Hi! New from Seattle moving to Watford

Hi Everybody!  I moving to Watford for a new work assignment for 1-2 years.  Kinda' scared but what the heck!  I'm 39yo male single.  Does anybody have any advise on making friends?  Any cute gal's?  Thanks Brian!

Hmmm. Cute married girl here...but that isn't going to help you much, huh?


What can I say.  I wish you the best of luck on your transatlantic move and I'm sure you will make friends.

I'm sure there are others who have actually made the move who can offer better advice.

Some of the men might have an idea on the female front, though I imagine it's just like the US.

Hi! Seattle's a great little city! Friends here... well, I can say that your best mates will probably be from your office, the Brits do socialise especially through work, just tag along to the pub afterwards, accept every invitation, and your exoticness (I know, you're not a papaya, but you will have strange accent!) will pull the birds. Invite your colleagues for a ruby and a beer, and you can be popular! he he he. Really.

Hi Brian,

Goodluck on the move. Like Lili said, you'll probably meet friends from work.  And the accent won't hurt you a bit.

I've found the social scene here to be a lot bigger than back home. Tons of pubs, clubs, bars etc etc.

Keep us informed. If there is anything you want to know, ask. This place is a fountain of information.

Welcome!

Hello Brian, Welcome to UKY...  All the women here are gorgeous, outspoken, make lots of money and are very independent...  (Shel in dreamland again) LOL!... actually, we are all a bunch of really great people in this forum, whether man or woman... most are married or about to be married or in a partnership...  but friends here you will definitely find.

Good luck on your new adventure... not sure where Watford is, but no doubt it is in the South somewhere...  I am not there just yet, so can not offer any tips on the meeting new friends part...  but I must agree with Ashley from what I have seen and heard...  England is very big on night life and social life.

Enjoy
Shel

Hi Brian,
I also moved out from Seattle    You'll find the weather is pretty similar, but the UK has more indoor things to do.  I've found making "true" friends to be a bit difficult, but perhaps it may be easier for a guy.  Most guys in an office will go to pubs together and hang out.  This may be a good outlet for you.  Also, if you play any sports, there are football (American or soccer), hockey, basketball clubs around.

Hope this helps.  If you're in London drop me a line!
-Tracey

Thanks to Everybody that has responded my posting!  All you guys seem great and hope to keep in contact with you as my move gets closer.  I have an additional question, What salary percent increase should I expect from my company to keep me at par with US Wages?  Thanks again!...Brian

..... What salary percent increase should I expect from my company to keep me at par with US Wages?

Ask ten people and you'll probably get eleven diffent answers.  I'm not sure about the cost of living in Seattle, but Watford is pretty much part of London and the cost of living is high - comparable with New York.

When I moved from London to New York my first US job paid pretty much the same as my last job in London at the prevailing exchange rate, and I think that was for a roughly comparable standard of living.  So, take your job, find the NYC salary for it, then devide it by roughly 1.5 (yes, I know that current market rate is 1.6ish).

If I were you, because the cost of housing in London is so high, I'd consider asking your employer to pay you your US salary (in sterling), and for them to rent a house/ apartment for you.

Welcome Brain!  Great to see another Northwesterner soon to be transplanted.  I am in Oregon...Eugene area, and soon to be making the big move over (hopefully in August).  

I am engaged to a wonderful Brit and he is always telling me his adventures with his "mates" in the office.  Trips to the pub after work, or better yet at lunch!  So I am sure you won't have any problems meeting new "mates", and finding things to do.  They talk of sports, of course their version of "football" lots and lots.

One thing I do want to prepare you for is that he said we are just way to horizontal here (laid back), but I am sure he just means this particular area.  Seattle isn't quite as laid back as Eugene, but close...lol.  At least you don't have the hippie weekly fest downtown every Saturday....lol.  You folks up there still have normal offices, and normal people working in them...lol.  I work for the University, and took him into work, and boy was he shocked that we wore jeans and casual wear to the office...lol.  But I did explain, hey this is a University, I used to work for a PC company, and I dressed up everyday....(with a gumpy face as well), don't miss those pantyhose....lol.  

Well, now that I have gone on and on.....Welcome!  Will have to keep me updated on how your move is going, and your visa process.

Cheers,
Vonny

Hello

Welcome to the boards!


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