Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Jan 28th 2013, 6:22 am
#61
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...6#post10471436
Thread I started a while back about fun and interesting cities. Has a good list of places to gander through.
Though to answer the question in the thread title, I'd say none.
That's not to say there aren't loads of fab places, some great to live in and great places to be at, but that wasn't what you asked.
Thread I started a while back about fun and interesting cities. Has a good list of places to gander through.
Though to answer the question in the thread title, I'd say none.
That's not to say there aren't loads of fab places, some great to live in and great places to be at, but that wasn't what you asked.
Jan 28th 2013, 1:11 pm
#63
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Perhaps you should investigate East Anglia? I mean - why move that vast distance to far-off eastern Ky. when (in comparison) East Anglia is practically at your doorstep? At a minimum - it seems a far more realistic 
option for you. All the seemingly insurmountable hurdles discussed in the 2 threads you've opened today would be averted.
To be fair....I'm being slightly tongue-in-cheek - and know you'll dismiss the East Anglia idea out-of-hand.
But it's no more absurd than harboring the foolish notion that there are "warm and welcoming communities" in America. That's a "Leave It To Beaver" myth rooted in 50's TV romanticism. Broad brush generalities are so banal - but if you insist - then I'll label America a success driven culture with little time for or interest in "neighborliness". Yes, there is a tradition of Volunteerism with an implied concern for the other - and 'tho real - the "concern" shouldn't be mistaken for the welcoming embrace of true friendship - which you crave.
option for you. All the seemingly insurmountable hurdles discussed in the 2 threads you've opened today would be averted.To be fair....I'm being slightly tongue-in-cheek - and know you'll dismiss the East Anglia idea out-of-hand.
But it's no more absurd than harboring the foolish notion that there are "warm and welcoming communities" in America. That's a "Leave It To Beaver" myth rooted in 50's TV romanticism. Broad brush generalities are so banal - but if you insist - then I'll label America a success driven culture with little time for or interest in "neighborliness". Yes, there is a tradition of Volunteerism with an implied concern for the other - and 'tho real - the "concern" shouldn't be mistaken for the welcoming embrace of true friendship - which you crave.Ian
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jan 28th 2013 at 11:51 pm. Reason: insulting comment removed
Jan 28th 2013, 2:06 pm
#64
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
I can only say anything which looks to you to be inappropriate - was certainly not done intentionally. If I've caused you any offense it was equally unintentional. No one should ever be mis-quoted! Never! I'd be equally offended if it happened to me. If you wish - just let me know and I'll happily delete the entire post - because it's not worth this misunderstanding nor is it worth upsetting someone who is a valuable contributor to this forum.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jan 28th 2013 at 11:51 pm. Reason: quote edited
Jan 28th 2013, 2:23 pm
#65
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
OMG.....I just scrolled back - Ian....I think (
) this is a dreadful misunderstanding....and NO!....my post (to which you were responding) was directed to someone who kept referring to your description of your community in Kentucky........I just think trying to explain will only confuse you further.....but perhaps it'll help if you go back and look at my post. You'll see that after sending it - I realized I'd posted it to the wrong thread.....and requested the Moderators move it if they wished (tho now that I know you are offended - that might only compound the disaster
I'll do whatever you like.
PS: This is the thread to which I meant to send my post:
Investment and new life move from UK to US
I was responding to the OP of that thread - who was, in turn, referring to what you'd written in this one.
Have I clarified anything....or just compounded the misunderstanding?
) this is a dreadful misunderstanding....and NO!....my post (to which you were responding) was directed to someone who kept referring to your description of your community in Kentucky........I just think trying to explain will only confuse you further.....but perhaps it'll help if you go back and look at my post. You'll see that after sending it - I realized I'd posted it to the wrong thread.....and requested the Moderators move it if they wished (tho now that I know you are offended - that might only compound the disasterI'll do whatever you like.
PS: This is the thread to which I meant to send my post:
Investment and new life move from UK to US
I was responding to the OP of that thread - who was, in turn, referring to what you'd written in this one.
Have I clarified anything....or just compounded the misunderstanding?
Last edited by MMcD; Jan 28th 2013 at 2:33 pm. Reason: added PS
Jan 28th 2013, 2:27 pm
#66
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Just a misunderstanding between the two threads I think.
Jan 28th 2013, 2:36 pm
#67
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Thank you Sally.
It is - but I don't want Ian to be upset.....
It is - but I don't want Ian to be upset.....
Jan 28th 2013, 8:39 pm
#68
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Interesting. I always imagine desert when I think of Arizona. In fact, I saw a film not too long ago set in Arizona (Phoenix, maybe, although I can't remember) and was actually surprised to see leafy suburbs!
Anyway, I'm from Georgia, so therefore very comfortable around lots of trees. Would be nice to see features like the Granite Dells, though. We hope to make it out west one day, especially to see places like the Grand Canyon.
Anyway, I'm from Georgia, so therefore very comfortable around lots of trees. Would be nice to see features like the Granite Dells, though. We hope to make it out west one day, especially to see places like the Grand Canyon.
Thanks for the info, fatbrit.
Jan 28th 2013, 8:52 pm
#69
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
It's probably another of those things that vary massively depending on where you live. Round here there is something of a 'blitz spirit'. So for instance I have lived in this house for just over a year. Whenever there is a bad snowfall my neighbor gets his snowblower out and does my drive for me. The other day his kids came round and brought me a peach cobbler which they had cooked themselves. If they go away I look after their pets and vice versa. Speak to them once a week usually and we borrow each other stuff - we even borrowed his car the other day so we could get a massive christmas tree which wouldn't fit in our little Yaris.
Probably wouldn't be the same if I moved just a couple of blocks in the other direction - then I would probably be complaining about the neighbor's noise and worried about them stabbing one another.
My MIL on the other side of town lives in a more typical American suburb. She has the best neighbors - pretty much every time she has a crisis her immediate neighbor comes round and deals with it whether it be fixing her fridge or her garage door. There is a couple down the street that are always buying her presents - they even bought me a six pack of beer the other day and I don't even live there!!
Frankly living here makes me feel like a bad person because I do bugger all for my neighbors.
Probably wouldn't be the same if I moved just a couple of blocks in the other direction - then I would probably be complaining about the neighbor's noise and worried about them stabbing one another.
My MIL on the other side of town lives in a more typical American suburb. She has the best neighbors - pretty much every time she has a crisis her immediate neighbor comes round and deals with it whether it be fixing her fridge or her garage door. There is a couple down the street that are always buying her presents - they even bought me a six pack of beer the other day and I don't even live there!!
Frankly living here makes me feel like a bad person because I do bugger all for my neighbors.
Jan 28th 2013, 8:55 pm
#70
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
After 26 yrs married to my US hubby and having lived in 5 US States so far. 10 yrs over two seperate tours in England. Both hubby and I would not hesitate in saying that England is where we felt more 'at home'!
We lived in the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire areas and loved it there (I grew up nr Manchester) All the friends we have here in the US are people we met through the Military, not one neighbor. We still keep in touch with at least 6 families in England, (12 yrs since we lived there) they were either neighbors or same school parents.
One of the biggest differences here from England is, you will not walk your kids to school and chat to other Mums at the school gate (not in many places anyway) Most kids get on buses to/from school, or are dropped off (from the car) at the school, in my experience, most neighbors get into their cars inside the garage to go to work/shopping etc and drive back into the garage when they return, so you are lucky to even get to say hi or wave to them.
Believe me, the grass is not always greener across (this) side of the pond!
We lived in the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire areas and loved it there (I grew up nr Manchester) All the friends we have here in the US are people we met through the Military, not one neighbor. We still keep in touch with at least 6 families in England, (12 yrs since we lived there) they were either neighbors or same school parents.
One of the biggest differences here from England is, you will not walk your kids to school and chat to other Mums at the school gate (not in many places anyway) Most kids get on buses to/from school, or are dropped off (from the car) at the school, in my experience, most neighbors get into their cars inside the garage to go to work/shopping etc and drive back into the garage when they return, so you are lucky to even get to say hi or wave to them.
Believe me, the grass is not always greener across (this) side of the pond!
Jan 28th 2013, 8:57 pm
#71
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Jan 28th 2013, 9:02 pm
#72
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
In my experience, yes. The entire region has some of the friendliest people I've ever met. People are very polite and respectful here. I'm not sure if it's necessarily genuine, but it does seem to be deeply ingrained in the local culture. There is a culture of helping and of assisting that is quite refreshing compared to some of the larger regions in the US. Neighbors here are genuine neighbors... not just "hello" or "good day" when passing each other.
Ian
Ian
Jan 28th 2013, 10:05 pm
#73
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
Great post, thank you, just the type of info I'm looking for! Please keep posting if you think of anything else or other areas
A warm community can make a HUGE difference to life quality. I have no doubt this applies to everyone, but especially to me and my daughter who are suddenly left with very few true people in our lives.
How long have you lived in the US? Where? Are you happy there? Don't have to answer, I'm nosy, I know!
A warm community can make a HUGE difference to life quality. I have no doubt this applies to everyone, but especially to me and my daughter who are suddenly left with very few true people in our lives.
How long have you lived in the US? Where? Are you happy there? Don't have to answer, I'm nosy, I know!
Being a single mom, the questions you need to decide are related to which regions of America has the least affected economy? Although single now, does dating options matter to you in the future? Are you more comfortable in a potential relationship which is formed organically,ie meeting out and bout the town,a neighbor who is the fireman,ect? Or do you enjoy a place that has a real nite scene,pubs,night clubs, out door activities such as tennis clubs,hiking,walking trails ect.? I personally like meeting people via activities because it gives us a good starting point in sharing similar interest. You also need to go online and check to see which schools are highest rated in a particular city and/or state. There are websites which contain that information. So as you see there are many decisions to put at the top of your list but once you've done that then you can narrow the places on that list which offer the kind of lifestyle that suits you.
For example, the fact that I don't like extreme weather, which rules florida out for me.Plus imo florida doesn't have that community spirit, which I personally prefer.Others might disagree because florida might work for them. My favorite place on the east coast is North Carolina because the people there still have that "traditional southern hopitality" which is nice to see in the year 2013. People are friendly even toward strangers.Neighbors take the time to befriend a new person in the community.The British assent seem to drive people quite wild,and I mean that in a very good way
. Children thrive in their respective schools.I really like how the educational sytems have smaller class sizes in the better rated schools at all grade levels. My favorite cities in North Carolina to live near or in are,Asheville,Raleigh,Durham, and smaller towns are Boone,Carey. I really enjoy the cities and towns in the moutains of North Carolina. Again,that is a personal preference. I'm very happy here.But there are more progressive states that have friendly people. I would say Washington state would be at the top of the list for progressive thinking,excellent night life, beautiful scenery, quality health care and education.Far more expensive to live there but you get what you pay for, and you increase your travel time back to the UK by 5 additional hours. Not a big deal really depending on the person.If I were moving to the Seattle area I would live about 30 minutes away from Seattle to lower my cost and to have a slower and calmer lifestyle. Lots to consider but you have many options to pick from. Make a list of what you want to spend for rent/mortgage,and your other expenses then decide what other factors are most important to you. Also make a list of the things which are deal breakers, ie things you do or don't like, weather,type of culture,is diversity important,near a major airport,crime level,nite life,decent size british expat population, ect ect.
Jan 28th 2013, 10:20 pm
#74
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
My favorite place on the east coast is North Carolina because the people there still have that "traditional southern hopitality" which is nice to see in the year 2013. People are friendly even toward strangers.Neighbors take the time to befriend a new person in the community.The British assent seem to drive people quite wild,and I mean that in a very good way. Children thrive in their respective schools.I really like how the educational sytems have smaller class sizes in the better rated schools at all grade levels. My favorite cities in North Carolina to live near or in are,Asheville,Raleigh,Durham, and smaller towns are Boone,Carey. I really enjoy the cities and towns in the moutains of North Carolina. Again,that is a personal preference. I'm very happy here.
. Children thrive in their respective schools.I really like how the educational sytems have smaller class sizes in the better rated schools at all grade levels. My favorite cities in North Carolina to live near or in are,Asheville,Raleigh,Durham, and smaller towns are Boone,Carey. I really enjoy the cities and towns in the moutains of North Carolina. Again,that is a personal preference. I'm very happy here.
Jan 28th 2013, 11:34 pm
#75
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
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Re: Cities in America that make you feel at home?
It's worth it. About a 3 hour drive for me, add an hour for you I guess - but once you get well up towards Madison, the scenery gets more interesting than you'd ever see in IL.
The House on the Rock is cool though; we plan to go back in June when my parents are out as they liked it last time as well. I have some photos at home I can send/post of that and the caves.
