Chicago native bound for London??

Hi everyone!  I've been reading these message boards for a while and finally decided to join in and introduce myself.  My name is Colleen, and I'm originally from Chicago.  I moved to L.A. last year which is where I met my boyfriend from the U.K. who was there on business.  As many of you must know, transatlantic relationships are TOUGH, but we've made a go of it and are talking marriage so I'm now seriously considering moving to London.  I'm scared out of my wits, but it helps so much to read these message boards that are filled with such good advice.  

I'll be visiting London again in a few weeks, at which point I guess I'll make my decision.  Until then, I look forward to corresponding with everyone here on the boards!   Colleen

Hi Colleen!  Welcome to the group!  

Glad to hear things are going so well with your b/f.  How long is he working in London?  

It's a great time of year here, so I'm sure your visit will be great.  How well most of us remember those visits after long times apart.  It sure isn't easy.  

Hope to see you around elsewhere on the boards.  Good luck with everything!

Hi Wishstar!  Thanks so much for the nice welcome!  My boyfriend is actually from London and that's where his job is based.  I want very much to be with him, but it's such a difficult thing to leave the States because I'm very close to my family, especially my twin sister who I see just about every day.  

I was wondering if any of the board regulars meet up sometimes?  I'd really love to be a part of a group like that if I do decide to make the move to London (which I think is highly likely).  I think it would make the transition much easier for me.

Thanks again for responding!  Colleen

Hi again, Colleen.

So you're bloke's a Brit then!  Lucky girl!

To answer your question, yes, many of us meet up quite regularly.  There are lots of us in or near enough to London that the London meet-ups are fairly easy to organise.  Many of us have become good friends.  

And you're right about it making the transition easier.  It's of course good to make new British friends, too, but especially at first, no one understands like someone who's already been there!  (And you'll soon find out the value of having someone to remind you that what you're feeling is normal and you are *not* going crazy!)

I'm sure you'll fit right in once you're here!

Hiya Colleen so pleased to meet you!  Well as you can guess being in London will be great for you.  Especially if you like cities and you have the advantage of being near by to some awesome people.  I'll be living in Wales and so far there are 3 of us looking for info and friendships.  You'll have a much wider group to make friends of.  So take a look everywhere on this site.  I'm sure you'll be taking like old friends before you know it.

Good luck on your next visit to London!

Welcome Colleen - you're story sounds familiar to me. How long have you two been together then? Moving to the UK is both unbelievably hard and unbelievably excited all at the same time, and we can all sympathize with it! My husband and I met while he was in the states on business as well, in Michigan - then we did long distance for over a year and I finally moved over here. Definitely worth every tear I've ever shed. Welcome to the baords, hope to hear more from you. And yep - there are get togethers, some of them bigger than others, but there are loads of friendly people who are always up for an outing - check out our Events page.

Hi Colleen...  I have a sister named Colleen...not a very common name anymore, yet a pretty one.

I have been doing the long distance thing with my fiance for about 3 years now...and it is not fun...  so I empathize with you...  However, our wait is just about over...  in 74 days to be exact...LOL! then we shall marry and I will move to the UK...  the northern area though.

Good luck in your decision...  and just follow your heart...

Shel  

Colleen,
Are you up to spending Christmas away from your family?

Hi Colleen and welcome to UKY!

It's an exciting although daunting prospect to pick up and move to another country.  I finally completed my move in early June so I'm settling in to my new home with my Brit fiance...we are getting married on 12 Sept. - less than two weeks now!  

I love it here.  There are differences but nothing that really bothers me (yet) other then the driving differences.  It really is much more difficult to adjust to driving over here then I thought it would be but I'm determined to master it shortly (with some lessons)!  

Best of luck to you in your decision.  This is the right place to be to get your questions answered, find out more about life in the UK and make some great friends!  Hope to see you on the boards often!

-Sandy