Natashaalex

HI there
I'm thinking about moving to the States, near Boulder, Colorado, and am wondering if anyone misses the UK or are they glad they made the move?
Be interested to know what you miss if you do or why you don't miss it.
I'm restless in the UK, fed up with the weather - damp and dark in the North West, and I like the feeling of space in the US. I'm a 40 year old woman, single, no permanent ties as such; I've been over here 6 times this year training, Arizona, Georgia and Colorado, made several friends and like the landscape. I'm setting up self-employed in the UK and I could as easily do it in the US in conjunction with a colleague as business partner. I'm wondering if I'll miss the countryside and greenery and my friends. Sometimes it can be the things you never think of that you'll miss so I'd appreciate the wisdom of those already in the States.
Thanks

Octang Frye

You might want to flesh out your post. Would you be moving here for work? Study? A relationship? How old are you? Do you have family here?

The answers you get will depend on what you post.

nettlebed

Really, really missed the UK for about four years. Missed the radio, the pubs, the cricket, my friends, the countryside (horse riding in springtime in the Chilterns is heaven: I still miss that). Missed the cultural life in London, missed being able to be in another country in an hour or two.

Now, not so much, apart from the Chilterns, London, and easy access to Lisbon.

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE.

I didn't think I would...but yes I missed the UK dreadfully. I missed the life I'd taken for granted for so many years. I'm glad I came for the experience but regret it because I know I will never feel settled again.

Natashaalex

Thanks for that. Where are you living? I've wondered if I would miss the countryside but I love the wide open spaces in the US, am thinking of going to live near Boulder, in Horse country - it's very beautiful there. I'm rather sick of being cramped and damp in the uk and I've made several friends in the US as I"ve been over here training several times this year.

Octang Frye

I'm 25 miles from Boulder. Can't say I've ever heard it described as "Horse country" before. Anywhere along the front-range is beautiful for that sort of thing.

nettlebed

I live in Redmond, which is about 12 miles east of Seattle.

The scenery around here is marvellous: in the right place, I can look north and see Mount Baker, west to the Olympics (most Brits seem to think that Seattle is on the Pacific, but it's about 80 miles away, with an 8000' mountain range in between), south to Mount Rainier (at over 14000' feet the highest peak in the lower 48) and east to the Cascades.

The weather is pretty much the same as the UK.

I still miss the Chilterns as I said, but looking at the sun gilding the Olympics on an early morning is a sight to stand in awe of...

Natashaalex

Do you mind me asking how old you are and where are you living now? How long have you been in the US?

Sally Redux

I'd say give it a whirl if you're single, no kids, not much to lose is there? If you don't like it, move back.

Natashaalex

I've named it that - been here staying for a week with a friend - horses everywhere. She's near Loveland. How do you like it here? Glad you moved?

Jerseygirl

Before we go any further do you know how you are going to be able to move here? What type of visa?

BEVS

Same here JG.

Octang Frye

I moved to Atlanta first. And then Colorado. Colorado is a great place if you like outdoorsy stuff. Well educated population. We just have to keep the Californians out. (After wrecking their state, they're flocking here and, get this, they want to repeat the process! Or they move to Arizona.)

Anyway, Colorado is a great state. I like it. Bit of everything.

If you get a visa and become an ex-pat, there's a risk that even when you go "home", you can't ever really go back. But to echo Sally, give it a spin. Be adventurous.

lisa67

I miss the country side too and the whole traveling around Europe thing, but I wouldn't give up what I have here (Texas) to go back. I enjoy visiting but wouldn't want to live back in the UK.
When I do visit I feel I don't really belong there and on the other hand I feel I don't really belong here either

Octang Frye

There is a common theme in this thread so far.