Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Jul 24th 2007, 7:58 pm
#1
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I have been a New York resident since 1964. A British citizen, now retired at 72, holding a Green Card, I am contemplating a return to live out my days in the UK. I receive a US pension, US Social Security and hold only US investments. I have never closed my UK bank account but almost all my banking is done in the US. In addition to US income, receive small amount of UK income from pre-1964 SS payments. My nephew is willing to relinquish his Greenwich flat to me when he moves to Cyprus at the end of 2008, giving me time to make a final decision. I would need to arrange travel for my 5 cats, complicating my return somewhat! If any readers have knowledge of a similar situation and can offer advice, should be very grateful if they would share it with me.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:03 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: UK-Indonesia-US
Posts: 1,828
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I have been a New York resident since 1964. A British citizen, now retired at 72, holding a Green Card, I am contemplating a return to live out my days in the UK. I receive a US pension, US Social Security and hold only US investments. I have never closed my UK bank account but almost all my banking is done in the US. In addition to US income, receive small amount of UK income from pre-1964 SS payments. My nephew is willing to relinquish his Greenwich flat to me when he moves to Cyprus at the end of 2008, giving me time to make a final decision. I would need to arrange travel for my 5 cats, complicating my return somewhat! If any readers have knowledge of a similar situation and can offer advice, should be very grateful if they would share it with me.
Wow you're brave thats a long long time but we all get that pull to return to the Motherland.
Good luck and welcome to BE.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:04 pm
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I have been a New York resident since 1964. A British citizen, now retired at 72, holding a Green Card, I am contemplating a return to live out my days in the UK. I receive a US pension, US Social Security and hold only US investments. I have never closed my UK bank account but almost all my banking is done in the US. In addition to US income, receive small amount of UK income from pre-1964 SS payments. My nephew is willing to relinquish his Greenwich flat to me when he moves to Cyprus at the end of 2008, giving me time to make a final decision. I would need to arrange travel for my 5 cats, complicating my return somewhat! If any readers have knowledge of a similar situation and can offer advice, should be very grateful if they would share it with me.
hiya and welcome to BE
check out this website for the regs re your cats ~
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
it wont really complicate your return taking your cats, you just have to make sure they have their titre test 6mths before travel so best to get planning and good luck
btw check with the airline you plan to travel with re their rules and regs for crate sizes etc
Jul 24th 2007, 8:04 pm
#4
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I have been a New York resident since 1964. A British citizen, now retired at 72, holding a Green Card, I am contemplating a return to live out my days in the UK. I receive a US pension, US Social Security and hold only US investments. I have never closed my UK bank account but almost all my banking is done in the US. In addition to US income, receive small amount of UK income from pre-1964 SS payments. My nephew is willing to relinquish his Greenwich flat to me when he moves to Cyprus at the end of 2008, giving me time to make a final decision. I would need to arrange travel for my 5 cats, complicating my return somewhat! If any readers have knowledge of a similar situation and can offer advice, should be very grateful if they would share it with me.
Other than that - living in a flat in Greenwich - WOW.... how much better can life get!!
Jul 24th 2007, 8:05 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Welcome to BE JCR, 43 year's and you now are thinking of going home, amazing and best of luck to you 
Someone will be along shortly to help you out with your question's.
JCR, 43 year's and you now are thinking of going home, amazing and best of luck to you Someone will be along shortly to help you out with your question's.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:10 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 1,865
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I have been a New York resident since 1964. A British citizen, now retired at 72, holding a Green Card, I am contemplating a return to live out my days in the UK. I receive a US pension, US Social Security and hold only US investments. I have never closed my UK bank account but almost all my banking is done in the US. In addition to US income, receive small amount of UK income from pre-1964 SS payments. My nephew is willing to relinquish his Greenwich flat to me when he moves to Cyprus at the end of 2008, giving me time to make a final decision. I would need to arrange travel for my 5 cats, complicating my return somewhat! If any readers have knowledge of a similar situation and can offer advice, should be very grateful if they would share it with me.
Why do you want to move to the UK? What do you percieve that the UK has over the US?
Also, if you do plan on moving to the UK, why don't you get a US passport? This will make travel between the two countries much easier.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:14 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:15 pm
#8
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Don't know enough about the UK income tax system to know whether a person of significant age
would get more tax breaks than in the US.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:17 pm
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I don't think it applies to us if we're not in the country, but US Citizens have to do one no matter where in the world they live.
ETA: But I'm not an accountant so don't take advice from me!
ETA: But I'm not an accountant so don't take advice from me!
Jul 24th 2007, 8:22 pm
#11
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I am overwhelmed by the rapid response to my newbie post in this forum!
To address Celsius' point as to why I would want to return after so long. I have no family support here, something to consider at my age. Also, can no longer run around to take advantage of the many cultural advantages NY has to offer. I might add, living in a studio apartment with 5 cats is no picnic! Have been working with a cat rescue group for many years and my brood were originally a temporary foster but........they grew on me!
To address Celsius' point as to why I would want to return after so long. I have no family support here, something to consider at my age. Also, can no longer run around to take advantage of the many cultural advantages NY has to offer. I might add, living in a studio apartment with 5 cats is no picnic! Have been working with a cat rescue group for many years and my brood were originally a temporary foster but........they grew on me!
Jul 24th 2007, 8:27 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I am overwhelmed by the rapid response to my newbie post in this forum!
To address Celsius' point as to why I would want to return after so long. I have no family support here, something to consider at my age. Also, can no longer run around to take advantage of the many cultural advantages NY has to offer. I might add, living in a studio apartment with 5 cats is no picnic! Have been working with a cat rescue group for many years and my brood were originally a temporary foster but........they grew on me!
To address Celsius' point as to why I would want to return after so long. I have no family support here, something to consider at my age. Also, can no longer run around to take advantage of the many cultural advantages NY has to offer. I might add, living in a studio apartment with 5 cats is no picnic! Have been working with a cat rescue group for many years and my brood were originally a temporary foster but........they grew on me!
Jul 24th 2007, 8:29 pm
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I am overwhelmed by the rapid response to my newbie post in this forum!
To address Celsius' point as to why I would want to return after so long. I have no family support here, something to consider at my age. Also, can no longer run around to take advantage of the many cultural advantages NY has to offer. I might add, living in a studio apartment with 5 cats is no picnic! Have been working with a cat rescue group for many years and my brood were originally a temporary foster but........they grew on me!
To address Celsius' point as to why I would want to return after so long. I have no family support here, something to consider at my age. Also, can no longer run around to take advantage of the many cultural advantages NY has to offer. I might add, living in a studio apartment with 5 cats is no picnic! Have been working with a cat rescue group for many years and my brood were originally a temporary foster but........they grew on me!
Jul 24th 2007, 8:32 pm
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: UK-Indonesia-US
Posts: 1,828
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Have you considered the exchange rate at the moment? And what impact this may have on your income / pension etc. I would seek some good UK based financial advice before making any dramatic moves.
But at least you wont have to put up with the summer humidity in Greenwich.
But at least you wont have to put up with the summer humidity in Greenwich.
Jul 24th 2007, 8:41 pm
#15
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Yes, the humidity factor is very persuasive, especially during the past couple of weeks!