hermit crabs, two ducks and two fish have come and gone.
Had two weddings and two funerals in the family.
Earn 2.5 times what I did when I first got here
Apr 28th 2010, 1:48 pm
#15
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,544
Re: So what has changed since you moved here over the years?
My hair has got greyer
My waist has grown wider
Been through 3 progressively larger homes and 4 progressively nicer cars
One son and one dog have joined the family
Two guinea pigs, two hamsters, two hermit crabs, two ducks and two fish have come and gone.
Had two weddings and two funerals in the family.
Earn 2.5 times what I did when I first got here
My waist has grown wider
Been through 3 progressively larger homes and 4 progressively nicer cars
One son and one dog have joined the family
Two guinea pigs, two hamsters, two hermit crabs, two ducks and two fish have come and gone.
Had two weddings and two funerals in the family.
Earn 2.5 times what I did when I first got here
Our cars have got smaller and smaller - we now own a Toyota Yaris and a Toyota Echo. I don't fancy driving a SmartCar on I-87 over the Green Mountains, so I'm guessing we won't be downsizing from here..
When I first came to the US, cigarettes cost 30c the pack. And there was no speed limit.