Is UK weather as bad as many people say?

Thank You all for the thoughtful post.What a deep well of information you are. I did forget to mention that we live in the southeast region.Part of the year in Atlanta Georgia and the remainder in Florida. I've experienced living in cold weather states like NY,and Wisconsin and got on pretty well.My medical concerns seem to become a problem ususally in constant damp weather.

I admire the just get on with it attitude of the British.Snow and dampness still are not my greatest friends.But I love my baby and I'm going to try and make it work. I truely hope that Essex is the dryest area in all of England

After one year if it doesn't feel right we will have to move back to America.I know this would break her heart but what other decision can work best.

If you survived Wisconsin, you can survive the UK.  Although you are right, the damp can be tough.

If you survived Wisconsin, you can survive the UK.

Except for this week.  I'm MUCH happier I'm here than there!!

If you survived Wisconsin, you can survive the UK.  Although you are right, the damp can be tough.

I developed asthma when I moved over here as I can't seem to get on with the damp..

On the other hand, one of my friends from Ohio has terrible allergies and bronchitis when she is there, and never has any trouble in the UK. She lived in York for a year (and is hopefully coming back soon!) and spent that time in clear-sinus heaven.

On the other hand, one of my friends from Ohio has terrible allergies and bronchitis when she is there, and never has any trouble in the UK. She lived in York for a year (and is hopefully coming back soon!) and spent that time in clear-sinus heaven.

I've had markedly fewer sinus infections here than when I lived in Denver.

My skin's not as dry, either!

It gives us something to talk about otherwise we would be speechless. (says the one who has been in the US temporally for 55 years.)

LOL!  

I get sick less often since I moved here. I'm from Texas, where the temperature and weather conditions constantly change (unless its the blazing hot summer) which always made me sick with horrible sinus infections all winter - hot one day, cold the next, then hot, etc. I find the seasons here more consistent. It does rain a fair bit, no lie, but that is what keeps everything nice and green! It really isn't nearly as bad as I expected. Well, maybe this week it is! But I'd be no better off in Texas, as it's colder in Dallas today than it is here!  

My skin's not as dry, either!

This is the same for me, it's amazing.  I've been visiting in NJ for the past 3 weeks and my skin has not been pleased about it.

I get way more colds here, probably due to new germs, but they linger longer with more congestion.  I never had an ear problem, but every time I get a cold here my ears block for weeks. 

It all depends on what makes you ill.  If you are allergic to mould, the UK will probably be much worse.  My dh is allergic to oil rape and it is everywhere here, but no one grows it in my area of PA, so he doesn't have an issue there.

On the other hand, many people develop allergies after being in a place for a few years after your body adjusts.

You're going to really have to see how your body handles it because my husband always seems to have asthma issues and bloody noses when we're in Ohio but is fine here in Scotland.  Where as some people have the opposite effect.  So you'll just have to see.

As for the weather even though I grew up in the Midwest (Ohio) I moved here from North Carolina and everything in my body wants to go back to the sunshine.  I miss the sun so much.  I thought I could put up with the summer balticness (Ok, not really just exagerating) because the winter would be more mild than the ones I had in Ohio (in the negatives fahrenheit).  But alas this winter is turning out to be one of the coldest.  Go figure. hahaha

In the end though I'm really learning to just adjust, as I suppose that is human nature.  The nice thing about it be rainy and overcast is that when it's sunny it's the most beautiful experience.  You'll soon find yourself exclaiming over what a beautiful day it is when it's below 50 and clouds are covering the sun. hahaha.

I moved here from North Carolina and everything in my body wants to go back to the sunshine.  I miss the sun so much. 

I'm feeling the same to a degree.  Raised in Ohio, moved to Georgia 15 years ago.  I loved GA summer until a few years ago when it really started to wear on me. 

What I really really miss are the humid summer nights - the feel, smell and sound of them, particularly the crickets and tree frogs.  There are hardly any song birds where I live in Bristol.  The silence is a big problem for me.  I can't imagine going through the rest of my life without ambient nature sounds. 

I have trouble with having every type of weather possible in one day, but one can adapt.  Don't find the short days to bad (but I'm much happier now that the days are getting longer).

Not as traumatized by the cold here as I was in GA because there aren't extreme changes.  No 60 one day, 20 the next.  You get a chance to get used to it.  Know how to dress for it.  My mould allergies are definately worse here.

Agree that you have to live it in order to know how it will affect you - and other things going on in your life might make it easier to cope with.  <3

Today my soon to be Mrs and I had "The" talk about what if things don't work out in the UK because of the health concerns mentioned. I explained to her how important it is to me that she spends time in the UK with her family especially as her parents are up in age.That I would be supportiive as possible,that her happiness is my happiness.

I explain to her that we need to go into this believing it will work for the both of us but as responsible adults its only fair to have a verbal contract allowing for a change in plan just in case. I agreed to stay in the UK up to a year even if my Bronchitis is flaring up to the point of major concern.But after that 12 months she has to be willing to move back to the States.

I was hoping for a concrete yes on this proposal but instead she ask me if I would be willing to try and hang on for additional time to see if my body will eventually make the adjustment. I understand this is a hugh move for the both of us,jobs and money are invlove and this move back home is a dream for her. I asked her how much time did she have in mind was a little surprised that she suggested three years.

Again told her that the decision would not be a easy one and as long as we are together and healthy we could live any where. She finally admited that she does not want to live in the States ever again. So at this point I'm hoping Essex will prove to be the idea place in more ways than I can count because our options are limited.She ask If living in a different EU country could be our back up plan. Tonight my head is kinda swirling with thoughts because I'm not sure what will happen if the move to the UK doesnt work out.


Moving to a EU country where I don't speak the language sounds problematic and not the adventure as my  girlfriend think.

Moving to another EU country would also be difficult unless you were married. 

She may be setting herself up for disappointment if she thinks moving to the UK will be the solution to all her problems.  At the same time, if you go into the move thinking you only have to stick it out for a year, you might not give the UK a fair chance on a subconscious level.  I think a year minimum would be needed to see whether you could really make a happy life in another country.  There are so many major changes to deal with that it really takes a lot of time.  What does she dislike so much about living in the US?  Is it something that can be changed by living in a different part of the country? 

I don't know why, not sure where from, but I do seem to remember a European ruling not long ago which did give some sort of right along those lines. The UK Govt (or maybe the Irish?) fought it, but from what I remember (though I could easily be horribly wrong, so don't give it any more worth than a suggestion by an occasionally insightful drunk) the fiance is allowed to move because blocking that is effectively interfering with the free movement of the other EU national. It'd have to be on the visa for that country naturally, but it could be done, though I'm not sure if she would have had to be resident in the other EU country for a certain period - the exact thing which is the most probable issue.

It's also quite fun moving to another country and, from a relationship point of view, it'd eliminate some of the problems of living in either the US or UK as you'd both be in the same boat. Equally, depending on where you move, the language barrier is a varying issue. Moving to Holland you can easily live there for a decade and speak no Dutch!

But yes, I wouldn't be coming into this that negatively unless you really don't want to do it, in which case, don't. Coming into it with a set timescale to "give it a chance" is setting yourself up for problems - it'll make you less likely to really give it a go and it might make her feel uncomfortable for a year trying to prove things to you, which can't really be good for the relationship. It'd be like setting an ultimatum and if she's this set, she'll probably be rather unhappy to leave if you didn't like it. Essentially I don't think a 'contract' is really a good way, as it'll just become a vehicle for discussions you'll have to have anyway and if it has any effect will just make things worse.

That said, it isn't that bad here and I think you're worrying too much about the weather - it's a bit depressing, but around London it's not that bad.

I asked her how much time did she have in mind was a little surprised that she suggested three years.

She ask If living in a different EU country could be our back up plan. Tonight my head is kinda swirling with thoughts because I'm not sure what will happen if the move to the UK doesnt work out.


Moving to a EU country where I don't speak the language sounds problematic and not the adventure as my  girlfriend think.

Well, she may be on to something. If you were to come in on a spousal visa for 2 years, then  the ILR (indefinite leave to remain visa) for one year, at the three year point, you would be eligible for citizenship, at least the way things are now. (They are changing some immigration procedures soon, so I don't know how that will go.) I would say moving here at least long enough to get your citizenship would be wise. Then, at that point, once you had your British passport, you could move to a EU country if you wished to do so. Or you could move back to the states, but at least you would never have to go through immigration hoops again and you would be able to move back to the UK if you ever desired to do so. As expensive as the visas are, I think it's really worth it to go all the way and make them count toward something permanent.

I can understand your health concerns, as I was really worried about how my severe skin condition might react to the humidity here, but it's been no different at all. I think you should stop worrying so much about how your health might hold up, and worry more about how you think your mental and emotional well-being would be impacted if you moved to this country. It's a long way from where you are from, from your family and friends, and things here, although similar in a lot of ways, can be very different. You will have to learn to drive all over again, you will have to make new friends, find a new job. You should definitely come over for a visit in Essex and see how you like it before you commit to moving here for the sake of your partner. People do make sacrifices for the ones they love, and that's an admirable thing, but there are limits sometimes - sacrificing your own happiness entirely to make someone else happy usually doesn't work. It can end up tearing the relationship apart through resentment toward each other. If you come for a visit and you really can't see yourself living here at all, then it is definitely something to think about and discuss with your partner. Maybe you will love it! You never know. The weather here isn't that bad. Sure, it's less hot, and it's less sunny. But it's generally pretty mild. And I would venture to say that the majority of the people on this forum have had great experiences with the NHS. Since bronchitis is a pretty common ailment, I see no reason why you would have difficulty getting effective treatment in the UK if you were to have any problems. Good luck with everything!