Greetings from Seattle

Hello, I hope this is the appropriate way to introduce ourselves.

We are Ken and Jane Huey, currently living in Seattle. Jane has recently been recruited to a social work job in Exeter, as part of a program to professionalize UK social work, and we expect to be relocating next May. Ken is a freelance illustrator, looking forward to establishing himself in a new country. We're fortunate to have the full power and authority of the DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL sponsoring us in this move, but we're counting on "our fellow Americans" to help us out when we have questions, so we hope this online resource will clarify such pressing concerns as:

Will our DVD player work when we plug it in, over there?
Will we have to get a whole new VCR player?
Will our Mac be compatible with... oh, we dunno, everything it needs to be?
Are we likely to be able to get broadband?
Can we get popcorn in Exeter? How about sushi?
They say they have Tex-Mex, but is it any good?

Honestly, we'll have approximately one thousand, two hundred and seventy-nine questions-- we hope you folks will be willing and able to help us find the answers.

Looking forward to getting to know you folks,

Jane & Ken

Hi Ken and Jane,

Welcome!

First let me just say that there are a few Yanks down Devon way so feel free to ask lots of questions (I live in Taunton but frequent Exeter a lot). Also, you might want to set up separate accounts for yourselves. Hardly anyone on here uses the account as a couple - it makes things easier when we're reading your posts, too.

To answer some of your questions:

Yes, you can get TexMex but if you're handy in the kitchen, you'll prefer the taste of homemade to restaurant stuff.

You can get popcorn!

I've brought over 2 Mac laptops with no problems. Desktop models will require electric and plug convertors as will all your other appliances including DVD and VCR. I haven't done the DVD/VCR thing but I know others will have advice for that (which is probably don't bother - just buy one here).

Broadband in Exeter should not be a problem.

Feel free to ask lots more questions!

Hi Ken and Jane.  Hmm.. long list.    First of all welcome to UKY and you are moving to one of the most beautiful parts of the UK!  (I am a bit biased, but it is lovely and we also have some of the mildest weather thanks to that gulf stream -granted it can be sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy and even icey all in one day but hey!)

Leave the DVD and video as they are cheap to buy here and you can even buy a DVD that is multiregion and will play US and UK DVD's.  You can bring the computer as long as it is 110/220, but I remember from another thread that MAC's might not be.  Unless it's a laptop and most of those are.   Someone else can help you with that one.  

Some people swear by converters.  I just got new stuff here.

You can most likely get broadband unless you move to the sticks.  

You can get popcorn in Exeter though the mircowave kind is moe expensive here.  We just buy it kernals and make it the old fashioned way.  You can buy a hot air popper too.

I still have yet to find Sushi or Tex-Mex in Exeter and Plymouth has a Tex-Mex place, but it's not the best.  You will either have to make it yourself or go to London.  Plymouth does have a decent size Asian store (well two or three) and Cornwall and Devon are home to some of the freshest seafood.  I make sushi and rolls when we get the craving.  

We have things like Chili powder, cumin, and some Old El Paso things.  Flour tortillas and the like can be found at the supermarket.  You will find the cans smaller and the prices higher.  Decent corn tortiallas will have to be made a home or long life ones can be purshased in London or on two websites of Lupe Pintos or Cool Chili.... both are good.

In truth most things can be found here with time and money.  It's just a matter of deciding what it is you will miss and what's most important to you.  

Hope that helps!  Feel free to post in other parts of the board with more specific questions and also do a search for others.  

The bluest skies you'll ever see are in SEATTLE!!!

Sorry - doing my Perry Como impression!! 

Welcome!!!

1)  Get your FILL of Tex-Mex -- there's not much here at all in the UK.
2)  Broadband -- hell yeah -- even podunk towns are getting broadband (hint hint!)
3)  Popcorn -- again -- Bring Orville WITH you -- slim pickin's here
4)  DVD - I wouldn't -- depending on how long you'll be here.  Easier to flog it off on EBAY US and then purchase a newer one here -- not too spendy -- easy to shop around and recordable is getting more common.
5)  Bring Mac - - He'll love it here!

Another thing -- LOOK at the mountains AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE-- no mountains here in the UK and what they call a HILL -- doesn't match Spring Street at all (between 1st ave and 5th)


ps - if you're coffee addicts -- especially if you like your DRIVE THRU coffee kiosks -- you WON'T find it here -- so again -- get your fix there -- coffee is plentiful here -- just don't the dash and go

So, "driveupcoffee," when you told Beckers that you and your spousal unit live on "the other sea coast," were you specifying the Channel, or the North Sea, or what? You wouldn't happen to be anywhere near a little burg called "Exeter," would you?

Thanks for your advice-- I grew up in flat, flat Dallas, Texas, so I still can't get over the thrill of being able to see not one but two mountain ranges when I walk up the street to Phinney Ridge. Mountains, I'll miss 'em.

At least I won't have to worry about earthquakes. Right?

Ken

I just know about popcorn - I get the kind you do the old fashioned way & I love it!  3 teaspoons of oil and a 1/3 cup of popcorn, heat over the stove & presto!  It's better than microwave popcorn any old day, especially if you sprinkle with melted butter & sea salt!

There are mountains here in the UK. Just nice, older ones!!! And, well, there aren't really any in Exeter I'm afraid! But, there are some darn nice cliffs and wonderful moors, and amazing rock formations. You won't lack for gorgeous scenery in the south west!

There are mountains here in the UK. Just nice, older ones!!! And, well, there aren't really any in Exeter I'm afraid! But, there are some darn nice cliffs and wonderful moors, and amazing rock formations. You won't lack for gorgeous scenery in the south west!

Don't listen to her -- she's fibbin'! 

There's NOTHING in the UK that compares to the Olympics and the Cascades.

So, "driveupcoffee," when you told Beckers that you and your spousal unit live on "the other sea coast," were you specifying the Channel, or the North Sea, or what? You wouldn't happen to be anywhere near a little burg called "Exeter," would you?

Thanks for your advice-- I grew up in flat, flat Dallas, Texas, so I still can't get over the thrill of being able to see not one but two mountain ranges when I walk up the street to Phinney Ridge. Mountains, I'll miss 'em.

At least I won't have to worry about earthquakes. Right?

Ken

Hey!
We're on the SE coast of England.  Hubs loves Devon -- Lynton in particular.  We're trying to coordinate holiday time for next year -- and we'll most likely be "out west" 

Don't listen to her -- she's fibbin'! 

There's NOTHING in the UK that compares to the Olympics and the Cascades.

I wonder how many Asians are calling home from Seattle, saying "there's NOTHING here that compares to the Himalayas"...? Well, every spot on this poor globe has its own peculiar charms, I s'pose.

I'm looking forward to familiarizing myself with Devon's.

BTW, doesn't anybody call it "Devonshire" any more? I always liked the sound of that.

Ken

BTW, doesn't anybody call it "Devonshire" any more? I always liked the sound of that.

Ken

Only when talking about Devonshire Teas. mmmmmmmmmmm.

hi  'driveupcoffee' whereabouts on the s.e coast are u ? i live on the s.e coast too, & yes, u will not find any kinda mountain or big hill in this part of the country lol, i live in thanet, just curious to know how near u are to me..........love susie xx

Oooh, you lucky peeps.    Devon is looovely. 

Welcome to UK-Y, and good luck with your move!

wench

hi  'driveupcoffee' whereabouts on the s.e coast are u ? i live on the s.e coast too, & yes, u will not find any kinda mountain or big hill in this part of the country lol, i live in thanet, just curious to know how near u are to me..........love susie xx

I'm very close to you!
I can see the Maunsell Forts from my house 

Hi Jane and Ken!
I'm the one who's in Tacoma right now, but hopefully will be moving the the UK fall or winter of 2005.

I spent a bit of time in Exeter, as it was the biggest city closest to me.  My boyfriend was taking a college course one day a week in Exeter, and was hoping to move there when our time in Lynton was over (we worked at a conference center, which is where we met).

I can't answer your questions about what you should bring, because I only had to bring my personal effects, as my accomidation was provided for me.  But I might be able to tell you what to expect or some of the fun things to see in Exeter or things closeby. 

I'm assuming I can put my email in here, so if you'd like to email me about anything, it's vicious_vic73@yahoo.com   My boyfriend has just spent four months here in Washington, and he might be able to answer any compare and contrast questions you might have.  He really loves Exeter!  Devon is a beautiful county, and Exeter give you easy access via train or coach to other areas.   Hopefully you'll make it up to N Devon where I was - the Valley of the Rocks is really beautiful!   Though there's no subsitute for Mt Rainier!

Oh, and there's no Starbucks in Exeter.  There are two Costa Coffees on the high street which are quite nice.  One has upstairs seating we used to like to go to.  There's also a Boston Tea Party cafe with an open atmosphere seating off the high street.

Happy moving!  I'm very excited for you!!
Rebecca