Lurking questions

Hi, I've been lurking on here forever (like years).  While I won't be moving to the UK anytime in the near future (no longer married to Brit that originally drew me to this site) I have an interest of going over some day.  I have some questions about life over there that have been bugging me that I just have to ask.

1. Is the water really that hard?  I don't use a dryer here in the US and don't have crispy clothes like described by some people.

2. Are the kids really that poorly behaved?  Is it area specific, or city vs rural, (like some areas of the US) or is it every where?

This is all I have for the moment, and it's just to satisfy my ignorance.  I'd love to transfer to the UK someday, mainly because it's the only country DS dad would sign off on. 

Thanks in advance

I think the short answer to both is 'it depends'.  It really depends on what area you are talking about.  Just like in the US and other countries, some areas have really hard water and others do not. Some areas have children that misbehave and others do not.  It's really not possible to generalize about these matters.

I live in Cornwall and we don't have hard water. Prior to that, I lived in Pembrokeshire - again, no hard water. Geeta's right - it depends where you live, just as it does in the US.

As for badly behaved children, I can honestly say I've never experienced anything like that! I know some people have, but it depends on the neighbourhood, just as it does in the US.

Hiya - good for you for de-lurking! 

1. In some areas, yes! Lots of lime scale and very hard. I actually don't mind hard water, but others say it's hard on their skin/hair. The lime scale just means (for me anyway) that appliances need a good clean now and then as do draining racks and shower beds. I actually didn't realise that it's hard water that makes air dried towels go crunchy - that's interesting!

2. No. I think in some areas they absolutely are horrible (but isn't that the case everywhere?), and unfortunately that's what gets the attention. Where I live kids are just normal kids - they can get mouthy, but for the most part they're super polite, play together rather than cause trouble, and just act... normal. Cities and really large towns are probably considerably different than rural villages and small towns. We're pretty rural, but right on the edge of larger towns. It also may have to do with the degree of affluence v deprivation.

Thanks, if it helps, if I were to go over with work, it would be eastern Surrey.  I hope that narrows it down some.

I realize that, if I were to go with work, it would be eastern Surrey.  I hope that narrows it down some.

Whereabouts is that?  We're in Guildford and we have hard water.

My kids,  my friends' kids and my kids' friends are all nice normal kids.   The kids where I work are normal kids - a bit mouthy and lazy at times but they are teenagers. 

The office is in Weybridge, but my back of the envelope math says I most likely wouldn't be able to afford it.  I like the look of the areas to the north and west of it though.

The office is in Weybridge, but my back of the envelope math says I most likely wouldn't be able to afford it.  I like the look of the areas to the north and west of it though.

I know where towns are but I suck at directions.  You're probably talking hard water then.

Here is a map.
http://www.dwi.gov.uk/pubs/hardness/index.htm#4

Thanks for the map.  Yep, hard water.  Does anyone know if the Aberdeen are has hard water?

Your welcome

I moved from Guildford to a town about 7 miles away.  The water here is a lot softer then it is in Guildford.  So much so, I don't have a limescale problem at all.  It's still hardish, but nothing like where I was.

So it's possible Weybridge would not be as bad.

I grew up in Croydon - hard, chalky water, but we never used a tumble dryer or clothes conditioner and still don't - but I like 'crispy' towels; you can rub yourself dry much more efficiently!