Goodbye desert, hello Norwich!

Hi everyone! My name's Sam and I'm from Phoenix, AZ, where it is currently 110F. Needless to say, the UK climate is going to be a big change... But a welcome one! My husband and I and our two cats will be moving to Norwich this August while I attend University of East Anglia's creative writing graduate program. We're are both total anglophiles, so this is a dream come true! Too bad the dream comes with so many little nightmares. Hah.

I'm so glad I found this forum, though! There are so many questions that I simply can't find the answer to with a general google search. So happy to meet you lovely people.

Welcome!  There are so many wonderful people to answer your questions here, but I just want to give you a warm welcome aboard! 

My husband tells me that Norwich is a lovely town, and we can both guarantee it is cooler than 110F! 

Not to cause you any more stress, but recently there have been reports of "panther-like" large cats roaming loose in the fields around Norwich.

Most recently, in 2013, the staff at Norwich Camping and Caravan Club spotted what might have been a large black cat near Martineau Lane. Police have been unable to find the creature.

According to the BBC in this article:

A "tiger" lying between two cars in Norwich in 2011 and a "very large striped cat" resembling a tiger in Bradwell in 2010 were, in fact, stuffed toys.

and

In August last year (then 2012), holidaymakers believed they had seen a lion on the sun-drenched plains of St Osyth near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

Experts from Colchester Zoo and police firearms officers helped in the search.
It was simply a large domestic cat, Teddy Bear, basking in the sunshine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-21628555

Hello,

I am a Norwich Girl currently living in New Jersey soon to be moving back over to Norwich, fingers crossed all visa stuff for US hubby goes well !!

Norwich is a FANTASTIC city, you will love it !  My husband is from NYC and said that Norwich is his favourite city in the world.

There is lots to do, fabulous shopping, great pubs and clubs, restaurants everywhere, the history and old buildings are beautiful.  Always something going on to keep you entertained.
The beach is only about 20 miles away and recently the weather has been warm and sunny.
The train to London is only about an hour and a half ride.  You have made a great choice.
Make sure you go to a Norwich City Football (Soccer) game !!
We are moving back with our two young boys, it is a wonderful place to raise a family.
Let me know if you have any questions and lots of luck