Moving back to the UK

Hi All!

I was a frequent member from 2004 to 2011, and then less so until about 2014 (particularly on the taxes board!).  We moved to the US back in 2011 for three years and then Asia for five.  We are now returning to the UK, quite quickly and unexpectedly.  We have about a month before we move and I am also dealing with a family emergency in the US and flying back and forth.  It's a bit of a hectic mess.

Having lived in a developing country in Asia for the last few years, we feel like we are not in touch at all with the modern world.  I have no idea where to buy anything anymore and I have no idea what services/conveniences are available.  I have never even used Uber.  I am certain I am going to ask some really stupid questions in all of this!  Please both bear with me and impart all your modern knowledge!  I got overwhelmed just looking at cat litter options today! 

ETA:  Just had a look at some of the folks still on here, particularly the mods, hello people I used to know!!!    I look forward to getting re-acquainted.

Hi All!

I was a frequent member from 2004 to about 2011 (particularly on the taxes board!).  We moved to the US for three years and then Asia for five.  We are now returning to the UK, quite quickly and unexpectedly.  We have about a month before we move and I am also dealing with a family emergency in the US and flying back and forth.  It's a bit of a hectic mess.

Having lived in a developing country in Asia for the last few years, we feel like we are not in touch at all with the modern world.  I have no idea where to buy anything anymore and I have no idea what services/conveniences are available.  I have never even used Uber.  I am certain I am going to ask some really stupid questions in all of this!  Please both bear with me and impart all your modern knowledge!  I got overwhelmed just looking at cat litter options today! 

ETA:  Just had a look at some of the folks still on here, particularly the mods, hello people I used to know!!!    I look forward to getting re-acquainted.

Hi Sara, welcome back! 

Did you obtain UK citizenship during your original stay here or will you be returning on a spouse visa?

I've never used Uber either, so you're not alone there! 

Hi Sara, welcome back! 

Did you obtain UK citizenship during your original stay here or will you be returning on a spouse visa?

I've never used Uber either, so you're not alone there! 

I did get my UK citizenship back in the day.  I was one of the last of the 5 year work permit-ers.  So that piece is sorted at least, though having UK citizenship seems to have lost some value these days.   

I did get my UK citizenship back in the day.  I was one of the last of the 5 year work permit-ers.

Fantastic!    We see so much regret here from people who could have got it at the time but didn't for whatever reason and now they want to return but the current process is so much longer and more expensive.

Hi Sara Smile - I remember you from before (although I was probably a different username then, so you won't remember me!).  Hope your move and all the other stuff you're dealing with goes smoothly!

Welcome back to the site and good luck with your move. Are you both UK/US citizens?

I did get my UK citizenship back in the day.  I was one of the last of the 5 year work permit-ers.  So that piece is sorted at least, though having UK citizenship seems to have lost some value these days.   

Still very valuable for situations such as yours, where you have to move vack suddenly.  You would not believe how expensive and tedious the spouse visa route is now.

Anyway, hi!  I wasn't around the last time you were here, as I joined in 2012, but welcome back!  Hope everything goes as smoothly as it possibly can for you.  Join in on all the boards, and we'll happily answer all of your questions. 

Hi Sara Smile - I remember you from before (although I was probably a different username then, so you won't remember me!).  Hope your move and all the other stuff you're dealing with goes smoothly!

Hello!  I do remember you!

Welcome back to the site and good luck with your move. Are you both UK/US citizens?

I am but DH is not.  He did have a GC while we are in the US but we gave it up for specific reasons that were a bigger benefit than keeping it.

I just realised I didn't say anything about myself other than I was moving and am inept with modern conveniences.  And apparently I like to spam my own posts!

Otherwise, my true passion is travelling and all things Japanese. I am also a crazy cat lady and obsessed with all things cat.  My DH and I love to cook - particularly Asian food of all types. I also like interior design and am exploring paper craft (I got a cricut for my birthday).  I am likely changing my career (I was a dual US/UK tax geek, which is why some of you might remember me) and looking to go back to university.  Since we weren't expecting to come back to the UK, I hadn't really done any research in this country so I have that to look forward to.

That's me in a nutshell.  I am really looking forward to exploring the UK again with a new perspective.  And if anybody shares any similar hobbies, I can talk about them for hours!

There are plenty of cat lovers in this group!  Watch out for Jimbo, though... rumor has it he uses traps to collect them all for himself.

KissofDeath is going to Japan on holiday soon.  It'll be her second trip and I think she has a pretty full itinerary already, but I bet she'd love suggestions.

What career direction do you think you want to move in?  UK/US tax experts are pretty sought after on this forum, as I'm sure you know.

I like to think I'm the Queen of Team Cat Lady for Life.   

There are plenty of cat lovers in this group!  Watch out for Jimbo, though... rumor has it he uses traps to collect them all for himself.

KissofDeath is going to Japan on holiday soon.  It'll be her second trip and I think she has a pretty full itinerary already, but I bet she'd love suggestions.

What career direction do you think you want to move in?  UK/US tax experts are pretty sought after on this forum, as I'm sure you know.

The career question is a difficult one.  I really want to do an architecture degree but anything that requires you to be licensed then limits your mobility.  I want the chance to live in other countries.  I thought about doing something slightly lower key like interior design or urban planning but I need to do more research into how those programs work in the UK to know if the pros vs cons make sense. 

It is also my plan to apply for an architecture/urban planning degree out of Tokyo but it is such a long shot, it is barely worth mentioning.  Like it's such a long shot, it could be on the moon.  But you get zero of the opportunities you don't apply for, right? 

I had thought about doing some US tax work on the side but it's a difficult one for me.  I used to work in a Big 4 capacity and doing dual work, you basically work 60-80 hours all year long.  There is never a non-busy period.  I was miserable and I am not keen to revisit that life.  But there is a big difference between that and doing some TurboTax for a handful of folks as a side hustle.  I am still undecided.

I like to think I'm the Queen of Team Cat Lady for Life.   

I am prepared to fight for the title.  At a minimum, I am almost sure I own more cat related items than is strictly appropriate for normal life. 

I am prepared to fight for the title.  At a minimum, I am almost sure I own more cat related items than is strictly appropriate for normal life. 

My husband and children all know that my cat is the love of my life.