What is great about the UK?

Hello All!

My name is Kathleen.  My husband Bert (the Brit) and I (the Yank) are planning on relocating to the UK this year or next.   I've been madly researching which is my typical mode when embarking on something new.  My husband claims I get more out of the planning phase of a vacation than the actual holiday! 

I have to say reading some of the posts are a bit discouraging.   There seem to be so many things that folks miss about the USA.   So I'd love to know what is the best part of coming to live in the UK?

I'm sure I will have more questions later.  Thanks for being here!

Welcome Kathleen. Don't be discouraged! Many times sites like these can seem to only reflect the bad times. People are less likely to take time out to write the nice things because they are out enjoying them! That said, there are a couple threads on here that specifically highlight them. I'm having trouble finding them at the mo (computer is slow today), but will keep looking or hope someone else beats me to it!

Do ask as many questions as you want to!

Try this one: http://www.talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=3338.0

I just read that whole thread again. I love it!

You know what else I like? That it's 10:30 p.m. and it's not totally dark yet!

Welcome Katpaint!  I know it can be discouraging, but check out that thread.  It really is a good one if I say so myself.    Thing is I try to keep in mind that this is a place to come and relieve yourself of all the things that drive you nuts at times when you are an expat. It's hard for us to hear when we have not moved yet, but it also helps people not walk into a new country with rose colored glasses.  Read over things and see what concerns people have and then figure out if those things will bother you.  Things like will roundabouts keep you from driving?  Is not having a store near you a factor?

Feel free to start another positive thread if you want!

Well... I hope to read more of your posts in the future!

The thread link was terrrific!  I feel better now.

 AND I am also glad there is somewhere I can unload when it all gets to be too much!

Thanks ever so!

Ket...I'm there with you!  I tend to research things to the max...I have a dozen of books on London to prove it (crazy!)...and I read for days on this site.  I think there are so many things to be excited about - learning about a new but slightly familiar culture, seeing history come to life, meeting new people, etc, etc.  Will I miss the US?  Yup.  But the adventure will be worth it.  And as you read more and more on here you'll see how much the people truly do get a lot out of being here - it's like moving to any unknown place - it takes adjustment & time to be homesick for what you know.  So...keep researching & get excited!  I can't wait to be in London in less than ONE MONTH!

  And as you read more and more on here you'll see how much the people truly do get a lot out of being here - it's like moving to any unknown place - it takes adjustment & time to be homesick for what you know. 

This is exactly the way I see it.  We hate where we're living now (South Florida) but figure after 11 years here anywhere we go will be a bit of a culture shock. 
And how could we turn down such an experience?  A chance to live in the UK-so few people get that (Americans I mean)-look at the great number of people we've had come on the site, wanting desperately to live in the UK but they can't.
Just wish it would hurry up and be 2005 (for a number of reasons  )!

There is so much to experience while living in the UK; you won't miss too much from home.... Of course there are times when I missed my family and friends, the wonderful restaurants here, subway open 24/7, diversity of everything and anything.... But there was so much to take in while I was in England I really didn't look back at my life here. I find it to be so much fun to live somewhere brand new and experience life in a different way. If you think about home, compare things to home, want to be home-- you won't be too happy anywhere except home. Just open your arms and let it all in; you'll have a fantastic time. And when you're home sick~ just get on a plane and come back for a visit.

hello Kat, welcome to UKY...  I have been in the UK for 7 months now...it has its ups and downs...  but I do love it here... I do get homesick often, but I have come to the conclusion that the homesickness is for my comfort zone rather than actually missing home...  it takes a lot of adjusting...but once you are here for a bit you will soon see that there really is not that much you can not find if you search that you would find easily at home...

I went to my first WHIGs meeting last night and everyone there was pleasant and welcoming to me...which gave me the hope that I will soon have some friends, which is mostly what I miss.

so even though you do see a lot of grienvences here...know that it is mostly frustration talking...some do not like it here and many do...  it is all a matter of personal tastes.

enjoy your research...but try not to over do it.

Welcome, Katpaint!!! Enjoy this new adventure. You will grow to love it here (some take longer than others)! In no time, this will be 'home'. I can say that because now when I go back for a visit, after awhile.....I'm pining to go back 'home'. Of course, home is where your heart is. It's great that you are doing research ahead of time. When I came over, expat boards (and my yahoo group) did not exist.

I have heard over and over from expats that these are a godsend and as you have noticed.....they are used alot as a sounding board. Just remember, most of the posters are women, and we are known for venting our frustrations and as the British would say- 'and get on with it!'

There are plenty of good things about the UK (I won't rehash)- but for me having my loving husband here is the best thing there is! Besides, I like being a big fish in a little pond instead of the other way around


*slight hijack*  What's a WHIG?

Hi Kathleen,

Although I don't know what the details are of the day to day living situations are in the UK, from what I have seen during my 2 week holiday really impressed me.

The sun stays out late in summer and there was plenty of light left in the sky after 10pm.

The people were friendly and helpful to a fault. 

Customer service seems to mean something.

Billboards are not litering the highways like in the US.

Tax is included on the price of the items on the shelves at the store.

The landscape is so beautiful.

In smaller towns, like Pangbourne, the sense of community spirt seems strong.

The mass transportation system beats the pants off NYC and Chicago, however, the underground can be quite stuffy.

The telly will show things they don't on US programs (full frontal nudity and more sexual acts,) and less of what they show here (violence for the sake of being violent - with the exception of the outbreak of fighting in Big Brother.)

People are more tolerant of diversity.

The religious minority does not control political direction.

Of course, this is merely my opinion.  Some people may find the same things too dreary or upsetting.  There are some things I found that seem annoying like the small town roads that should be one lane, but are in fact two lanes with very few chances to curb to the side before hitting a car coming in the other direction. 

And while I would miss some of the things from the US (the soap opera Passions, episodes of South Park as they are new, Coco Wheats, real Mexican food...) there are more things new I have found that I cannot get here too easily (Cadburys, Coco Shreddies, Indian and Carribbean cuisine...), but then again, I do live in Nashville which isn't exactly a city full of ethnic variety.

Hello All!

My name is Kathleen.  My husband Bert (the Brit) and I (the Yank) are planning on relocating to the UK this year or next.   I've been madly researching which is my typical mode when embarking on something new.  My husband claims I get more out of the planning phase of a vacation than the actual holiday! 

I have to say reading some of the posts are a bit discouraging.   There seem to be so many things that folks miss about the USA.   So I'd love to know what is the best part of coming to live in the UK?

I'm sure I will have more questions later.  Thanks for being here!