Hello and... HELP!

Hello everyone.

I've been poking around your site and decided to just jump on in.  Everyone seems very helpful, which is what I need.  So here goes:

There is a good possibility that my husband will be moved to his company's London office in the next 3 or 4 months.  Since we won't know for sure until a month or so before we would have to move, I'm hoping some of you nice people can help me with any suggestions, advice, etc.

In addition to getting all this together in record time (which his company is taking care of, thank God), we have a one-year-old child.  Fortunately, he's young enough that the move won't affect him, but I have no idea what life in a new country would be like with such a young child.  Especially a country I've never been to!

I would love to hear any suggestions anyone may have.  Take pity on a poor girl who's completely in over her head!

Hi Fungirl and welcome first of all!  I think you have already taken the first big step in coming to look for information about the move.  Moving anywhere is a pain but moving to a different nation is that and a whole bunch of other things. It's hard to tell you what will be the hardest for you as each person approaches the move and life in a new country differently.  For now I would say jus to read as much as you can.  Things like Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island help to understand the Brits a bit better.  Be prepared for things that you see on this site.  Smaller everything, not as many open 24-7 stores, British humour etc.    Moving with a child can actually help you get to know people if you join mothers groups and the like.  Don't worry about your child too much as until they are quite a bit older it won't click in that they are someplace that different.  I mean other moms can tell you about the time difference, flying and the like.  I can only tell you that we moved 5 times, 2 within the USA and 3 within Germany by the time I was 5ish and I came out okay.    (Well some might argue that point!)

A lot will also depend on if you like cities or the couintry and where you move to.  Try to find a place that suits your families personality.  If you are used to the wide open spaces and straight wide roads of the mid west for example, living in the middle of London will drive you mad.

Enjoy the site and feel free to post any questions in any of the boards!

Thanks for the advice.  Picked up Bryson's book today from the good ol' library.  It's so hard to figure out how to deal with all of this since nothing is definite.  I'm aware of the "technical" differences of living in the UK (food, appliance, etc), it's the other things I'm not too sure of.  For example, can I use my current car seat for my son, or is it not approved for use there?  How difficult is it to (re)learn a manual transmission AND driving on the other side of the road?  And the whole concept of a national health system is so massively confusing I don't know where to begin....

Okay, sorry about that.  As I stated earlier, I'm in waaaay over my head.  I know it's silly to focus on the little things, but those are always the bits that throw me the most when moving to a completely new area.

Anyway, thanks again.  I'll be sure to take a good look around.

Yes, you can use your car seat.  Depending on where you live, you may not even have a car. 

Driving on the left is not hard.  Just follow the car in front of you and remember the driver sits to the inside of the road.  Driving a manual isn't something you forget.  It's like riding a bike.  It'll come back to you quickly. 

National health stuff isn't hard either.  Your dh's work permit makes you eligible for treatment.  When you arrive and get settled, go to the nearest doctor's office and register.  NHS will mail your cards a few weeks later and you can make an appt. just like you would with your doctor in the States.  The exception is you don't pay when you leave.  If you have a prescription, you go to any pharmacy you want, pay your money, get your drugs and leave.

I know it's easy to fixate on the small things.  I was worried about how I would get from the airport to wherever I ended up staying.  It all worked out.  You'll be fine.   

If you are moving to London you probably won't need to get a car.  Most of the families who go to school where I work don't have one - the public transportation here is great compared to many others (though Londoners like to complain about it).  I would see if you're hubby's company will be willing to pay for schooling once it is necessary (you can check out my school...ASL in NW London)...and keep reading about things on here.  I just moved over and this site was a godsend!  I used the search function and found everything I needed.  It's not as difficult as it seems to move over here - the hardest thing was setting up a bank account and finding a flat..after that it's just the normal moving issues and finding friends.  As was said, the NHS system is easy-peezy...

Best of luck with the move!  London is great - I love it!

Hi Fungirl!  Sorry I didn't see this earlier!

When we actually make our move we will have an almost-4-year-old and a roughly-6-month-old.  We've always had the feeling that the UK is better for children-kids are allowed to be kids there more than here.  Plus, there's not really aywhere for little ones to play here in South FL-espeically in the heat-so we think it's going to be great to be somewhere where they'll have a bit more freedom.

My best friend in England joined several Mommy groups-I think there are usually a few based at the local Leisure Centers. 

Good luck!  Looking forward to hearing more from you!