northspoon

Well I am waiting to emigrate to the US this year but I dont think it will be me that misses the British things that aren't available in the UK!!!!
Everytime my American husband visits me and leaves, he fills his suitcase with mint sauce, bisto gravy granules, yorkshire tea bags and a few cans of stella if he can fit them in!!!!!!

nxylas

Just out of curiosity, which store over there occupies M&S's hallowed position as the place to go if you want party nibbles?

Pulaski

It depends where you live. There is no such thing as a national chain of supermarkets - Walmart is probably as close as you'll get.

Otherwise shops are regional. We lived in New York for a while, then Virginia, and now North Carolina. The there are non of the supermarkets that we had in New York in Virginia or North Carolina, though Viirginia and North Carolina share many of them (but not all). There are however a couple of department stores that have branches in all three states.

Wildfox

When I am having a party and want special nibbles, I go to a store called whole Foods, they are popping up all over the states, Ca, Ill, Texas and New York to name but a few. They sell upscale foods, 20 different kinds of olives, a huge cheese dep. ready prepared foods, salads, a bakery, a fish dept, a sushi department, you name it they have got it. They also have in california a chain of stores called Trader Joe's, they also have gourmet style things. There are a load of stores like that here in California.

Dante

Thanks to everyone who has replied positively on this thread. I'm fully expecting to be moving to SoCal in the summer and for several months got quite depressed by all the negative comments on this and other websites regarding the expat experience. I finally just decided to stop reading them and listen to all the dozens of friends I have in LA telling me not to worry. It's good to return here and find that their positive advice is finally being mirrored on the forums. Thanks.

Vicky88

Dante

Don't let other people influence how you think it is going to be. There will always be people who moan it's too hot, it's too cold, the food isn't like home, the tv is crap. The best thing to do is to not associate with people who try and drag you down. Always try and keep in mind what you hoped to achieve by the move and remind yourself of the positive things in your life. We are in San Diego and are having a great time.

Someone else mentioned about Trader Joe's. Yes, they are a good store. If you are looking for cheese/pate they are cheaper than the supermarkets. Whole Foods can be a bit expensive but they do tend to have a lot of the more exotic things. Actually WF would probably have the best range and quality for fruit and veg.

bosman

Yes, we also have made it out here. We have been here for over 5 years; we have a big house, Pool, Boat, Jet Ski and three cars.
I agree about the IQ points, I think of people I knew in the UK (Leicester) and they seem to be much more worldly, harder working and take less for granted. That’s not to say there are not some exceptions here.
I love the fact that I live here and come from England, I have a Union Jack on my Land Rover and love to meet fellow Brits. Paying $2 for a gallon of Petrol takes a lot of beating!
I do miss Walkers Crisps, Boddingtons Beer, real pork sausage British TV and Cadbury Chocolate. I also miss the straight talk, which comes so naturally to most Brits.
One of my family sent me a copy of Phoenix Nights on DVD for Christmas, watched it last night, Fantastic!
Most of the UK stuff is available locally, pricey but less expensive than flying back to get it. We have some American Friends, who are very nice. But they are not like the UK ones we have.
I say make the most of where you are, enjoy the good things that are local, but never forget where you came from!

jaytee

Itchy Feet, have you thought about going through Canada ? I don't want to feel like I'm pointing out the obvious, but my parents did this. They did a home exchange with a family in Canada for a year. The Canadian family liked the place in England so much, they offered to buy the house, which they did. I will (hopefully) be a citizen next month after nearly 20 years of living in the US.

I'm not sure why its different coming in from Canada, but I suppose it is. Americans probably have more of a clue about Canada than they do about England. The walls have gone up since 9/11, but people still have to be able to immigrate. Try to go through an immigration friendly state. http://www.aila.org/contentViewer.as...17,171&pf=true

brisray

I've only been here 18 months but like living in America.

My wife works for a college, so while I'm waiting for the INS to finish doing whatever they do, I'm at college for free.

Their education system seems to be easier (open book, computer multiple choice, "cheat" sheets and take home exams) than the UK's but then again it's been a long time, 25 years, since I was at school so probably don't know much about the UKs education system now anyway. Brits and other European's also seem to have a very much broader education.

Apart from family, friends and the fantastic job I had there is nothing much I miss about the UK, even the craving for proper fish and chips went after a short while. Even if they don't know what Bovril (yuk) or hobnobs (yummy) are you can't say that you're not spoilt for choice here. For example, when you walk into "all you can eat" place here they mean it, they just don't mean an extra helping of limp lettuce from the salad cart.

All I can say is that Americans may speak English, after a fashion, but it's not England, unless you're absolutely addicted to Heinz Baked Beans or just got to wear M & S clothes, don't waste your time and money chasing around trying to find them, just
try something new.

Ray

nxylas

Well, that depends on your attitudes. As someone who tries to live a reasonably "green" lifestyle, I worry that I may be forced to compromise my principles when I move over there. How true is the stereotype of the wastefulness of the American lifestyle? And more importantly, how easy is it to opt out of that lifestyle, eg. by buying low-energy electrical goods? The impression I get is that this simply isn't a priority for most Americans.

paulf

Aww, I feel like applying now too, but there is no demand for a gas fitter in the states it seems.
Great site by the way, very intresting reading about the success stories.

kazzuk

Paulf

Come on Paul, step out of the box! What other qualities do you have besides being a gas fitter? Do you long to work for yourself? Could you invest in a business already set up? If you really want to achieve your dream - believe in yourself and make it happen!!!!

Good Luck :-)

Pulaski

I don't think so!

It wasn't the case when I lived in New York, nor in Virginia when I lived there, nor now in North Carolina either, yet*. In fact I think that it may only be the case in California, as new cars have a special "emissions pack" added to the exhaust system when sold in California that isn't required in other states.

* There is a new law in NC - from July 1st 2003, cars that are three or more years old have to have an emissions test as part of their annual inspection

paulf

Thanks Kazz, I think I will apply soon.
I am about to start a course in Air-conditioning and refridgeration which I hope will be more acceptable for Florida.
I want to move to Sarasota too, I have been to Englewood and loved it there so I will look at buisness's for sale there.

dmb_182

Being born and living in the US for my whole life, I've never thought about how hard it can actually be to move here. My parents have been in england for 2 years now, my step dad is in the airforce. They live in a little village and not on the air force base, which is extrememly nice. My best memories of the past 2 years have been visiting them over there and taking in all there is that makes the UK so lovely. I guess I don't really have a specific question but I wish everyone the best of luck in whatever they're trying to achieve. One question i'm curious about; what draws you to the US?? Also, if anyone looks like me, i'll gladly switch you lives and go live in england and you can come here