Hello from Denver

I'm from Massachusetts, but we moved to Denver in June for a change and it wasn't what we were looking for. So, my husband & I (and our 2 year old son) are about to make the move to London after 5 years in the US.

I sent off my spouse visa paperwork last week (which, according to UPS was signed for on Friday morning in Sheffield during the Beast from the East!), and now we wait. My husband and son are leaving for the UK in a matter of weeks, knowing that I might be here for some time on my own while the UKVI sort through what must be a very long list of applications. I'm thankful that my employer is understanding and accommodating during this really uncertain time so I'll continue to work until I get word. Sadly, my family is in Massachusetts so this will be an isolating and anxious period until we get good word back.

I work in higher education and I'm hoping to get back to teaching once we're settled. I'm no stranger to living abroad; I lived in Ireland from 2001-2012. But this is a new venture in a new country for me, and we are both excited and nervous as we embark on the journey.

Hoping to relate to others here in the process of getting over and in navigating the world of childcare and employment once I've landed.

Welcome to the site I moved to England in 2002 and still use this sute it’s great !!!

I lived in Ireland from 2001-2012.

Welcome!    You're not an Irish citizen are you?

Welcome!

I moved to the UK from Denver (lived in Castle Rock).  My master's is from CU.   

Childcare is expensive here.  While I have no idea what it costs in the US, it is eye wateringly expensive here (I suspect it's that way everywhere).  How old are your children?

Welcome!    You're not an Irish citizen are you?

Oh, I assure you, if I were an Irish citizen we would not be going through the trouble of the spouse visa haha I hold American nationality only. I was working and reading for my Masters & PhD during that time in Ireland... as an international student

Welcome!

I moved to the UK from Denver (lived in Castle Rock).  My master's is from CU.   

Childcare is expensive here.  While I have no idea what it costs in the US, it is eye wateringly expensive here (I suspect it's that way everywhere).  How old are your children?

Oh funny! You know we haven't even been to the shops at Castle Rock! Not been here nearly as long as we anticipated!

I saw that childcare is expensive, which we are used to. In Boston it was about $2,000/month and we had to provide all meals on top of nappies/wipes. In comparison, the Aurora area is inexpensive at $1200/month which includes all meals as well as wipes (we include nappies). I'll be looking to have a job that is at least marginally a good fit, but by autumn we'll need to have a full time option in place. My son is 2 - and unfortunately (in terms of schooling etc) he was born in December!

Oh, I assure you, if I were an Irish citizen we would not be going through the trouble of the spouse visa haha I hold American nationality only.

It was a long shot! 

Oh funny! You know we haven't even been to the shops at Castle Rock! Not been here nearly as long as we anticipated!

I saw that childcare is expensive, which we are used to. In Boston it was about $2,000/month and we had to provide all meals on top of nappies/wipes. In comparison, the Aurora area is inexpensive at $1200/month which includes all meals as well as wipes (we include nappies). I'll be looking to have a job that is at least marginally a good fit, but by autumn we'll need to have a full time option in place. My son is 2 - and unfortunately (in terms of schooling etc) he was born in December!

I’m not a big shopper so didn’t really take advantage of the outlets either.  You aren’t missing much.

But I loved the lifestyle in Denver!  I’d move back in the blink of an eye.  What have you not enjoyed?  Granted, I’ve been away for 8 years so I’m sure it’s changed.

Childcare for my under 2 is about £1200 a month.  For my 3 year old (who gets 15 hours funded) it is £800ish depending on if it’s in term or not.  I’m not in London so mine will likely be cheaper than London.

But I loved the lifestyle in Denver!  I’d move back in the blink of an eye.  What have you not enjoyed?  Granted, I’ve been away for 8 years so I’m sure it’s changed.

Childcare for my under 2 is about £1200 a month.  For my 3 year old (who gets 15 hours funded) it is £800ish depending on if it’s in term or not.  I’m not in London so mine will likely be cheaper than London.

We originally moved in with family in the mountains (about an hour west/up the hill from Colorado Springs) and we loved the mountains - but there were no jobs that way for us. We're not pot smokers or skiers, so there's that, too! Denver itself lacks the sort of je ne sais quoi of other cities we love but more importantly we are increasingly concerned about gun violence. My son's daycare was among the area schools locked down a few months ago during a violent episode nearby, and the campus I work at had an active shooter situation and I hid under my desk wondering if this is the best it gets. (Reveal: It isn't, and we aren't really happy with living like this. Among many other things - both drawing us away from the US & toward the UK).

With childcare, are you limited in hours per day? I've seen quite a few which are mornings and that doesn't help if you're a professional working full time.

We originally moved in with family in the mountains (about an hour west/up the hill from Colorado Springs) and we loved the mountains - but there were no jobs that way for us. We're not pot smokers or skiers, so there's that, too! Denver itself lacks the sort of je ne sais quoi of other cities we love but more importantly we are increasingly concerned about gun violence. My son's daycare was among the area schools locked down a few months ago during a violent episode nearby, and the campus I work at had an active shooter situation and I hid under my desk wondering if this is the best it gets. (Reveal: It isn't, and we aren't really happy with living like this. Among many other things - both drawing us away from the US & toward the UK).

With childcare, are you limited in hours per day? I've seen quite a few which are mornings and that doesn't help if you're a professional working full time.

I get that as a reason for wanting out!

We use a private nursery which is from 8am to 6pm.  But it’s tough as we both work full time and long days.  I do drop off so I can work late.  My husband does pickup so he can be in the office by 7am.  Anyone who tries to tell you that there is a better work/life balance in the UK is lying through their teeth.  Or working part time.   

We use a private nursery which is from 8am to 6pm.  But it’s tough as we both work full time and long days.  I do drop off so I can work late.  My husband does pickup so he can be in the office by 7am.  Anyone who tries to tell you that there is a better work/life balance in the UK is lying through their teeth.  Or working part time.   

That's not too bad actually. Husband's Denver job started at 7 and mine at 8, so I drop off at 7 and husband collects at 4:30. His new London job won't start until 9:30, but even with a commute it's a much later start for us. We know there will be less time in the evenings, but with so much on our doorstep (schools, shops, chemists) at our new place we won't have to be forever in the car

Anyone who tries to tell you that there is a better work/life balance in the UK is lying through their teeth.  Or working part time.   

Or is child-free!!

Or is child-free!!

I worked way more before kids..   . Same with my husband.  But others swear they work less.  I just haven't met any of them in real life!

Welcome to the forum, capecod .

I worked way more before kids..   . Same with my husband.  But others swear they work less.  I just haven't met any of them in real life!

I haven't worked in the US (other than as a TA/RA in grad school), but I have weird shift patterns in the UK, where I work about 50 hours a week (2 days and 2 nights) and then have 3 days off... which means I actually end up being at home all day 5 days a week.

So, despite the long hours, it kind of feels like I'm barely working at all. In the last 3 weeks (14th Feb to 7th March), I will have worked 8 shifts and had 13 days off.

Welcome to the forum, capecod .

I haven't worked in the US (other than as a TA/RA in grad school), but I have weird shift patterns in the UK, where I work about 50 hours a week (2 days and 2 nights) and then have 3 days off... which means I actually end up being at home all day 5 days a week.

So, despite the long hours, it kind of feels like I'm barely working at all. In the last 3 weeks (14th Feb to 7th March), I will have worked 8 shifts and had 13 days off.

I loved when I did shift work.  Definitely suited me!