Another Newbie...Grateful to have discovered this!

Greetings to all!
My name is Elizabeth, Southern California native, FINALLY making the big move to London on March 1.
This site is fantastic, and provides such relief and clarity!
I've been particularly hesitant on what to do with my computer... and now it looks like it may be worth shipping over than selling it for nothing, and saving up again over there to get a new one!
Anyhow, I look forward to bombarding you all with questions!

Hi Elizabeth...welcome to UKY.

Greetings and Welcome Elizabeth!  March is coming up fast!  I bet you are in a tizzy!  

I am glad that you are finding some useful information here.  I know I am constantly learning new things.

So is it business or pleasure that takes you to London?

As for questions bombard away!

Hi And WELCOME!!!
Happy reading!!
Melissa

Thanks!
It's a want for a life overhaul/ change.
Nothing less!
I've lived in SoCal my whole life; and while I've certainly appreciated it, I've seen the rest of the world and always dreamed that one day, some day, I would live in the UK; as every time I've gone, I feel like I'm home.
And now that I'm seeing my life go by, and I'm not where I want to be, personally or professionally, it's time to write down "one day, some day" on the calendar myself.
And the plus side to not being tied down professionally or personally, I can do it NOW!

Welcome to UKY Elizabeth You will find that it's a very friendly, and helpful place here  Alot of us have expirenced just about anything you could expect to go thru, so don't feel shy. It feels so nice to help other expats with adjusting to things here

Welcome Elizabeth!

Moving here was definitely the breath of fresh air needed in my life (along with the fantastic husband, of course!) and I hope you love it over here!  

As for the computer, I don't know if it's just me but computer parts/prices seem a lot cheaper here than in the US!   But bring yours along and you can always get a new one later.

Welcome to the site, Elizabeth!  

March 1 is fast approaching so I'm sure you in a tizzy with activities and last minute frights and worries.  It all will work out tho.  

What part of the UK are you planning on moving to?  Do you know people here or will you be coming over with work?  How long will you be staying?

I'm just full of questions!  Anyway, welcome and hope to see you around lots.  

Well, I listed my main reasons above.
And I do have friends/ family that have been very supportive and looking forward to my arrival...
Initially, I plan to live in London, for (I think) obvious reasons.  I'm most familiar with it, and I also want to pursue my acting career there.
Of course, initially, I need to get a regular job and put a roof over my head!
Now, here's a few questions to start:
Mail - how to forward internationally?  Also, my lovely creditors have refused to let me online to pay my bills and a renown large store here (begins with S, ends with S) won't even set up to take money out of my American account.  Anyone had this issue?  They're telling me sweetly that I can still call to make my payments.   So thoughtful of them.

Computer - I was trying to find 'tech talk?' the back of mine says 115/ 130V... which seems like it would indeed work, but the numbers aren't exact as to what I've seen online.  I'm calling Dell tomorrow to see what they know.

All this talk of measuring cups - I'm not a real cook, so it doesn't seem that important to me.  BUT - of course I hope to be, and knowing I'll be living on my own... is this really important?  I do have a set of nice ones, which my roommate has currently laid claim to, assuming I won't need them.

Okay, that's a good start.
OH - last one:  why is no one ever in the chat room?  Or is it just me?
I look forward to your responses!
E.

Um, what kind of visa are you coming over on?

Hello Elizabethk, welcome to UKY....

I give you kudos for following your dream to come here and start over...

One of the main things I found through research was that when you move over to england...or any other country for that matter...bringing your favorite cooking utensiles will help immeasurably in the long run... they will help you ease into the different measurments.

I am very grateful to have brought over my favorite measuring cups and measuring spoons for that matter...I made sure I had ones that had both oz's and ml's on them...  it is actually helping me ease into the change in cooking here.

happy move
Shel

 Hiya  ElizabethK and welcome to UKY.

 Iam with Mfredericka in saying that I think thats it great you are following your heart and dreams.Good Luck with the move!

You have come to a very wonderful and special place here,and you will find there is always a helping hand in some way or just a (((Hug))) when you need it

  Rhia

   

Wow!  You are a brave woman!  

Like Peedal mentioned, you will need a visa to live here and especially to get work...have you looked into that yet?  

As for bills, I'd keep your US account open if I were you.  I've found that's the easiest thing to do.  Then you can just bring your checkbook with you and send off payments from here and deposit money in your account by wire transfer.

Another option is to get US checks made up and send them to your creditors, which is a bit of pain if you have to do it regularly.  Thomas Cooke and some of the other travel agent chains will do this for you for a fairly small charge (£12-£15 each time.)

Until you're set up here with an address, I'd have your mail forwarded to a loved and trusted one to send to you once you get here.

As for measuring cups...bring 'em!  You will want them when you get here, cook or not.  You'll be amazed how strange having to convert measurments in your head will seem.

Hope that helps and very curious now to hear about your visa status!!  

Welcome glad you found us!  Best of luck.

As for bills, I'd keep your US account open if I were you.  I've found that's the easiest thing to do.  Then you can just bring your checkbook with you and send off payments from here and deposit money in your account by wire transfer.

Another option is to get US checks made up and send them to your creditors, which is a bit of pain if you have to do it regularly.  Thomas Cooke and some of the other travel agent chains will do this for you for a fairly small charge (£12-£15 each time.)

Or, open an account with BofA and use their online banking - its free!!!!