london_calling

Indeed, but not for an easy long weekend such as from the UK.

johnwoo

If that's what you want, then you are obviously in the wrong country.
Something I would think you would be aware of before you came.

markonline1

I agree with the earlier comment that a lot of Americans are brainwashed into believing this is the greatest country in the world. That said, I enjoy it here. Having a good job defintly helps. I don't have the best paid job in the world, but it pays enough to allow me to do the things I want and I enjoy it. I've found the accent goes a long way over here to. Sure occasionally have to put up with the fascination of 1776 (people here can't believe that the war isn't taught in UK schools. I delight in telling them we have a lot more history to chose from when selecting what gets taught). I'm lucky in that I've got a couple of real good friends here too. One, we constantly refer to each other by increasingly derogatory words, it's almost like he's English. I think I'm fairly fortunate though. If I really didn't enjoy it here, 8i think I'd be looking to head back home.

scrubbedexpat097

The one thing I have found over the years we have lived here is there is always something to see and do. Free, cheap or expensive, 1 hour away or 10 hours and there are certainly some beautiful and spectacular views and scenery to see.

I also have found over the years that a weekend trip of travel 300 or 400miles away is nothing, but doing that in the UK would mean a weeks vacation!

DebzinUS

I have lived in the US for thirty years. I live in SW GA, the buckle of the bible belt. It's a bloody nightmare, so yes, religion is an issue for me. I was actually reported to my HR Dept, for being a "non believer".

My American husband died two years ago, I would have left then, but I have two adult sons that are American. As my sons are here, I live here. I am fortunate that I have a ton of paid time off, and that I can go back to the UK and spend time with my mum and sisters on a regular basis. I have spent the last couple of summers in the UK, by the end of August I am ready to come back to the US. I have a lifestyle here that I don't think that I could have in the UK. I am trying (with some success) to have the best of both worlds.

london_calling

I fully agree but the same is true of Europe. That was my point. Btw I see you're in Texas. I recently had a very enjoyable weekend in Austin, despite the insane heat!

scrubbedexpat097

We are on the gulf Coast which is not as pretty as Austin but we spend a lot of our time off riding our trike along the coast. It's relaxing

It takes time to get the " but this isn't Europe " feeling out of your head. If you settle you will appreciate your surroundings more and hey, Europe isn't going anywhere. You might not visit so often but when you do you will probably see it differently ( and I mean that in a good way)

johnwoo

but was it meaningful.

london_calling

In the same way as a decent night out in Williamsburg, yes.

deadshoppingmalls

I did San Francisco to Bilbao for a wedding on a long weekend

Worked thursday and flew evening via London, into Bilbao Friday afternoon. Wedding Saturday (it being a spanish wedding...we were dancing till 5am), ate my body weight in tapas on Sunday afternoon and evening, flew back on Monday - back at my desk Tuesday morning before going to Asia for a business trip that Thursday for 2 weeks

Would do it again in a heart beat.

sherbert

Perspective from Bay Area here:

I have come to terms with the fact that I have to change what I feel are 'qualities' if I am to remain sane.

This does depend on where you work and your industry. My OH (techy) has unlimited time off. Before his company changed to unlimited recently he had 20 days off a year which is a lot for US companies. I did just read on another forum about a woman 'going back to work after the baby part time, 30-35 hours a week' and almost snorted. PART TIME!

For us the price of flights is prohibitive most of the time. We're exploring the US instead: it's vast, there is no need to ever leave it, which is why most Americans don't.

It is. To be fair though, the quality of care we have received (and my OH has a chronic condition) has been exemplary. The costs, the admin, the willingness to hand our hardcore pharmaceuticals to anyone all the time is a joke.


Don't have this problem but that's because here in SF we are basically an Indian/Chinese majority so no one bats an eyelash at the accent. The humour, yes, I've given up too after getting into too many awkward situations. I search out British people and that is the only way.

See above. Although I have met far more 'genuine' people from the East Coast. Not got a single Californian friend. Once they realise you cannot further their career in any way, you are discarded. Plus, people don't go out drinking much (drive an hour to have one drink in a bar). No one over the age of 25 seems to do anything involving alcohol. My local bar shuts at midnight. I'm always the last person in there.

Don't move to SF then. Prices are insane and I will never ever get used to it. Sure we earn more but then you spend all of it on having a roof over your head. Quality is shit. Everyone is out to trick you out of your money.

So yeah I ask myself on a daily basis why I am here. And I still don't really know. The weather is good. I can drive to a ski slope. It's the best place to be if you're in the IT world right now. I miss my friends terribly. I miss my old life terribly. I miss popping out for a quick pint at 10pm and a chat (but then again all my mates are now 'with child' or multiples of them so that probably wouldn't be happening anyway). I do think it's harder to meet people the older you get.

Have you asked your GF if she'd like to move to the UK with you?

deadshoppingmalls

Where in the bay area are you?!?!? I'm in Inner Sunset of San Francisco and all the bars are open till 2am, and it's a healthy mixture of ages in a lot of the time. Likewise..most things we're invited to (at least work related) are booze infested.

We're in our early 30's and are definitely not the oldest in the bars by a longshot.

sherbert

Out in the sticks...

MarylandNed

Which always reminds me of this:


If you go to Canada you'll hear that many Canadians think theirs is the greatest country in the world. Many Australians think Australia is the greatest country. According to this study, they have a better case than the Americans. Although the UK is even higher in these rankings. Maybe you should try there!

America Is Not the Greatest Country on Earth. It’s No. 28 - Bloomberg

mrken30

30% of Americans, those with 4 year college degrees are financially better of and can afford to have a quality of life. The rest, I think are hard done by and unhappy with life. This is reflected in mental health rate, maternal mortality, violent crime and homelessness.

I find it really hard to empathize with the poor here, it must really suck.