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Originally posted by frrussre Jim, only problem with non USA beds the local bedding will not fit. Idid buy 2 Twin/single beds from IKEA couple of years ago. Seem very good quality & good price. Normally do not like IKEA stuff, but these have turned out to be great value. Mens & womans, good quality business suits, I find at least double UK price. Ditto top of the line shoes & shirts. Reg. Frank R. Back to the original thread: Antiques, art, personal belongings, PC, clothes. Electrical give wide berth, don't bother. Jim:confused: |
Re: What is expensive?
Originally posted by jimcheal Hi all you wonderful dream fulfillers. We are moving to the states in a few months. Can anyone give us some information on what is expensive out there compared to the UK. Stuff that we can take with us. I'm not talking about tea bags. You know general things sucha s furniture, clothes etc Jim The way to get around this is: buy/bring British branded clothes and on arrival in the US, *invest* in a front loading washing machine. Note the highlight to the word invest. Front loading washing machines are relatively new to the US and are slowly catching on and at the present time more expensive than top loading washing machines. NC Penguin |
Generally US - UK bedding does not fit. You could shop around & find odd sizes. US bigger beds than UK. Pillows also different sizes.
Tough one is Duvet covers, usually pretty grim designs here. Also can pay big bucks, our cover/sheets/shams cost us in excess of $600 for soft good quality. lots of the ones sold here are like sandpaper & not meant to be directly against skin. Yanks use a top sheet + duvet/comforter. See in the movies they use Duvet NO COVER, UGH! Bed Bath & beyond have some nice stuff. Some people buy 2 sheets & sew together, get your own choice of fabric etc, save money. Frank R. |
Re: What is expensive?
Originally posted by NC Penguin I tend to find that clothing in the US is poorer in quality than in the UK and add to that the American washing machines (top loading), then clothes do not last as long as in the UK. The way to get around this is: buy/bring British branded clothes and on arrival in the US, *invest* in a front loading washing machine. Note the highlight to the word invest. Front loading washing machines are relatively new to the US and are slowly catching on and at the present time more expensive than top loading washing machines. NC Penguin :( Jim |
Re: What is expensive?
Originally posted by NC Penguin I tend to find that clothing in the US is poorer in quality than in the UK and add to that the American washing machines (top loading), then clothes do not last as long as in the UK. The way to get around this is: buy/bring British branded clothes and on arrival in the US, *invest* in a front loading washing machine. Note the highlight to the word invest. Front loading washing machines are relatively new to the US and are slowly catching on and at the present time more expensive than top loading washing machines. My wife had a problem in the UK with British washing machines - swearing that they damaged her clothes, ... or was it that the detergent damaged her clothes. :confused: Personally I don't think that it makes a difference either way! :D I bought most of my clothes from the US long before I ever met my wife (a US citizen) and before I even visited the US. I find the prices to be lower and the quality better than anything I could find in the UK. Not only that, US long fittings actually fit me, and that is no small consideration when you're 6'5"! :D |
I may not be the best advice giver. We only brought clothes, personal items, antiques, art etc, expensive kitchen knives, tools Non Electric. And my sons toys. Mid 80's to now I still go to my UK stored stuff, look thru and give it away. Find the odd size clothes, bell bottoms.
Reg. Frank R. |
Pulaski I don't know where you shopped in Uk or where you shop here in the US, and your wife must have boil washed the clothes if she found UK machines inferior to US. Sorry there is no comparison- the washing machines here are the worst! They are huge, crude, inferior objects that are terribly hard on clothes, ripping in many cases- I detest them! They have 3 programmes at most- no boil wash, the 'delicates' wash is a joke. After 11 years of cursing every time I do the laundry- frontloaders have finally appeared in the stores -woohooo!!! Only trouble is I have to save up to get one- $1800 for a washing machine (that still isn't up to European technology) is flipping expensive.
All kitchen appliances in US are antiquated compared to the European version. Don't get me started on the cookers, ovens. It took me a few years to find a fairly decent electric kettle- and I still haven't found a cordless iron. One exception - the fridges are BIG- they don't last too long here in Florida, but they are big. There are people who ship in European kitchens and have changed the electrics in the whole house, but it costs big bucks. My advice- hit Marks and Spencer and stock up on underwear etc The quality here is cheap.... underwear lasts about 6 months- even the top dollar stuff. Clothes are cheaper here, but mostly everything is better quality in UK. Even if you pay big money here, you don't get the same quality. My hubby wished he'd bought a ton of Mark's shirts for work. I only brought what I couldn't live without- personal effects, books and luckily all my china and kitchenware... and let the kids bring what they wanted to, but if I had my time over again I would bring much much more. Beds and all the bedding- even pillows (they don't last long here), furniture (and had I known that there was an Englishman in the area who could convert the electrics, I would have brought all kitchen applicances except the fridge). If your children wear Clarks- you won't get properly fitted shoes here, so I would buy a few sizes bigger for each to last till the next trip home. As a footnote and OT- if you like your cuppa tea- bring as many teabags as you can carry. The tea here is awful, and its expensive buying British tea from Brit shops. Food in general, I find more expensive here in the US. The staples like bread, milk, potatoes etc in particular. Example, I pay over $2 a loaf for ordinary wheat sliced. And work this one out- oranges are more expensive here in Florida than they are in Wales!!!! |
Horses for courses I guess - I personally loved getting back to a decent top loader after putting up with front loaders for years in a flat in London. Ours has 18 programmes (just counted them:D ) and gets things really clean - used it for 6 months now and nothing ruined yet. And they are huge - great with 2 kids and sweaty weather!
Apart from that I would agree with the comment on most of the other kitchen equipt. Microwaves are from the 80's, and don't get me started on the coffee machines. And hoovers....if oyu want an upright, fine, but if you want a cylinder, forget it! Don't know about clothes quality - not bought any yet. |
Vacs, I bought a Miele for $800 (My local NYC store has some for over a $1000). Great stuff but crazy price. Same model same attachments in John Lewis UK $300. Plus the UK model is 1500/1600w mine is 1100 watt. I called up Miele USA, they said they can't make the 1500w models for USA 110v not powerful enough ????? Re the price they can't do anything about that.
I had a fairly expensive Hoover in USA, I was did not work very well. I took it apart, Wow! i found out why no suction, the motor was about the size of a baseball. Piece of junk. Yes US electronics may be cheap, but generally poor quality. Short warranty. Even SONY USA, $1000 product, 90 day warranty, now that’s confidence for you. Reg. Frank R. |
Originally posted by Taffyles Pulaski I don't know where you shopped in Uk or where you shop here in the US, and your wife must have boil washed the clothes if she found UK machines inferior to US. Sorry there is no comparison- the washing machines here are the worst! They are huge, crude, inferior objects that are terribly hard on clothes, ripping in many cases- I detest them! They have 3 programmes at most- no boil wash, the 'delicates' wash is a joke. After 11 years of cursing every time I do the laundry- frontloaders have finally appeared in the stores -woohooo!!! Only trouble is I have to save up to get one- $1800 for a washing machine (that still isn't up to European technology) is flipping expensive. All kitchen appliances in US are antiquated compared to the European version. Don't get me started on the cookers, ovens. It took me a few years to find a fairly decent electric kettle- and I still haven't found a cordless iron. One exception - the fridges are BIG- they don't last too long here in Florida, but they are big. There are people who ship in European kitchens and have changed the electrics in the whole house, but it costs big bucks. My advice- hit Marks and Spencer and stock up on underwear etc The quality here is cheap.... underwear lasts about 6 months- even the top dollar stuff. Clothes are cheaper here, but mostly everything is better quality in UK. Even if you pay big money here, you don't get the same quality. My hubby wished he'd bought a ton of Mark's shirts for work. I only brought what I couldn't live without- personal effects, books and luckily all my china and kitchenware... and let the kids bring what they wanted to, but if I had my time over again I would bring much much more. Beds and all the bedding- even pillows (they don't last long here), furniture (and had I known that there was an Englishman in the area who could convert the electrics, I would have brought all kitchen applicances except the fridge). If your children wear Clarks- you won't get properly fitted shoes here, so I would buy a few sizes bigger for each to last till the next trip home. As a footnote and OT- if you like your cuppa tea- bring as many teabags as you can carry. The tea here is awful, and its expensive buying British tea from Brit shops. Food in general, I find more expensive here in the US. The staples like bread, milk, potatoes etc in particular. Example, I pay over $2 a loaf for ordinary wheat sliced. And work this one out- oranges are more expensive here in Florida than they are in Wales!!!! I get the picture in regard to the US technos not being up to scratch. I'm interested in this idea of getting the electrics converted. How does that work? Are there converters you can purchase? Are they expensive? I guess that it all boils down to the reasons we are moving to Florida, the weather, opportunites etc....Having all you've said when are you moving back to WALES! I guess there are some prices that are worth paying for the lifestyle you live, don't you think? Is it not the case that generally, overall, all things being equal you are better off in the US? JIM:confused: |
In about 8-10 yrs- as soon as we can retire. We intend to spend at least 6-8 months of the year in Wales, the rest of the year out here ( I have 3 adult children and a grandson here).
Personally, I could earn much more back in UK - my husband earns more here. I'm not one of those who moved to US because I hated UK- we had a very good life there. Are we better off? in terms of monthly salary - yes. In other ways - no. And one thing is for sure- my husband would have been retiring comfortably next year had we stayed in UK. But I'm not the best one to ask- as I said I didn't come here for a better life- I came because of my husband was sent out here by a British Company. it all depends on your frame of reference as to how people find living out here- come from Glasgow inner city and you'll probably think its paradise. We'd already lived abroad early in our marriage and knew that the grass wasn't always greener. As for the electrics, I heard of an English fella living locally in Sarasota (AFTER we had moved :( ) who converts house electrics so you can use all European appliances. I haven't a clue how its done, but I know it can be done somehow. |
Originally posted by Yorkieabroad Horses for courses I guess - I personally loved getting back to a decent top loader after putting up with front loaders for years in a flat in London. Ours has 18 programmes (just counted them:D ) and gets things really clean - used it for 6 months now and nothing ruined yet. And they are huge - great with 2 kids and sweaty weather! Apart from that I would agree with the comment on most of the other kitchen equipt. Microwaves are from the 80's, and don't get me started on the coffee machines. And hoovers....if oyu want an upright, fine, but if you want a cylinder, forget it! Don't know about clothes quality - not bought any yet. What washing machine have you got?? I want one!!! Not even the "new" frontloaders appearing in the stores have 18 programmes! I'm beginning to think Florida is really a backwater State. It's not the toploading that gets me..its the agitator (like the old fashioned twin tub, my grandmother had) that I fight with. Now the tumble dryers are good, at least they are really big. And I do like the fridges. Accck - vacuum's! I haven't found a really good one, and I've lost count of how many we've had over the years. What about the hobs and ovens..omg! At least they're big, that's the best thing I can say about them. |
Originally posted by Taffyles ...... My hubby wished he'd bought a ton of Mark's shirts for work. .... Look at the front loader w/ms at Lowes, they have a new fancy German one for about $1,200. BTW it was the detergents in the UK that my wife had a problem with. But I still don't know what you are doing with your machine to rip clothes? Maybe you are over loading it? .... when we had a US top-loader she rarely put much more into it than could be crammed into a British front loader. We now have a Maytag (Americcan made) front-loader and it was about $900, I thinik. |
Originally posted by jimcheal I stated this thread off buy asking whats expensive in the Uk compared to the US as we are moving over shortly. What we should take with us. I get the picture in regard to the US technos not being up to scratch. I'm interested in this idea of getting the electrics converted. How does that work? Are there converters you can purchase? Are they expensive? I guess that it all boils down to the reasons we are moving to Florida, the weather, opportunites etc....Having all you've said when are you moving back to WALES! I guess there are some prices that are worth paying for the lifestyle you live, don't you think? Is it not the case that generally, overall, all things being equal you are better off in the US? JIM:confused: If you are coming over here for good, then take what America has, and learn to live with it. Americans don't seem to have a problem with electrical appliances - and they seem just fine to me too. You'll create a life of stress and grief if you go on pining for things from the UK. The internet message boards have given a platform to many different people, and I have discovered that British expats living in America are devided into those who love life here and those that see nothing but problems and wonder how Americans manage. I am one of the former, but listen to too many of the nay-sayers and you'll wonder about the wisdom of coming at all. British laundry appliances were fine, I never had a problem, and although US machines are bigger they work the same way. I doubt that clothes care which way they are pointing when they are sloshed back and forth! :D So far as all the programs go, I mostly used one in the UK, and occasionally a second, and that is the same here - our machine has more programs than we'll ever use. Kettle? I don't own one, Americans don't have them and that is why they are hard to find. There is no demand. You want coffee? ... buy a coffee maker, tea? ... put the bags in the coffee maker too, that's what my wife does. I don't drink hot tea, only iced tea, but it's me that it British! Clothes? I'll concede that underwear is cheaper at M&S, socks especially, but as I am still living off my M&S stock-pile I can't comment on US ones. Having said that I'll probably stock up on M&S's best the next time I go back. :D To answer your original question, bring what ever you have, to avoid having to shop for everything when you arrive, but don't bring large electrical appliances, or small cheap ones either. If you have a good hi-fi that'll work perfectly on a good quality transformer, and your computer should be OK too. |
Originally posted by Pulaski Things are different here Jim, and some expats have the biggest problem with that. America is different from the UK, and that's about all I can say. If you are coming over here for good, then take what America has, and learn to live with it. Americans don't seem to have a problem with electrical appliances - and they seem just fine to me too. You'll create a life of stress and grief if you go on pining for things from the UK. The internet message boards have given a platform to many different people, and I have discovered that British expats living in America are devided into those who love life here and those that see nothing but problems and wonder how Americans manage. I am one of the former, but listen to too many of the nay-sayers and you'll wonder about the wisdom of coming at all. British laundry appliances were fine, I never had a problem, and although US machines are bigger they work the same way. I doubt that clothes care which way they are pointing when they are sloshed back and forth! :D So far as all the programs go, I mostly used one in the UK, and occasionally a second, and that is the same here - our machine has more programs than we'll ever use. Kettle? I don't own one, Americans don't have them and that is why they are hard to find. There is no demand. You want coffee? ... buy a coffee maker, tea? ... put the bags in the coffee maker too, that's what my wife does. I don't drink hot tea, only iced tea, but it's me that it British! Clothes? I'll concede that underwear is cheaper at M&S, socks especially, but as I am still living off my M&S stock-pile I can't comment on US ones. Having said that I'll probably stock up on M&S's best the next time I go back. :D To answer your original question, bring what ever you have, to avoid having to shop for everything when you arrive, but don't bring large electrical appliances, or small cheap ones either. If you have a good hi-fi that'll work perfectly on a good quality transformer, and your computer should be OK too. You don't make it in this country if you are a negative, pessimistic person who can only see problems and can't accept the differences...but before you can accept, you have to know what the differences are! We've been here 11 years (and made it) and seen a lot of expats come and go- the first ones back on the plane are the ones expecting everything to be wonderful...many of them get a rude awakening when they have to deal with the reality of living here. Oh and there are plenty of kettles for sale, and plenty of Americans have a kettle, but they are the old whistle type you boil on the stove :D Most Americans haven't had the benefit of European appliances, so don't know the difference, people coming from the UK will soon find out for themselves. |
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