American living in the UK (for 10 years)!

Hi All,

I'm an American living in the UK for almost 10 years now, my hubby is british and I moved here after originally meeting him on the internet! We have two little boys (4 and almost 2) and live in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
I love England but lately have been getting a bit fed up of certain things and really want to move back to the US. I don't know many people here and have found it hard to meet any 'real' friends. Oh well - i will soldier on!
It will be nice to visit this site and see what other americans are doing in the UK.
Tobi. 

Hi Todi,

You are not alone.  I am coming up to my 10-year anniversary, as well, and still do not have what I could call a "friend" here in Britain.  Still, I would not move back.

Hang in there.

Mike

Hello and welcome to UKY

Almost 10 for me too. I certainly can understand your feelings!
 

Only five for me.  My sister in law lives in Chippenham, but we don't get over there often since we live on the other side of the country. 

Hi Tobi, you're no where near alone, I'm in Chippenham too. Luckily for me I met my best mate through this site and she's just down the road in Melksham where I used to live. Feel free to send me a PM or email.

Welcome to the site!

Hiya old timer...

Your not alone...I have been here almost 14 years....

Yep, 7 years for me.

And I must say, as reassuring as it is (its not just ME!!) to see that so many others have struggled to settle and/or make friends...It does make me wonder why that is. What is it about Americans that quite a few of us seem to struggle to make friends here?

I would also love to go back to the states. I have a 19 month old little girl and I would really like to raise her in America. It just seems pretty impossible as we don't have the savings or the assets to do it. And it seems rather complicated. Also, my hubby has a rare-ish autoimmune disorder called Polymyositis, so health care coverage is NOT negotiable for us as he is on daily medication and bi-monthly blood monitoring. Oh well....maybe one day!    lol

Welcome Tobi!

I'm a UK Noob, having been here just over a year in total.

I guess it depends on where you are and what is available in regards to meeting people.  That said, I've met a few people...have several acquaintances, but friends specifically...I have 2.  Both of them American.

The friendship dynamic seems different here.  Even the family dynamic.  I've been trying to pinpoint it for me, but the only thing I can come up with is that I can't seem to count on people. not even family. The ties that bond aren't very tight at all.

That makes me a bit stir crazy.  I had tons of friends, many who were and are close.  We seek each other out, just to hang.  Here, it seems people seek you out to get something from you or stop long enough for tea and then scram.  I'm not used to it as an american and even more as a Hispanic.

Getting involved in the community is starting to help me.  But do you have any insight after 10 years as to what it could be, for you?

Wow and here I was beginning to think something was wrong with me.  Have only been here 9 months but it seems like years some days.  When I speak to friends back in Texas they all think it is way to cool that I am living here. 

This is my second time to live international, I lived five years in venezuela.  There was a great international group.  Some were there with families and others single like me.  The living conditions were not anywhere as nice as I have found in the UK, but had no problems making friends.

No, you're not alone. I've been here nearly 9 years and I'm feeling the urgings to go back home. Ever since having my daughters, I just want to be with my family and raise them in America.  However, there is no way we could afford such a big change and I have no doubt in my mind that my husband wouldn't be able to cope with the move and it would ultimately end our marriage.

So I'm stuck here. It's a good thing I have a place like UKY to sound off.

Welcome (back).