Cincinnati to Southampton area 6 months ago

Hello,

I have been living in England for 6 months, so I feel like I am beginning to get my sea legs under me just a bit.  I lived overseas growing up, so I thought moving to an English speaking country would be simple.   There have been more changes to adjust to than I thought!  I laugh to find my children are more resilient than I am.   I've been through all the annoyances stage, etc, adapting to how easy life is in the US, and how inconvenient everything seems to be here, and now am settling in and trying to make a life of it.  My initial assessment?  Life is easy and convenient in the US, but I have to say I find the quality of life much better over here in many real ways....while our assignment is 2-3 years, I can imagine living here for a really long time.  Having said that....am I just putting on a brave face???  Nice to have this group, as I do feel like a fish out of water mostly still.  I have to add... the rest of the world doesn't overstate the bad weather here....its constantly soggy, foggy, and making me groggy!  Looking for new-agey things in my area (spiritual not religious groups, alternative healing, etc.)

Hi and welcome to the forum. 

I've been through all the annoyances stage, etc, adapting to how easy life is in the US, and how inconvenient everything seems to be here, and now am settling in and trying to make a life of it.  My initial assessment?  Life is easy and convenient in the US, but I have to say I find the quality of life much better over here in many real ways

Would you mind expanding on these statements a little for those of us who haven't yet made the move? What is more convenient in the US and less so in the UK?

Driving along the motorway / interstate. In the US, you get a sign at every exit telling you what is there (food/fuel/hotels/etc) . In the UK, only specialist motorway services plazas get signage, where their monopoly means high prices every 30+ miles).

So many fewer fast food places and takeaways (and those that do exist are in city centre or high street areas that you can't drive and park easily.

Little things like that add up quickly.

Oh, and when you want to watch the Reds game, it's always on in the middle of the night. Stupid time zones...

Welcome!  I grew up just south of you in N KY and I live in Winchester.  Been here for 7 1/2 years. 

Hello!
Im a Brit who is currently living near Southampton and moving at the end of July to Ohio, if you need any info or fancy meeting up for a chat let me know! I work in Southampton, live 15 miles out.
I hear you about the weather! it is truly shocking! 
let me know if theres anything I can do to help in any way