making friends
Jul 1st 2003, 2:11 am
#16
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 33
Re: making friends
Originally posted by frrussre
If you can/able why don't you try to go to Blighty for 3 months. I have friends that sold their home in Florida & returned to UK after 20 years. They got to UK & loved it for a month, then reality set in. They now hate being in UK and are desperate to get back to FL. In twenty years, they had visited the UK many times, but never for more than 2-3 weeks. After a month, they decided they missed all the Florida stuff.
I have been here since mid 80's my wife & son are USC's. Some days I wake up & asked myself what am I doing here? Sometimes it lasts all day other times it only lasts for minutes. I think it happens to everyone who leaves his or her homeland.
My advice, think really hard before jumping ship. If you feel you have problems here in US, they will not just go away by going back to UK. Some problems, just travel with you.
You could take a look at the "Returning to UK page". Though would not advise it.
Reg. Frank R.
If you can/able why don't you try to go to Blighty for 3 months. I have friends that sold their home in Florida & returned to UK after 20 years. They got to UK & loved it for a month, then reality set in. They now hate being in UK and are desperate to get back to FL. In twenty years, they had visited the UK many times, but never for more than 2-3 weeks. After a month, they decided they missed all the Florida stuff.
I have been here since mid 80's my wife & son are USC's. Some days I wake up & asked myself what am I doing here? Sometimes it lasts all day other times it only lasts for minutes. I think it happens to everyone who leaves his or her homeland.
My advice, think really hard before jumping ship. If you feel you have problems here in US, they will not just go away by going back to UK. Some problems, just travel with you.
You could take a look at the "Returning to UK page". Though would not advise it.
Reg. Frank R.
Jul 1st 2003, 2:25 am
#17
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 33
Re: making friends
Originally posted by Taffyles
I share your conflict Smesa- its a shame you live so far away (we're on the Gulf coast) otherwise you could come round for a cuppa. Been here 11 years and this issue doesn't get any easier- sometimes I think I'm in no man's land (fish out of water syndrome). At times the feeling isfleeting- like when you reach that inevitable level of mutual misunderstanding in conversation with someone- and that passes quickly. Other times, the feeling can last for days - like when you've just had friends over and its been sooooo lovely just to be yourself and have that old rapport etc you know what I mean- that's harder to shrug off. At times like that I find myself devising plans to move back home. Hubby and I are working towards retirement and hope to get a home in Wales (we've just sold our house in the South East, so one step nearer our goal :-) and plan to spend 6 months of the year in both countries when we retire... that seems like a good compromise to this conflict. Our children have settled here (although my newly married daughter is thinking of moving over to the UK) and we have a grandchild here, so we have roots here too. Anyway just having this plan makes me feel a whole lot better.
On a footnote- I heard Dudley Moore saying once that he when he got homesick (living in CA) he would put on the film "Chariots of Fire" and have a good cry- then get on with what he had to do...that works too.
I share your conflict Smesa- its a shame you live so far away (we're on the Gulf coast) otherwise you could come round for a cuppa. Been here 11 years and this issue doesn't get any easier- sometimes I think I'm in no man's land (fish out of water syndrome). At times the feeling isfleeting- like when you reach that inevitable level of mutual misunderstanding in conversation with someone- and that passes quickly. Other times, the feeling can last for days - like when you've just had friends over and its been sooooo lovely just to be yourself and have that old rapport etc you know what I mean- that's harder to shrug off. At times like that I find myself devising plans to move back home. Hubby and I are working towards retirement and hope to get a home in Wales (we've just sold our house in the South East, so one step nearer our goal :-) and plan to spend 6 months of the year in both countries when we retire... that seems like a good compromise to this conflict. Our children have settled here (although my newly married daughter is thinking of moving over to the UK) and we have a grandchild here, so we have roots here too. Anyway just having this plan makes me feel a whole lot better.
On a footnote- I heard Dudley Moore saying once that he when he got homesick (living in CA) he would put on the film "Chariots of Fire" and have a good cry- then get on with what he had to do...that works too.
House in Wales? that's sounds lovely, my biological father is welsh ( Jones) & my mum's dad was Welsh (Samuel) and when I lived in England I had a friend from Sketty but never ventured any further. Funny, but I have often romanticised about living in Wales during my older years, I think mostly though because of my blood line ( I don't feel the least bit welsh though ) Anyway, going to rent Chariots of Fire & have a good snivel, thanks for the tip.
Jul 1st 2003, 8:31 am
#18
Here and Loving it
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Cornelius NC
Posts: 150
Re: making friends
Originally posted by Ranjini
I have had lots of friends from England. I worked with many of them for 20+ years. One thing I have found is, that it's hard for an Englishman/woman to feel at home anywhere but in England. They don't care how much more difficult life is at home they always have this longing to return. While practical reasons may keep you in the US for many years, why not get a retirement plan together to go back home to England, maybe buy yourself a little house and live the evening of your life in the country of your birth? You don't have to be an exile forever, surely?
I have had lots of friends from England. I worked with many of them for 20+ years. One thing I have found is, that it's hard for an Englishman/woman to feel at home anywhere but in England. They don't care how much more difficult life is at home they always have this longing to return. While practical reasons may keep you in the US for many years, why not get a retirement plan together to go back home to England, maybe buy yourself a little house and live the evening of your life in the country of your birth? You don't have to be an exile forever, surely?
But Ranjini is right we do have those little houses, mine is 800 sq ft roughly and just sold for $360,000.
Earn over $80,000 pa and they are looking at a new tax band of 50% in the very near future
My advise is stop bloody day dreaming the lot of you about olde england - its gone and going fast, no culture being taught unless of course you foreign, no history in schools, because it might upset the ethnics, foreigners etc.
I bet half of you out there think we still wear knotted hankies on our heads on the beaches !!
Dont get me started, "Im a donkey on the edge".
And before all the Labour lovies in Florida start writing back there usual mantra, can I just say "Hypocrites" the lot of you.
Your all bloody sunshine socialists, living in the biggest capitalist market on the planet.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention all those who think free healthcare is still going to be here in the UK, wake up and smell the coffee.
The government ( Labour )have admitted that if you have the ability to pay they are begining to look at this option for the future, they have finally admitted that they cant run the NHS in its exisiting set up in todays market or in the future. One way or another you will end up paying somehow.
If you cant get your hip replacement operation over the next 3 years - tough, we've given priority here to all the HIV immigrants and holiday makers who while here suddenly found out they are HIV positive, so of course we are obliged to provide all healthcare and housing while there being treated - and yes they have to stay in the UK while they recieve there treatment - bloody marvelous - all paid for by my fellow brits taxs.
Also dont forget when you retire here and end up in an old peoples "private" care home ( there are no state ones anymore ) they will take your little cosy home and sell it from under you to pay for your care. I know your thinking thats ok we'll sign it over to the children - sorry, tax office has just closed that loophole too.
But there is a silver lining for all you expats, Blair is going down the opinion poll like the Titanic. Labour's mask is slipping as predicted and the old guard are still there. As they said on the radio yesterday "things can only get better" we're still waiting 6 years +, for our education, education, education and our schools still have holes in the roofs !!
Now thoroughly depressed - Mark
Jul 1st 2003, 10:33 am
#19
Go RedSox!
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: London
Posts: 681
Mark, do you think the Government in the US would pay for you to stay in an Old People's Home if you had a house to sell to pay for it? Get real!
For all you say about 'there will be no health service in the future' there certainly is now and I for one am quite happy with it.
I can't underastand why some people on here are so bitter about Britain. I love it. Maybe one day I will live in the US but when I do I will not slag Britain off, I will make it clear that I moved overseas to be with my husband in his country, not because I hated the UK.
Yes, we have lots of illegal immigrants--think the US doesn't, or doesn't provide free emergency healthcare for them?
Maybe the weather is great in Florida, but in other parts of the States like Boston where my husband is from you get freezing winters with six feet of snow, and stifling summers in the upper 90s with 100% humidity. Anyway I don't think I'd like hot weather 12 months a year, I like definite seasons.
Yes there are good things about the US. No age discrimination in jobs. But then there's the bad things, like hardly any annual leave.
Britain is still brilliant in so many ways. Much superior taxation system (no tax returns for most people), and tax rate is still only about the same as the US, much simpler immigration for those of us 'foolish' enough to settle in the UK with our US spouse, no health insurance, no mosquitos, signs everywhere in English only (not english/spanish), decent TV programmes, unbiased WORLD news, cheaper higher education, a degree in 3 years instead of 4, 4 or 5 weeks plus vacation for most people, tax credits for the badly off, CHRISTMAS instead of 'holidays,' much wider variety of vegetarian food for us veggies, modern banking electronically, salaries paid into your bank account, cheap flights to European countries, better public transport (not many towns have NO public transport), no tornades, houses made of proper brick, proper use of technology--nearly everyone here has a mobile phone now--, better standard of education in schools, and no fear of your child getting shot at school, real ale, country pubs (nothing to compare in the US), castles and stately homes, people understand sarcasm and irony and are not blindly patriotic.
There are good and bad things about both countries and people should be allowed to vent over their homesickness, that's what the site is for!
For all you say about 'there will be no health service in the future' there certainly is now and I for one am quite happy with it.
I can't underastand why some people on here are so bitter about Britain. I love it. Maybe one day I will live in the US but when I do I will not slag Britain off, I will make it clear that I moved overseas to be with my husband in his country, not because I hated the UK.
Yes, we have lots of illegal immigrants--think the US doesn't, or doesn't provide free emergency healthcare for them?
Maybe the weather is great in Florida, but in other parts of the States like Boston where my husband is from you get freezing winters with six feet of snow, and stifling summers in the upper 90s with 100% humidity. Anyway I don't think I'd like hot weather 12 months a year, I like definite seasons.
Yes there are good things about the US. No age discrimination in jobs. But then there's the bad things, like hardly any annual leave.
Britain is still brilliant in so many ways. Much superior taxation system (no tax returns for most people), and tax rate is still only about the same as the US, much simpler immigration for those of us 'foolish' enough to settle in the UK with our US spouse, no health insurance, no mosquitos, signs everywhere in English only (not english/spanish), decent TV programmes, unbiased WORLD news, cheaper higher education, a degree in 3 years instead of 4, 4 or 5 weeks plus vacation for most people, tax credits for the badly off, CHRISTMAS instead of 'holidays,' much wider variety of vegetarian food for us veggies, modern banking electronically, salaries paid into your bank account, cheap flights to European countries, better public transport (not many towns have NO public transport), no tornades, houses made of proper brick, proper use of technology--nearly everyone here has a mobile phone now--, better standard of education in schools, and no fear of your child getting shot at school, real ale, country pubs (nothing to compare in the US), castles and stately homes, people understand sarcasm and irony and are not blindly patriotic.
There are good and bad things about both countries and people should be allowed to vent over their homesickness, that's what the site is for!
Jul 2nd 2003, 11:06 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Re: making friends
Originally posted by mark19964
I was looking for a reason to why we let the biggest empire in history go down the pan, We all missed England - what utter tosh.
But Ranjini is right we do have those little houses, mine is 800 sq ft roughly and just sold for $360,000.
Earn over $80,000 pa and they are looking at a new tax band of 50% in the very near future
My advise is stop bloody day dreaming the lot of you about olde england - its gone and going fast, no culture being taught unless of course you foreign, no history in schools, because it might upset the ethnics, foreigners etc.
I bet half of you out there think we still wear knotted hankies on our heads on the beaches !!
Dont get me started, "Im a donkey on the edge".
And before all the Labour lovies in Florida start writing back there usual mantra, can I just say "Hypocrites" the lot of you.
Your all bloody sunshine socialists, living in the biggest capitalist market on the planet.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention all those who think free healthcare is still going to be here in the UK, wake up and smell the coffee.
The government ( Labour )have admitted that if you have the ability to pay they are begining to look at this option for the future, they have finally admitted that they cant run the NHS in its exisiting set up in todays market or in the future. One way or another you will end up paying somehow.
If you cant get your hip replacement operation over the next 3 years - tough, we've given priority here to all the HIV immigrants and holiday makers who while here suddenly found out they are HIV positive, so of course we are obliged to provide all healthcare and housing while there being treated - and yes they have to stay in the UK while they recieve there treatment - bloody marvelous - all paid for by my fellow brits taxs.
Also dont forget when you retire here and end up in an old peoples "private" care home ( there are no state ones anymore ) they will take your little cosy home and sell it from under you to pay for your care. I know your thinking thats ok we'll sign it over to the children - sorry, tax office has just closed that loophole too.
But there is a silver lining for all you expats, Blair is going down the opinion poll like the Titanic. Labour's mask is slipping as predicted and the old guard are still there. As they said on the radio yesterday "things can only get better" we're still waiting 6 years +, for our education, education, education and our schools still have holes in the roofs !!
Now thoroughly depressed - Mark
I was looking for a reason to why we let the biggest empire in history go down the pan, We all missed England - what utter tosh.
But Ranjini is right we do have those little houses, mine is 800 sq ft roughly and just sold for $360,000.
Earn over $80,000 pa and they are looking at a new tax band of 50% in the very near future
My advise is stop bloody day dreaming the lot of you about olde england - its gone and going fast, no culture being taught unless of course you foreign, no history in schools, because it might upset the ethnics, foreigners etc.
I bet half of you out there think we still wear knotted hankies on our heads on the beaches !!
Dont get me started, "Im a donkey on the edge".
And before all the Labour lovies in Florida start writing back there usual mantra, can I just say "Hypocrites" the lot of you.
Your all bloody sunshine socialists, living in the biggest capitalist market on the planet.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention all those who think free healthcare is still going to be here in the UK, wake up and smell the coffee.
The government ( Labour )have admitted that if you have the ability to pay they are begining to look at this option for the future, they have finally admitted that they cant run the NHS in its exisiting set up in todays market or in the future. One way or another you will end up paying somehow.
If you cant get your hip replacement operation over the next 3 years - tough, we've given priority here to all the HIV immigrants and holiday makers who while here suddenly found out they are HIV positive, so of course we are obliged to provide all healthcare and housing while there being treated - and yes they have to stay in the UK while they recieve there treatment - bloody marvelous - all paid for by my fellow brits taxs.
Also dont forget when you retire here and end up in an old peoples "private" care home ( there are no state ones anymore ) they will take your little cosy home and sell it from under you to pay for your care. I know your thinking thats ok we'll sign it over to the children - sorry, tax office has just closed that loophole too.
But there is a silver lining for all you expats, Blair is going down the opinion poll like the Titanic. Labour's mask is slipping as predicted and the old guard are still there. As they said on the radio yesterday "things can only get better" we're still waiting 6 years +, for our education, education, education and our schools still have holes in the roofs !!
Now thoroughly depressed - Mark
we all have family and friends in UK and know what they say...and I haven't met many ex-pats, in real life, who left Britain because they hated the place- people live abroad for many many reasons.
Cheer up Mark, you'll soon be an immigrant yourself soon (tic). And as the bumper sticker says- Don't blame me I didn't vote for Tony.....did you? You sound like you're leaving a hell hole for the promised land.
Well I certainly won't be retiring to Rickmansworth but thanks for your concern... I've just spent a lovely hour online looking at properties in beautiful Welsh Wales, my homeland
. You can get 3 bigger houses for the price you got (and the price we got for our house in UK.. we've just sold too).People had to sell their houses to pay Nursing home costs before I left UK - over 11 years ago- Mark (and quite right too IMO!!). If you want to stay in your house they have nurses now and round the clock homecare in Wales- my friend is one of them. In US you have to take out long term care insurance before you get to a certain age, which we are just looking at quotes now, to pay for nursing home care etc... cos the US government pays for zilch- they won't even cover prescriptions for OAP's on medicare (yes there are old people dying earlier because they can't afford very expensive drugs).. check the news there's a big fight going on about it now. All the baggers in my local Publix are at least 75 yrs old- they have to work to live.
Well I'm sure you'll find the US government, taxes, education etc MUCH better in the US...(tongue almost pushed right through my cheek). don't start me on health care- my son broke his jaw 6 weeks ago and he's run up over $10,000 in medical bills...so far..treatment isn't over yet.
Enjoy!
Personally, I can't wait to become a transatlantic snow bird myself- best of both worlds
, but the only reason I want to spend 6 months of the year in the USA when I retire is to be near my children and grandchild(ren).Mrs London- we've just had a load of people out from UK for my daughter's wedding- from all around the country, Scotland, England, Wales that is...they are all happy in UK and all doing well... even my dear OAP Mum. In fact she, and her buddies are having a ball, since they got their free bus passes they are never in, LOL. She's up in Blackpool as I write at the OAP conference fighting for pensioners rights. She comes out here to FL twice a year for a month, but doesn't want to come to live- she gets bored after a while for one thing, but the main reason is she's traveled the world, and she knows where she is well off.
Last edited by Taffyles; Jul 3rd 2003 at 2:39 am.
Jul 2nd 2003, 11:12 pm
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,296
Re: making friends
Originally posted by Smesa
Milk & sugar please House in Wales? that's sounds lovely, my biological father is welsh ( Jones) & my mum's dad was Welsh (Samuel) and when I lived in England I had a friend from Sketty but never ventured any further. Funny, but I have often romanticised about living in Wales during my older years, I think mostly though because of my blood line ( I don't feel the least bit welsh though ) Anyway, going to rent Chariots of Fire & have a good snivel, thanks for the tip.
Milk & sugar please
House in Wales? that's sounds lovely, my biological father is welsh ( Jones) & my mum's dad was Welsh (Samuel) and when I lived in England I had a friend from Sketty but never ventured any further. Funny, but I have often romanticised about living in Wales during my older years, I think mostly though because of my blood line ( I don't feel the least bit welsh though ) Anyway, going to rent Chariots of Fire & have a good snivel, thanks for the tip.
Anytime your down this way (Ellenton, Sarasota area- south of Tampa), come see us... Just pm me
I know Sketty well... Wales is still a great place to live, me old mum and family, and old schoolfriends of mine are still there and love it.
Jul 3rd 2003, 2:12 am
#22
.
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
Posts: 8,933
Re: making friends
Originally posted by Smesa
they know that our standard of living would drop, at least initially .
they know that our standard of living would drop, at least initially .
Jul 3rd 2003, 3:14 am
#23
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
Posts: 3,668
Re: making friends
Originally posted by mark19964
But Ranjini is right we do have those little houses, mine is 800 sq ft roughly and just sold for $360,000.
But Ranjini is right we do have those little houses, mine is 800 sq ft roughly and just sold for $360,000.
NC is 5/8 the size of the UK and has 13 million residents, the UK has 65 million residents - if the UK built houses the size of NC there would be zero land. The UK is a tiny place with a huge population - of course property is going to be expensive and small, get a ****ing grip!
Originally posted by mark19964
Earn over $80,000 pa and they are looking at a new tax band of 50% in the very near future
Earn over $80,000 pa and they are looking at a new tax band of 50% in the very near future
Originally posted by mark19964
But there is a silver lining for all you expats, Blair is going down the opinion poll like the Titanic. Labour's mask is slipping as predicted and the old guard are still there. As they said on the radio yesterday "things can only get better" we're still waiting 6 years +, for our education, education, education and our schools still have holes in the roofs !!
But there is a silver lining for all you expats, Blair is going down the opinion poll like the Titanic. Labour's mask is slipping as predicted and the old guard are still there. As they said on the radio yesterday "things can only get better" we're still waiting 6 years +, for our education, education, education and our schools still have holes in the roofs !!
You really are in for a shock when you get here, you actually beleive the hype and like Darrenb and a bunch of others think the UK is shit and moving to America is that answer to all there prayers. Here's a Newsflash Sparky, its only geography - you will still be the same arsehole just in a new and warmer location.
Patrick
Last edited by Patrick; Jul 3rd 2003 at 3:23 am.
Jul 3rd 2003, 8:20 am
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 35
Re: making friends
Originally posted by Patrick
- you will still be the same arsehole just in a new and warmer location.
Patrick
- you will still be the same arsehole just in a new and warmer location.
Patrick
Suits me!!
Jul 3rd 2003, 8:35 am
#25
Here and Loving it
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Cornelius NC
Posts: 150
Originally posted by MrsLondon
Mark, do you think the Government in the US would pay for you to stay in an Old People's Home if you had a house to sell to pay for it? Get real!
"YES I DO, DO THEY REALISE WE NOW DO THE SAME HERE !! THAT WAS THE POINT".
For all you say about 'there will be no health service in the future' there certainly is now and I for one am quite happy with it.
"ASK ANY PENSIONER - YOUR IN GOOD HEALTH AT THE MOMENT"
I can't underastand why some people on here are so bitter about Britain. I love it. Maybe one day I will live in the US but when I do I will not slag Britain off, I will make it clear that I moved overseas to be with my husband in his country, not because I hated the UK.
"IM PROUD TO BE BRITISH, SHAME THE SCOTS,WELSH AND IRISH DONT FEEL THE SAME ANYMORE AND THE MAJORITY OF MY SO CALLED COUNTRYMAN - WE ONLY FLY THE FLAG WHEN ENGLAND DO WELL IN THE FOOTBALL AND SOME TOWN HALLS EVEN REFUSE TO FLY IT AS THEY SEE IT AS OFFENSIVE TO IMMIGRANTS - ASK CAMDEN AND TOWER HAMLETS".
Yes, we have lots of illegal immigrants--think the US doesn't, or doesn't provide free emergency healthcare for them?
"AGAIN MAKING THE POINT, WE'RE FLOODED, WE NEVER USED TO BE AND IT'LL GET WORSE".
Maybe the weather is great in Florida, but in other parts of the States like Boston where my husband is from you get freezing winters with six feet of snow, and stifling summers in the upper 90s with 100% humidity.
"YEAH OLD NEWS THAT MY FATHER IN LAW IS FROM CAMBRIDGE -MASS "
Anyway I don't think I'd like hot weather 12 months a year, I like definite seasons.
"HEY WE AGREE ON THAT ONE BUT I PREFER MORE SUNSHINE"
Yes there are good things about the US. No age discrimination in jobs. But then there's the bad things, like hardly any annual leave.
"NO PROBLEM THERE WE'LL HAVE BETTER QUALITY WEEKENDS COMPARED TO HERE" - "MAYBE THATS WHY THERE THE NUMBER 1 ECONOMY"!!
Britain is still brilliant in so many ways. Much superior taxation system (no tax returns for most people),
"NO TAX REFUNDS EITHER AND ITS SPENT ON THE LAZY BUMS"
and tax rate is still only about the same as the US, much simpler immigration for those of us 'foolish' enough to settle in the UK with our US spouse, no health insurance
" EXCUSE ME WHAT DO YOU PAY NI FOR NOW"
no mosquitos - "COME OUT TO RICKMANSWORTH AND SEE FOR YOURSELF, NOT MANY LAKES IN LONDON BOROUGHS"
signs everywhere in English only (not english/spanish),
"NOW I KNOW YOU DONT LIVE IN LONDON, YOU LIVE IN SUBURBIA, SO YOUR GOING TO TELL ME YOUR COUNCIL TAX FORM ISNT IN HINDI, GUJURATI, ETC. YOUR DOCTORS SURGERY SIGNS ARE NOT IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, YOUR COUNCIL POSTERS INFORMING YOU OF YOUR RIGHTS, ARE NOT IN ANY OF THE ABOVE LANGUAGES, YOUR CHILDREN WE BE LAST CHOICE FOR THERE PREFFERED SCHOOL BECAUSE THE IMMIGRANTS GET PREFERENTIAL CHOICE OVER YOU - ASK LONDON BOROUGH OF HARROW, THATS WHERE WE USED TO LIVE UNTIL 4 YEARS AGO"
decent TV programmes,
"YOU THINK SO, THE REPEATS ARE SSSOOOO GOOD"
unbiased WORLD news,
"FROM A LABOUR PROSPECTIVE OF COURSE - WHERE'S ALISTAIR GONE NOW"
cheaper higher education, a degree in 3 years instead of 4,
" DO YOU READ THE NEWSPAPERS AND LISTEN TO NEWS RADIO - TUTITION FEES, EASIER EXAM COURSES NEED I SAY MORE, YET THEY COME UP AGAINST A USA UNIVERSISTY ON UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE AND END UP LOOSING BY THE BIGGEST MARGIN IN THE PROGAMS HISTORY - NEED I SAY MORE
4 or 5 weeks plus vacation for most people, tax credits for the badly off, CHRISTMAS instead of 'holidays,' much wider variety of vegetarian food for us veggies, modern banking electronically, salaries paid into your bank account, cheap flights to European countries, better public transport (not many towns have NO public transport),
no tornades,
WE HAD 3 LAST YEAR IN THIS COUNTRY ALBEIT SMALL BUT THEY WERE TORNADOES - YOU DONT PAY ATTN TO THE NEWS DO YOU !!
houses made of proper brick,
"YES THE WONDERS OF BREEZE BLOCKS, THATS CEMENT BLOCK TO YOU GUYS ACROSS THE POND, AND STUD WALL PARTITIONS. YOU LIKE ME LIVE IN A OLDER HOUSE. DONT THEY HAVE HOUSES OVER THERE MADE OF WOOD THAT ARE OVER 100 YEARS !!
proper use of technology--nearly everyone here has a mobile phone now--, better standard of education in schools,
and no fear of your child getting shot at school,
"YOU HAVENT BEEN TO HARINGAY OR WALTHAMSTOW THEN LATELY HAVE YOU, THEY JUST STAB THE TEACHERS INSTEAD - ASK PHILLIP LAWRENCE FROM HIGHBURY RIP
real ale, country pubs (nothing to compare in the US), castles and stately homes, people understand sarcasm and irony
"MICRO BREWIES", "DEF COMEDY JAM" ,YOU CAN KEEP THE CASTLES.
and are not blindly patriotic.
"THERE MOSTLY NOT YOU'LL FIND IN LONDON, THEYRE ALL BLOODY FORIEGNERS"
There are good and bad things about both countries and people should be allowed to vent over their homesickness, that's what the site is for!
Mark, do you think the Government in the US would pay for you to stay in an Old People's Home if you had a house to sell to pay for it? Get real!
"YES I DO, DO THEY REALISE WE NOW DO THE SAME HERE !! THAT WAS THE POINT".
For all you say about 'there will be no health service in the future' there certainly is now and I for one am quite happy with it.
"ASK ANY PENSIONER - YOUR IN GOOD HEALTH AT THE MOMENT"
I can't underastand why some people on here are so bitter about Britain. I love it. Maybe one day I will live in the US but when I do I will not slag Britain off, I will make it clear that I moved overseas to be with my husband in his country, not because I hated the UK.
"IM PROUD TO BE BRITISH, SHAME THE SCOTS,WELSH AND IRISH DONT FEEL THE SAME ANYMORE AND THE MAJORITY OF MY SO CALLED COUNTRYMAN - WE ONLY FLY THE FLAG WHEN ENGLAND DO WELL IN THE FOOTBALL AND SOME TOWN HALLS EVEN REFUSE TO FLY IT AS THEY SEE IT AS OFFENSIVE TO IMMIGRANTS - ASK CAMDEN AND TOWER HAMLETS".
Yes, we have lots of illegal immigrants--think the US doesn't, or doesn't provide free emergency healthcare for them?
"AGAIN MAKING THE POINT, WE'RE FLOODED, WE NEVER USED TO BE AND IT'LL GET WORSE".
Maybe the weather is great in Florida, but in other parts of the States like Boston where my husband is from you get freezing winters with six feet of snow, and stifling summers in the upper 90s with 100% humidity.
"YEAH OLD NEWS THAT MY FATHER IN LAW IS FROM CAMBRIDGE -MASS "
Anyway I don't think I'd like hot weather 12 months a year, I like definite seasons.
"HEY WE AGREE ON THAT ONE BUT I PREFER MORE SUNSHINE"
Yes there are good things about the US. No age discrimination in jobs. But then there's the bad things, like hardly any annual leave.
"NO PROBLEM THERE WE'LL HAVE BETTER QUALITY WEEKENDS COMPARED TO HERE" - "MAYBE THATS WHY THERE THE NUMBER 1 ECONOMY"!!
Britain is still brilliant in so many ways. Much superior taxation system (no tax returns for most people),
"NO TAX REFUNDS EITHER AND ITS SPENT ON THE LAZY BUMS"
and tax rate is still only about the same as the US, much simpler immigration for those of us 'foolish' enough to settle in the UK with our US spouse, no health insurance
" EXCUSE ME WHAT DO YOU PAY NI FOR NOW"
no mosquitos - "COME OUT TO RICKMANSWORTH AND SEE FOR YOURSELF, NOT MANY LAKES IN LONDON BOROUGHS"
signs everywhere in English only (not english/spanish),
"NOW I KNOW YOU DONT LIVE IN LONDON, YOU LIVE IN SUBURBIA, SO YOUR GOING TO TELL ME YOUR COUNCIL TAX FORM ISNT IN HINDI, GUJURATI, ETC. YOUR DOCTORS SURGERY SIGNS ARE NOT IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, YOUR COUNCIL POSTERS INFORMING YOU OF YOUR RIGHTS, ARE NOT IN ANY OF THE ABOVE LANGUAGES, YOUR CHILDREN WE BE LAST CHOICE FOR THERE PREFFERED SCHOOL BECAUSE THE IMMIGRANTS GET PREFERENTIAL CHOICE OVER YOU - ASK LONDON BOROUGH OF HARROW, THATS WHERE WE USED TO LIVE UNTIL 4 YEARS AGO"
decent TV programmes,
"YOU THINK SO, THE REPEATS ARE SSSOOOO GOOD"
unbiased WORLD news,
"FROM A LABOUR PROSPECTIVE OF COURSE - WHERE'S ALISTAIR GONE NOW"
cheaper higher education, a degree in 3 years instead of 4,
" DO YOU READ THE NEWSPAPERS AND LISTEN TO NEWS RADIO - TUTITION FEES, EASIER EXAM COURSES NEED I SAY MORE, YET THEY COME UP AGAINST A USA UNIVERSISTY ON UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE AND END UP LOOSING BY THE BIGGEST MARGIN IN THE PROGAMS HISTORY - NEED I SAY MORE
4 or 5 weeks plus vacation for most people, tax credits for the badly off, CHRISTMAS instead of 'holidays,' much wider variety of vegetarian food for us veggies, modern banking electronically, salaries paid into your bank account, cheap flights to European countries, better public transport (not many towns have NO public transport),
no tornades,
WE HAD 3 LAST YEAR IN THIS COUNTRY ALBEIT SMALL BUT THEY WERE TORNADOES - YOU DONT PAY ATTN TO THE NEWS DO YOU !!
houses made of proper brick,
"YES THE WONDERS OF BREEZE BLOCKS, THATS CEMENT BLOCK TO YOU GUYS ACROSS THE POND, AND STUD WALL PARTITIONS. YOU LIKE ME LIVE IN A OLDER HOUSE. DONT THEY HAVE HOUSES OVER THERE MADE OF WOOD THAT ARE OVER 100 YEARS !!
proper use of technology--nearly everyone here has a mobile phone now--, better standard of education in schools,
and no fear of your child getting shot at school,
"YOU HAVENT BEEN TO HARINGAY OR WALTHAMSTOW THEN LATELY HAVE YOU, THEY JUST STAB THE TEACHERS INSTEAD - ASK PHILLIP LAWRENCE FROM HIGHBURY RIP
real ale, country pubs (nothing to compare in the US), castles and stately homes, people understand sarcasm and irony
"MICRO BREWIES", "DEF COMEDY JAM" ,YOU CAN KEEP THE CASTLES.
and are not blindly patriotic.
"THERE MOSTLY NOT YOU'LL FIND IN LONDON, THEYRE ALL BLOODY FORIEGNERS"
There are good and bad things about both countries and people should be allowed to vent over their homesickness, that's what the site is for!
IT SEEMS OK FOR THE SO-CALLED US EXPERTS TO TELL US HOW IT IS OVER THERE, BUT WHEN SOMEONE LIVING HERE GIVES THERE PROSPECTIVE NONE OF YOU LIKE IT, SORRY IM TELLING YOU HOW IT IS IN MY OPINION LIVING HERE IN THE BRITAIN I KNOW OF.
I WAS BORN IN BALHAM 1964, AND RAISED IN CRICKLEWOOD AND HARROW TO THE PRESENT DAY, WHERE I RESIDE IN RICKMANSWORTH AND NEVER VOTED LABOUR - GOD FORBID.
LIVED ON A ROUGH COUNCIL ESTATE AND DRAGGED MYSELF OUT THE GUTTER. NEVER , NEVER BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR MORE THAN 3 WEEKS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE
IVE WORKED AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER FOR 5 YEARS AND OVER THAT TIME, MET ALL THE MAJOR PLAYERS IN GOVERNMENT, IVE WORKED IN TOWER HAMLETS ON COUNCIL ESTATES FOR 1 YEAR , ALSO IN SOUTHWARK FOR 2 YEARS WHERE I STARTED MY CAREER.
AT THE MOMENT I WORK ACROSS THE ENTIRE BBC ESTATE COVERING ALL TV AND RADIO OPS WITHIN THE M25.
IVE BEEN THERE, BOUGHT THE T-SHIRT AND CHEWED THE GUM.
AND YESTERDAY MET MICK FOLEY (WWE-RAW) AT BROADCASTING HOUSE IN THE FLESH.
REGARDS - MARK
Jul 3rd 2003, 9:01 am
#26
Here and Loving it
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Cornelius NC
Posts: 150
Re: making friends
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Patrick
NC is 5/8 the size of the UK and has 13 million residents, the UK has 65 million residents - if the UK built houses the size of NC there would be zero land. The UK is a tiny place with a huge population - of course property is going to be expensive and small, get a ****ing grip!
Luckily for you we don't pay any taxes in NC. We don't pay 7% sales tax, 30% income tax, 10% annual property tax (county to county variations), 1% annual property tax on cars, boats and jet skis. The good news is that NC is in financial trouble and won't introduce a lottery so you can guarentee these taxes are going up . "HEY 2 THINGS IN LIFE GUARENTEED TAXS AND DEATH"
Wait till you get here and see how corrupt the government is, what bunch of ****ing idiots they all are and if you where hiring you wouldn't put Bush in charge of the Fries at McDonalds - yet everyone thinks he is great and doing a great job. I don't understand it.
"PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS A LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTAND, RATHER THAN SPINS EVERYTHING IN LEGAL TERMS AND ACTUALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTION - FIND ME A POLITICIAN WHO ISNT CORRUPT AND ILL SHOW YOU ROCKING HORSE SHIT "
You really are in for a shock when you get here,
"NO IM NOT I USED TO LIVE THERE ALBEIT 10 YEARS AGO AND IN WA STATE"
you actually beleive the hype
"SORRY AS SPIKE LEE SAID - DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE - TOTALLY AGREE, BUT MY JOB PAYS $30,000 MORE THAN IN THE UK"
and like Darrenb and a bunch of others think the UK is shit
"WE'RE GETTING THERE - AS LABOUR SAY"
and moving to America is that answer to all there prayers.
"FOR MY FAMILY AND ME PERSONALLY YES - $30,000 MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND I GET FREE HEALTHCARE, DENTAL, VISION AS WELL"
Here's a Newsflash Sparky, its only geography - you will still be the same arsehole just in a new and warmer location.
"THATS FINE BY ME, IF THE CARS AND HOUSES ARE WHAT WE LIKE AND WANT, THE MOUNTAINS ARE THERE AND IVE GOT GREEN ACRAGE IN MY BACK YARD AND MORE SUNSHINE- BRING IT ON"
"PATRICK, STOP TAKING THE PROZAC AND TAKE SOME CHILL PILLS, BETTER STILL, STOP WAITING FOR THE RIGHT JOB AND SITTING HERE ALL DAY POSTING CRANKY REPLIES; GO GET ANY JOB AND FEEL BETTER FOR YOURSELF , SHIT ID SWEEP STREETS RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THAT ELUSIVE JOB OFFER - LIKE YOU SAID I.T. AINT GETTING BETTER OUT THERE AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE PC'S WILL BE DOING YOUR JOB.
"I LOVE YOUR HUMOUR BUT SOMETIMES YOU CAN BE A RIGHT NASTY PIECE OF WORK"
ALL THE BEST TO YOU ALL - MARK
NC is 5/8 the size of the UK and has 13 million residents, the UK has 65 million residents - if the UK built houses the size of NC there would be zero land. The UK is a tiny place with a huge population - of course property is going to be expensive and small, get a ****ing grip!
Luckily for you we don't pay any taxes in NC. We don't pay 7% sales tax, 30% income tax, 10% annual property tax (county to county variations), 1% annual property tax on cars, boats and jet skis. The good news is that NC is in financial trouble and won't introduce a lottery so you can guarentee these taxes are going up . "HEY 2 THINGS IN LIFE GUARENTEED TAXS AND DEATH"
Wait till you get here and see how corrupt the government is, what bunch of ****ing idiots they all are and if you where hiring you wouldn't put Bush in charge of the Fries at McDonalds - yet everyone thinks he is great and doing a great job. I don't understand it.
"PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS A LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTAND, RATHER THAN SPINS EVERYTHING IN LEGAL TERMS AND ACTUALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTION - FIND ME A POLITICIAN WHO ISNT CORRUPT AND ILL SHOW YOU ROCKING HORSE SHIT "
You really are in for a shock when you get here,
"NO IM NOT I USED TO LIVE THERE ALBEIT 10 YEARS AGO AND IN WA STATE"
you actually beleive the hype
"SORRY AS SPIKE LEE SAID - DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE - TOTALLY AGREE, BUT MY JOB PAYS $30,000 MORE THAN IN THE UK"
and like Darrenb and a bunch of others think the UK is shit
"WE'RE GETTING THERE - AS LABOUR SAY"
and moving to America is that answer to all there prayers.
"FOR MY FAMILY AND ME PERSONALLY YES - $30,000 MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND I GET FREE HEALTHCARE, DENTAL, VISION AS WELL"
Here's a Newsflash Sparky, its only geography - you will still be the same arsehole just in a new and warmer location.
"THATS FINE BY ME, IF THE CARS AND HOUSES ARE WHAT WE LIKE AND WANT, THE MOUNTAINS ARE THERE AND IVE GOT GREEN ACRAGE IN MY BACK YARD AND MORE SUNSHINE- BRING IT ON"
"PATRICK, STOP TAKING THE PROZAC AND TAKE SOME CHILL PILLS, BETTER STILL, STOP WAITING FOR THE RIGHT JOB AND SITTING HERE ALL DAY POSTING CRANKY REPLIES; GO GET ANY JOB AND FEEL BETTER FOR YOURSELF , SHIT ID SWEEP STREETS RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THAT ELUSIVE JOB OFFER - LIKE YOU SAID I.T. AINT GETTING BETTER OUT THERE AND THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE PC'S WILL BE DOING YOUR JOB.
"I LOVE YOUR HUMOUR BUT SOMETIMES YOU CAN BE A RIGHT NASTY PIECE OF WORK"
ALL THE BEST TO YOU ALL - MARK
Jul 3rd 2003, 11:01 am
#27
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: UK/CA
Posts: 459
Originally posted by MrsLondon
Yes there are good things about the US. No age discrimination in jobs.
Yes there are good things about the US. No age discrimination in jobs.
Unfortunately, the new law to outlaw ageism seems to be a back-door way of solving the current pensions crisis and a new retirement age of 70 will be introduced for millions with company pensions!
Having said that, whilst it may be true that there are bad points to living in the UK, the same can also be said of the US. In effect there are bad points and good points for any Country!
Jul 3rd 2003, 11:23 am
#28
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: UK/CA
Posts: 459
Re: making friends
Originally posted by Taffyles
People had to sell their houses to pay Nursing home costs before I left UK - over 11 years ago- Mark (and quite right too IMO!!).
People had to sell their houses to pay Nursing home costs before I left UK - over 11 years ago- Mark (and quite right too IMO!!).
At present, if you have significant assets you can choose where you would like to spend your final years/days! Rather than a Nursing Home, you can choose to stay in your own home and pay for private nursing care. If you do not have assets, you are afforded little choice when it comes to care home options!!
Unfortunately, many people see it as their right that their parents wealth is for them to inherit! I see it that if you have assets then why not use them to pay for a better quality of life?
Jul 3rd 2003, 11:30 am
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Plymouth Devon UK
Posts: 45
hmmmm...
I was going to post a comment about how i better start making the most of bangers and mash and "proper" butter....
i was also going to post a comment about how daunting it all sounds when i'm marrying a relocated redneck who is in Oregon and how incredibly tough its going to be making new friends...
but seeing as thats not what this thread is about.. i'll shut up...
lol..
Bee
i was also going to post a comment about how daunting it all sounds when i'm marrying a relocated redneck who is in Oregon and how incredibly tough its going to be making new friends...
but seeing as thats not what this thread is about.. i'll shut up...
lol..
Bee
Jul 3rd 2003, 12:10 pm
#30
Go RedSox!
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: London
Posts: 681
Jeez Mark, you are very bitter and twisted. Fine, take your big car and big house, I personally like my little flat and I wouldn't have a car if you paid me, I'd rather have culture, like eating with a knife and fork at the same time, and have castles on my doorstep.
Also I've news for you about those 'foreigners' you keep talking about. When you move to the US you will be the 'foreigner' (or 'alien' as they will lovingly term you).
And Btw I DO live in London, my council tax bill is in English only and so are all the notices in my doctors. At least we are not near to becoming a bilingual country like the US. In Boston all the subway signs are in Spanish too, and at least We have Easter and Christmas holidays, not 'Spring break' and 'Holidays.'
Also I've news for you about those 'foreigners' you keep talking about. When you move to the US you will be the 'foreigner' (or 'alien' as they will lovingly term you).
And Btw I DO live in London, my council tax bill is in English only and so are all the notices in my doctors. At least we are not near to becoming a bilingual country like the US. In Boston all the subway signs are in Spanish too, and at least We have Easter and Christmas holidays, not 'Spring break' and 'Holidays.'