Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Jul 29th 2007, 3:52 pm
#61
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Jul 29th 2007, 4:02 pm
#62
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Wait, did you say you maintain a pounds sterling bank account with your bank in the US? How do you do that?
TELL ME MORE!!!
TELL ME MORE!!!
Both points have been very carefully considered. The exchange rate is certainly daunting. I maintain a pound sterling bank account with my bank here and can do exchanges at almost no cost. Hoping the exchange rate will reverse in the not too distant future.
Yes, the humidity factor is very persuasive, especially during the past couple of weeks!
Yes, the humidity factor is very persuasive, especially during the past couple of weeks!
Jul 29th 2007, 5:45 pm
#63
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
It must be awful to be old and confused having to go through so much bureaucracy...let alone have no family or support system to assist you.
Jul 29th 2007, 7:52 pm
#64
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Hoping to get away from UK to Spain
Posts: 1,826
Jul 30th 2007, 4:44 pm
#65
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
The other day in the doctor's office an old lady was given 4 forms to fill out. She was on her own and could barely hear what the receptionist was saying to her. The forms were printed in small writing, she could hardly read them and appeared to be very confused. She was alone...my daughter sat with her and helped her complete the forms. Totally different to the NHS where you just go in, give them your name and Bob's your uncle.
It must be awful to be old and confused having to go through so much bureaucracy...let alone have no family or support system to assist you.
It must be awful to be old and confused having to go through so much bureaucracy...let alone have no family or support system to assist you.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
Jul 30th 2007, 4:46 pm
#66
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
This is the old but not yet confused OP chipping in here. Its really kind of everybody to be so concerned about my welfare. I think it needs to be pointed out that I shall be purchasing the flat from my nephew (no chance of being thrown out!) and may move again, if I find something I like better. I have never been to Greenwich and may choose to sell out and return to the stomping grounds of my youth! The one thing I'm sure about, is that I have lost my desire to live in the US. If the UK has become as awful as many in this forum are saying, I'd try France or Italy before thinking of returning here.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
Jul 30th 2007, 4:48 pm
#67
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
This is the old but not yet confused OP chipping in here. Its really kind of everybody to be so concerned about my welfare. I think it needs to be pointed out that I shall be purchasing the flat from my nephew (no chance of being thrown out!) and may move again, if I find something I like better. I have never been to Greenwich and may choose to sell out and return to the stomping grounds of my youth! The one thing I'm sure about, is that I have lost my desire to live in the US. If the UK has become as awful as many in this forum are saying, I'd try France or Italy before thinking of returning here.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
all the best.
Jul 30th 2007, 4:55 pm
#68
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
As pointed out earlier in the thread.
He's planning to abandon his green card, abandon his home (rent controlled apartment) and go to live in the United Kingdom reliant on the goodwill of a nephew. With no other apparent resources other than a U.S. pension, swapping into sterling at over $2 for one.
That seems to be a crazy thing to do.
He's planning to abandon his green card, abandon his home (rent controlled apartment) and go to live in the United Kingdom reliant on the goodwill of a nephew. With no other apparent resources other than a U.S. pension, swapping into sterling at over $2 for one.
That seems to be a crazy thing to do.
Jul 30th 2007, 5:00 pm
#69
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 1,865
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Is there anything stopping you from getting US citizenship?
Jul 30th 2007, 5:00 pm
#70
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Not the way nowadays ... but you could get a reentry permit giving you up to two years
Jul 30th 2007, 5:01 pm
#71
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
This is the old but not yet confused OP chipping in here. Its really kind of everybody to be so concerned about my welfare. I think it needs to be pointed out that I shall be purchasing the flat from my nephew (no chance of being thrown out!) and may move again, if I find something I like better. I have never been to Greenwich and may choose to sell out and return to the stomping grounds of my youth! The one thing I'm sure about, is that I have lost my desire to live in the US. If the UK has become as awful as many in this forum are saying, I'd try France or Italy before thinking of returning here.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
It just brought it home to me what I could be up against in years to come.You seem to have it all worked out...good luck I hope it works out for you.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jul 30th 2007 at 5:10 pm.
Jul 30th 2007, 5:05 pm
#72
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Afraid not! Used to happen pre-9/11 paranoia. These days you'll lose it. Why not naturalize?
Jul 30th 2007, 5:06 pm
#73
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
This is the old but not yet confused OP chipping in here. Its really kind of everybody to be so concerned about my welfare. I think it needs to be pointed out that I shall be purchasing the flat from my nephew (no chance of being thrown out!) and may move again, if I find something I like better. I have never been to Greenwich and may choose to sell out and return to the stomping grounds of my youth! The one thing I'm sure about, is that I have lost my desire to live in the US. If the UK has become as awful as many in this forum are saying, I'd try France or Italy before thinking of returning here.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
I have both US and UK social security (having paid into the UK system from the US) and a small US pension.
i knew you had it all sussed out, you aint no doddering old fool! good luck
Jul 30th 2007, 5:29 pm
#74
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
You are joking about how you plan to keep your GC valid? A GC is permanent residence and you can't be permanently residing in the US if you live most of the year in the UK. You will be a the mercy of immigration officials at your Port of Entry every time you enter the US.
Is there anything stopping you from getting US citizenship?
Is there anything stopping you from getting US citizenship?
Jul 30th 2007, 5:34 pm
#75
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I certainly wouldn't want to be an old lady here in the US without family support, we will be returning to the UK for sure. I too have seen elderly people in the doctor's surgery and at the pharmacy who are confused and distressed about their health insurance or medicaid coverage.
You see old people getting together and socialising all time in the UK, all chatting at the bus stop, post office or the High Street, maybe going to bingo or taking a walk in the park. My mum loves getting out and about with her friends using her free bus and train pass which is valid all over the West Midlands. She's had two knee replacements on the NHS and says she 'feels like a new woman' and thought her op and post-operative care was outstanding.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
To the o/p; it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2. One lady (Calle - whom had spent almost all of her life in the US but longed to return to the UK where she's now extremely happy) used to post on the 'moving back to the UK forum'. She moved her family and pets over on the QM2 and it was much cheaper than flying them; she wrote a detailed account of the crossing. There are kennels on board and it's less stressful and they do have some great deals from time to time. I could dig up her posts if you would like to read some of them?
http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11
http://www.cunard.com/CruiseCalendar...v=Destinations
(I've just returned home a few hours ago from a cruise - wish I could get back onboard LOL!)
You see old people getting together and socialising all time in the UK, all chatting at the bus stop, post office or the High Street, maybe going to bingo or taking a walk in the park. My mum loves getting out and about with her friends using her free bus and train pass which is valid all over the West Midlands. She's had two knee replacements on the NHS and says she 'feels like a new woman' and thought her op and post-operative care was outstanding.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
To the o/p; it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2. One lady (Calle - whom had spent almost all of her life in the US but longed to return to the UK where she's now extremely happy) used to post on the 'moving back to the UK forum'. She moved her family and pets over on the QM2 and it was much cheaper than flying them; she wrote a detailed account of the crossing. There are kennels on board and it's less stressful and they do have some great deals from time to time. I could dig up her posts if you would like to read some of them?
http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11
http://www.cunard.com/CruiseCalendar...v=Destinations
(I've just returned home a few hours ago from a cruise - wish I could get back onboard LOL!)