From Raleigh to Birmingham!?

Welcome to UKY!!  Have you ever visited England before??  Good Luck on your adventure.

Have you ever visited England before??

  Have to say I have never been out of the country before!  And though I know this will be a challenge - I am excited for some adventure!  But I do wish we had some more time to research and plan... we only have about 6 weeks to get all moved!

  WOW! Lots of North Caroliniers over here!  That's great! (though not so great that I am listening to sleet hit the window this morning)    I am going to be sad to leave the beach, BBQ's, shagging (sure won;t be able to talk about that in the UK without some explaining!) and my friends & family.

Any suggestions on buying a car once we get there?  I guess I will sell my car right before we leave NC.  Then hubby will get a company car, but I would like a car too!  Guess I will wait to see where we live and what kind of transportation is around.  Again - this may be stupid - but do they have car dealerships there?  Is financing fairly similar?  I have loooked online a bit for cars and most of them I have never even heard of!  How do I know if I am getting a good one?

Thanks again everyone! 
Gretta

Welcome to UKY!! 


There are car dealerships here and financing is also similar (leasing or buying), though cars tend to be more expensive, especially with the exchange rate as high as it is.  There are cars available here that are not sold in the US market, but most of them are, and you should have no problem finding one that you seen in the US. 

You will be able to drive in the UK for 1 year with your NC license without any restrictions.  During this 1 year, you will need to take the theory and practical driving test to get your UK license.

bvamin

Hi!  I'm living in Greenville, NC and just joined up today.  I met someone who lives there in July last year and we have been "going steady" ever since.  He came over in August and October, I went there for Christmas.  He's coming in February, I'm going over in March.  My mother was born in England and lived there until she married my father in her early 20's.  She is all for this relationship and my move to the UK.  My boyfriend and I are taking "baby steps" however, and doing the travel thing. He's 53 and never been married and I've been divorced and independent for 10 years.  Our biggest dilemna right now is my job.  I love it and it won't be easy to find another just like it there.  We've discussed his moving here but he doesn't drive (never has, didn't need to) and the US just isn't very non-driver friendly.

I'm doing research about a possible move on my part and I'm taking my dog for his microchip tomorrow to at least get that part started.  I saw someone write about transport from Raleigh for a pet.  Can he travel on the plane with me?  Will he have to be shipped as Cargo?  He's a small maltese.

Lisa

  Thanks everyone!

Lisa -  Another NCer!
Here is a "PETS" links that I have found helpful!
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

I wish we weren't moving so quickly so my 2 pooches wouldn't have to stay with my parents. 
That is great - start on the microchip and rabies shot as soon as you can!  I love little dogs - I have 2 rat terrirs!

Best of luck!
Gretta

Dear Gretta--

I am a newlywed and have been living in the UK-- Birmingham  for  6 months.. actually I live in Erdington  and  everyone is right about  the city center  being so close and  buses and  Trains  being a  good way  to  travel..  I  have not attempted  to drive yet.. when you get here  you'll see why..      The Bull Ring is  wonderful.. you can find  everything  and  anything...

I have had a  hard time adjusting to be honest  and hope that the fact you have never  been out of the country  won't freak you out when you get here..  there  is a lot that is  different and  not  "common' and  usual as you would  think..  not all  everyday  commodities  are avialable..   but I guess the fact  that you will be here  for only two years  may  make it an adventure and  a  great  learning experience .. 

Solihull  is  considered 'posh'..   upscale, expensive, nice  houses.... a  nice  place  to live.. DON'T do the  Fixer upper thing if you can help  it!!

keep reading the various  threads on here.. I  find  them honest, encouraging, comforting, and  sometimes  just a   riot!

WElcome to UKY.. and  England.. If you want  to look me  up  when you get here.. that would  be wonderful..   

best  of luck with everything..

Hi Azroomie 

My hubby and I are kinda still newlyweds as well! congrats to you.  This May will be 2 years...
Where are you guys from?  Would love to meet up when we get there in march!

I actually just spoke with hubby's new boss's wife on the phone - they live in Brum by way of Buffalo, NY.  They come over on a promotion similar to the one my husband got and have been there 9 years!     We talked a long time about the culture - she LOVES the UK.  Then again - she is trying to get us to move over there - so I hope she isn't misleading me! 

Hope everyone has a great week!  It's going to be hard to concentrate at work this week - still waiting to tell everyone in the office my news - and i am SO bad at keeping a secret! 

xoxo,
Gretta

OH! - boss's wife did give advice on buying furniture BEFORE we move - do you guys agree with this?  She said nice furniture is super expensive.  What about beds?  We will need to buy a new mattress for guests but we were going to wait until after the move.  Should be buy before?  Also, we have a King size bed - will we be able to buy sheets in Birmingham?

Hi Gretta!


does your husband's  company  take care of you for the first couple of months??  do they have a  place  for you for  'the meantime'?..  I only brought  furniture  that  was sentimental  to  me..  with me..  I think you should leave the king size  bed at home..  the biggest size here  is  a  UK king  which is close  to our  Queen size..   same  width as  a  queen only a few  incehes  shorter.. plus you can get sheets here..  if you DO take your  king here.. you have  to bring all your sheets.. and  I  think you  will feel like the bed  takes up the whole  room..  the rooms are just  smaller  here..  a three bedroom house  here  does not conjure up the same image  as it does there!!


i think you should  look up the thread  that  is about  what they  DON'T tell you.. or what you wish you had known.. it is funny, true,  and very  eye  opening!!   I do look forward to hearing from you.. when it gets  closer  hopefully we can hook up..   
 

as a side note.. I  did visit Cary  NC  and  went  to Nagshead  for  a vaction..  amazing!! 

as a side note.. I  did visit Cary  NC  and  went  to Nagshead  for  a vaction..  amazing!! 

I am like 5 minutes from Cary!  And we were actually married on the beach in the Outer Banks! We love it!

As I lay awake stressing about moving last night... I thought of some other things I guess I won;t be able to take and about things to ask you guys this morning...


So my beloved coffee maker is a no?
crock pot?
how about my gas grill?  Can you get propane over there?
This sucks!  We got so much great new stuff for our wedding and now I need to give it up!  :\\\'(  Oh well - it's all worth it in the name of ADVENTURE I guess!!

Thought of something else too... should I buy a new car here (i was thinking about the Cooper mini) and have it shipped to the UK?  Are they cheaper enough here and the financing better to justify doing that?  Then atleast the steering wheel would be on the side I feel most comfortable with!  Also, does anyone know - my hubby told me I would be covered under his work Visa - is this true?? I would like to work --- still looking for someone out there who knows about plastic surgeons! 

xoxox,
gretta 

WOW! Jason's company just called and they want us over there (to visit) THIS Wednesday!

That is totally impossible - we don't have passports and the post offices are closed today.  But hopefully I can go first thing tomorrow morning and have our passports but Thursday.  So I will be in England by THIS WEEKEND!  What a crazy start to this week! 

.... Better get packing!

WOW! Jason's company just called and they want us over there (to visit) THIS Wednesday!

That is totally impossible - we don't have passports and the post offices are closed today.  But hopefully I can go first thing tomorrow morning and have our passports but Thursday.  So I will be in England by THIS WEEKEND!  What a crazy start to this week! 

.... Better get packing!

I think the quickest you can get a passport is 2 weeks.   

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_831.html

I thought you could them them expedited and have them in 48 hours??    That's what is company told us!  :\\\'(  Jeez - I better research that better! 


Anyone know??

My brother back in 1995 got his passport the same day, but had to go in person to Philadelphia and it cost him about $100.  I'm not sure if that can be done now and if it can, if Philadelphia is the only place to do it.  You may want to call to find out.

bvamin

Whew!    You can get them 1-day here in Raleigh!  I just checked.  Thanks for making me look though, Lola!  Now I realize I better take off the morning to spend at the courthouse - oh joy! 
Thanks everyone!  Jeez - this is nerve wracking! 

  well, spent this morning forking over over $700 for 2 expeditied passports to England for this weekend  WHAT an ordeal!  But they are in the mail and there is no sense worrying about it now! Jason's company will reimburse us for the costs - thank goodness.
Our flights leave Saturday morning into Birmingham airport.  Then I think we are there until Wednesday.  Jason will tour his new office, we will meet with a realtor and just check out the towns and get a feel for where to live!  I can;t believe it's all happening so fast!

I know it's pretty cold over there - any suggestions on things to bring?
Hats, coats, scarves, digi camera...?? what else?  umberella?  guess i can;t bring my hair dryer or curling iron