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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 15:25:55 GMT -5
SO and I are retired, and seriously considering moving to the UK.
Comments, advice, suggestions?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 15:32:38 GMT -5
SO and I are retired, and seriously considering moving to the UK. Comments, advice, suggestions? Ask the Queen to take us back. We'll pay the damned tea tax! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 15:34:48 GMT -5
the U.K. has embraced PC like no other, so you better be uber sensitive. While tobac is still available there, be prepared to pay 4X as much for your limited choices. You'll need a Million $ to afford a nice house in a decent neighborhood. Hope your not into firearms.
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 15:42:38 GMT -5
the U.K. has embraced PC like no other, so you better be uber sensitive. While tobac is still available there, be prepared to pay 4X as much for your limited choices. You'll need a Million $ to afford a nice house in a decent neighborhood. Hope your not into firearms. ...real estate seems reasonable an hour by train outside of London (nowhere near a mil), firearms not an issue (though I have a carry permit here), and the PC thing... well, it's infected the SF Bay Area so much that the UK would most likely pale by comparison... |
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Post by mwps70 on Mar 9, 2018 15:43:17 GMT -5
Just curious but what calls you there? I'd like to visit for sure as I've never been to Europe. I'd really like to see Ireland as well.
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 15:44:56 GMT -5
Just curious but what calls you there? I'd like to visit for sure as I've never been to Europe. I'd really like to see Ireland as well. ...SWMBO and I are mostly of English descent, and are *Anglophiles*... |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 15:51:04 GMT -5
Just curious but what calls you there? I'd like to visit for sure as I've never been to Europe. I'd really like to see Ireland as well. ...SWMBO and I are mostly of English descent, and are *Anglophiles*... well, that explains why you don't like SWR.  too bad those 'burbs don't have high speed internet (we'll miss ya here). I'm half English/Norwegian but those genealogical roots don't call to me. just sayin' |
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Post by Darin on Mar 9, 2018 15:54:56 GMT -5
Weather isn't that great and the exchange rate on your money is 1 to 1.39 ... not exactly wallet friendly. I've been to England and Wales along with several EU countries and would never consider leaving the USA. YMMV! |
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 15:54:57 GMT -5
...SWMBO and I are mostly of English descent, and are *Anglophiles*... well, that explains why you don't like SWR. too bad those 'burbs don't have high speed internet (we'll miss ya here). I'm half English/Norwegian but those genealogical roots don't call to me. just sayin' ...lol, well, there's the element of the theatre community in London as well, as the USA in general only wants musicals and spectacles and turns it's nose up at serious plays. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 9, 2018 15:58:01 GMT -5
I can see moving to the Republic of Ireland, but my friends in GB say that it's becoming hell on earth. San Lois Potosi, or Costa Rica are more appealing to me. But then I WILL die in Texas.
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 16:02:08 GMT -5
I can see moving to the Republic of Ireland, but my friends in GB say that it's becoming hell on earth. San Lois Potosi, or Costa Rica are more appealing to me. But then I WILL die in Texas. ...Texas is a national treasure. It's influence is inestimable. |
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Post by Darin on Mar 9, 2018 16:05:27 GMT -5
Amen ... Lake Chapala is on the list as well! |
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Post by mwps70 on Mar 9, 2018 16:06:51 GMT -5
I seriously would like to move back to the country of Texas. I lived in Austin for a couple of years and miss it dearly.
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 9, 2018 16:27:18 GMT -5
I can see moving to the Republic of Ireland, but my friends in GB say that it's becoming hell on earth. San Lois Potosi, or Costa Rica are more appealing to me. But then I WILL die in Texas. ...Texas is a national treasure. It's influence is inestimable. Awww, you're just saying that..... But, seriously, you need to look around at what's going on in the UK before you pack up your bags. |
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 16:29:50 GMT -5
...Texas is a national treasure. It's influence is inestimable. Awww, you're just saying that..... But, seriously, you need to look around at what's going on in the UK before you pack up your bags. ...good advice, and I thank you for it... |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 16:30:34 GMT -5
I lived in the UK for most of my adult life, and have only been back in the US for a few years. But...post-Brexit vote it has changed a lot. The NHS is perhaps terminally underfunded and may be sold off to US companies. There's been a huge spike in xenophobia and racist violence, and there is a general air of uncertainty surrounding the whole Brexit issue. At this point, almost a full 2 years after the referendum, nobody has a clue how it's going to turn out. They could stomp away with no deal, closing the borders to the rest of Europe and throwing the country into economic and social turmoil, or they could come up with a solution that looks very much like staying in the EU. But already universities are being negatively impacted, farming is going to hell, nurses and other medical staff are fleeing in droves (many are European), inflation is rising and supplies dwindling. The people who wanted to go back to pre-EU Britain are getting what they wanted - only not in the sense of Britannia ruling the world, but in the sense of a country that's economically on its arse and the classes more divided than ever. The once fabulous railway system is now an unreliable, overcrowded nightmare due to privatization and underfunding, but is the most expensive in Europe. Don't underestimate the miserableness of the weather - it can be very depressing when there are weeks on end with no sun, and the gray sky seems like it's about 10 feet above your head.
On the plus side, London is still and probably always will be a cultural mecca, and is one of the most diverse and interesting places anywhere. There's are a lot of beautiful countryside, interesting history, and the baseline education level is much higher than in the US. The proximity to the rest of Europe and cheap flights anywhere are currently major advantages, but may not last. The police are genuinely trained to protect and serve, and there is almost no likelihood of being killed in a mass shooting (though probably greater likelihood of terrorism or random acid attack, at least compared to the Bay Area). Tobacco prices are higher than US, but not nearly as bad as Australia or Canada, for example. For the time being you can buy in Germany or wherever, but you cannot rely on anything about the relationship to the EU staying the same. Not even flights, visa-free, travel, exports, etc. The exchange rate is actually pretty good for Americans right now, and may get better if their economy slumps even more or if they storm out of the EU with no deal. I'm not sure what truculent means by "the PC thing", but generally speaking the UK - and especially London - is more progressive than much of the US (though again, you're used to that in the Bay Area). For some of us that's a major advantage.
If it's an option, I'd consider Ireland instead. Still Anglophone, similar culture, history, landscape, architecture, but more stability, fairly good economy (though nothing like it was a few years back), and the huge advantages of being part of the EU. There some disadvantages, too, of course....
My wife and I are planning on returning to Europe within the next couple of years - but it won't be back to the UK. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 16:36:22 GMT -5
I lived in the UK for most of my adult life, and have only been back in the US for a few years. But...post-Brexit vote it has changed a lot. The NHS is perhaps terminally underfunded and may be sold off to US companies. There's been a huge spike in xenophobia and racist violence, and there is a general air of uncertainty surrounding the whole Brexit issue. At this point, almost a full 2 years after the referendum, nobody has a clue how it's going to turn out. They could stomp away with no deal, closing the borders to the rest of Europe and throwing the country into economic and social turmoil, or they could come up with a solution that looks very much like staying in the EU. But already universities are being negatively impacted, farming is going to hell, nurses and other medical staff are fleeing in droves (many are European), inflation is rising and supplies dwindling. The people who wanted to go back to pre-EU Britain are getting what they wanted - only not in the sense of Britannia ruling the world, but in the sense of a country that's economically on its arse and the classes more divided than ever. The once fabulous railway system is now an unreliable, overcrowded nightmare due to privatization and underfunding, but is the most expensive in Europe. Don't underestimate the miserableness of the weather - it can be very depressing when there are weeks on end with no sun, and the gray sky seems like it's about 10 feet above your head. On the plus side, London is still and probably always will be a cultural mecca, and is one of the most diverse and interesting places anywhere. There's are a lot of beautiful countryside, interesting history, and the baseline education level is much higher than in the US. The proximity to the rest of Europe and cheap flights anywhere are currently major advantages, but may not last. The police are genuinely trained to protect and serve, and there is almost no likelihood of being killed in a mass shooting (though probably greater likelihood of terrorism or random acid attack, at least compared to the Bay Area). Tobacco prices are higher than US, but not nearly as bad as Australia or Canada, for example. For the time being you can buy in Germany or wherever, but you cannot rely on anything about the relationship to the EU staying the same. Not even flights, visa-free, travel, exports, etc. The exchange rate is actually pretty good for Americans right now, and may get better if their economy slumps even more or if they storm out of the EU with no deal. I'm not sure what truculent means by "the PC thing", but generally speaking the UK - and especially London - is more progressive than much of the US (though again, you're used to that in the Bay Area). For some of us that's a major advantage. If it's an option, I'd consider Ireland instead. Still Anglophone, similar culture, history, landscape, architecture, but more stability, fairly good economy (though nothing like it was a few years back), and the huge advantages of being part of the EU. There some disadvantages, too, of course.... My wife and I are planning on returning to Europe within the next couple of years - but it won't be back to the UK. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. ...sincere thanks for this information, Chico... |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 16:47:53 GMT -5
Oh, and they do have high-speed internet in the 'burbs - in fact, telecoms in general seem more efficient and cheaper than in the US. I was kind of surprised when I came back, how some things seemed a little... backwards.
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Post by william on Mar 9, 2018 17:23:35 GMT -5
A member here (Legend Lover) lives in Northern Ireland. I'm sure he will come along and chime in soon.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 17:32:39 GMT -5
dissatisfaction with the Internet is a complaint I have often heard on Sky News. If not true, doesn't much matter to me.
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Post by trailboss on Mar 9, 2018 17:40:18 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 18:04:02 GMT -5
Yeah, that's disgusting - here's another article on it. www.theguardian.com/society/2017/apr/22/nhs-letter-more-rations-on-operations-obese-smokersThe NHS used to be something that every British person was proud of. But chronic underfunding, privatization, and now Brexit have put serious strains on it. Having said that, I never once had to wait more than a couple of days for a doctor and always had excellent treatment (in London, a suburb, and rural Wales). My last doctor put me down as a non-smoker after I told him how much (or how little) I smoked. My wife literally owes her life to the NHS. @truculentfrogs , I do live in NM where things can be a little less advanced than other parts of the country, so that might account for my experience of telecoms here. But I do know that there's far more competition for phone and internet in the UK. Here we have one company for cable (Comcast) and where I live can only get ATT signal. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 9, 2018 18:13:05 GMT -5
A member here (Legend Lover) lives in Northern Ireland. I'm sure he will come along and chime in soon. Here I am, was watching 'Arrival' with my daughter, so was off the grid for a while. OK, here are my thoughts, but then again, I've no frame of reference (little frame of reference anyway)... A lot of it has been said, so I won't repeat in detail. Weather isn't great, but in south of England it's much better than Ireland. Exchange rate sucks compared to the dollar, plus with the tax, things are a lot more expensive in comparison. I think I wrote in another thread, petrol prices (gas) is about 6.65$ per gallon which is steeper than what you pay, but the pay isn't as great...It's better in the mainland, but in Northern Ireland it sucks...BUT house prices are WAY cheaper in Northern Ireland - a 2 bedroom apartment in London would cost about the same as a 5 bedroom house with an acre of land in Northern Ireland (in fact, possibly more). In Ireland there's nothing to do - period. In mainland UK there's slightly more to do, but it all depends on what you're into. So you could come to Ireland, live near the coast (which is, in comparison, anywhere in the country) and enjoy walks with your pipe on the beach. Food isn't too expensive, but USA prices are still cheaper. London West End is the place for theatre, so I get why you would perhaps want to head there. It's certainly a lot greener than USA. I went over to Souderton a few years ago to train some people and I couldn't get over how brown that part was compared to Ireland (it's not called the Emerald Isle for nothing)...But mainland UK is just as green. Houses in the south of England are gorgeous. I'm not going to stereotype the people. Like anywhere, there will be good folk and not so good folk, but I did notice, in London, that nobody said, 'please' or 'thank you' the whole time I was there. In Northern Ireland it's much different. People say hello to each other in the street (like Sesame Street). We even thank each other when driving by flashing our headlights or hazard lights - you don't get that in the mainland. I've probably bored you enough. If there's anything else you want info on, just ask. |
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Post by Dramatwist on Mar 9, 2018 18:15:32 GMT -5
A member here (Legend Lover) lives in Northern Ireland. I'm sure he will come along and chime in soon. Here I am, was watching 'Arrival' with my daughter, so was off the grid for a while. OK, here are my thoughts, but then again, I've no frame of reference (little frame of reference anyway)... A lot of it has been said, so I won't repeat in detail. Weather isn't great, but in south of England it's much better than Ireland. Exchange rate sucks compared to the dollar, plus with the tax, things are a lot more expensive in comparison. I think I wrote in another thread, petrol prices (gas) is about 6.65$ per gallon which is steeper than what you pay, but the pay isn't as great...It's better in the mainland, but in Northern Ireland it sucks...BUT house prices are WAY cheaper in Northern Ireland - a 2 bedroom apartment in London would cost about the same as a 5 bedroom house with an acre of land in Northern Ireland (in fact, possibly more). In Ireland there's nothing to do - period. In mainland UK there's slightly more to do, but it all depends on what you're into. So you could come to Ireland, live near the coast (which is, in comparison, anywhere in the country) and enjoy walks with your pipe on the beach. Food isn't too expensive, but USA prices are still cheaper. London West End is the place for theatre, so I get why you would perhaps want to head there. It's certainly a lot greener than USA. I went over to Souderton a few years ago to train some people and I couldn't get over how brown that part was compared to Ireland (it's not called the Emerald Isle for nothing)...But mainland UK is just as green. Houses in the south of England are gorgeous. I'm not going to stereotype the people. Like anywhere, there will be good folk and not so good folk, but I did notice, in London, that nobody said, 'please' or 'thank you' the whole time I was there. In Northern Ireland it's much different. People say hello to each other in the street (like Sesame Street). We even thank each other when driving by flashing our headlights or hazard lights - you don't get that in the mainland. I've probably bored you enough. If there's anything else you want info on, just ask. ...especially appreciate your remarks, LL... |
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 9, 2018 18:15:55 GMT -5
Oh, the NHS...I can't speak for the mainland, but while hospitals are pushed to the limit in Northern Ireland, it's a fantastic service. We don't pay for prescriptions here, where I live I can see a doctor normally that day, and hospital care is at a generally high standard, for the most part...all for free. It's not perfect, but it's a great service (IMO).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 18:18:42 GMT -5
that historical matter of tea and no taxation without representation, resonates deep in my marrow. I feel as strongly about it as Ronv69 feels about Texas and the Alamo . . . but I don't want to argue about it. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Mar 9, 2018 18:29:40 GMT -5
Dublin is the place to be for theater.
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 9, 2018 18:38:28 GMT -5
Dublin is the place to be for theater. Was going to say, theatre is a big deal in Ireland, north and south. You're most welcome. End of the day, sometimes it's better to regret the things you do than the things you don't do. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2018 19:39:58 GMT -5
By the way, Dramatwist, in case you didn't know artists do not pay income tax in RoI. So if writing is your main source of income, it's something to consider if Ireland is an option. |
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Post by Beardedpipesmoker on Mar 10, 2018 0:00:50 GMT -5
Wife and I got married in Scotland past July. Also went to Ireland. Galway is probably my favorite place on earth I've ever been. I'd love there in a heart beat.
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