Hi there
We live in Oak Island, NC. We have been in the States for 16 months but have lived in NC for 5 months and just starting to feel more settled here in the States now.
Its great to finally get to chat with a fellow Brit.
Shame about the footie today!!!
My son is devastated but hey life goes on.
Hope to speak again soon
Sam

Hi Sam,

So how do you find eastern NC, what's Oak Island like? Even though I have some years to go before I retire, I'm seriously looking at that region to buy a place now while the prices are down.

I'll be coming over in Aug to look at some places in an around New Bern. I will also be looking at a new development call River Dunes at a place called Oriental.

http://www.riverdunes.com/index.php?...stimonials2010

I believe you are located further south from the above, but your your general thoughts would be much appreciated regarding the lifestyle and cost of living in NC.

Cheers,

DO

We're in the Greensboro area. I'm from here my husband is from Liverpool. I use to manage a bar in Greensboro and we had a number of English regulars. Some still go to the bar there.

Hi Ya,

Welcome to BE. I'm in Charlotte, but used to live in Winston-Salem and visited Greensboro often. We used to enjoy living there. Anyway I hope you enjoy being a member of BE. If you get stuck on anything site related please don't hesitate to give me a shout.

We (My wife, 2 year old son and I) moved to Raleigh. NC from the UK last November. 3 months in and my wife is feeling more homesick than I do. I think it helps me as I go to work and meet people, plus I have passed my driving test so I can drive, but my wife is still waiting for her SSN (dont ask!!) and so yet to take a driving test. Means she is pretty much stuck at home as you definitly need a car to get out and about!

On another note...anyone know in the Raleigh area if there will be rugby 6-nations being show on TV in a bar or somewhere? If not...any channels on Time Warner Cable that may have it showing?

BBC America are showing it. Schedule here

http://www.myp2p.eu/

If BBCA aren't showing the matches you're interested in, this is a good place to find a online stream, sometimes it is great, others not so...but sometimes it is nice to catch a couple of matches at the same time

I'm sure that you have checked already but I just thought I'd make sure. Is your wife on an L2 visa (I'm guessing she's not working if you say she's stuck at home)? If so, then she can go and sit her test without an SSN on the following basis:

"When making application for an original identification card, learner permit or driver license it is required that you provide DMV with a valid Social Security card. If you are not eligible for a Social Security card, you must provide documentation issued by the United States government indicating legal presence."

using her visa and quoting the Social Security Administration:

"Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You do not need a number to conduct business with a bank, register for school, apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing. You cannot get a Social Security number for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver’s license. "

Thanks. We are going to look at this now. This could be very helpful. You just dont know all these things when you move out here...but this is why this site is a great help :-)

PS - BBC America are showing the England v France Rugby game on 26th Feb... brilliant! Would also be good to know of any bars showing any of these games...but guess not.

My wife got her license with her passport and L2 visa. She took along proof of address in the form of our rental agreement but I don't think they even looked at that.

They did look at her insurance docs, though. Is your wife named on your car insurance?

I now realise that we did it wrong in even waiting for my SSN. We should both have gone for our tests in the first week we got here, since SSN isn't a requirement. Ah well, we live and learn...


One last thing, which centre is she planning to use. I've heard that the Cary one is much quieter than others (although it was pretty busy when I went) and the nice DMV officer said that Tuesday and Wednesday mornings first thing were the best time to come.

Hey everyone/anyone! ....18th Feb 11

Myself, wife & 2 yr old (another on way due late may) moved to charlotte in sept..
familiar story....i work insane hours, she has kid to look after & hates being pregnant...she is a party girl at heart, & is somewhat lonely & terminally boredas many of the US gals are not 'real' (if that makes sense!)...too much smileyness & not interested in much else apart from being full time moms on playdates....she needs brit company, to do some gossipin, hangin out & generally employing her brain!
Also, there must be huge amounts to do round here that we just dont know about
Personally i could do with a few beers pub style, if indeed thats possible in the deep south!
Anyway, i dont hold out much hope from this post, but ya never know...

please email me back on [email protected]
or
feel free to call direct <snip>

We arent weirdos but do feel a little like Norman no mates!!!

Welcome to Charlotte

Gave up drinking in the pubs around here got way to expensive to quick.

I know it's not british but there are some mother support groups here in Charlotte that may help.

Hi...thanks....any idea of where/who they are??

Is there a group of brits hangin out anywhere????? Theer seems to be a very limited expat scene in Charlotte. The expat meetup site is pretty useless & out of date

Sue is trying to guage interest, as there has been a little more brits locally recently.

Local pubs we have Molly's, Big Ben, Six Pence, Sir Edmund Halley's just reopened etc. several irsh pubs as well.

Charlotte Mommies, I know there are some others but cannot think of them right now.

http://www.charlottemommies.com/

Where about in Charlotte did you end up?

Thx...Feel like a bit of a saddo, trawling for mates!!!

Not so bad 4 me as am really busy, but pregnant wife not so happy....like i said, happy clappy mommy groups can only entertain you so far...she needs likeminded british friends

gonna go to Big Ben on sunday am for Carling Cup Final, not coz i am mad about football, but i might see the extent of the expat scene....wont get my hopes up too high!

Live near South Park mall..