GeoffM

I did, a few times. But I was asleep each time. (Amtrak)

Anyway, all this stemmed from Bob's comment that I wasn't in the south... yet California is most definitely south, but now I know you're talking about The South, not the south. And the southwest is not included in The South, only the south... enough to make my head spin!

Beaverstate

The south basically ends somewhere in East Texas. That is where the Southwest begins. I imagine most Texans would put Texas into its own category however.

Michael

The "Union" was the north and the "Confederates" was the south. When you see one of these waving (the confederate flag) at a courthouse entrance, it will be in the south.

Zen10

Exactly, yes. Just remember south of the Mason-Dixon line you LOVE Generals Lee and Jackson and Grant and Sherman were sissies, and reverse these views when you go north and you will be fine.

GeoffM

Yeah, thanks. I try to avoid situations like that. Vaguely equivalent was walking into a trailer park store in the middle of nowhere on July 4th (I was out driving, hadn't passed anything for over 20 miles, and badly needed somewhere to, um, go), finding two blokes talking to the owner, them turning to me as I walked in and asking me "you're Republican, right?". Defused by saying I wasn't eligible to vote, by which time they noticed the accent, and got easily sidetracked! (I have since learnt that my political views may lie elsewhere). But once over that hurdle they were very nice, allowing me to use the non-public restroom.

Zen10

What should concern you most is that they inferred that you were a Republican supporter by your general demeanour. You weren't wearing nylon slacks and a tartan golf jacket were you?

civilservant

Ah the Confederate Flag..... a must have accessory (along with a gun rack) for pickup trucks here in Georgia

Zen10

Chu lookin at bwoooy?

GeoffM

Um no. It was the way it was phrased more as a statement or threat than a question. My demeanour was probably that of clenched buttocks. Literally. Draw your own conclusions from that posture in a sentence involving Republicans!

Beaverstate

Oh the deep rural south AKA" Deliverance".

Zen10

I think buttock-clenching is the gentlemanly thing to do under those circumstances, which reminds me of a Neil Hamburger joke I had better keep to myself.

katybluewater

This made me laugh - it could be written about me! In July, we moved back to the Uk after 3 years in DC. I never thought of myself as a socialist, but I really couldnt get over the bloody mindedness of some Americans. I found the attitude to be 'I'm alright so sod everyone else'. For a religious country, they sure do lack compassion.

Zen10

I have found Australia to be basically the same balance of left/right as the UK and the same kind of debate to be honest. They are much more on our wavelength and have our work/life balance as well. I'm not sure I could adjust to living in the US now, but here you don't really notice a big difference, which is really nice.

jenninedinburgh

You're not mad. You only live once. I believe that if you did not take a chance and try life where your heart leads you, you'd always wonder. Be young, be in love and stay safe. Do good and be good. Sometimes we over analyse (I know I do) trying to find perfection in everything when the answer is quite simple - follow your heart and your dreams - as long as you will not go into financial ruin and won't harm others, break any laws, etc. - then GO for it. You can always change paths later if things aren't as they should be in your life's path.

I have lived in Edinburgh for several years. It's a beautiful city. I have however been thinking of living other places for a while now. The weather really gets me down and this year has been the worst. I yearn for sunshine and being outside more. There is no utopia. What you win in one area (great weather/cheaper housing) you will lose in another (annual leave/healthcare). It's all about what's important to you and your family.

I have decided after living here for many years to return to my native USA. I have grappled with this decision for years now and have finally decided to go. For me, it has come down to proximity to family. I know that if something happens to me or my husband, we don't have any family here to support us in Scotland (he is also from the USA originally). It would be difficult for them to travel to see us due to expense, time off from work and lack of passports in some instances. I've also had one horrific experience with the NHS and have also decided that I'd rather pay for great healthcare than rely on sh*tty state healthcare. We will do our best to find employers that have good healthcare programs and to be as preventative as possible (as we are now - eating right, exercising and staying away from processed foods).

Many on these boards will tell you that you are crazy or give you all the negatives of why you should consider your choice carefully. Many of these people are homesick and wish more than anything to go back to the UK to be near family. Who could blame them? There are pros and cons to both countries and all countries. You just have to do what's right for you at the time and go from there.

Very best wishes,

Jennifer

rachiea2610

My views are basically the same as yours, I miss the free health care, Police walking around without deadly weapons (Does a police baton count as deadly?) and I'm not into religion and I am for gay rights all the way...I live in Durham, North Carolina. My husband and I moved here not too long ago from Maryland because we wanted a town who was diverse in every which way. Durham is awesome. We are an interracial couple and believe it or not In Maryland we were always looked down upon because of our differences in Skin colour. My children were ridiculed and bullied because of their skin tone. We have had no problems down here with that. Durham City (not county) is the only city in NC who has a majority of its population who is for gay rights...statistically that is a fact. So move here and you'll have a Brit friend!!

Sorry if none of that really made sense, it's just how it came out!!