Pro & Con between life in UK & US

We bought a used VW Golf automatic and I wouldn't say it was any more expensive than any other used car of it's type.

I LOVE it!!!

I had an automatic Golf in the US and I loooooved it. I'll miss it forever!!!

We've got an automatic Kia here (not particularly flash, but the terms were right). We paid a bit more for an automatic, but I think it was quite a bit less than 1000 and in the new car price world, that's not a huge difference.

I can't cope with shifting - US or UK - and never have been able to so I can promise that I'm a far safer driver in an automatic!!! DH doesn't like it, but he likes to "drive" (in the manly sense) and so doesn't appreciate automatics.

VW had semi automatics in the 70's.

Were they the same arrangement as the old Chrysler transmissions though?

Chrysler basically combined a two-speed automatic box, a two-ratio manual box, and a manual clutch, resulting in a sort-of-four-speed transmission, except that in normal use you could only go 1-2-4 or 1-3-4.   

The transmission would change automatically from 1 to 2 or from 3 to 4, but you had to use the clutch to shift between high and low ratios, although you didn't need it to pull away or to stop.  I've never had the chance to actually drive one, but I understand that in most cases for everyday driving it was possible to pull away in high range, low only being needed if fully loaded, uphill, or you wanted a quick getaway.

Not sure Paul

This thing had 1st and 2nd and I think a 3rd. There was no clutch.

It was really slow in responding. Never really understood the concept of semi...

I've driven manual over here and automatic in the US - when it came to buying a new car a few months ago I had the option of getting a manual or an automatic - I tried driving ther automatic (same engine size as my old car) and even though it had a triptronic sequential shift option, it just didn't feel right driving.  The car felt like it had no power, even when I "kicked-down", and it didn't feel like I was completely in control of the car.  I finally went with the 6-speed manual option, and let me tell you, that extra gear makes it even more enjoyable to drive!

I can see the merits of an automatic in the US - the constant stop-start driving in neighbourhoods would quickly annoy me if I had to keep changing gear (WHY so many STOP signs - do they not trust you to simply give way/yield??)

I think of an automatic as great for city driving - stop/start traffic and not always knowing which lane I should be in, much easier. Also, great for when I decide to have kids - I can hand them their dummies/toys easier if I don't have to shift.

Well at least I an not the only one. LOL, My husband tells me to stop comparing the UK to the US or I will never enjoy what the UK has to offer. True but I really can't help it. I do miss this the U.S. though especially the food. No offense but the food here is just awful. I usually enjoy trying new things but here well it is all about the chips with everything.

I asked my husband the other day to take me along the coast. We drove up above Scarborough well over an hour. Again my error as I was expecting quaint little villages with darling little shops and a coffee shop or trinket shop to browse through, like the U.S has. Wrong, it was a Saturday and nothing was open and the houses were horrible colors that ruined the village appeal for me. I ended up disappointed, my own fault for thinking that here would be like what I used to enjoy doing in the U.S. Because we were so far from home and I didn't think to pack us something to eat expecting a restaurant. We ended up in a pub with rotten food.

That really is what I miss the most about the US, is restaurants, nice choices of good food and quaint little coffee shops. Not here it is pub life which I do not like. I even thought how nice it would be to open a shop along a nice coastal village but again it is my US thinking that simply doesn't work here. I did see tons of what they call Caravans parked in a lot and asked my husband what that was. He said that is how they go on Holiday here. Again I couldn't believe it.

I need to change my thinking so I can learn to enjoy the culture more here or I will miss out. How do you do that? The one thing i find very enjoyable is going around and visiting all the castles and abbeys. Now that is a treat as I love history. I miss the warm weather too. I can't wait until I am not a visitor so that we can leave and go find sunshine then come back like everyone else. That too is a big positive. Be forewarned though, driving up the coast is nothing like driving the coast line in California with quaint towns. Not interesting at all here. I am not into the carnival scene as it reminds me of the cheap carnivals in the US. But I guess it is tradition here.

So many things to learn and one of the most important is the language in Yorkshire. Very difficult to understand compared to London area. I feel very foreign because I have to keep asking people over and over so I can try to understand what they are saying. I feel so lost sometimes and wonder if I will ever blend in here. I am actually thinking of buying a book about the Yorkshire language so I can understand better what people are saying.

I am determined to make this a positive learning experience and try to blend in as best as possible. Try not to compare the UK to the US you will only disappoint yourself and you will miss out on what is enjoyable here. Fly to Holland for a great evening out with great food and quaint coffee shops. You will love it there I promise and it is very close.

I do miss this the U.S. though especially the food. No offense but the food here is just awful. I usually enjoy trying new things but here well it is all about the chips with everything.

Wow, how could someone possibly take offence to being told their nation's food is awful...?   

and the houses were horrible colors that ruined the village appeal for me.

I'm trying so hard not to pick here, but ... um ... really?? You're not happy because the colour of the houses wasn't right?!?

Be forewarned though, driving up the coast is nothing like driving the coast line in California with quaint towns. Not interesting at all here.

Sigh.

Where to begin.

The UK is an entire country. Just as the US is. You have seen the California coast and liked it ... but there are lots of other coastal areas in the US that you might not have enjoyed nearly as much. And it's the same here. Perhaps the coast near you isn't that nice (I don't know), but please don't damn an entire country's coastline for that reason.

Personally, I find it pretty "interesting."

... My husband tells me to stop comparing the UK to the US or I will never enjoy what the UK has to offer.

He's right.

True but I really can't help it.

You certainly can.  If that's what you really think, you're setting yourself up for failure right at the outset.

And I don't know where you're eating, but ... lots more than chips to be had on this island!

Good luck

Cricket... the UK coast is amazing... I have never been to up over Scarborough but check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/coast/ they have a free info pack you can order. 

Living in Devon and Cornwall I have drop dead awe inspiring and breathtaking coast line out the yin yang and while it's not always great swimming weather we have coastal paths and quaint shops and restaurants dotting the coastline! Looe, Dartmouth, Salcombe, St. Ives etc... all these places inspired artists, writers and photographers...

I don't know about Yorkshire area beaches and coast but I am sure there are some listed on Coast.  Meanwhile enjoy the Dales I here they are lovely and yes... staying positive is the number one thing you need to do.

Try some real food local places too... it will change your mind about food.  Try Rick Steins food heroes book for a start and local markets and food festivals.  There is far more to the UK than bad chips (the nice ones are to die for) and grease.

Perhaps the coast near you isn't that nice (I don't know), but please don't damn an entire country's coastline for that reason.

The really bizarre thing is that the coastline she's talking about, north of Scarborough (which would be Robin Hood Bay, Whitby, Saltburn, Redcar....), is one of my favorite spots in all the UK - it's really gorgeous, and actually reminds me of driving up US1 from Monterey to San Francisco!   

Cricket, I totally hear you about missing California type restaurants and diners - and the hit or miss quality of 'pub fare'.

Cricket, I totally hear you about missing California type restaurants and diners - and the hit or miss quality of 'pub fare'.

Ditto!

I am in Leeds - about 10miles out from the city in West Yorkshire. Give me a call if you want to get together and I can show you some fab food in Leeds. I am big food fan, especially restuarants and eating out, so I have made it my mission to find the best places here in Yorkshire. Yes, there are some wonderful places you can find for great food and keep your mind open, I have discovered foods here that I now love that I didn't before!