US or Them
Jul 14th 2005, 9:18 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: US or Them
Been over here 3 years now and have decided to return home in 2, no one can say we did not give it long enough.
Jul 14th 2005, 9:35 pm
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
Blimey they can't be in Spain then. Utilities over there are :scared: expensive.
Jul 14th 2005, 9:54 pm
#18
C.G.D.S
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by LeedsGirl
I am going back for three weeks at Christmas and plan to look at some houses over there with the hope that in the future we could move there. Hubbie is not keen right now but who knows
Jul 14th 2005, 9:55 pm
#19
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by ImHere
Ahh but you dont need half of what you have here to have a good life there. My Parents monthly outgoings are about 200 Euros for a largish villa on an acre of land, 2 cars, 1 motorbike, 1 motorhome. Food is much, much cheaper there too.
Jul 14th 2005, 9:57 pm
#20
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
Genius plan. Sadly Mr Sibsie is always one step ahead of me so any skulduggery on my part re moving home would get a swift kick in the califlours. I need a super super genius plan, the likes of which have never previously been seen.
Of course, those homes will "sell" before you could possibly get it together to move back.
Jul 14th 2005, 9:58 pm
#21
C.G.D.S
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by snowbunny
what about health care, though?
Jul 14th 2005, 9:59 pm
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Bay Area, from Plymouth UK
Posts: 318
Re: US or Them
My wife and I are both Brits. We came over here because of my job - actually, we were dating when I took the plunge to come out here, and she wouldn't relocate unless/until we were married 
Anyway, she loves it over here - probably more than I do. We've never talked about retirement, but my hope is to go back at some undefined point in the future.
Its now 9 years since we got married, and only this year did we finally get all the wedding presents shipped over from the UK
So I guess that means we are here for the long haul - whatever that may be.
We had our first child in December, and thats got me thinking how I want her to grow up. My preference would really be for her to be educated in England, partly because I've seen the result of my English nephew grow up here, and he's a total Yank.
So that would mean moving back to the UK in the not too distant future, supposing 'er indoors is up for it. Housing wouldn't be a problem - we still have a house in Plymouth (which is empty), and because of the small mortgage we could easily rent out our US house and cover our costs.
Don't fancy shipping all those wedding presents back though
Anyway, she loves it over here - probably more than I do. We've never talked about retirement, but my hope is to go back at some undefined point in the future.
Its now 9 years since we got married, and only this year did we finally get all the wedding presents shipped over from the UK
So I guess that means we are here for the long haul - whatever that may be.We had our first child in December, and thats got me thinking how I want her to grow up. My preference would really be for her to be educated in England, partly because I've seen the result of my English nephew grow up here, and he's a total Yank.
So that would mean moving back to the UK in the not too distant future, supposing 'er indoors is up for it. Housing wouldn't be a problem - we still have a house in Plymouth (which is empty), and because of the small mortgage we could easily rent out our US house and cover our costs.
Don't fancy shipping all those wedding presents back though
Originally Posted by Dimsie
If I could, I'd go back tomorrow. But like you, I'm stuck because of my husband's preferences - almost entirely due to family. He enjoyed living in England, and could see the advantages!
My ideal scenario would be to afford a rented flat somewhere in the North, so that we could spend time in both countries. But that would be too expensive, all things considered.
Flights, overheads...etc.
My ideal scenario would be to afford a rented flat somewhere in the North, so that we could spend time in both countries. But that would be too expensive, all things considered.
Flights, overheads...etc.
Jul 14th 2005, 10:00 pm
#23
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
If you're over pension age, then it's free.
Same hold for the south of France in case I win enough of a lottery pool to afford the digs?
Jul 14th 2005, 10:11 pm
#24
Re vera, potas bene.
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Cod MA..Davenport FL
Posts: 2,405
Re: US or Them
I always thought we would go back.....but now I'm not sure.......
Jul 14th 2005, 10:19 pm
#25
Professional Mover
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Derry, NH Via Salem, NH via Ma, NC, ex Manchester, UK.
Posts: 670
Re: US or Them
Can't see myself staying here forever. The wife says she'll think about moving to the UK if I become a US citizen so it'd be easier to return. Not sure when that'll happen though, after 2 years here and no green card as yet!
Jul 14th 2005, 11:12 pm
#26
C.G.D.S
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by snowbunny
The quality is good? Do you have to be an EU citizen to receive free care? (I am a USC.)
Same hold for the south of France in case I win enough of a lottery pool to afford the digs?
Same hold for the south of France in case I win enough of a lottery pool to afford the digs?
The quality is ok. Spain is very much a family place and as such the hospitals don't provide meals etc., they expect the families to do that. I'd say it's comparable with the NHS minus the waiting times.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:34 pm
#27
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Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
If you're over pension age, then it's free. Otherwise you either pay into the Spanish system or get private coverage. Private is a kazillion times cheaper than over here though. I didn't have it but went to a private doc and it was only 20 euries a pop. Most drugs, even hard core painkillers are over the counter and again, squadoodles times cheaper than the UK or US.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:36 pm
#28
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Posts: n/a
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
My knowledge only really extends to living there as an EU person. You'd have to be able to get in there first, but I *think* that once you're there legally, you're good to go.
The quality is ok. Spain is very much a family place and as such the hospitals don't provide meals etc., they expect the families to do that. I'd say it's comparable with the NHS minus the waiting times.
The quality is ok. Spain is very much a family place and as such the hospitals don't provide meals etc., they expect the families to do that. I'd say it's comparable with the NHS minus the waiting times.
Oh and on the cost of medications front, my father has high blood pressure and has to take tablets every day which I believe cost them 15Euros per month. If I recall the same pills over here would set them back over $100 per month.
Jul 14th 2005, 11:39 pm
#29
Return of bouncing girl!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: The Fourth Reich
Posts: 4,931
Re: US or Them
Originally Posted by sibsie
If you're over pension age, then it's free. Otherwise you either pay into the Spanish system or get private coverage. Private is a kazillion times cheaper than over here though. I didn't have it but went to a private doc and it was only 20 euries a pop. Most drugs, even hard core painkillers are over the counter and again, squadoodles times cheaper than the UK or US.
Where did squadoodles come from? That's my new favourite word!
Jul 14th 2005, 11:41 pm
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,113
Re: US or Them
I want to be where my wife is, so I don't see me going "home" any time soon, which is fine by me as I love it here.