New here

Hello,

Living in Santa Cruz, and moving to begin a new post in Chelmsford in January.  Does anyone on this site live in or near Chelmsford? I have been, but any good info would be great.  My adult daughter (22) and late teen son will join later this year.
Nice to have found this site.

helen

Hi Helen
 sorry no info to help you out-- but just wanted to say welcome!

Helena

Santa Cruz? You're JOKING!!! I was brought up in La Selva Beach and went to school in Aptos AND then to Cabrillo. Fled to SF for 10 years but moved back in with my parents for a year before moving here and worked at Bonny Doon Winery!!!! I spent my formative years drinking coffee at Pergolesi. What a crazy small world - I've never come across an expat from SC! My husband and I just spent Thanksgiving there!!!!

I'll have to ask hubby where exactly Chelmsford is. We're in a London suburb in South Buckinghamshire....

Helen!  Great to see you here!!  And fab news that you've finally got a position to come over for!!!

Hope to see more posts from you as the time draws near.  I'm really chuffed to bits for you! 

Hi Helen, welcome to UK Yankee

Thank you all for the warm welcome.  RIght now Boz Scaggs is performing on PBS, boy I just love his songs!  His spark his dimmed since his son died from an OD a couple of years back..very sad.

My good friend Chris and Wendy Miller are from La Selva...I spend every 4th of July there! My daughter attends Cabrillo.
Apprehension lurks just below my thrill of leaving for a country I have longed to live in...The life I know so well changes, and have no idea of what to expect....   What drives someone to uproot and does this nutty thing?  Friends are supportive, but I wonder what they REALLY thinking.
helen

LOL, what a VERY VERY small world.... I actually think I might know who Wendy Miller is, believe it or not! 4th of July in La Selva is so quintisentially small town America - very cute....

I think everyone has a personal reason for uprooting themselves to move country, but underlying every reason is a profound sense of adventure and exploration.... It's so scary and exciting all at once! And BOY does your life ever change!!!!

I'm pretty sure that my friends (two of whom were downright UNsupportive and thought I was absolutely insane) were totally sure that this was a crazy whim on my part and figured I'd be back within a year. Well, it's been nearly a year and a half and I ain't budging! 

Good luck with everything, Helen. You've come to the right place for help and support for sure!!!

I live in Chelmsford and would be happy to show you around. 

Thank you very much.  Any recommendations for where to live?  It will just me for several months, and then my two kids....well I sure hope so.
helen

Thank you very much.  Any recommendations for where to live?  It will just me for several months, and then my two kids....well I sure hope so.
helen

Will you have a car??  Will you be renting?  there are many nice areas in Chelmsford, if you let me know what your needs are, I will be more than willing to help you in anyway.

Merry Xmas...and Happy New Year!
I should be renting for starters..  My position allows for car lease scheme, whatever that is!  I thought I would live somewhere close in Chelmsford  I have been commuting over the hills of Santa Cruz into San Jose for seven years and I am quite tired of spending hours in my car.
My two children are remaining here for now.  Daughter is 22, and my son is sixteen.  He will live with his father until high school is completed, and then come here for college.  In between frequent visits during summer and other holidays.  He will be in France end of march for two weeks during immersion with his french class.
Many times over the last few weeks I have been ready to pull out of this move.  My life here is good,  Kids, family, secure position with the county, really nothing to spur my over the pond..except this unrelenting desire to be there.  But, I have never lived there, and that will be the true test.   Have you come across any significant issues that would changed your mind since arrivng?
Thanks for your communications and willingness to extend your help
helen

Helen,
You ask if we've come across significant challenges that would have changed our minds?  Sure, but so far nothing that's made me want to turn back.  A good sense of adventure comes along with moving to any foreign country.  One thing to be ready for (but not necessarily weary of) is just how different things can be.
If you get a chance, try to take a "Cross-cultural education class" - Cendant Mobility (if you're working with them) has one that's really good.  The languange is similar to, but in many ways different from what you're used to in the U.S.  (i.e. pants means underwear).  This can lead to unexpected events.  My wife came home from work horrified because she accidentally proclaimed to her co-workers "Guess I shouldn't wear pants to the Christmas Party."
Everybody is different, and we all react to change differently.  Try to think of a time in your past when you've had a major change - and handled it successfully.  Then use the same strategies in coming over here.
Good luck,
Stephan

Welcome aboard, Stephan!  Sounds like you two are enjoying the adjustment.  Good on you!