Relieved

So I have been here for just over 3 weeks and am more than relieved.  Reading some horror stories from some posters made me a tad worried about living here......which I had never been worried about it before.  And it may just be my personal experience, but thought I would share mine, so far, in case others are worried.

Food:  Steaks tastes different, but I brought seasoning with me in my carry-on, so I can still make it taste similar to home.  The fact that it is difficult to find steaks on the bone is mind-boggling, but not something I cannot get my mind around.  I make a ton of worldly foods.  My husbands favorite being my quesadillas.  I have found everything I need to make them and my chipotle aioli.  I did have trouble finding the chipotle paste.....The big tesco, asda, and aldi by us didn't have any.  But I found it at the little tesco metro and in the local B&M shop.

Utility bill: My name was added to the gas and electric bill the day after I arrived just by calling EDF.  The woman wanted to speak to me to make sure I didn't mind being added to the account.  They sent us out a new bill that day so I could have it for banking purposes.  The TV license my MIL was on expired on 31st August, we received a letter the first week in September and sent a check in that week with my details, so that is also in my name.

Bank account:  I opened my bank account with no hassle yesterday.  I needed my passport, and proof of address.  We used the EDF bill and the TV license. Granted my account is a basic account as I am not in the credit check system yet, but it does come with a debit card.  And since I am not working yet, we put some money into the account to open it, and will put £200 a month at least into it.  This is so the bank can see that I have money coming in.  In 6 months time, they review the account and can set me up with a checking account and credit card.  The bank said the £200 is what unemployed people getting jobseekers allowance would be putting in and since I couldn't claim that, I should just put it in to keep the account active.

Missing home: NOT A SINGLE BIT!  I miss my family, but we live all over the states so I didn't see them much to begin with.  But New York City....actually am glad to not live there anymore.  I had lived there for so long it was losing it's allure and I am glad I left before I hated it.

Fitting in: My DH's family is HUGE and they have always included me and loved me from the start (I am a very lucky girl).  Same thing with his friends.  Went over to a friend's home the other day, they had painters there, the guy said my accent was lovely and he could listen to me all day.  I still get extremely shy in shops and don't speak unless I have to....thank goodness for self check outs. 

Beauty: I have gotten all my beauty stuff and so far am happy with it all.  LOVE my new hair dryer.  And have found a lovely salon for my eyebrow waxing.....which I most likely will also use for haircuts as well.

I have made my MIL home my own and once or stuff arrives at the house (it got into port yesterday!!!) I am sure I will feel completely at home.  Maybe it is because I moved into a house I visited so many times before that helped with my move, but I have not been stressed since I have been here.  I do find my days drag sometimes, as I am used to working......but I have applied to volunteer at the Festival Gardens for now and after we sort through our stuff I will start looking for proper employment.

Hope this helps anyone who may be scared of their move.  They aren't all nightmares. 

That's fantastic JennyEye!  So happy you are settling in well.

Do make sure that you give yourself permission to have bad days as well though.  I took a course on expat assignments and believe that most people hit a low after about six months.  Hopefully that doesn't happen, but if it does, embrace it and allow yourself a little pity party.   

Where did you move too?

Thanks....I definitely don't think it will be all roses and I know if I am not working in 6 months I will go crazy.  I just feel different, I am reminded of my grandmother when I am cleaning or cooking.  It is weird, all the places I lived before were never home but this one feels like a perfect fit.  But I will keep in mind to let myself feel low if that is how I feel

I moved to Liverpool.  Absolutely love the city and have figured out how to get into town all by myself  
 

Thanks for your story - when I moved to the UK in 2001, I remember being so excited but after a few months I did have ups and downs as I started to truly settle down.  It did help I was there for university but after about 6 months or so I was back to having mostly good, if not great days!  And after I met my future husband the following year, many, many great days!! 

After 3 years (in 2004), we moved back to the US and I'm wondering what it will be like to move back to the UK 10 years later (end of next year or beg of 2015)!  I get nervous too reading from different folks experiences - but keeping my hopes up and trying to remember lessons learned the first time.  Thanks again for sharing and wish you all the best as you settle in!

JennyEye that is great news to hear you have settled in so nicely  & it is also good to hear that your container is in the same country as you too!
That will be exciting getting all your stuff back   

That was great to read about JennyEye! I look forward to hearing more over the coming weeks/months 

Glad you're settling in so well!!! 

JennyEye, what a great post!  It's good to know that you're settling in so well, and I'm sure that those facing a move in the future will also be relieved to know that it all can happen smoothly.

I've been in Liverpool for 6 months and have not yet visited the Festival Gardens.  I'll add it to the list of things to do!

Hope you and your belongings enjoy a grand reunion. 

Whoohoo, so far so good JennyEye.

That said, I wholeheartly agree with KFDancer.   So many of us have moments of 'Err, this isn't a holiday anymore' and get quite down -(you just have to read the homesickness board)  and you know, that's perfectly OK.  You can come on here and we'll help.  If you don't get those moments, then brilliant!

Keep enjoying yourself!     

Liverpool is a great city and weirdly, reminds me of NYC. We went there when it was European City of Culture - great food, friendly people and just generally nice atmosphere.

Sounds like things are going well, but if you need to moan, we are here. Enjoy your new adventure!   

Thanks for all the support.  I think I am prepared for the downs when they come.  I have found my safe haven in the festival gardens and it calms me when I am there. I highly recommend them eloise if you get a chance.  And there is access to the prom which is awesome.

Liverpool is extremely similar to the neighborhood in Brooklyn I was from, we are close to a main street with shops and restaurants just like we were in Brooklyn, and it is closer to get into the city center.   Which I spent 3 hours shopping and updating my wardrobe today in.  I am used to wearing sneakers everywhere, but just felt a bit out of place.  So I went and bought tons of flats and some boots today as well as tunic dresses and leggings.  I always wanted to buy them in NYC but as a bartender they weren't practical attire.  But here it fits me perfectly!!!

I will keep posting my highs (and hopefully very few lows).  I am super excited to be here!  And am gonna try to get a seasonal job with Royal mail.  Saw the advert today

I've been in Edinburgh for 2 weeks now. We've lived here before, just not in Edinburgh. The travel to get here has been pretty stressful, but I think I'm finally starting to calm down from it. I've had a few sad moments, I think from missing friends and family, but nothing too bad as yet. I hope it stays that way.

I feel a lot more positive about our move here this time (our last attempt was in 2011). I think we've got a different attitude this time, and know that we have to find ways to adapt to the way of life here. I think hubby and I know we are here for the long haul, are approaching things differently now - looking forward instead of back.

Anyways, enough of the rambling..don't want to steal the thread away from topic. I think my point is, that I can relate to the OP's feelings of relief and I hope hubby and I are finally able to settle down and start a family. We've moved about 7 times in the last 3 years, and we're just plain sick of it, and ready to make Edinburgh our home.

I've been in Edinburgh for 2 weeks now. We've lived here before, just not in Edinburgh. The travel to get here has been pretty stressful, but I think I'm finally starting to calm down from it. I've had a few sad moments, I think from missing friends and family, but nothing too bad as yet. I hope it stays that way.

I feel a lot more positive about our move here this time (our last attempt was in 2011). I think we've got a different attitude this time, and know that we have to find ways to adapt to the way of life here. I think hubby and I know we are here for the long haul, are approaching things differently now - looking forward instead of back.

Anyways, enough of the rambling..don't want to steal the thread away from topic. I think my point is, that I can relate to the OP's feelings of relief and I hope hubby and I are finally able to settle down and start a family. We've moved about 7 times in the last 3 years, and we're just plain sick of it, and ready to make Edinburgh our home.

No need to apologize!!  I wish you all the luck in this move.  We are all (or have been) in the same boat.  As soon as our stuff gets sorted starting a family is numero uno on my list.....so good luck to you on that front