Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
Jan 29th 2007, 11:47 pm
#31
Just around the next bend
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,276
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
I moved here because I married my USC husband, and we had to choose, either UK or US. I'm glad I have lived here, otherwise I would never have known what it was like, but I'd love to move back. He isn't so keen on moving over there, so it isn't happening right now, but hopefully sometime in the future. I have been here over 3 years now, but still doesn't really feel like home.
Jan 30th 2007, 12:20 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
but growing up with an American Farther who choose's to live in the UK some how I dont think our Son will believe the so called American dream.
Jan 30th 2007, 1:09 am
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 84
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
I moved here because I married my USC husband, and we had to choose, either UK or US. I'm glad I have lived here, otherwise I would never have known what it was like, but I'd love to move back. He isn't so keen on moving over there, so it isn't happening right now, but hopefully sometime in the future. I have been here over 3 years now, but still doesn't really feel like home.
How can you even consider leaving! Not only that you'll leave me as the only Arkansas based Brit on the site.....Don't do it!!!!! (but if you have to will you send me some Uncle Joes Mint balls)...
All the best
Bryn
Jan 30th 2007, 2:39 am
#34
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: NY for now.. in three year's time perhaps back to London!!!
Posts: 41
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
Well speaking from an American perspective (born and raised in NY) I'd rather be in London. I found the quality of our life better and not to mention no $900+ electric/gas bills over on the other-side-of-the-pond each month, traveling on holiday (blows this place away), having more friends (w/toddlers) over in London then here in NY., and husband made a lot more money in London. He received a pay cut because of the exchange rate which killed us (didn't find out until after we moved)! So for us, I'd say we were happier in London. Plus I didn't have to deal with "family politics" like I do here. And all of this doing was because "I" wanted my first child to be born on U.S. soil!! Oh boy.. Everythings hindsight isn't it.. The only upside is the shopping at specialty stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Linens & Things, Ann Taylor and the "big house" we both wanted at the time and now hate.. 
Jan 30th 2007, 3:03 am
#35
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
Well speaking from an American perspective (born and raised in NY) I'd rather be in London. I found the quality of our life better and not to mention no $900+ electric/gas bills over on the other-side-of-the-pond each month, traveling on holiday (blows this place away), having more friends (w/toddlers) over in London then here in NY., and husband made a lot more money in London. He received a pay cut because of the exchange rate which killed us (didn't find out until after we moved)! So for us, I'd say we were happier in London. Plus I didn't have to deal with "family politics" like I do here. And all of this doing was because "I" wanted my first child to be born on U.S. soil!! Oh boy.. Everythings hindsight isn't it.. The only upside is the shopping at specialty stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Linens & Things, Ann Taylor and the "big house" we both wanted at the time and now hate..
I just don't think the British are very good at that ourselves.
Jan 30th 2007, 3:17 am
#36
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
Well speaking from an American perspective (born and raised in NY) I'd rather be in London. I found the quality of our life better and not to mention no $900+ electric/gas bills over on the other-side-of-the-pond each month, traveling on holiday (blows this place away), having more friends (w/toddlers) over in London then here in NY., and husband made a lot more money in London. He received a pay cut because of the exchange rate which killed us (didn't find out until after we moved)! So for us, I'd say we were happier in London. Plus I didn't have to deal with "family politics" like I do here. And all of this doing was because "I" wanted my first child to be born on U.S. soil!! Oh boy.. Everythings hindsight isn't it.. The only upside is the shopping at specialty stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Linens & Things, Ann Taylor and the "big house" we both wanted at the time and now hate..
Jan 30th 2007, 3:23 am
#37
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,065
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
I think there are pro and cons for both countries...the difference is the UK is where we were born and bred...it's home.
Jan 30th 2007, 3:24 am
#38
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
Jan 30th 2007, 3:29 am
#40
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
The job situation here is very very different to Europe. It's not just the lack of holiday time. It is the very bleak fact that there are a few people who make a lot of money, and most people make less than they would in Europe, once you factor in the cost of health care.
Jan 30th 2007, 3:32 am
#42
Who?
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Stepford
Posts: 3,098
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
On balance I would have stayed in the UK. Having said that if we went home there are things I would miss about the US.
The US has not lived up to our personal expectations..job and cost of living are not what we expected to name just two.
I have found it very hard not being able to work here (H4 ,need I say more) and I will find it hard to get work when I am allowed.
Although we have good health care we have still spent a lot on copays etc and I dread one of us being really, expensively ill.
But there is a sense of "you can do it" here which I didn't feel in the UK.
There is much I enjoy about life here and we have done things we wouldn't have done at home and we have met lots of new people and I hope some of them will become good friends.
I still prefer the UK. I think we had a more interesting life there. The things that used to get to me about the UK don't seem as bad now but I do know that if we went back they would begin to p**s me off again.
I think we are stuck here though as my eldest is off to college here, the middle one will follow soon, my OH loves it here and we have spent most of our savings in the move and setting up again.
The US has not lived up to our personal expectations..job and cost of living are not what we expected to name just two.
I have found it very hard not being able to work here (H4 ,need I say more) and I will find it hard to get work when I am allowed.
Although we have good health care we have still spent a lot on copays etc and I dread one of us being really, expensively ill.
But there is a sense of "you can do it" here which I didn't feel in the UK.
There is much I enjoy about life here and we have done things we wouldn't have done at home and we have met lots of new people and I hope some of them will become good friends.
I still prefer the UK. I think we had a more interesting life there. The things that used to get to me about the UK don't seem as bad now but I do know that if we went back they would begin to p**s me off again.
I think we are stuck here though as my eldest is off to college here, the middle one will follow soon, my OH loves it here and we have spent most of our savings in the move and setting up again.
Jan 30th 2007, 3:33 am
#43
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
I feel horrible for you folks that are miserable here. Living in a country with the size and diversity of the U.S. and not being able to find a single good thing about it would bring me down in a hurry. How do you stay so upbeat and jovial? Thoughts of the day you get the hell outta Dodge, I guess.
Anyway, sorry you hate it.
Not even Ben & Jerry's?
Anyway, sorry you hate it.
Not even Ben & Jerry's?
Jan 30th 2007, 3:38 am
#44
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,065
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
I feel horrible for you folks that are miserable here. Living in a country with the size and diversity of the U.S. and not being able to find a single good thing about it would bring me down in a hurry. How do you stay so upbeat and jovial? Thoughts of the day you get the hell outta Dodge, I guess.
Anyway, sorry you hate it.
Not even Ben & Jerry's?
Anyway, sorry you hate it.
Not even Ben & Jerry's?
Jan 30th 2007, 3:40 am
#45
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Knowing what you know now, Wouldya have
I think that for a country where one is supposed to identify with one's job (and in fact you are MARRIED to your job -- you barely get to leave!) that job satisfaction would impact heavily.
The conditions we Americans accept as "normal" would be considered inhumane in Europe, and those from Europe (and I'm including the UK here) know it. They know how relaxed life can be with decent holiday leave and without worrying over having to settle for a job because it's got health insurance and another job doesn't offer it.
The conditions we Americans accept as "normal" would be considered inhumane in Europe, and those from Europe (and I'm including the UK here) know it. They know how relaxed life can be with decent holiday leave and without worrying over having to settle for a job because it's got health insurance and another job doesn't offer it.