# Ex-pat Dopers, roll call! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846 "2008-09-09T21:17:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/61 "2008-09-12T09:52:30Z")
Another American in London – I came over to study drama and unexpectedly fell into (a) a fast-paced corporate journalism job and (b) the Irish trad music pub session scene. I miss Mexican food and margaritas more than anything. ---
**Author:** ![GomiBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@GomiBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GomiBoy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/62 "2008-09-12T10:19:27Z")
> [@Tracy\_Lord](#): > > Another American in London – I came over to study drama and unexpectedly fell into (a) a fast-paced corporate journalism job and (b) the Irish trad music pub session scene. I miss Mexican food and margaritas more than anything. One word - Pacifico In Covent Garden on Langley street, I believe. Best Mexican in town. My biggest complaint is that Mexican is so damn _ **expensive** _ in this town, to say nothing of tequila that isn’t Sauza or Jose. ---
**Author:** ![Marienee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Marienee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marienee)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/63 "2008-09-12T12:29:25Z")
I am American in the Netherlands. I am married to some Dutch guy, and we are parents to two bilingual Dutch Americans. I have been here for four years last June. I realized this week that my kids speak both English and Dutch with the southern accent which applies in each language. I have found the language gap to be, um, interesting. But the cultural gap is worse. In some ways I think it might have been easier to have married someone from an entirely different culture, because then I would expect it to be different. But you know, the Dutch look like us (just taller and blonder), dress like us, they have cars and banks and libraries and schools and these things all look very like their American cognates. But they really don’t operate on the same basic assumptions and I keep getting surprised by that. I made Mexican food for my mother in law once, because I had more week than money and Mexican is cheap and filling. You would have thought that I had produced a six course gourmet meal or something, she was overwhelmed. Oh, right, no mexican here. Hey, I got to use up my leftovers and I got good daughter in law points that day. ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/64 "2008-09-12T13:34:36Z")
Another overseas American, rounding out my 15th year of living in Europe. The first 2 1/2 years were in Brussels, and since then I’ve been in London. I’ve never viewed myself as a permanent expat, but my pound-denominated salary is the equivalent of quite a few more dollars than I would expect to get for doing the same job in the U.S., so I don’t think there’s much chance of a permanent return anytime soon. Great beer here, too. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/65 "2008-09-12T14:39:35Z")
> [@GomiBoy](#): > > One word - Pacifico > > In Covent Garden on Langley street, I believe. Best Mexican in town. My biggest complaint is that Mexican is so damn _ **expensive** _ in this town, to say nothing of tequila that isn’t Sauza or Jose. Ooh! That’s one of the few I haven’t tried – I heard a rumor of a Spanish-Mexican hybrid in Euston, but that’s not the same. Wahaca was the best I’d found so far, and even that was a little iffy. I’ll check it out this weekend? Are they the same Pacifico that have the La Perla bar near Goodge Street? ---
**Author:** ![GomiBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@GomiBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GomiBoy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/66 "2008-09-14T11:47:39Z")
> [@Tracy\_Lord](#): > > Ooh! That’s one of the few I haven’t tried – I heard a rumor of a Spanish-Mexican hybrid in Euston, but that’s not the same. Wahaca was the best I’d found so far, and even that was a little iffy. I’ll check it out this weekend? > > Are they the same Pacifico that have the La Perla bar near Goodge Street? Not sure if it’s the same group but La Perla used to be on Fulham High Street as well… closed down though. ---
**Author:** ![ShakWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@ShakWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShakWave)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/67 "2008-09-14T13:47:01Z")
Gleena, Sorry I missed your post while going through the thread. I’m now living in Pyrmont, which is pretty convenient because its just a 20 minute walk from my office. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/68 "2008-09-14T18:47:36Z")
Okay, I went this weekend and was _extremely_ underwhelmed. The search continues… ---
**Author:** ![GomiBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@GomiBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GomiBoy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/69 "2008-09-15T10:15:06Z")
> [@Tracy\_Lord](#): > > Okay, I went this weekend and was _extremely_ underwhelmed. The search continues… Sorry to hear that, I always really liked Pacifico, although I haven’t been in a couple of months. ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/70 "2008-09-15T10:38:17Z")
Ex-pat Canadian living in London. What started off as an 18month secondement for hubby’s job has turned into a four year, possibly permanent, stay. > [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > I think a couple of years ago (so, four years in) I realized that I don’t think I can live in Canada any longer. Certainly not in the West (Alberta) where I’m from. It’s too small, things are too far apart, I wouldn’t have the conveniences that I have here now. . I’m starting to feel the same way after 4+ years in London. We finally sold our home in Montreal where we lived for 10 years, after having rented it out all this time so there is no conection there any longer. Halifax where I was born is just too small and every time I go back to Toronto, where I lived for 15 years, to visit the M-I-L, my sister and all my college friends, I struggle to feel any connection there as well. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/71 "2008-09-15T20:37:26Z")
Englishman living in 'merica. I plan to stay here, so I don’t know if that makes me an immigrant rather than an expat, or what… ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/72 "2008-09-18T04:30:21Z")
American here, long-term resident of Thailand. Used to live in the North but have been in the Bangkok area for 14-1/2 years now. ---
**Author:** ![First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/First_Amongst_Daves)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/73 "2008-09-18T13:53:02Z")
When I was a Hong Kong expat, we had a Hong Kong Dopefest. 3 HK expats plus **Jovian** , who flew in on holiday from Japan. Hard to believe it was 5 years ago. > [@Osakadave](#): > > Ah… 🙂 One of those rare ones who beats my 17.5 years here in Japan. You’re living a parallel universe version of my life. In 1995-6 I lived in Moriguchi (halfway between Kyobashi and Kadoma, on the Keihan line to Kyoto). If not for a strange turn of events, I would have stayed there forever. ---
**Author:** ![ems](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@ems](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ems)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/74 "2008-09-18T16:53:31Z")
In relation to my previosu post (Brit in America, worked in Norway) I just found out my company is transfering me to Paris… ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/75 "2008-09-18T20:10:17Z")
> [@ems](#): > > In relation to my previosu post (Brit in America, worked in Norway) I just found out my company is transfering me to Paris… Nice! Paris is seriously fabulous – but I do most sincerely hope you’ll be paid in euros and not in dollars! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Daffyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daffyd/32/8923_2.png) [@Daffyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daffyd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/76 "2008-09-19T01:56:47Z")
American living in Canada for the past 3 years, but moving back to California next year. ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/77 "2008-09-19T02:27:19Z")
> [@ShakWave](#): > > Gleena, > Sorry I missed your post while going through the thread. I’m now living in Pyrmont, which is pretty convenient because its just a 20 minute walk from my office. Cool! Pyrmont’s lovely, hope you’re enjoying it. 🙂 I’ll stick to Newtown. (It’s cheaper, LOL). Cheers, G ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/78 "2008-09-19T18:34:23Z")
> [@ems](#): > > In relation to my previosu post (Brit in America, worked in Norway) I just found out my company is transfering me to Paris… My BIL is just being transferred out of Paris to Columbia. He, his wife and two young kids had a great time there. He was very impressed with the medical stuff, the traffic is bad though. ---
**Author:** ![ems](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@ems](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ems)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/79 "2008-09-19T20:37:10Z")
Oh yes **shantih** euros it is… ---
**Author:** ![Lyanthya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aca169/32.png) [@Lyanthya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyanthya)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846/80 "2008-09-19T21:28:55Z")
> [@PaulParkhead](#): > > I’m an ex-expat: I’m British, but lived in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for about three years. Well, also West Virginia, but I’d rather not talk about that. > > So my wife is now the expat. Yeah, I’m the wife. US expat living in Scotland. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pat-dopers-roll-call/462846.md?page=5)