AndyP11

My wife and I are at the very early stages of looking at getting an E2 visa, heading out to FL (probably Orange County) and buying a business and so on.

Major lifestyle change for us, but we've wanted to do it for 10 years and we're not getting any younger. We've run a biz in the UK for 18 years so we're familiar with the pitfalls and benefits etc.

We don't have a huge freind circle in the UK because we work pretty unsociable hours. Despite this I guess one of the biggest worries when/if we get out to FL is a feeling of loneliness being separated from the friends we have and of course our family.

Does anyone know of any active Ex-Pats groups in central FL or Orange County? Just thought that may be a way to put that worry to bed.

Nutmegger

If you are so keen to move to the US, why do you want to immediately think of socializing with ex-pats? Why not concentrate on getting to know your new US neighbors? Ways of meeting people include joining or volunteering at an organization that interests you -- the dog pound, the library, sailing club, whatever. Please don't limit your socialization -- you will have a much better immigrant experience if you look ahead, rather than back!

Poppy girl

You are moving to Florida so you won't have any problems meeting British Expats its flooded with them....but this page will be a start for you and you can search from there on to maybe a closer location or activity that might be of interest to you.

http://www.meetup.com/find/?keywords...o=true&events=

Awesome Welles

I'm struggling to think of a more ghastly concept. Try integrating, an alien concept for some, I'm sure - but much better than having to endure pissing/moaning/sunburned English people whinging about how their lawncare business is going down the shitter and how unfair everything is.
New life - new people - new outlook - new direction.

steve100100

Try mixing with the locals. Americans, generally, are very nice people. I married one.

Seeking out Brits who will be whinging about the bread and bacon won't help you adjust to life in a foreign country.

Bob

That's what BE is for

Oh, and tot he OP, welcome to BE!

Burn1911

You stole my line

That seems to be the general tone of conversations on BE lately!!

To the OP welcome to BE and enjoy the journey, you will find some friends it is the natural course of life!!

lansbury

Why would anyone complain about the bread and bacon. I'm sure no-one on here every has.

meauxna

Nice Freudian slip.

gradboy

I'm gonna disagree with this and similar sentiments. America can be a slightly alien culture beneath the surface, as we all know: other expats are people we have at least some things in common with. No need to get 'my America' syndrome.

dunroving

Well, I just read the article and can't see much relevance to your point - Japan does not equal America being the most glaring irrelevance. the article is also primarily about work culture, and the OP is worried about being lonely.

Sure, I used to enjoy the reassuringly comfortable conversations I had with a family of fellow expats when I worked in the States, but surely one of the main reasons for choosing to live overseas is to experience a different culture, rather than find your own "Little Britain" in the middle of New York.

I wouldn't deliberately shun a fellow expat, but I wouldn't actively seek them out in order to have a comfort blanket, either. Images of Torremolinos, "British" pubs on the Costa Brava, and cravings for fish and chips and Marmite just make me want to ask "Why?"

Having said all that, the idea of going completely native is also a bit creepy - trying to escape your Britishness seems a little dysfunctional.

p.s. I currently live in Scotland and it has a much more alien culture (for me) than I found in the US.

Ray

God!! Whorlando is Orange country ...it depresses me to even think about visiting there ..with all the whining Brit there... I am 100 miles away and I
need that gap

Derrygal

Are you kidding? Do you honestly believe that? Wow - you should really start looking for a job back in England (or the US).

Awesome Welles

I feel that it is possible and normal to integrate with the society around you, without losing your national identity.

The thought of conciously seeking out fellow English types to band together with, because the indiginous population are 'not like me' is rather obnoxious.

If you need to be parochial to be comfortable, you're probably better off staying in the UK.

dunroving

I felt a lot more welcome where I lived in the States than I have done living here. Over 4 years now and I still only know people relatively superficially. Mind you, Glaswegians are a bit dour, and I have a lot less free time here.

I've been looking for a job in the US for over 2 years now (in fact I've had two interviews).