North Vs South
Apr 8th 2004, 8:30 am
#16
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Originally posted by BritGuyTN
very funny - all the locals rounds here reckon Houston is a hell hole too - so you're not alone!
i'm not keen on the religious stuff in TN, (esp. the looney baptists
) but you just learn to get on with it...
what i do like is the fact its been in the high 70's a few times recently and even when its cold it doesn't get dreary and depresiing like it does in blighty
insects and humidity is pretty crap
I quite like Nashville because it has got a pretty fun bar scene (as long as you avoid the 'red' bars!) some excellent independent restaurants and the cost of living is relatively cheap - lowest car insurance in the US according to CNN money, pretty cheap petrol, reasonably affordable housing (in nice areas)
knoxville and memphis however, don't really have many redeeming features - knox is very dull and memphis is just pretty nasty
very funny - all the locals rounds here reckon Houston is a hell hole too - so you're not alone!
i'm not keen on the religious stuff in TN, (esp. the looney baptists
) but you just learn to get on with it... what i do like is the fact its been in the high 70's a few times recently and even when its cold it doesn't get dreary and depresiing like it does in blighty
insects and humidity is pretty crap
I quite like Nashville because it has got a pretty fun bar scene (as long as you avoid the 'red' bars!) some excellent independent restaurants and the cost of living is relatively cheap - lowest car insurance in the US according to CNN money, pretty cheap petrol, reasonably affordable housing (in nice areas)
knoxville and memphis however, don't really have many redeeming features - knox is very dull and memphis is just pretty nasty
very funny - all the locals rounds here reckon Houston is a hell hole too - so you're not alone!)
lol lol lol so so true.
Apr 8th 2004, 11:36 am
#17
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Well, I'm feeling pretty confident that the South will be great. All the Brits that live there, that I have had the pleasure of posting with, really like it and highly rate the quality of life they have. I'll get me some industrial strength AC and coat the family in Factor 30 and 'bug-off' 
P.S. Really enjoying reading all your replies - this thread has not only stayed on topic but it's positive too
P.S. Really enjoying reading all your replies - this thread has not only stayed on topic but it's positive too
Apr 8th 2004, 4:16 pm
#18
100% Pure
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Fort Worth, TX.
Posts: 1,185
Couldn't see it mentioned in my brief scan of the thread but everyone I've met in Texas has been pleasant and nice. Sure, some of the shop slash restaurant employees maybe don't actually give a flying toss how I'm "doing today" or whether I do have a "good one" later on. But it's still nice to hear and better than the service with a snarl I've experienced up North.
I guess it comes down to the quality of people you associate with e.g. our friends are churchgoers but aren't fanatical and don't bash us with bibles for not attending.
I guess it comes down to the quality of people you associate with e.g. our friends are churchgoers but aren't fanatical and don't bash us with bibles for not attending.
Apr 8th 2004, 4:32 pm
#19
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Location: Living in Oblivion
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Come on people, everywhere has good and bad and whether you like living in a place is very subjective and personal to you. I loved living in the Fens, hated Sheffield, loved York, hated Pompy. I love living in NC but I live in small town near the beach with very good neighbors, I may not like the triad or Charlotte!
In with the north and south issue you have which city, Boston, NY, Houston, Dallas all have lots of sports teams and such. Where I am there are no pro sports teams - hockey 2 hours drive and NFL 4 hours drive - baseball 7 hours drive.
I think you are being far to general and must look at what you want from the place and what the place offers and see if the twain meet. We could say, Dallas is fantastic, has everything you would ever need, even a village idiot in Yosser. But you get there and its not your cup of tea then we look like asses but more fool us for suggesting a place without knowing anything about you.
The other thing is you might not like living in the USA at all, its not like 2 weeks in Disneyland where one pound buys you almost 2 dollars and you think everything cheap. Until you live here and go "oh crap". The people (for the most part) on here are the people who like the country and stayed. All the people who didn't like it have gone home and shut up.
The only way you will know whether Dallas is a better place to live than ny (or anywhere else in the USA) is to live there, and then ny and compare. We can't tell you crap! I like kevin bacon but dislike footloose!
Patrick
In with the north and south issue you have which city, Boston, NY, Houston, Dallas all have lots of sports teams and such. Where I am there are no pro sports teams - hockey 2 hours drive and NFL 4 hours drive - baseball 7 hours drive.
I think you are being far to general and must look at what you want from the place and what the place offers and see if the twain meet. We could say, Dallas is fantastic, has everything you would ever need, even a village idiot in Yosser. But you get there and its not your cup of tea then we look like asses but more fool us for suggesting a place without knowing anything about you.
The other thing is you might not like living in the USA at all, its not like 2 weeks in Disneyland where one pound buys you almost 2 dollars and you think everything cheap. Until you live here and go "oh crap". The people (for the most part) on here are the people who like the country and stayed. All the people who didn't like it have gone home and shut up.
The only way you will know whether Dallas is a better place to live than ny (or anywhere else in the USA) is to live there, and then ny and compare. We can't tell you crap! I like kevin bacon but dislike footloose!
Patrick
Apr 8th 2004, 5:35 pm
#20
.
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
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Originally posted by BritGuyTN
very funny - all the locals rounds here reckon Houston is a hell hole too - so you're not alone!
very funny - all the locals rounds here reckon Houston is a hell hole too - so you're not alone!
Odd thing is, most of our non-Houston friends (including Dutch, English, Norwegian and Americans from up north) all reckon its fantastic and are dreading the call to move on from their respective companies. Maybe that says it all - most if not all of the non-locals we know are here on secondment, so they know their time is limited, rather than 'permanent' immigrants. I don't personally know anyone who has actually moved here permanently by their own choice!! (apart from us!)
Apr 8th 2004, 5:48 pm
#21
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Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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You really can't tell 'til you've tried it, imo. We love Ann Arbor, MI, but from what we hear, pretty much anywhere else in MI would have made us miserable. We got lucky. No matter what the state, it seems there are pockets of sanity and pockets of lunacy -you just need to find your niche.
Apr 8th 2004, 6:25 pm
#22
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Originally posted by Yorkieabroad
Been here 18 months, and although I'm getting used to it, it still wouldn't make my top 10 places to live list - hell, I don't think it would make my top 50! Its pretty easy, its reasonably convenient (if you don't mind driving), its pretty safe (out in our commuter la la land) houses are cheap, decent folk, friendly, it just lacks a certain...something... been trying to put my finger on it for a while and can't quite manage it, but theres a spark missing somewhere.
Odd thing is, most of our non-Houston friends (including Dutch, English, Norwegian and Americans from up north) all reckon its fantastic and are dreading the call to move on from their respective companies. Maybe that says it all - most if not all of the non-locals we know are here on secondment, so they know their time is limited, rather than 'permanent' immigrants. I don't personally know anyone who has actually moved here permanently by their own choice!! (apart from us!)
Been here 18 months, and although I'm getting used to it, it still wouldn't make my top 10 places to live list - hell, I don't think it would make my top 50! Its pretty easy, its reasonably convenient (if you don't mind driving), its pretty safe (out in our commuter la la land) houses are cheap, decent folk, friendly, it just lacks a certain...something... been trying to put my finger on it for a while and can't quite manage it, but theres a spark missing somewhere.
Odd thing is, most of our non-Houston friends (including Dutch, English, Norwegian and Americans from up north) all reckon its fantastic and are dreading the call to move on from their respective companies. Maybe that says it all - most if not all of the non-locals we know are here on secondment, so they know their time is limited, rather than 'permanent' immigrants. I don't personally know anyone who has actually moved here permanently by their own choice!! (apart from us!)
Apr 8th 2004, 6:26 pm
#23
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Originally posted by monster
You really can't tell 'til you've tried it, imo. We love Ann Arbor, MI, but from what we hear, pretty much anywhere else in MI would have made us miserable. We got lucky. No matter what the state, it seems there are pockets of sanity and pockets of lunacy -you just need to find your niche.
You really can't tell 'til you've tried it, imo. We love Ann Arbor, MI, but from what we hear, pretty much anywhere else in MI would have made us miserable. We got lucky. No matter what the state, it seems there are pockets of sanity and pockets of lunacy -you just need to find your niche.
Apr 8th 2004, 6:26 pm
#24
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 21,886
Originally posted by monster
You really can't tell 'til you've tried it, imo. We love Ann Arbor, MI, but from what we hear, pretty much anywhere else in MI would have made us miserable. We got lucky. No matter what the state, it seems there are pockets of sanity and pockets of lunacy -you just need to find your niche.
You really can't tell 'til you've tried it, imo. We love Ann Arbor, MI, but from what we hear, pretty much anywhere else in MI would have made us miserable. We got lucky. No matter what the state, it seems there are pockets of sanity and pockets of lunacy -you just need to find your niche.
Apr 8th 2004, 6:41 pm
#25
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Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 1,429
Originally posted by Patrick
I like kevin bacon but dislike footloose!
Patrick
I like kevin bacon but dislike footloose!
Patrick
Apr 9th 2004, 7:50 am
#26
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3,100
whatever - I just noticed you are moving from herts - I made exactly that trip!
i have to say swapping the hertfordshire rivieria (sic) (watford on a saturday night) for live music and pissy beer has been interesting
have to say thougfh, I really do not miss the mondays on the m25/m1
speaking of texans - the few i talk to always impress me with their can-do attitudes - and although whenever i get off the phone with one I start cracking up, i'm sure they do the same!
i have to say swapping the hertfordshire rivieria (sic) (watford on a saturday night) for live music and pissy beer has been interesting
have to say thougfh, I really do not miss the mondays on the m25/m1
speaking of texans - the few i talk to always impress me with their can-do attitudes - and although whenever i get off the phone with one I start cracking up, i'm sure they do the same!
Apr 9th 2004, 12:39 pm
#27
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Originally posted by BritGuyTN
whatever - I just noticed you are moving from herts - I made exactly that trip!
whatever - I just noticed you are moving from herts - I made exactly that trip!
We're in Goffs Oak/Cuffley. Can't imagine we'll miss it too much but will be interested in taking a drive through it in years to come - see how it's changed etc...
How long have you been out there? Did you move for work/marriage etc??
Apr 10th 2004, 8:31 am
#28
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Been here since July '03 and I came for work and marriage
been pretty reasonable so far...
been pretty reasonable so far...
Apr 10th 2004, 9:24 am
#29
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Originally posted by BritGuyTN
)
knoxville and memphis however, don't really have many redeeming features - knox is very dull and memphis is just pretty nasty
)
knoxville and memphis however, don't really have many redeeming features - knox is very dull and memphis is just pretty nasty
- I absolutely love Memphis and yet I know a few folks who have a dislike of it. Having said that, where I am going is Cordova/Germantown area about 20 miles east of Memphis and is a really nice area with great restaurants (not a lot of bars tho), affordable housing of a really high standard, fairly close to Lake Pickwick (absolutely gorgeous), good shopping blah blah. I think a lot of the time its people you meet, experiences you have etc when you get there that make a huge difference in forming opinions too - I have always been more than fortunate in the people I have met, opportunities that have come my way etc - I hope I still have that opinion in a few weeks!
Have to say tho - one consideration I didn't think about was the bugs etc - ugh. And here's me that runs screaming from a tidy spider in the bath :scared: not sure how I'll cope with that one! I know the apt I am going to has screens (hehe and your probably laughing to yourselves thinking yeah like that's gonna make a difference lol).
I'm actually getting pretty damn nervous about it all now - I think it's finally sinking in - and of course I had my leaving party last night which left me very emotional and suddenly I am thinking constantly about all the things I love about home - and I'm not even gone yet! I guess it's probably just nerves, particularly because I am going out there alone and starting from scratch. Ah well - hopefully it will be a positive experience!
Apr 10th 2004, 10:25 am
#30
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Originally posted by BritGuyTN
Been here since July '03 and I came for work and marriage
been pretty reasonable so far...
Been here since July '03 and I came for work and marriage
been pretty reasonable so far...
