American family wants to move to England: feasible?

Factual Questions
61

[QUOTE=pulykamell]
That’s a rather weird metric. Are European airports generally accessible by foot? Having lived 5 1/2 years in Budapest, I can tell you that Ferihegy 2 is definitely not pedestrian-friendly, and it would also require crossing a busy highway on foot to get to if you were on the wrong side of the road. Needless to say, the only airport I’ve ever seen anyone walk to is Midway here in Chicago
[/QUOTE]

The first time I drove to one of my nearest airports, I drove straight past the entrance, because I was just driving down a residential street. Admittedly, Norwich ain’t Midway.

62

[QUOTE=spazurek]
This is sage advice, and I bet in, oh, a generation or two the US will have many of the advantages of the UK.
[/quote]
In London there are plenty of [del]telescreens[/del] surveillance cameras for your security. Secure Beneath the Watchful Eyes | This is an actual poster … | Flickr

63

[QUOTE=rowrrbazzle]
In London there are plenty of [del]telescreens[/del] surveillance cameras for your security. Secure Beneath the Watchful Eyes | This is an actual poster … | Flickr
[/QUOTE]
Well if you’re not doing anything wrong then you have nothing to worry about, right? :wink:

64

[QUOTE=rowrrbazzle]
In London there are plenty of [del]telescreens[/del] surveillance cameras for your security. Secure Beneath the Watchful Eyes | This is an actual poster … | Flickr
[/QUOTE]

Every time I see that picture I wonder what kind of thinking must have been going on. Surely it’s obvious to absolutely everybody that it’s at least creepy, never mind the Orwellian implications and slightly Soviet styling! It’s like a first brainstorm idea based on ‘survey results show people saying CCTV makes them feel more secure’ got short-circuited through to the final print.

65

[QUOTE=GomiBoy]
I went all over Easter Europe and Asia when I first got her (it’s actually easier to get to places like Thailand from here than from the West Coast - don’t ask me why).
[/QUOTE]

It’s a shorter flight for one thing. But yes, I know quite a few Brits living here who fly to London pretty regularly just for visits, up to three times a year maybe, if not more. Flying to anywhere in the US, even Hawaii, is for us a major effort.

66

To be fair, the Atlantic started it.

I wish my life were so good that I were worried about making only (the functional equivalent of) $100,000 a year.

I went to Minnesota for just under a week and nearly had a nervous breakdown from fish taco withdrawals. Europe? I don’t think I can leave San Diego at this point! Kind of a bummer, since I’ve looked forward to it for a long time.

I’ve had an English brand of strawberry jam that was pretty good, though.

I can’t point you to any specific websites, spazurek, but I know that the University of California has teachers on its staff who teach in English at “host” universities all over the world for their study-abroad kids. You might want to check that out.

67

Can anyone tell me if there are similar programs in the Czech Republic or Norway, or where I would go to find that out?

68

[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect]
Can anyone tell me if there are similar programs in the Czech Republic or Norway, or where I would go to find that out?
[/QUOTE]

Keep in mind that Norway is not part of the EU.

69

[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect]
Can anyone tell me if there are similar programs in the Czech Republic or Norway, or where I would go to find that out?
[/QUOTE]

Call the embassies.

http://www.mzv.cz/wwwo/?zu=washington

70

[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect]

I can’t point you to any specific websites, spazurek, but I know that the University of California has teachers on its staff who teach in English at “host” universities all over the world for their study-abroad kids. You might want to check that out.
[/QUOTE]

Hey there, I just wanted to add that in countries with a very high level of English fluency (Netherlands, Scandinavia, etct) it isn’t uncommon to have some of the sciences taught in English. It’s not only teaching foreigners. And English textbooks are very common as the market for a Danish textbook in very specialized fields is quite small. Although one wonders in Biology, as there is a lot of memorization of various name. I would imagine in Danish there’d be a few changes here and there.
But back to the reason why I’m posting in this thread again.

Spazurek, speaking as someone who (while albiet much younger) had the same motivations as you, I think I can relate. I was raised in Mississippi, where I was always a little weird. I realized at some point that I could go somewhere else and not be weird, so that’s when I decided to go to Europe. I had this crazy dream that it was all going to be like a Manu Chao song and everyone would be happy and so whimsical all the time like in Amelie. Of course I didn’t realistically think that, but I sort of had this feeling in my heart that it would be like that.

Then I went. I do have to say that it did change my life, and I still do prefer the way that Europeans think. All of these are great things. But you do have to realize there are a lot of good things about America that you take for granted. And you won’t know what those are until you’ve lived there for several years. I probably would have stayed had I been able to, but on the other hand, being forced to come back to the US wasn’t such a bad deal either. It compelled me to finally study computer science, which is what I should have been doing all along. Some things about America are pretty awesome really. And I think you have to have lived in Europe for a few years to realize it.

My original plan was to come to the US, spend three years getting a masters in computer science, then return to Europe under a program that caters to skilled workers. IT is usually a very in-demand career. Or maybe even set up a free-lancing gig somehow. But now, the way things are going, I’m not entirely sure I would want to do it just yet. It’s hard to say…

I’ve never lived in the UK though, but I feel that I’ve gotten a real good taste of the culture as I worked in two expat-oriented bars in my time in Europe. I know a lot about British culture for someone who’s never really been there. I’ve never had any desire to go to the UK though. It just seems to me that they seem to have the worst of both worlds. The stiltedness of Europe and the concern with money of Americans. I’d prefer Ireland I think. That’s just my opinion though, and I could be wrong.

On a side note, you have to realize that your ability to learn the local language is probably a complete unknown to you. Some people are really good at it and others aren’t. It seems to have little correlation with intelligence. I happened to be pretty good at picking up languages, but I never knew it until I went to Spain. The point being, don’t let foreign languages stand in your way.

But I think the only cure for this is for you to go. What you might want to do, and I’d highly recommend it, would be for you to take a vacation, not just to the UK, but also to Ireland, maybe Scandinavia, and a few other potential places you’d like to live. Just to get a feel for which places you might like the best. I know the feeling though. I’d feel really disappointed with myself had I never done it. I don’t think you should deprive yourself of that, but you should take a vacation over there first to broaden your idea of where you’d be willing to go (thus increasing your chances).

But you haven’t mentioned why you don’t consider Ireland yet.

71

If you find you can’t move out of the US, why not consider Chicago? It has all of the advantages of a big city (music, theater, film, public transportation, worldwide transportation hub, walkable-unless you want to walk to O’Hare I guess) but it’s cheaper and the people are friendly and down-to-earth. It’s got a great skyline and, of course, Lake Michigan. It doesn’t have the natural beauty of Vancouver though (and our temperatures go to more extremes). I’ve always said that the one thing that would make Chicago the perfect city is a nice, scenic mountain range to the west (in place of all those faceless burbs). Ah well, can’t have everything.

Still, on a day like today, where it’s 70 degrees and sunny, this seems like the most beautiful city in the world. I know it’s not, but oh my, it’s a beautiful day.

72

[QUOTE=Equipoise]
It has all of the advantages of a big city (music, theater, film, public transportation, worldwide transportation hub, walkable[.]
[/QUOTE]

I could never understand that. Every time I talk about the horrors of having to “live like a rat in a city” (high-density, shared walls, limited greenery and nature, close contact with strangers), the common response is that it’s high demand, because of all of these fantastic things like music, theater, film, etc. For example, I had the opportunity to live in Toronto, but refused. Did I miss any of those benefits? No; I took the train or drove into town, and enjoyed all of that. And then went back to my suburban hotel, enjoyed the expansive surrounding greenery, the many parks, and the relatively low density. That’s something that can be appreciated every, single day. Are there really people that blow $100 per day, every day, to see theatre? And have to make a special excursion to see trees? Interestingly, I also lived in a Carol Stream hotel for several months in lieu of a Chicago corp apartment. I love downtown Chicago – except for driving – but can only feel sorry for people that have to actually live there. That’s no slam against you personally – just different cultures, I must imagine.

73

If you want to get out of the US without getting out of the US, and you’re willing to shell out European style big bucks on living expenses, just move to the SF Bay area. We’ve got everything you’d want, and some of the best weather in the world, too.

Just don’t tell your friends!

74

Personally, I think that cityfolk like me are generally extroverted.

The list of things you say is part of it I suppose, but the real draw is the ability to have it all. I think New York, is kind of the ultimate in this area. The idea that you know that everything you could possibly need is within an hour away. When I was about to move to Denmark, I was supposed to send off my passport for a Visa application, before I realized, “Wait, I live in New York, maybe there’s a Danish consulate here?” So I ended up going in person and waited 10 minutes for my visa instead of 4 months.

Just one example, but big city folks like the idea of the unknown. It’s not the quantifiable things that happen, but the things that you see / stumble upon during your daily routine. In the suburbs, you just drive from point A to point B and never run into a single person. I’m from a town of 4,000 by the way. I feel comfortable being around other people. I like it. I don’t want to be alone.

Trees and all of that are nice, but I feel like I got enough of that when I was a kid. I grew up playing in the woods. I don’t need that anymore.

75

For getting out of the US without getting out of the US, Hawaii has my vote.

76

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
I could never understand that. Every time I talk about the horrors of having to “live like a rat in a city” (high-density, shared walls, limited greenery and nature, close contact with strangers), the common response is that it’s high demand, because of all of these fantastic things like music, theater, film, etc. For example, I had the opportunity to live in Toronto, but refused.
[/QUOTE]
Good for you. Whatever floats your boat.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
Did I miss any of those benefits? No; I took the train or drove into town,
[/QUOTE]
Living in the city, we don’t need or own a car, and haven’t for 18 years. Oh, every now and then over the years we talked vaguely about getting one, but we can take a train or a bus, or walk to just about every place we want to get to. When we think of all the money we’re NOT spending on car payments, insurance, tags, licenses, city stickers, fuel(!!), repairs and general maintenance, not to mention not having to deal with the hassle and often expense of parking and the worry of something happening to the car (no keyed car, no fender benders/accidents), we drop the subject. There are also cabs galore, and if we really REALLY need a car, we can rent one or use ZipCar.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
And then went back to my suburban hotel, enjoyed the expansive surrounding greenery, the many parks, and the relatively low density. That’s something that can be appreciated every, single day.
[/QUOTE]
There are plenty of parks in the city, and tree-lined streets in the neighborhoods.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
Are there really people that blow $100 per day, every day, to see theatre?
[/QUOTE]
I’m sure there are, but they’re weirdos. And so are you, for asking such a surreal question.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
And have to make a special excursion to see trees?
[/QUOTE]
Huh? I can look out my front and back windows and see trees.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
Interestingly, I also lived in a Carol Stream hotel for several months in lieu of a Chicago corp apartment.
[/QUOTE]
I’m sure it was just lovely. It’d drive me crazy to be stuck in a burb so far from the city, but again, whatever floats your boat. Different strokes and all that.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
I love downtown Chicago – except for driving – but can only feel sorry for people that have to actually live there.
[/QUOTE]
So do I, but that’s because I can’t imagine living in a high-rise. Since for you there seems to be this black and white of EITHER Carol Stream/other burb OR downtown Chicago high-rises, let me clue you in to the fact that Chicago is made up of dozens of different neighborhoods, and those are where MOST of the people who live in the city limits live, not downtown. The neighborhoods are generally eclectic and interesting. Ours is one of the most ethnic in a very ethnic city, mainly every flavor of Middle Eastern, hispanic, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese. We live in a large 3-bedroom apartment in a 2-flat on a tree-lined street with a back yard with a tree and garden, and pay $900 a month (and it’s been 2 years since I’ve seen a roach). We’re a half block away from the “L” and have markets, shops and restaurants of all different types from around the world in every direction. There’s a huge, beautiful, leafy-green park just a few blocks away. It’s wonderful, and just about everything we need is right here within walking distance.

[QUOTE=Balthisar]
That’s no slam against you personally – just different cultures, I must imagine.
[/QUOTE]
Since I don’t live downtown, I didn’t take it personally.

77

[QUOTE=Equipoise]
We live in a large 3-bedroom apartment in a 2-flat on a tree-lined street with a back yard with a tree and garden, and pay $900 a month
[/QUOTE]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

You mean apiece, right?
:frowning:

78

[QUOTE=Merkwurdigliebe]
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

You mean apiece, right?
[/QUOTE]
Nope. I assume it will go up at some point but we moved in here in 2003 and the landlord hasn’t raised the rent once, and yes, we consider ourselves very very lucky, because it’s a great apartment, a nice neighborhood, close to the “L” and especially considering that the large eat-in kitchen was completely remodeled with new cabinets, counters, sink and appliances (including built-in microwave) right before we moved in. Very lucky indeed.

Sorry about the hijack spazurek

79

Please don’t torture the New Yorkers. They daydream of such an apartment costing less than $3000 a month. I love New York, but living there requires a complete recalibration of one’s expense meter.

80

[QUOTE=gaffa]
Please don’t torture the New Yorkers. They daydream of such an apartment costing less than $3000 a month. I love New York, but living there requires a complete recalibration of one’s expense meter.
[/QUOTE]
I know, I know, I’m sorry. Boasting is so tacky. I love our place so much I can’t help it.

Did I mention that we also have Central Air? And a living room with stained glass windows?