Anyone else not staying in the UK permanently??

And if it's anything like the places I've lived previously, the walking routes are often asphalt tracks that run alongside (or not far from) a highway!

balmerhon, we always seek out the national parks when we go back for visits, but even there - it can mean driving hours just to get there.

The US is a big place, a little research would show were the trails are.  I know out here in the San Francisco area there are more hiking trails than you could possibly walk, and you don't have to drive far to get to them, and you will stay dry.

 http://www.marintrails.com/index.html [nofollow]

The US is a big place, a little research would show were the trails are.  I know out here in the San Francisco area there are more hiking trails than you could possibly walk, and you don't have to drive far to get to them, and you will stay dry.

 http://www.marintrails.com/index.html

Thats one of the things I miss so badly, all the trails from the Marine Headlands, Santa Cruz Mountains and down the coast to Big Sur.

Hi, I've been over here for the last 8 years.  While the first 2 years were touch and go, things seem to have settled down since.  I miss the States terribly...mostly I miss the weather and the incredibly convenient way of life there.  Americans don't realise how good they've got it!

Last year, hubby and I decided it was time.  Started his visa journey in April and, after much paperwork back and forth to US embassy in London, fingerprinting, medical exam, money (!!) and interview, he was granted residency (green card) in September.  But...we're still here.

Here's a reality check from our experiences...while in the process of applying for visa, you're in limbo.  You cannot make any plans, hubby can't apply for jobs because he's not legally able to work in the US yet, can't (shouldn't) sell your house, etc.  Until they give you the green light, you're stuck.  When the final interview happens (which happened way too fast for us...5 months, start to finish) and they give you the all clear, they want you out in 6 months.

Now, depending on where you are in your lives, 6 months can seem an eternity or a wicked curse.  We have a house, both employed in good jobs, 2 cars, a dog...seemingly settled.  Moving to the States meant starting over.  Having no recent credit history, banks wouldn't want to know us.  Try to find housing when you are unemployed.  Try to find a job when you don't have a permanent address.  Do we keep the house here and rent it out, leaving a door open if we change our minds?  Tax implications?  Private health insurance premiums while unemployed?  The visa application process was a breeze compared to what happened after.  All of this has to be part of your discussions now.

Don't get me wrong...I would move home in a heartbeat, but I have to consider the financial implications and they're HUGE!  Also, having done the move here myself, I have to consider how hubby would settle there.  Would it be as big a culture shock as it was for me?  What if he didn't like it?  Would I be willing to move back here?

There's so much to consider here, gang.  I urge you to discuss these things now.  I think we're staying for the forseeable future...unless we win the lottery. 

Oh I know there are trails in the US & depending on where you live, it may not be a long drive...but again, depending on where you live.  Only thing is, IME as someone who has done a lot of rambling in the UK (as well as hiking in the US), to me - the US system is an inferior one.  A little research on the UK concept & system of public rights of way on private land would explain why.   Here is but one link that goes (briefly) into it:

http://www.slowtrav.com/uk/hiking/introduction.htm

It means that you can walk almost anywhere, easily route loop hikes of any duration you choose, and things like that.  I'm sure some of the other avid (UK) ramblers on here will know what I'm talking about.  You've definitely got us on the propensity for staying dry - lol!, but they tell me over here - that's supposed to be part of the fun!

And yes, we do research & seek out places to walk on our visits (as well as when I still lived in the US).  Unfortunately, they frequently require a drive of some length in the places I lived & the places we go.  Whereas here I can walk out the door of my home & set foot on a public footpath within minutes.  Plus, I'm spoilt for choice, living very close to the Yorkshire Dales.

Whereas here I can walk out the door of my home & set foot on a public footpath within minutes. 

Same here! It's lovely walking out of my front door and being on a wooded path within a minute. We are definitely very spoiled!

We did have some absolutely gorgeous trails in Rhode Island, but you had to drive to get to any of them.

I would have to drive to get to them here, but not where I used to live in the States.

I would have to drive to get to them here, but not where I used to live in the States.

Well again, there is the factor of depending on where you live - here or there.

bookgrl, I saw a post where you are living in Milton (Cambridgeshire) - are you still there?  If so, how close are you to Milton Country Park?  In any case, betcha a beer if you were to look at an Ordinance Survey map of where you are, there's a footpath not far from you - there are more than 3000 km of public rights of way in Cambridgeshire.  Granted, if you're in a city, the paths near you are less likely to be in the country - but that isn't always the case either.

Well again, there is the factor of depending on where you live - here or there.

bookgrl, I saw a post where you are living in Milton (Cambridgeshire) - are you still there?  If so, how close are you to Milton Country Park?  In any case, betcha a beer if you were to look at an Ordinance Survey map of where you are, there's a footpath not far from you - there are more than 3000 km of public rights of way in Cambridgeshire.  Granted, if you're in a city, the paths near you are less likely to be in the country - but that isn't always the case either.

Oh, Carolyn............it would be really lovely if you wrote a post on walking and trails and ordinance survey maps for Just Do It 

Oh, Carolyn............it would be really lovely if you wrote a post on walking and trails and ordinance survey maps for Just Do It 

Hee hee!  I'll give it some thought, Mindy - just for you.

Oh, Carolyn............it would be really lovely if you wrote a post on walking and trails and ordinance survey maps for Just Do It 

GREAT idea!! 

Hi, I've been over here for the last 8 years.  While the first 2 years were touch and go, things seem to have settled down since.  I miss the States terribly...mostly I miss the weather and the incredibly convenient way of life there.  Americans don't realise how good they've got it!

Last year, hubby and I decided it was time.  Started his visa journey in April and, after much paperwork back and forth to US embassy in London, fingerprinting, medical exam, money (!!) and interview, he was granted residency (green card) in September.  But...we're still here.

Here's a reality check from our experiences...while in the process of applying for visa, you're in limbo.  You cannot make any plans, hubby can't apply for jobs because he's not legally able to work in the US yet, can't (shouldn't) sell your house, etc.  Until they give you the green light, you're stuck.  When the final interview happens (which happened way too fast for us...5 months, start to finish) and they give you the all clear, they want you out in 6 months.

Now, depending on where you are in your lives, 6 months can seem an eternity or a wicked curse.  We have a house, both employed in good jobs, 2 cars, a dog...seemingly settled.  Moving to the States meant starting over.  Having no recent credit history, banks wouldn't want to know us.  Try to find housing when you are unemployed.  Try to find a job when you don't have a permanent address.  Do we keep the house here and rent it out, leaving a door open if we change our minds?  Tax implications?  Private health insurance premiums while unemployed?  The visa application process was a breeze compared to what happened after.  All of this has to be part of your discussions now.

Don't get me wrong...I would move home in a heartbeat, but I have to consider the financial implications and they're HUGE!  Also, having done the move here myself, I have to consider how hubby would settle there.  Would it be as big a culture shock as it was for me?  What if he didn't like it?  Would I be willing to move back here?

There's so much to consider here, gang.  I urge you to discuss these things now.  I think we're staying for the forseeable future...unless we win the lottery. 

Thank you for your post.  It is lovely to think of the 'what ifs' until you see the reality of them.  It's not so easy to just pick up and move when you've got two countries to choose from. 

Have you tried the Co-ops?  We had much better luck with them than the big banks.  (moved to US from Canada) They even gave us a credit card right away. 

Same here! It's lovely walking out of my front door and being on a wooded path within a minute. We are definitely very spoiled!

That'll be us in October! 

Oh I know there are trails in the US & depending on where you live, it may not be a long drive...but again, depending on where you live.  Only thing is, IME as someone who has done a lot of rambling in the UK (as well as hiking in the US), to me - the US system is an inferior one.  A little research on the UK concept & system of public rights of way on private land would explain why.   Here is but one link that goes (briefly) into it:

http://www.slowtrav.com/uk/hiking/introduction.htm [nofollow]

It means that you can walk almost anywhere, easily route loop hikes of any duration you choose, and things like that.  I'm sure some of the other avid (UK) ramblers on here will know what I'm talking about.  You've definitely got us on the propensity for staying dry - lol!, but they tell me over here - that's supposed to be part of the fun!

And yes, we do research & seek out places to walk on our visits (as well as when I still lived in the US).  Unfortunately, they frequently require a drive of some length in the places I lived & the places we go.  Whereas here I can walk out the door of my home & set foot on a public footpath within minutes.  Plus, I'm spoilt for choice, living very close to the Yorkshire Dales.

Well that's the whole point, it's not USA v UK it's where you live in each country.
My situation here is the reverse of yours, I lived in West London, not a lot of places to go hiking there, or the idyllic country life. I also lived in Beverley Yorkshire for two years, My wife is from Hull, I'm very familiar with Yorkshire.

Hi, Mrs Pink.  Thank you for your post.  No, we haven't tried the Co-ops but "ta" for the advice. 

After receiving the green card in September last year, we traveled to the States for Christmas.  Hubby entered on the visa, thus executing it within the 6 month time period.  From that point, we have until Christmas this year to finalise the move permanently (which ain't gonna happen).

We were back in April this year...hubby had an interview in Ohio.  Interview was good but he was not offered the job unfortunately.  Since then, we've really had a re-think and have - more or less - decided the timing is just not right. 

When did you move to the US and have you settled in yet?

When did you move to the US and have you settled in yet?

I lived in San Diego from 98 to 04.  I live in the UK now.