From California to England - how are the people?

Sorry- one more question. I have a read a lot on this board about so many Americans who are not happy, can't adjust and are generally miserable. Do you all know of any Americans who ARE happy and have adjusted well? I know it sounds like a crazy question but it truly seems as if everything I'm reading online is all bad. There must be happy Americans in the UK somewhere!!?? 

Hi,

I moved to London from New York City just over a year ago.  I'm happy and well adjusted, and I've found people in the UK to be friendly.  Obviously there are things that are different that take a little getting used to, but overall I like living in the UK.  From what I read on here, there are people who keep an open mind and like to learn from new experiences, and they seem to get along with no trouble at all.

On the other hand, there seem to also be people who either continually compare everything in the UK to the US and find the UK lacking, or they have a huge chip on their shoulder about their nationality, and see anti-Americanism everywhere they look.  Those people have a hard time.

Good luck with whatever happens, and welcome to UK-Yankee.

Carl

Hi,

I moved to London from New York City just over a year ago.  I'm happy and well adjusted, and I've found people in the UK to be friendly.  Obviously there are things that are different that take a little getting used to, but overall I like living in the UK.  From what I read on here, there are people who keep an open mind and like to learn from new experiences, and they seem to get along with no trouble at all.

On the other hand, there seem to also be people who either continually compare everything in the UK to the US and find the UK lacking, or they have a huge chip on their shoulder about their nationality, and see anti-Americanism everywhere they look.  Those people have a hard time.

Good luck with whatever happens, and welcome to UK-Yankee.

Carl

I'd say that is a pretty unfair generalisation. If you read the anti-americanism thread, you'll find a mixed bag. Some people have experienced it, some have not, but even some of the people who have lived here for eons and are incredibly happy with their lives, have had their run-ins. Read Mindy's experiences for example. I think it just depends on a lot of different factors.

Regarding houses, yes they are generally smaller. If you're going to be living in a city, you'll often just get flats with a communal garden or none at all. You can live farther out into the country where the houses tend to be more spacious and with more yard available, but that comes with the cost of transportation back into the city so it just depends on what you consider important. Public transport is by and large, very very good so it is pretty easy to get around.

The weather... thats a contentious issue It really depends what you want.  I had a really rough time coping with last summer, as has been mentioned, it was about 50 and rainy the whole time with severe flooding in parts of the country due to the non-stop rain. There were even tshirts being sold that said stuff like ENGLAND 2007: Worst Summer Ever. Back in 2003 there was a heatwave and you couldn't get any relief! It really varies and being a small island, is particularly effected by ocean currents and things like El Nino. Overall, yes, it is more rainy but some places are worst than others. I know many people who have moved here have found it useful to invest in a SAD lamp during the dark and rainy winter months as sunshine is not something you see often.

In terms of being happy here, there are loads of people who absolutely love it and never want to live anywhere else. There are also people who absolutely hate it and are desperate to get out. I'm an inbetweener (don't love it, but don't hate it). I don't think there is anyway to know how it will suit you until you spend an extended period of time here but chances are, if you WANT to move here and it sounds appealing to you, than you'll probably be pretty happy here.

Best of luck with whatever you decide

My question is, how do people treat Americans in general? I have heard that English people are not very friendly, is that true?

I think that in most instances Americans are treated very well by the British.  I have never had anyone say or do anything anti-American to me.  Mostly I find that people are curious as to why I would be living in this area.  Most people say they have been to America (usually Florida) and they have loved it.  As long as you are not loud, pushy, brash and always comparing the UK to America then you should get along just fine with the general public.

My kids are little and we feel that it's now or never, but I'm so scared to take the plunge.

My parents moved our family from a small town in Nebraska to Dublin in 1963, my siblings and I were ages 10, 8, 6 and 5.  This was way before globalization so there were not any other Americans around.  We were only able to go on home leave once every 2 years, the Irish did not know what a hamburger was, nor did they know what pizza was.  My parents had to buy cases of coke from a pub they found as it was not available in the shops.  International telephone calls were very expensive and of course there was no such thing as the internet.  If my mother could do it back then I would say take the plunge.  To experience life in another country is a wonderful thing.  There will be negatives and there will be positives, it's a wonderful opportunity to see more of the world and experience different cultures and to grow as a person.

One concern that I have, is space. I watch a lot of UK decorating shows and it seems like houses always have tiny yards and not a lot of square footage. Is this true of most of England? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Yes, generally houses in the UK and Ireland are smaller than those in the US but if you look around you can find largers houses as well.  My house is an American sized house, we were lucky to find it.  New builds tend have many small rooms, and low ceilings.  Houses are advertised by the number of rooms they have and not the square footage.  Many times the bedrooms are very small, sometimes only just fitting a single bed.  The bed sizes here are different so if it says 'can fit a king sized bed' beware that is a queen sized bed in the States.  Our house was built in the 1920's, high ceilings and very large rooms.  Our first house in Ireland was a semi-detached and was also built in the 20's with very large rooms and high ceilings

quote author=vintagecherries link=topic=45196.msg636303#msg636303 date=1215467666]
Sorry- one more question. I have a read a lot on this board about so many Americans who are not happy, can't adjust and are generally miserable. Do you all know of any Americans who ARE happy and have adjusted well? I know it sounds like a crazy question but it truly seems as if everything I'm reading online is all bad. There must be happy Americans in the UK somewhere!!?? 

I think that the majority of Americans that live here are happy or at least content.  Much depends upon where you live and who you happen to meet.  I think that much of the negative that you read in blogs is written by those Americans that are stuck here and have no way out.  Many are here married to British spouses, they have uprooted their lives, their spouse won't or can't move to the States, they have no other Americans to talk to in their area, they are frustrated and lonely, and their quality of living is much less than they had in the States.  I would say that as you and your husband are both American and that you are being transferred here by his empolyer you are in a different boat.  You will both be going though the same transition together, you will therefore understand the frustrations and also the thrills of discovering something new and different.  

I have lived most of my life as an expat and this has not been my favorite place to live, at times I feel down and cannot wait to move elsewhere, but there are many good things about living here and I see that in many ways I have become a much better person.  So on the advice of someone who is not always over the moon with living here I still say that if you have the opportunity you should take the plunge.

I'd say that is a pretty unfair generalisation. If you read the anti-americanism thread, you'll find a mixed bag. Some people have experienced it, some have not, but even some of the people who have lived here for eons and are incredibly happy with their lives, have had their run-ins. Read Mindy's experiences for example. I think it just depends on a lot of different factors.

I read that thread.  To take nothing away from yours or Mindy's experiences, or downplay what I'm sure have been some exceptionally unpleasant run-ins with a great number of people, both of you work in jobs where you have a lot of contact with a lot of people, and the law of averages would suggest if you interact with lots of people, you're going to run into more jerks.

The OP asked "how do people [in the UK] treat Americans in general?  I have heard that English people are not very friendly, is that true?"  To suggest that the answer is "yes" based on the experience of two people who work in jobs involving customer relations is unfair.  In general, people in the UK are friendly, but some of them aren't; just like everywhere else in the world.

Carl

My DH moved from California to Scotland and hasn't had any real problems...if at all?  The only thing he's struggled with since his move is homesickness, finding it hard to get work and understanding the accent. 

He's never encountered any anti-americanism directly (he has overheard a bit now and then), if anything people are more curious about him being here.

We're generally a friendly and welcoming bunch 

Here are my opinions on this.  They're just opinions and I have not attempted to support them with statistics.

Are most British people unfriendly to Americans?  No.
Are most Americans miserable living here?  No.

Some British people may seem hard to get to know to Americans, because of differences in culture and style of personal interaction.  A few British people are just plain unfriendly.

Some Americans may be unhappy here because of cultural differences, but more often it's from missing family and friends.  A few Americans will be miserable here because it's not what they expected and/or hoped for, or because they don't have the financial level or emotional support system they need to be happy.

Kateydid, I was very interested to read your answers.  Especially the story of your family's move to Dublin in the 60's.

I know it sounds like a crazy question but it truly seems as if everything I'm reading online is all bad. There must be happy Americans in the UK somewhere!!?? 

I know it's easy to get that impression, but it's definitely not the case. I'm happy and well adjusted and wouldn't move back.... And I'm from California! 

Oh and as for the weather... I sincerely don't find it all that wet and cold. But then again we live in the "sunny south". It does rain a lot (and has been recently) but there are also long sunny spells in the summer and when it's raining you can be pretty sure it won't last - it's very changable. I do have a SAD lamp but that's more because the winter days are very, very short. That was a bigger adjustment for me than the weather!

I'd say that is a pretty unfair generalisation. If you read the anti-americanism thread, you'll find a mixed bag. Some people have experienced it, some have not, but even some of the people who have lived here for eons and are incredibly happy with their lives, have had their run-ins. Read Mindy's experiences for example. I think it just depends on a lot of different factors.

Regarding houses, yes they are generally smaller. If you're going to be living in a city, you'll often just get flats with a communal garden or none at all. You can live farther out into the country where the houses tend to be more spacious and with more yard available, but that comes with the cost of transportation back into the city so it just depends on what you consider important. Public transport is by and large, very very good so it is pretty easy to get around.

The weather... thats a contentious issue It really depends what you want.  I had a really rough time coping with last summer, as has been mentioned, it was about 50 and rainy the whole time with severe flooding in parts of the country due to the non-stop rain. There were even tshirts being sold that said stuff like ENGLAND 2007: Worst Summer Ever. Back in 2003 there was a heatwave and you couldn't get any relief! It really varies and being a small island, is particularly effected by ocean currents and things like El Nino. Overall, yes, it is more rainy but some places are worst than others. I know many people who have moved here have found it useful to invest in a SAD lamp during the dark and rainy winter months as sunshine is not something you see often.

In terms of being happy here, there are loads of people who absolutely love it and never want to live anywhere else. There are also people who absolutely hate it and are desperate to get out. I'm an inbetweener (don't love it, but don't hate it). I don't think there is anyway to know how it will suit you until you spend an extended period of time here but chances are, if you WANT to move here and it sounds appealing to you, than you'll probably be pretty happy here.

Best of luck with whatever you decide

I would agree with everything Kayla said except that public transportation in rural areas can be just as bad, if not worse than in the U.S. 

I lived in a small small town in western PA and at least the Greyhound came through everyday at 9am, but my in laws in rural Suffolk have a bus once a week that doesn't actually return to the village until the following week.  Very helpful.

Also, while the UK is small parts vary greatly, so I loved Glasgow and don't really like Cambridge at all (expect for the fairs).

Another American who is very happy here!   It took awhile for me to feel happy & settled though - about three years, I'd say - but now I can't imagine living anywhere else...well, maybe somewhere warmer in Europe (like Spain), but certainly not in the US again.  I've a pretty good idea I'm going to be a 'lifer' here - but I'm married to a Brit, and we've both agreed that this is home for us.

I live in northern England & I love it up here!

I also agree that the disgruntled peeps tend to be more vocal - just like with anything else...the happier ones are quiet because we've not much to moan about.

Oh & the Brits have been friendly to me!

Also, while the UK is small parts vary greatly, so I loved Glasgow and don't really like Cambridge at all (expect for the fairs).

I'm just curious, what is it about Cambridge you don't like? I apologise in advance if you've already discussed this before in other threads.  I've only been to Cambridge once for a day as a tourist, so I don't really know anything about living there.

Sorry- one more question. I have a read a lot on this board about so many Americans who are not happy, can't adjust and are generally miserable. Do you all know of any Americans who ARE happy and have adjusted well? I know it sounds like a crazy question but it truly seems as if everything I'm reading online is all bad. There must be happy Americans in the UK somewhere!!?? 

If there's one thing I learnt from customer service it's that people are more likely to complain about something than compliment it.   

Sorry- one more question. I have a read a lot on this board about so many Americans who are not happy, can't adjust and are generally miserable. Do you all know of any Americans who ARE happy and have adjusted well? I know it sounds like a crazy question but it truly seems as if everything I'm reading online is all bad. There must be happy Americans in the UK somewhere!!?? 

Another happy one, piping up!   
I came to Scotland in 1985, looking for an adventure (and men!)... not really having a specific plan in mind for how long i was going to stay...  and basically i never looked back!  (i went back for just under 2 years in 1989-90 and it was the worst 2 years of my life, trying to re-adjust to California and hating it!)

Good luck in your decision.
I love the weather here, and could NEVER go back to live somewhere hot.

Another happy one, piping up!   
I came to Scotland in 1985, looking for an adventure (and men!)... not really having a specific plan in mind for how long i was going to stay...  and basically i never looked back!  (i went back for just under 2 years in 1989-90 and it was the worst 2 years of my life, trying to re-adjust to California and hating it!)

Good luck in your decision.
I love the weather here, and could NEVER go back to live somewhere hot.

Genau, what part of California were you in?  I don't miss the heat either...

If there's one thing I learnt from customer service it's that people are more likely to complain about something than compliment it.   

Hee! That's a really good analogy!