jmood

Hmm. Quite a story, thanks. (I enjoy hearing/reading that kind of personal story anyway).

But since that is the story of a particular person, wouldn't you say it was about her as a person?

When I asked for examples, I was expecting shorter but multiple and similar stories. Like "the folks here used to do this" and "the folks there used to do that", to kind of categorically support your statement.


p.s. For a dutch person to be of the right class, does he have to be related to royalty? Is there a non-royalty Dutch upper middle class?

Pulaski

Michael

The story was definitely about Annie as a person.

The Dutch guy had a persona that made him appear to be upper class whereas Sab was the typical stereotype loudmouthed Aussie.

steveq

If you have "friends" that do that, you need new friends. As for your comment about your status being continuously assessed, I really wonder where you come from in the UK ? In the North West, not far from Caino, in 51 years, I've not experienced it. I have friends who are surgeons or lawyers, or multi-millionaires and a school friend from Primary school who is a dustman, like his dad and grandad.

Not ONE of my friends hasn't said moving to the USA is an amazing thing to do.

hoffage123

It does seem like the OP is coming at this from a limited position of having a 'fun' extended vacation and that translating to 'All Americans are great, boo to the UK' - yes, people are more likely to be friendly to you if they know you are leaving next week and we are very much a limited novelty to some Americans ...

Like others have said, you haven't spent nearly enough time in the US to deal with the day-day stuff that would annoy you, that exists everywhere in every country (like finding a job, keeping a job, getting health insurance, bueracracy dealing with crime, road rage etc etc) - if you have a job with benefits here, then you are likely going to be ok financially at least - the minute you lose your job or are deemed poor and unable to go and do the things your new 'mates' want to do, you will be deemed a drain on the resources of the States, and your 30-strong army of 'friends' will likely mostly disappear. This isn't being negative, it is being realistic.

As others have said, find a legal way to come over for an extended period of time, so you can get a realistic view of whether you do really like the US, or whether it is a summer 'fling'

abrit777

Cain,

I understand. I spend lots of time on the internet researching about Europe or US states and cities most comparable to Europe. Though I was born in England, and have lived in Florida for 30 years, I still am looking for that place that I "fit in", where I can find others I can relate to. Every place has its good and bad...and I try to be content, but I understand feeling depressed because you know there are places that you "fit" but for the time being you have to stay in a place that you don't "fit"....but like a previous post said...where there is a will, there is a way! I visited England a couple of years ago for the first time after I moved to the US as a child and it was so different, it almost didn't feel like England anymore, though I have family and friends there still. I considered moving to Raleigh last year, I have visited Asheville but never been to Raleigh. I am a musician and heard the area has more to offer a musician than the mainstream Nashville, country and blues stuff that I am not interested in. My interests lie in Scandanavian Symphonic metal music and here in the US...it is obsolete! Anyway, good luck and you never know what can magically happen from one day to the next. Hopefully, you are still in touch with your buddies in Raleigh. Also, look into going back to the US for 3 months at a time on your Visa....and have a game plan this time before you go. Cheers! : )

dunroving

He doesn`t have a visa (maybe you mean on his Visa card?). Also, there are plenty of previous posts advising caution about repeated visits on the visa waiver program.

abrit777

Wasn't aware of the Visa Waiver law....thanks for the update.

Howefamily

Cain,
I hear you. I felt the same about England and did everything I could in my power to move away from it to N America. We now live in Canada and have been for three years and I have found that:
- I am finally in the place I feel comfortable in
- Its not without its issues, its real life and real life has issues, BUT I am happier with these issues than British issues.
- Its hard to put my finger on it, but it was living in the UK that I couldn't stand. I intensely disliked the culture, the Victorian row houses, British film and TV, the roads, the cars, everything.

I went back in February to visit and I liked it there, nice place to visit, wandering around Waitrose was nice, but I couldn't live there again. No way!

Make your plan and start working through it.

jmood

Funny that. I used to detest the Victorian row houses as well when I was living in the UK. Now I find it quaint and pretty when I go back. And I always liked Waitrose, but now, when I go back, I ADORE it. Nothing like it here.

Sally Redux

We were so happy in our little Edwardian row house in Barnet. Walk to Waitrose as well

scrubbedexpat097

Did you have a gant, a passage or an alley between your house and next door??

Just wondering..

Sally Redux

They were between about every six houses. That was the way to get stuff to the back garden.

scrubbedexpat097

And what did you call it?

We were talking about this with our Brit/Irish friends the other day. He called it a passage way, M called it an alley, she (irish) called it a Gant and I dont remember what it was called, mainly because we didn't have one

Sally Redux

I'm trying to think. Side passage I think.

Alley to me is more thing along the back of houses without a back garden, like our student one in Leeds.

Went onto facebook for the first time in yonks to retrieve this photo from the day we moved in, facebook is all different and scary