scrubbedexpat097

Yep...moving with kids can become complicated as they get older

Nutmegger

I'm still not sure why you would have more opportunity to "regularly visit the coast, beach, open spaces" in the US than you would in the UK. You can jump in the car and drive to so many wonderful places in the UK -- and the distances are a fraction of what they are in the US! I've never seen such lovely beaches in the US as in the UK (though I'm sure that folks will tell me they do exist!). And don't overlook your children's education -- if you want the best for them in that department, FL is not the state to consider.

scrubbedexpat097

If you really want to try it then do because there is nothing worse in life than "what ifs" but don't let better weather and fun for the kids be the determining factor.

Stress in a new life in a new country is something else but there are plenty of good parts, you have to figure out what is best for everyone. Good luck!

Jerseygirl

I never see children playing outside here...unless they are doing organised activities ie summer day camps.

scrubbedexpat099

It would be interesting to know the real reasons in these cases. The one mentioned often seem to make no sense.

Mummy in the foothills

I think quite often it really is the thought that life is as fun as when you visit on vacation, only with a few days at work in between.
But in reality is never is that easy.
I have a friend who is teacher, his wife stays home with the kids, she can't work as two are special needs but were mainstreamed in school. They have 4.
He has a masters degree and is also in the reserves (Navy.) They get food stamps, or EBT as they call it now, thats how little he earns. There are no extras, his house is falling apart at the seams, no money to do anything, no sports, no after school activities. They haven't had a family holiday since they went on honeymoon. So the kids have never been away, ever.
There are so many hidden costs here that it eats up your income.
Soccer sign ups are right now (or maybe I missed it last month) anyway that is now over $100 per child per season and on top of that parents have to commit to fund raising. Baseball is a similar cost as is basket ball.
The cheapest out door activity for us is a membership to the local clubhouse, the whole family for $150 per year (very unusual these days I have friends paying 4 and 5 times that for their pool access) we have access to the pool every day but tuesday. It's old, not the prettiest, and they need volunteers for all kinds of fix up projects, but it's friendly and clean.
Skiing (snow) for locals is just under $500 each if you buy now for winter. They used to offer a cheaper one just for locals I think they got rid of it.
Skiing (water) costs are infinite boat, gas, food, drinks, ski's, life vests, both our boats are for sale cheap if anyone wants one. One top of that you now have to pay every time you launch the boat, used to be free here.
It all looks fun and easy, but without a huge income we are limited in what we can do for the kids outdoor activities.

Sally Redux

A somewhat classic misconception of the advantages of the US over the midlands.

Zen10

Along with 47 million other Americans.

Zen10

I believe so. I think the advantages of new world countries are generally over-estimated, especially America because of the health care issue. I think this idea took hold a few decades ago when Britain really was a long way behind these countries for standard of living, but the gap has narrowed somewhat. My concern is that the British elevated their standard of living in the 80s and particularly 90s by borrowing, but that party is over. They are now at 28 and dropping, and I wonder if in a few years' time the gap might widen again and new world might become more appealing. Just a thought.

tuxedocat

I'm surprised that America is thought to have advantages for a higher quality of life from the UK.

Zen10

Yes I agree. I would enjoy living in America I think but it's not somewhere I have ever planned to live and I strongly doubt I'll live there now because in my opinion, America isn't what it used to be - it's not even what it was 15 years ago. It's a good country, in my view, but I don't see on what basis one would place it higher than the UK.

MadRad

A friend of mine (fellow Brit) has a teaching job here in Colorado. She volunteered in the school district first and got in that way.

If you want the outdoors lifestyle, Colorado's pretty hard to beat.

Jerseygirl

How long ago was that and did they sponsor her for a visa to move to the US?

Zen10

She must have been in the US on a visa before she volunteered though.

Jerseygirl

That's what I was thinking...if so that post is irrelevant.