Better to start work first then go looking for a flat?

Thanks for all the replies everyone, they have all been very useful and please keep them coming. The more information I have the easier and less surprising everything will be.

Jewlz-
I have seen a few complexes in my internet searches that seem similar to that complex lifestyle in Houston/Dallas. Probably nowhere near as responsive, but probably better than a guy that renovated a house into 4 flats or something like that. That is what I am aiming for, a purpose built professionally managed "flatplex".

Thanks for all the replies everyone, they have all been very useful and please keep them coming. The more information I have the easier and less surprising everything will be.

Jewlz-
I have seen a few complexes in my internet searches that seem similar to that complex lifestyle in Houston/Dallas. Probably nowhere near as responsive, but probably better than a guy that renovated a house into 4 flats or something like that. That is what I am aiming for, a purpose built professionally managed "flatplex".

Good luck, chadwyckp! Hopefully you will find one, but you probably won't find one like the regular style ones in Dallas and Houston - you know, gym, pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, etc.    My husband couldn't believe how nice my complex was and all the amenities that were there for the price. A place like that here in UK would cost a fortune! 

Thanks Jewlz!
I am definitely not dellusional, that stuff is not just unique to the US vs. UK, it is unique to big city Texas vs. the Northeast big cities. I have 3 different sets of neighbors from Boston, Philly, and New York respectively and they cannot believe the amenities in our complex. They say you'd have be in some kind of primetime soap opera fantasy family to live in a place like what we have in Houston, back east LOL. And that the money we here pay MIGHT get you a decent "room" in a similar part of their cities. We are so spoiled in Big D and H-Town.

I am already over the fact that I am most likely having to get a studio, now I just want a reasonably recently built/renovated (to reduce possible maintenance issues), and stylishly done place, in a neighborhood where yuppies like myself live and play. And from what I am seeing that wont be too much to find, but securing it may be another matter!

Thanks Jewlz!
I am definitely not dellusional, that stuff is not just unique to the US vs. UK, it is unique to big city Texas vs. the Northeast big cities. I have 3 different sets of neighbors from Boston, Philly, and New York respectively and they cannot believe the amenities in our complex. They say you'd have be in some kind of primetime soap opera fantasy family to live in a place like what we have in Houston, back east LOL. And that the money we here pay MIGHT get you a decent "room" in a similar part of their cities. We are so spoiled in Big D and H-Town.

I am already over the fact that I am most likely having to get a studio, now I just want a reasonably recently built/renovated (to reduce possible maintenance issues), and stylishly done place, in a neighborhood where yuppies like myself live and play. And from what I am seeing that wont be too much to find, but securing it may be another matter!

Us big city Texans are very spoiled!  I think maybe it's just because Dallas and Houston are so spread out, whereas many of the other American cities are much more condensed. Good luck finding what you are looking for, it always help when you have specific ideas about where you want to live. Have fun in London! Just be prepared for people to ask why you don't sound like John Wayne.... I get that all the time. Most people think I'm Canadian! It's hard to explain that people from the large cities in Texas often don't have the country drawl that Texans always seem to have in the movies. 

Thanks Jewlz!
I am definitely not dellusional, that stuff is not just unique to the US vs. UK, it is unique to big city Texas vs. the Northeast big cities. I have 3 different sets of neighbors from Boston, Philly, and New York respectively and they cannot believe the amenities in our complex. They say you'd have be in some kind of primetime soap opera fantasy family to live in a place like what we have in Houston, back east LOL. And that the money we here pay MIGHT get you a decent "room" in a similar part of their cities. We are so spoiled in Big D and H-Town.

I am already over the fact that I am most likely having to get a studio, now I just want a reasonably recently built/renovated (to reduce possible maintenance issues), and stylishly done place, in a neighborhood where yuppies like myself live and play. And from what I am seeing that wont be too much to find, but securing it may be another matter!

Not just big city Texas. We have lots of amenities at complexes in Georgia too. Probably just a thing of where there's space (ie not NYC and the like)

Not just big city Texas. We have lots of amenities at complexes in Georgia too. Probably just a thing of where there's space (ie not NYC and the like)

Yep, shouldn't have limited it to Texas. I'm sure there are complexes like that in a lot of other cities, as well, just not in the more condensed, crowded ones like NYC and Chicago, etc. 

Yep, shouldn't have limited it to Texas. I'm sure there are complexes like that in a lot of other cities, as well, just not in the more condensed, crowded ones like NYC and Chicago, etc. 

I was about to include Georgia  .

But we can't just say where there is space, California has loads of space and you still have to pay the 'California tax'. It is unique I think to the large cities of the south, once again Florida has to be exempted as well because Miami is just ridiculous.

Yeah, it was hard to believe how low my rent was in north Dallas, but how incredibly nice my complex was, with 3 pools, a gym, tennis courts, and my apartment was so spacious, with a fireplace (it didn't get used very often, but still!) and bay windows and everything. DH was gobsmacked. He said "Are you sure you are ready to give all this up and live in a small flat with me in England?" Of course that was a no brainer, but we did take full advantage of the pools and hot tubs there!  I do miss swimming at night. I always hated the summers there, except for swimming on a hot, muggy night while it was quiet. *sigh* I will miss that this summer! (but not the blazing, scorching sun and stifling humidity!)
So when do you move, chadwyckp? Are you looking forward to it, or is it just more of a work obligation? Have you been to London before?

Nope never been across the pond.

I am looking to make the move sometime in August at the latest, it may be earlier, or (gulp) not at all, as we continue to go through the machinations with HR and UK vs. US management.

And I am GREATLY looking forward to it, I am from Jamaica so I think I actually have a leg up on the average American when it comes to what to expect over there. We were a British colony for a few hundred years, my aunt/uncle have been and to hear them tell it, the UK is like Jamaica, but colder, and a much more developed infrastructure. We drive on the same side of the road, spell things the same way, and I grew up watching playing cricket/rugby/football as the rest of the world knows it. Even when I read threads about the run around of going about your business it reminds of things I did in Jamaica up until I was 19, even the driver's license process is the same down to putting that big red "L" on a car if a driver with a learner's permit is driving.

When you bring in the fact that Europe and Africa are no further than a flight to Atlanta or Los Angeles away respectively, I am very ready and excited to come across.

Nope never been across the pond.

I am looking to make the move sometime in August at the latest, it may be earlier, or (gulp) not at all, as we continue to go through the machinations with HR and UK vs. US management.

And I am GREATLY looking forward to it, I am from Jamaica so I think I actually have a leg up on the average American when it comes to what to expect over there. We were a British colony for a few hundred years, my aunt/uncle have been and to hear them tell it, the UK is like Jamaica, but colder, and a much more developed infrastructure. We drive on the same side of the road, spell things the same way, and I grew up watching playing cricket/rugby/football as the rest of the world knows it. Even when I read threads about the run around of going about your business it reminds of things I did in Jamaica up until I was 19, even the driver's license process is the same down to putting that big red "L" on a car if a driver with a learner's permit is driving.

When you bring in the fact that Europe and Africa are no further than a flight to Atlanta or Los Angeles away respectively, I am very ready and excited to come across.

Sweet! Well I am sure you will love it, then.    Good luck with everything, and I certainly hope your plans don't fall through!  Stick around the forum and let us know how things are going!  (We could use a few more men around, at any rate... lol!)

Haha, I noticed that, lots of US wives of UK husbands on here, question that has been bugging me but not enough to ask until now......

"DH"

I figured the H = Husband, what the heck is the D?

Haha, I noticed that, lots of US wives of UK husbands on here, question that has been bugging me but not enough to ask until now......

"DH"

I figured the H = Husband, what the heck is the D?

D= dear(est)

I figured the H = Husband, what the heck is the D?

You can find a list of the different abbreviations here: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=10959.0

Follow up question, after looking at the acronym list.

The whole "Dear" thing, is that a UK-Y.com thing or a UK thing.

Follow up question, after looking at the acronym list.

The whole "Dear" thing, is that a UK-Y.com thing or a UK thing.

neither, it's just an internet thing, i have seen it in a number of other forums/sites.