Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Dec 18th 2010, 12:53 am
#91
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
It's my measured opinion that there are a lot of people in the US in the same situation as you, Hubs, and I'm sorry I didn't contribute to the thread earlier but it cheesed me off and I had to walk away.
My husband, you, the long list of other happily transplanted folk.. they don't post about it all the time. There are a few of you on this site who do, but I know it's just human nature to like to gripe and that will always be the majority. I don't know why I let it get to me sometimes, but it shouldn't bother you. You certainly sound like you know yourself and what works for you.
My husband has lived here going on ten years now, is not an idiot and loves it. For any of you to assume any happy transplant is naive, ignorant or a newbie is just not right.
Some people simply prefer life in the US vs the UK.
My husband, you, the long list of other happily transplanted folk.. they don't post about it all the time. There are a few of you on this site who do, but I know it's just human nature to like to gripe and that will always be the majority. I don't know why I let it get to me sometimes, but it shouldn't bother you. You certainly sound like you know yourself and what works for you.
My husband has lived here going on ten years now, is not an idiot and loves it. For any of you to assume any happy transplant is naive, ignorant or a newbie is just not right.
Some people simply prefer life in the US vs the UK.
I will try my best not to 'gripe' in future, let's hope everyone seeking to move gets a lovely positive spin.
Dec 18th 2010, 12:56 am
#92
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
It's my measured opinion that there are a lot of people in the US in the same situation as you, Hubs, and I'm sorry I didn't contribute to the thread earlier but it cheesed me off and I had to walk away.
My husband, you, the long list of other happily transplanted folk.. they don't post about it all the time. There are a few of you on this site who do, but I know it's just human nature to like to gripe and that will always be the majority. I don't know why I let it get to me sometimes, but it shouldn't bother you. You certainly sound like you know yourself and what works for you.
My husband has lived here going on ten years now, is not an idiot and loves it. For any of you to assume any happy transplant is naive, ignorant or a newbie is just not right.
Some people simply prefer life in the US vs the UK.
My husband, you, the long list of other happily transplanted folk.. they don't post about it all the time. There are a few of you on this site who do, but I know it's just human nature to like to gripe and that will always be the majority. I don't know why I let it get to me sometimes, but it shouldn't bother you. You certainly sound like you know yourself and what works for you.
My husband has lived here going on ten years now, is not an idiot and loves it. For any of you to assume any happy transplant is naive, ignorant or a newbie is just not right.
Some people simply prefer life in the US vs the UK.
Dec 18th 2010, 12:59 am
#93
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Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 300
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Dec 18th 2010, 1:06 am
#94
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Of course you can say you enjoy living here. Yes you can diss the UK...but don't expect most of us to agree with you.
Dec 18th 2010, 1:13 am
#95
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Posts: 300
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
I didn't expect or ask for anyone to agree with me, show me where I did. I gave my opinion and elaborated when asked to. I didn't set out to change anyone's view, just put forward my own.
Dec 18th 2010, 4:25 am
#96
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Originally Posted by Hubcaps
Our quality of life is so much better, the schools are better, the people are nicer, attitudes are better. The scenery, the trees, the lakes, the food, the shopping are fantastic. Everything is just so much better and so clean!
I've lived all over the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall, in big cities like London, on a farm on a Welsh mountainside plus everything in-between and I have never lived anywhere better than I do now.
This is home.
I've lived all over the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall, in big cities like London, on a farm on a Welsh mountainside plus everything in-between and I have never lived anywhere better than I do now.
This is home.
Me thinks the lady doth complain too much.
Dec 18th 2010, 8:31 am
#97
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
I've been here in the USA now (Texas for four years, Colorado for one) and I've finally arrived at the point where the "novelty has worn off". I don't know if it's age, maturity, a few years in the school of life, or what, but after some ups and downs, some wonderful experiences and adventures, and some true tests of patience, I'm officially done.
At first, the glitz of living in "AMERICA!", the open roads, the scenery, the big plates of food, frosted beer glasses, huge houses and athe things we heard about in movies were enough to sustain my interest. It has been a wonderful larger than life experience with good friends, but I've never been able to shake the feeling that I had overstayed a holiday.
And as good as the friends are that I've made here, I know we don't have that deep, true blood "brotherhood" bond like what I have with my mates back home. It's like everything in America emotionally gets to a 7 or an 8 before hitting a glass ceiling and never truly hitting that 10 to say "This truly is my home now."
I miss so many things, big and small, about England and I want to know if I decided to move back, would I regret it once all the tearful reunions and catching up with friends died down? Would catching the bus to my small terraced house just in time for Eastenders soon get old, with me asking myself why I left behind a grand home, car, and laying by the pool?
I miss my family, my true childhood friends, I miss the lifestyle over there. I can't ever shake the feeling that America is just constantly shaking me down for money - processing fees, admin fees, convenience fees, toll road fees, state tax, federal tax, etc. I feel like my original plans to travel the continent and see the sights have somehow been slapped with a giant dose of reality and instead I'm just working 8-6 (with ten days vacation a year lol) just to pay the bills and try to survive. Life has become more about existing rather than living.
And if I'm going to "exist", I'd rather do it in the same locale as my parents, siblings and friends.
Is a return to England really that promising? Or just another "grass is greener" fantasy that will soon leave me cold and longing for my US life again?
Right now nothing sounds better than making my way through the cold to see the warm orange glow of the pub windows, the muffle of a live band, and knowing there's a pint in there waiting for me, and a group of mates around the small circular table.
I really miss home
At first, the glitz of living in "AMERICA!", the open roads, the scenery, the big plates of food, frosted beer glasses, huge houses and athe things we heard about in movies were enough to sustain my interest. It has been a wonderful larger than life experience with good friends, but I've never been able to shake the feeling that I had overstayed a holiday.
And as good as the friends are that I've made here, I know we don't have that deep, true blood "brotherhood" bond like what I have with my mates back home. It's like everything in America emotionally gets to a 7 or an 8 before hitting a glass ceiling and never truly hitting that 10 to say "This truly is my home now."
I miss so many things, big and small, about England and I want to know if I decided to move back, would I regret it once all the tearful reunions and catching up with friends died down? Would catching the bus to my small terraced house just in time for Eastenders soon get old, with me asking myself why I left behind a grand home, car, and laying by the pool?
I miss my family, my true childhood friends, I miss the lifestyle over there. I can't ever shake the feeling that America is just constantly shaking me down for money - processing fees, admin fees, convenience fees, toll road fees, state tax, federal tax, etc. I feel like my original plans to travel the continent and see the sights have somehow been slapped with a giant dose of reality and instead I'm just working 8-6 (with ten days vacation a year lol) just to pay the bills and try to survive. Life has become more about existing rather than living.
And if I'm going to "exist", I'd rather do it in the same locale as my parents, siblings and friends.
Is a return to England really that promising? Or just another "grass is greener" fantasy that will soon leave me cold and longing for my US life again?
Right now nothing sounds better than making my way through the cold to see the warm orange glow of the pub windows, the muffle of a live band, and knowing there's a pint in there waiting for me, and a group of mates around the small circular table.
I really miss home
Truly,there is no place like home. I don't see how my ancestors did it...picking up roots and moving to a strange land...yet, I do understand the
significance of home.
I lived in various places around the U.S. because of my job. I even liked these differing places. Yet, in the end,or finally I missed my roots. My mother, my father, my siblings...and extended family. I missed connection and in knowing people.
"There simply is no place like home."
Suzette
Dec 18th 2010, 8:35 am
#98
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Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 300
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
BTW thank you so much so all the people who have PMd me, it really does mean a lot.
Dec 18th 2010, 12:11 pm
#99
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Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,712
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Truly,there is no place like home. I don't see how my ancestors did it...picking up roots and moving to a strange land...yet, I do understand the
significance of home.
I lived in various places around the U.S. because of my job. I even liked these differing places. Yet, in the end,or finally I missed my roots. My mother, my father, my siblings...and extended family. I missed connection and in knowing people.
"There simply is no place like home."
Suzette
significance of home.
I lived in various places around the U.S. because of my job. I even liked these differing places. Yet, in the end,or finally I missed my roots. My mother, my father, my siblings...and extended family. I missed connection and in knowing people.
"There simply is no place like home."
Suzette
I currently live in London but my family is in the North East - in London I say im "going home" and in the north east when coming back to London I say "Im going home"...
Dec 18th 2010, 2:17 pm
#100
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Well I'm British born and raised
But nowadays, I'm lost between two shores
New York's fine, but it ain't home
London's home, but it ain't mine no more
(with apologies to Neil!)
Of course, all these years later, I consider myself a New Yorker in terms of my "American-ness" and my days of thinking like this song are long gone!
Dec 18th 2010, 2:44 pm
#101
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 381
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
I also do understand that yes - should I lose my job & my healthcare etc etc then I won't be as happy in the USA as I currently am. Surely this goes without saying!
The same logic can be applied to just about anything in life. Whatever country you happen to be living in.
Dec 18th 2010, 4:19 pm
#102
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Originally Posted by Hubcaps
Why would I compare the two countries when I haven't any real personal experience of any of the pitfalls here?Yes things can be worse over here but I was asked and replied only about why I don't like the UK not why here is better.
Our quality of life is so much better the schools are better, the people are nicer, attitudes are better. The scenery, the trees, the lakes, the food, the shopping are fantastic. Everything is just so much better and so clean!
I've lived all over the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall, in big cities like London, on a farm on a Welsh mountainside plus everything in-between and I have never lived anywhere better than I do now.
This is home.
I've lived all over the UK, from Scotland to Cornwall, in big cities like London, on a farm on a Welsh mountainside plus everything in-between and I have never lived anywhere better than I do now.
This is home.
Last edited by Giantaxe; Dec 18th 2010 at 4:27 pm.
Dec 18th 2010, 4:26 pm
#103
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
H
I also do understand that yes - should I lose my job & my healthcare etc etc then I won't be as happy in the USA as I currently am. Surely this goes without saying!
The same logic can be applied to just about anything in life. Whatever country you happen to be living in.
I also do understand that yes - should I lose my job & my healthcare etc etc then I won't be as happy in the USA as I currently am. Surely this goes without saying!
The same logic can be applied to just about anything in life. Whatever country you happen to be living in.
Last edited by Giantaxe; Dec 18th 2010 at 4:35 pm.
Dec 18th 2010, 4:42 pm
#104
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Is it really better in England, or just rose tinted glasses?
Dec 18th 2010, 4:51 pm
#105
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Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865