US Newlyweds moving to Leeds

Hello, all!

My name is Madeline and I am 25 years old. My husband, Alex, and I are moving to Leeds in July after one year of marriage. My husband has German citizenship so when his company was looking to expand their UK offices, we decided to volunteer.  We will be bringing our two cats along for the journey.

I couldn't be more excited for the move. I'm originally from Michigan, but moved to Colorado two years ago. Alex is from Denver and he was able to find a job out here after graduation so away we went. I loved the opportunity to move to a new place, but I'm happy that I will also be able to experience life in another country.

My grandmother has loved England for as long as I can remember. She takes many trips to London and the surrounding area every year. I've grown up listening to the stories of her travels and cherishing the little souvenirs she would bring back for the grandkids. So I'm so happy to not only be able to visit the places she talks so much about, but I'll actually be able to live and work in the UK as well.

Because of this minor obsession with England, I feel pretty knowledgeable about the culture and what to expect once we move. My only worry is finding friends and a support system. When we moved to Colorado, I didn't have any friends here but I had Alex's family whom I love so much. It will definitely be a challenge to not know anyone upon arrival. I hope we can live up to the challenge though!

Our goal is to do a lot of traveling and exploring throughout Europe during the two year contract. Any suggestions of places to go or things to see would be wonderful! Looking forward to getting to know everyone better :D Cheers

Hi I am new to the forum as well. I am a Brit who decided to join to see if I can help anyone out.

July is a great time to come over.

Leeds is a great city. Being Yorkshire it is also one of the friendliest parts of the UK, though do expect a certain bluntness - Yorkshire people are famous for it. So, if you get a blunt reply to a question that might otherwise have been something more gentle, don't be offended by it. Also, when on public transport, don't panic if someone choses to sit next to you and start a conversation. There not weird, just that's the way it is.

There is a wealth of things to see in Europe and many places can be seen in a weekend with cheap flights. Though there is a huge amount to see close to you. The Yorkshire dales are a world class visit in themselves and many stunning landscapes and things. Also a lot of interesting towns and villages to see close by such as Whitby - famous for Dracula and its fishing heritage. Close to that is Robin Hoods Bay - a stunning little coastal village. York is a must - walk around the walls made by the Romans and through the maze like alleyways. 

Getting a car is a must.

Maybe I should move to Yorkshire area lol I'm to friendly here and I know people think I'm strange   I came over in December and just started my first job. I worry about friends too because I have yet to make any but I do have some work friends, who I'm hoping will turn into real friendships.

I visited Cambridge a while back and it's beautiful. My mother in law lives down south by Weymouth and it's gorgeous there too. Prague is pretty neat to travel to, and I really like Netherlands, though I was only there a day and a half. Get to know your town, my parents came to visit a while back and we went to local museums and stuff that even my local husband never went to. There is a ton of history where I am at (Peterborough, East Midlands area).

In one of Bill Bryson's books he tells a story of walking through Yorkshire for the first time. He is on a narrow lane and a lady comes by in a car and rounds the next corner and skids off the road into the ditch. The car is turned up on its side. He runs over and is flapping about....the lady is confused and disoriented. Being pre-mobile phone...and he having no training for this sort of thing - what does he do?

He looks around and sees a Yorkshire farmer on his tractor coming over. An older Yorkshirewoman appears from a nearby farmhouse and gets the distressed lady out and takes her inside and gives her tea and a biscuit and tends to her minor scrapes. The farmer hooks his tractor to the car and pulls it up and out of the ditch, pries the dented fender out and starts the motor. 

Within 15 minutes the motorist is on her way, the farmer is back ploughing and all is back to normal - with Bill standing there having accomplished nothing.

Hi I am new to the forum as well. I am a Brit who decided to join to see if I can help anyone out.

July is a great time to come over.

Leeds is a great city. Being Yorkshire it is also one of the friendliest parts of the UK, though do expect a certain bluntness - Yorkshire people are famous for it. So, if you get a blunt reply to a question that might otherwise have been something more gentle, don't be offended by it. Also, when on public transport, don't panic if someone choses to sit next to you and start a conversation. There not weird, just that's the way it is.

There is a wealth of things to see in Europe and many places can be seen in a weekend with cheap flights. Though there is a huge amount to see close to you. The Yorkshire dales are a world class visit in themselves and many stunning landscapes and things. Also a lot of interesting towns and villages to see close by such as Whitby - famous for Dracula and its fishing heritage. Close to that is Robin Hoods Bay - a stunning little coastal village. York is a must - walk around the walls made by the Romans and through the maze like alleyways. 

Getting a car is a must.

Thank you for all the advice! From all my research, Leeds sounds like a great central point to see all the small villages in the North. Hoping to make it out to Edinburgh and, of course, London within the first few months. Long term, I've always wanted to go to Versailles and take a longer trip through Italy.

We're hoping to save some money by not bringing a car over. Which is why we chose to live in Leeds instead of Castleford where my husband's office is located. We'll see how we get on maybe we can look into getting a car once we're there. Luckily, we both know how to drive a manual.

Maybe I should move to Yorkshire area lol I'm to friendly here and I know people think I'm strange   I came over in December and just started my first job. I worry about friends too because I have yet to make any but I do have some work friends, who I'm hoping will turn into real friendships.

I visited Cambridge a while back and it's beautiful. My mother in law lives down south by Weymouth and it's gorgeous there too. Prague is pretty neat to travel to, and I really like Netherlands, though I was only there a day and a half. Get to know your town, my parents came to visit a while back and we went to local museums and stuff that even my local husband never went to. There is a ton of history where I am at (Peterborough, East Midlands area).

Hahaha I like to think I'm pretty friendly (I'm from the Midwest), but it is hard for me to make long term friendships. I've always been the type to have a few really good friends.

And I won't have a job upon arrival so that's a worry. Hoping to get a part time job as a Barista, as I have experience with that from college. I find that it's a good way to meet people and get a feel for the town.

There's so many place to see! My list keeps getting longer

Hey there!

I'm originally from MN. I lived there until mid 3rd grade and then we moved to Colorado where I lived for the next 20ish years. I miss the Colorado weather! I've been here in the East Midlands for 2 years now.

I just wanted to say, even though you are an anglophile, be prepared for culture shock. You may love everything you've read, seen, and experienced from the UK up until now, but that can be very different than what your day to day life will be. You'll probably have culture shock again when you go back to the US after your 2 years here. My best friend did a semester abroad in New Zealand and had it going both ways. She really struggled for a few months after coming back to the US.

Did you guys know that you are only eligible to drive in the UK for 1 year from the day you enter on your US license? You will have to take and pass the UK driving test (theory and practical) to continue driving after that. You may find it easier than I am, but I'm really struggling.

Be prepared for it to take a bit of time for you to find a job. You might be lucky and get one right out of the gate, but a lot of the time not having any UK work experience can really affect your chances. You might want to find someplace to volunteer while you are job hunting, that always looks great on a CV.

Oh, CV's have some major differences from a US resume, you'll want to get some help putting yours together. UK employers really do want you to include your hobbies, which still seems weird to me!

You may already know all of this, but just in case.

I live near Leeds - between Leeds and Selby! We just moved to the village, and I haven't made friends in the village yet. I work stupid hours (I am a teacher, so 60+ hours a week 6 days a week is normal for me), so that doesn't always make things easy! But the train takes about 15 mins for me to get to Leeds city centre. I would be happy for a meet up if you have a wobble!

Roundhay park is really nice and not too far to the north of the city centre if the countryside feels too far. It really is quite a special place. I don't know the city centre well as I was in York for 4 years - which is probably the most fantastic small city in the world (but very expensive to rent or buy).

Anyways, I am 32 and I've lived in lots of different parts of the UK for 12 years. Hit my up if you think I could be of any help!

Castleford is kinda a dump... though don't tell me hubbies best mate (from Castleford) that I said that! So good choice living in Leeds instead!

Hello, all!

My name is Madeline and I am 25 years old. My husband, Alex, and I are moving to Leeds in July after one year of marriage. My husband has German citizenship so when his company was looking to expand their UK offices, we decided to volunteer.  We will be bringing our two cats along for the journey.

I couldn't be more excited for the move. I'm originally from Michigan, but moved to Colorado two years ago. Alex is from Denver and he was able to find a job out here after graduation so away we went. I loved the opportunity to move to a new place, but I'm happy that I will also be able to experience life in another country.

My grandmother has loved England for as long as I can remember. She takes many trips to London and the surrounding area every year. I've grown up listening to the stories of her travels and cherishing the little souvenirs she would bring back for the grandkids. So I'm so happy to not only be able to visit the places she talks so much about, but I'll actually be able to live and work in the UK as well.

Because of this minor obsession with England, I feel pretty knowledgeable about the culture and what to expect once we move. My only worry is finding friends and a support system. When we moved to Colorado, I didn't have any friends here but I had Alex's family whom I love so much. It will definitely be a challenge to not know anyone upon arrival. I hope we can live up to the challenge though!

Our goal is to do a lot of traveling and exploring throughout Europe during the two year contract. Any suggestions of places to go or things to see would be wonderful! Looking forward to getting to know everyone better Cheers

You're probably still young enough to appreciate the strong student atmosphere in Leeds.

You're probably still young enough to appreciate the strong student atmosphere in Leeds.

That's sort of cryptic.

That's sort of cryptic.

Yeah, computer went nuts after that sentence.  Was going to say that different areas of Leeds would suit people of varying stages.  Horsforth seems best all round, Headingley is students (and cricket dudes in season), Chapel Allerton is probably more family oriented  and so on.  Generalizations, of course.

No it just reminded me of this time when someone asked me where I was staying while I was in town, and I said such-and-such hotel, and they replied, "Oh it's good you're so open-minded."

I never really figured out what they meant. 

Hey there!

I'm originally from MN. I lived there until mid 3rd grade and then we moved to Colorado where I lived for the next 20ish years. I miss the Colorado weather! I've been here in the East Midlands for 2 years now.

I just wanted to say, even though you are an anglophile, be prepared for culture shock. You may love everything you've read, seen, and experienced from the UK up until now, but that can be very different than what your day to day life will be. You'll probably have culture shock again when you go back to the US after your 2 years here. My best friend did a semester abroad in New Zealand and had it going both ways. She really struggled for a few months after coming back to the US.

Did you guys know that you are only eligible to drive in the UK for 1 year from the day you enter on your US license? You will have to take and pass the UK driving test (theory and practical) to continue driving after that. You may find it easier than I am, but I'm really struggling.

Yes, I expect I have a lot yet to learn, but I'm excited for it. I've seen some videos of people returning to their home countries and having reverse culture shock. That's probably one of the least expected things I've come across in researching expat life.

I've only been working part time for the past year so I'm hoping it won't be too bad without me working for a bit. Plus living expenses are a bit less in Leeds than where we live now. Denver's cost of living is getting ridiculous.

I live near Leeds - between Leeds and Selby! We just moved to the village, and I haven't made friends in the village yet. I work stupid hours (I am a teacher, so 60+ hours a week 6 days a week is normal for me), so that doesn't always make things easy! But the train takes about 15 mins for me to get to Leeds city centre. I would be happy for a meet up if you have a wobble!

Roundhay park is really nice and not too far to the north of the city centre if the countryside feels too far. It really is quite a special place. I don't know the city centre well as I was in York for 4 years - which is probably the most fantastic small city in the world (but very expensive to rent or buy).

Anyways, I am 32 and I've lived in lots of different parts of the UK for 12 years. Hit my up if you think I could be of any help!

Castleford is kinda a dump... though don't tell me hubbies best mate (from Castleford) that I said that! So good choice living in Leeds instead!

Thanks so much for the advice. I'll keep you in mind when we move. Would love to meet up once we're settled

Yeah, computer went nuts after that sentence.  Was going to say that different areas of Leeds would suit people of varying stages.  Horsforth seems best all round, Headingley is students (and cricket dudes in season), Chapel Allerton is probably more family oriented  and so on.  Generalizations, of course.

Good to know! From what I've seen on rightmove.co.uk Headingley does seem to have some good options within our price point. We'll have to see how everything unfolds, especially with having two cats.