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-   -   The American Dream (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/american-dream-230690/)

whatever May 14th 2004 11:24 am

The American Dream
 
Sorry folks, I've got my curious head on tonight, so it's questions questions questions :D

What is 'The American Dream'? Would any of you luvverly Brits like to define what 'The American Dream' means to you? Does it actually exist?
Perhaps you are seeking the 'dream' or indeed living the dream already? How do you know if you've got it? Is there such a thing as 'The British Dream'? How would they compare?...

USBound May 14th 2004 11:30 am

american dream - to succeed from a life you don't like, to a life you do.

british dream - lower taxes.


personally I've over here for many reasons, mainly because my line of work is concentrated over here and because I landed a cushty job with a company I respected then and more now. I have a better standard of life in general, bigger place, more sun, more money...

Gross50 May 14th 2004 12:20 pm

Re: The American Dream
 

Originally posted by whatever
Sorry folks, I've got my curious head on tonight, so it's questions questions questions :D

What is 'The American Dream'? Would any of you luvverly Brits like to define what 'The American Dream' means to you? Does it actually exist?
Perhaps you are seeking the 'dream' or indeed living the dream already? How do you know if you've got it? Is there such a thing as 'The British Dream'? How would they compare?...

Webster definition; an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity

didnt have any aspiration to live here, so for me its life as usual. nothing has changed. still the old me.

the british dream does not exist. never heard of it either.

sibsie May 14th 2004 12:38 pm

I think some people have expectations of America that are way too high. It's when you think you're going to be living the dream that it all goes wrong.

RoB1833 May 14th 2004 1:19 pm

My American dream is no different than my British dream. To be happy and to be able to make a living that keeps my family in relative comfort.

Patrick May 14th 2004 2:06 pm

The wet dreams I have in america have more silicone than the british wet dream

USBound May 14th 2004 2:07 pm

only you paddy

Pulaski May 14th 2004 3:23 pm


Originally posted by USBound
..... I have a better standard of life in general, bigger place, more sun, more money...
That sounds like the "American Dream" to me - bigger house, better car, better weather, all-round better standard of living.

It would have been great to have a house like the one I have now, but in SE England it would have cost me £1,000,000 or more (which needless to say, I don't have, nor am I likely to :( ), and would have meant an absurdly expensive and time consuming commute into London. Not eveyone finds the American Dream, but it does exist. :D

USBound May 14th 2004 3:27 pm

same here mr... we were living in Farnborough and to buy a normal house we had to go waaaayy outside of where I worked (guildford) and still pay #1000/month mortgage.

Pulaski May 14th 2004 3:50 pm


Originally posted by USBound
.... #1000/month mortgage.
If you hold down the <Alt> key, then type 156 on the side number pad (not the keys across the top of the keyboard) a "£" will appear (also Alt130 gives "é", and Alt171 & 172 give "½" and "¼". There are many other useful sybols "hidden" this way. :)

USBound May 14th 2004 3:53 pm

yeah I know.. I'm a programmer.. .but I'm also the laziest person ever... # will have to do for now.. :)

doctor scrumpy May 14th 2004 9:59 pm

£ by Gad it does too !

BritGuyTN May 16th 2004 4:23 am

Hmm - I personally don't have an opinion about the 'american dream', but a friend of mine who was a complete yank-o-phile moved from lodon to chicago - his expectations were way to high and he has not seen any really benefit from a lifestyle perspective

i think it depends very much on where you move to in the US - someone earning the equiv of 70k usd living in a london suburb who moves to a boston or san fran suburb will not see any real improvement in quality of life - it may actually decrease

the same person moviong to florida or tennesee of the pacific northwest however would definitely see a benefit

whatever May 16th 2004 11:02 am


Originally posted by BritGuyTN

i think it depends very much on where you move to in the US - someone earning the equiv of 70k usd living in a london suburb who moves to a boston or san fran suburb will not see any real improvement in quality of life - it may actually decrease

the same person moviong to florida or tennesee of the pacific northwest however would definitely see a benefit

Absolutely. We looked at living in NJ commuting to NYC and living in Dallas Metroplex commuting to Dallas (2 good job opportunities). We chose to head for Dallas for many reasons but one of those reasons was to take the pressure off and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking our backs or breaking the bank. To us, NY seemed too similar to the life we already have here in the UK (living in Herts, commuting to London). Give me 6 months and I'll let you know if it was the right decision :D

veryfunny May 16th 2004 12:55 pm

Re: The American Dream
 

Originally posted by whatever
Sorry folks, I've got my curious head on tonight, so it's questions questions questions :D

What is 'The American Dream'? Would any of you luvverly Brits like to define what 'The American Dream' means to you? Does it actually exist?
Perhaps you are seeking the 'dream' or indeed living the dream already? How do you know if you've got it? Is there such a thing as 'The British Dream'? How would they compare?...
The American dream to me is to find those doors of opportunity, open and walk right through them.:)

I did have a taste of the British dream but that was in part due to my Grandfather and Father actions. Example my Grand father made sure his son had a better education than he did.................


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