rookins26

I don't assume consumerism is dead there so don't get me wrong. But here in Arizona it is out of control in many ways! I am a native of Arizona so I have seen the changes since I was little. Everything is who has the bigger house, bigger more elaborate pool with water feature, Hummer SUV or Cadillac Escilade...etc. It is hard to compete with and if you choose not to you are somehow out of the loop..which is fine but it is nice to meet more folks who are not as materialistic. I will say when we lived outside Seattle WA we noticed people were more frugal and not as flashy as AZ so that was nice to see...so I know not all states are like this.

Colette

jumping doris

Nothing. There is no North. Don't go North of Watford, you'll fall off the edge. Forget we ever mentioned the North. I don't even know what the word means.

Whew, fellow Northerners...I think we're safe.

TruBrit

that is something i noticed as soon as i got here how materialistic the peeps are ....talk about keeping up with the joneses

britvic

Yes let's see...pay through the nose for a great big f**k off Truck at $30.000 and rent an apartment, yes that makes sense

rookins26

I know it is sad since there is so much more to life....I think so anyway. It is good to have nice things of course but to go over the top is ridiculous. You can't take all your crap with you in a U-Haul when you die all you have in the end is the legacy you left.

Colette

TruBrit

tbh my usc OH noticed that when he lived in the uk and then moved back here. i never have mixed with pretentious people, can't stand them.

good luck with the move

rookins26

Not liking Huston?? Can I ask why? I haven't been there myself but I am not in a hurry to move to the Land of Mr. Bush I guess.

Colette

TruBrit

how long have you got

'the armpit of hell' known as houston should say it all! the best thing about it are the roads leading out or in my case the airport

rookins26

Aww I am sorry to hear that it sucks. Somedays I feel the same way about Phoenix when it is 115 degrees and you cannot go outside at all and actually be comfortable. It is just not for me I guess. So are you moving back to the UK? If so where?

Colette

TruBrit

yes plans in the offing to move back home thank god. we have a place in surrey, a lovely county for the most part. our village is in a pretty area with lots of green belt and just 40 mins by train to waterloo and 3hrs to paris...wonderbar, brill location

rookins26

That's the thing I think I would love about living over there...how close you are to Europe. Here in the US you are isolated from that world and I am so bummed that I haven't been able to go over there all this time. Though I have been to almost every state in the US and traveled to Canada I know there is still SO MUCH more out there. You lucky duck you...

Colette

Ray

I have not made a comment in this thread before ...
so I wont bother now !!!

commoner

We live 20 miles south of London in Crawley, West Sussex. Currently we're living in a 600 sq ft, two bedroom flat and our monthly rent is £750.

Most of the three bedroom houses in our area cost £900 to £1100 to rent per month.

The third bedroom in many of the houses is a "box room". A box room doesn't have any windows and is about the size of an American walk in closet. Most people I know who have such a room use it for storage only.

TruBrit

the strange thing is i never felt isolated living in england on an island however here in houston you are miles from civilization

and thank you yes, i am very lucky..some karma on it's way and looks like it'll be your first...cheers

ladyofthelake

I'll agree with you on the size of an average box room, it is pretty much like a walk in closet. But no windows?? Bedrooms always have windows, no matter what size they are. Never, ever seen a 'box room' with no windows. It is supposed to be a bedroom.