tell me the positives!
Sep 23rd 2013, 3:08 pm
#47
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: Currently Cheshire in UK but soon to be an Expat....
Posts: 98
Re: tell me the positives!
so, let me know if I have this right. If I go to a store and buy a tv, take it home and plug it in will I get any free to air tv channels?
is there an equivalent to a tv licence?
let me just say thanks to you all for posting it really is a mine of useful info. Thanks very much.
is there an equivalent to a tv licence?
let me just say thanks to you all for posting it really is a mine of useful info. Thanks very much.
Sep 23rd 2013, 3:10 pm
#48
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: tell me the positives!
Oh, I agree with this 110%.
We have not had cable TV (or even over-the-air TV, but that's because I just haven't bothered to sort that out) for over two years now. We have Apple TV and subscriptions to Netflix streaming and HULU plus, for a total of about $15 a month. That gives us pretty much everything we need.
If you are a big sports fan this wouldn't work for you, and you can't watch the Oscars/Emmys/Grammys if that kind of thing appeals to you, but otherwise... I think we ended up paying $90/month when we last had cable.
And I found myself idly watching the Kardashians, so I knew that *had* to stop.
We have not had cable TV (or even over-the-air TV, but that's because I just haven't bothered to sort that out) for over two years now. We have Apple TV and subscriptions to Netflix streaming and HULU plus, for a total of about $15 a month. That gives us pretty much everything we need.
If you are a big sports fan this wouldn't work for you, and you can't watch the Oscars/Emmys/Grammys if that kind of thing appeals to you, but otherwise... I think we ended up paying $90/month when we last had cable.
And I found myself idly watching the Kardashians, so I knew that *had* to stop.
Sep 23rd 2013, 3:11 pm
#49
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: tell me the positives!
so, let me know if I have this right. If I go to a store and buy a tv, take it home and plug it in will I get any free to air tv channels?
is there an equivalent to a tv licence?
let me just say thanks to you all for posting it really is a mine of useful info. Thanks very much.
is there an equivalent to a tv licence?
let me just say thanks to you all for posting it really is a mine of useful info. Thanks very much.
Sep 23rd 2013, 3:14 pm
#50
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: tell me the positives!
so, let me know if I have this right. If I go to a store and buy a tv, take it home and plug it in will I get any free to air tv channels?
is there an equivalent to a tv licence?
let me just say thanks to you all for posting it really is a mine of useful info. Thanks very much.
is there an equivalent to a tv licence?
let me just say thanks to you all for posting it really is a mine of useful info. Thanks very much.
You'd be better off getting a HDTV aerial imo.
Sep 23rd 2013, 3:25 pm
#51
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: tell me the positives!
Just the odd one or two
Sep 23rd 2013, 3:27 pm
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: tell me the positives!
I'm certainly not having a go, (and it might that I am watching entirely too much of Orange Is The New Black, 
) but this sounds like the sort of thing people who have been sent to prison for a long stay say.
People who are here not because this is their dream, but because their partner is from the USA, or they have a job that has brought them here (which is a high proportion of the people on this site, I would say) are forever telling themselves that they have a better standard of living (bigger house, more land, better car, etc.) and that if you relax into it and stop comparing things to back home and try to assimilate you will have an easier time of it. You can't get out, so make the best of it.
While definitely true, it kind of overlooks the fact that you are doing the equivalent of making booze in the toilet and trading ciggies for a shiv.
) but this sounds like the sort of thing people who have been sent to prison for a long stay say.People who are here not because this is their dream, but because their partner is from the USA, or they have a job that has brought them here (which is a high proportion of the people on this site, I would say) are forever telling themselves that they have a better standard of living (bigger house, more land, better car, etc.) and that if you relax into it and stop comparing things to back home and try to assimilate you will have an easier time of it. You can't get out, so make the best of it.
While definitely true, it kind of overlooks the fact that you are doing the equivalent of making booze in the toilet and trading ciggies for a shiv.
Sep 23rd 2013, 4:25 pm
#53
Northern Monkey!
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 530
Re: tell me the positives!
I'm certainly not having a go, (and it might that I am watching entirely too much of Orange Is The New Black, ) but this sounds like the sort of thing people who have been sent to prison for a long stay say.
People who are here not because this is their dream, but because their partner is from the USA, or they have a job that has brought them here (which is a high proportion of the people on this site, I would say) are forever telling themselves that they have a better standard of living (bigger house, more land, better car, etc.) and that if you relax into it and stop comparing things to back home and try to assimilate you will have an easier time of it. You can't get out, so make the best of it.
While definitely true, it kind of overlooks the fact that you are doing the equivalent of making booze in the toilet and trading ciggies for a shiv.
) but this sounds like the sort of thing people who have been sent to prison for a long stay say.People who are here not because this is their dream, but because their partner is from the USA, or they have a job that has brought them here (which is a high proportion of the people on this site, I would say) are forever telling themselves that they have a better standard of living (bigger house, more land, better car, etc.) and that if you relax into it and stop comparing things to back home and try to assimilate you will have an easier time of it. You can't get out, so make the best of it.
While definitely true, it kind of overlooks the fact that you are doing the equivalent of making booze in the toilet and trading ciggies for a shiv.
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:30 pm
#54
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: tell me the positives!
People who are here not because this is their dream, but because their partner is from the USA, or they have a job that has brought them here (which is a high proportion of the people on this site, I would say) are forever telling themselves that they have a better standard of living (bigger house, more land, better car, etc.) and that if you relax into it and stop comparing things to back home and try to assimilate you will have an easier time of it. You can't get out, so make the best of it.
While definitely true, it kind of overlooks the fact that you are doing the equivalent of making booze in the toilet and trading ciggies for a shiv.
While definitely true, it kind of overlooks the fact that you are doing the equivalent of making booze in the toilet and trading ciggies for a shiv.
Some certainly position themselves within a job and deliberately try to get over here but it's still their job that brought them over.
Maybe I'm splitting hairs here... I think I understand that you're saying that the job moved them rather than them actively trying to come over.
I think it is what you make of it. I love it here. I love the heat, the size of the houses, the bigger cars and the fact that I'm not still working at 9pm at night because I'm dealing with American clients! It suits me here - I go in early (leave the house 5-5.30am) and get home early. I couldn't do that in the UK - its not the done thing to turn up at 6am in the UK and leave at 3 - here it's quite common.
Of course there are personal reasons that make me happy here too. I married an American (I got over here on my own though) which certainly helped me to settle here and my inlaws are in Houston and I get on great with them. I also chose to come over - I wasn't forced - it was my own decision to come over.
I also have a much better job than I did in the UK even though I'm with the same company so that certainly helps me too (I came over to set up an office for my company).
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:37 pm
#55
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,027
Re: tell me the positives!
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:42 pm
#56
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: tell me the positives!
Maybe it's just my company! They all go in late and go home late.
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:53 pm
#57
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,027
Sep 23rd 2013, 6:13 pm
#58
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: tell me the positives!
The positives - Different type of landscape and wildlife....whether you get the time and ability to go enjoy it or not is another question, but it is different and can be lovely.
Different base as a hub for holidays to other countries or states, but again, as above, if you've got the time to enjoy it.
Foods different, probably get pretty decent Mexican/Cuban/other south American foods, at a guess, Brazilian or Guatemalan etc.
Get to drive stupidly big cars and trucks if you want....and shoot things, lots of things, with big and/or fast shooting guns.
Probably get more premier league footy over here now than in the UK.
Different, but decent seafood, probably for cheap down there, and same with fruits.
If you're a fan of the 80's, you could probably grow a mullet and fit right in and do your grocery shop at Walmart in your PJ's.
Pretty decent micro brew scene in a lot of places.
If you're into hiking or water sports, you probably have a good chance of enjoying it around the area.
Different base as a hub for holidays to other countries or states, but again, as above, if you've got the time to enjoy it.
Foods different, probably get pretty decent Mexican/Cuban/other south American foods, at a guess, Brazilian or Guatemalan etc.
Get to drive stupidly big cars and trucks if you want....and shoot things, lots of things, with big and/or fast shooting guns.
Probably get more premier league footy over here now than in the UK.
Different, but decent seafood, probably for cheap down there, and same with fruits.
If you're a fan of the 80's, you could probably grow a mullet and fit right in and do your grocery shop at Walmart in your PJ's.
Pretty decent micro brew scene in a lot of places.
If you're into hiking or water sports, you probably have a good chance of enjoying it around the area.
