There have been some insightful post in responce to the thread I started and I appreciate them all. It is a HUGE decision to consider moving to another country and another culture. As I have read over many of the posts I have started to wonder if the fears and concerns I have about the relocation is because I am wanting to maintain the aspects of the American culture that I like (BIG house, big car, 24 hr shopping centers and so on) but have all the positives that come with living in the UK. Rather than embracing the positives about the culture in the UK I am in some ways wanting them to be "Americanized". Have my cake and eat it too. (understand what I mean???)
My biggest concerns do center on housing and education. Having made many advances educationally for myself, I find that my profession (social work) has little value in the US. Beginning my post graduate research I am finding it DIFFICULT to say the least in finding employment in the states. I could start an entire new thread on the reasons for this (current administration, the lack of value that women, children and vulnerable population have to policy makers and in general society here, and so on) but that is a whole other topic. I find it ironic that I get calls weekly from the UK wanting me to work but can find nothing better then $10.25 hr pay in the region I live in in the US. Personally I find it offensive that this salary is what is being offered for the level of education I have (again another thread that could be expanded on).
I still however have concerns with moving and keep coming back to the two areas of main concern. I have looked at housing in the area I am most interested in moving (Brighton or Kent areas) and can not find housing that I would not consider, as some have stated, to be anything less then a step down from what I am now accustom. While I have lived in what is considered substandard housing...OK a trailer, (very short time while saving money in undergrad) I have worked hard to acquire what little material posesions I have here. Admittedly housing is VERY CHEAP in the state I am from and I have a lovely 4 bedroom two story home on a 1/4 acre lot with a nice fenced in back yard. I have looked in the Brighton area and found for let a 2 bedroom semidetached home that I would consider acceptable but acceptable is the most I can say. AND JEEZ they want 1200 pounds a month.
Housing is an area I am not sure how to acclimate myself to.
In addition I am still confused as ever about the education system in the UK. Education for my daughter is of the utmost importance. I live in a part of the US known to have substandard education and I opted for private Catholic school until this last year. For 6 years my child went to private school and is now in the public school system. I am not happy here with the standard, or should it be lack of standers offered in the public school setting but would she receive a better education in the UK??? And, how do you find out where to send your child? In the US you go to the school in the district you live, busses take them to school or you drop them off andthe school is near to where ever it is you live. Looking about schools in areas I want to live in the UK it seemess as if you have to ask for enrollment?? Is that right? And the size of the schools is a concern as well. I keep seeing schools in the UK that have 700, 800, over a 1000 students in them. The private school she went to here had less than 200 students and the public state school she goes to now has around 400...I fear she would be lost in the shuffle in a school with a 1000 kids. Any advice on education and selecting a school? Do I choose where to live based on the schools or choose a school based on where I live???
Anyway, I appreciate all the posts and find that each give me more to think about as I consider my options with relocating. Keep posting and THANKS for any input....I love this web forum!!!!
