What's it like living in England

[Shaun @ Tru6]

as a US citizen? Got a call about an opportunity. Anyone have experience or know someone that does? Almost certainly won't be taking advantage as my mom is not in great shape but very curious.

[oldE]

Drive on the other side.
Be prepared for eye rolls.
Most people I met were great.
Haven't been there in 10 years, so maybe point of service has improved, I know coffee did over the previous 12.

Best
Les

[matthewb0051]

Learn what a semi detached home is before going. Or detached for that matter.

I lived there in the late 80s, school in the late 90s, visited in 2017. Back in the 80s it was way different than now. Back then you had to search for what one might consider comforts of USA home life. Now that stuff is everywhere.

Sure we had Pizza Hut back then but they also put corn on their pizza. Yes, corn.

Winter blows but you are in Mass so it will be a like for like without the snow. Summer and fall are wonderful.

My most recent trip, we went to a Premier League match (Spurs vs Southampton). It was so much cheaper than US sporting events. Our kids were teenagers and their tickets were less than half of adult prices. In total, I think we spent less than $200 for 4 tickets that were very close to the field. Try that at an NFL or NBA or MLB game.

From my experience, a lot of what made England unique has been overcome by world wide stuff (McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, 5 Guys etc). Back in my earlier days, no way could you get a Budweiser. Now they are commonplace. Pubs are on the decline and have been so for a long time.

That said, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Sometimes I tell the Mrs. that I'd move over just to take a job at a distillery working in the malt house moving the grain around as it toasts. Plus you may run into Capt Ahab form this forum!!!

[MBAtarga]

Do you like fish, chips and Guiness?

[Deschodt]

There are + and -
But there is no way an opportunity like that doesn't make you a better person overall... Just the exposure... Should be mandatory ! You like it - great, you hate it - you'll appreciate home more. More likely you'll be in the middle - and it's great for the soul ;-)

[speeder]

Cold, dreary and wet for a lot of the year. Incredibly expensive, especially in London. It's a very established society, people have known each other all of their lives and gone to school together, etc. I have a handful of great friends from the UK but I met them all over here, which makes a big difference.

As for a place to live, I don't choose it and I would be set up like few people if I did, due to the close friends I have living there now. I just wouldn't have anything to do there. YMMV, as they say. Maybe they would be impressed with your recipes and welcome you in.

[masraum]

opportunity in England? Aren't you retired other than your hobbies that you can't maintain as hobbies that always turn into business?

[speeder]

He's a very in demand individual, maybe their National cooking team needs him?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

He's a very in demand individual, maybe their National cooking team needs him?

I have no doubt that he would be a revelation to the national cooking team. From what I understand, the only seasonings that they have and use is some salt and a large bag of peppercorns that have been sitting in the corner for well over 50 years.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I would love it, as long as I could live in the Flat and in the village Ted Lasso lives in, with no job, but plenty of money :-) People could, and probably would, call me wanker a lot!

I spent a ton of time in London in the 90's. I loved it and briefly looked at an international transfer with the large accounting firm I was with. One of my mentors had done that and lived in Belgium for a couple of years and loved it. Ultimately we did not. I've always been a bit too risk averse for my own good.

I'd take a serious look at it. But I get the hesitancy with Mom not doing great. I could not have left the last couple of years my Mom was alive.

[Bill Douglas]

I really liked it. And Europe was just over a bit, so going to Spain was easy.

[944 S2]

Weather is just like Seattle. Crap in winter. Fun place to visit/live for the short term. Very expensive. Close to the rest of Europe. I lived there from 1970 to 1980 and have visited several time with family still there.

[Steve Carlton]

It's foggy and cold, but the food is terrible.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by steve carlton

it's foggy and cold, but the food is terrible.

lol

[Bill Douglas]

It seems like there is London and there is England. Not many similarities between them.

[LWJ]

Only been briefly as a tourist. And damn, I sure found the bad food. Beer wasn't much of a consolation prize either. And the weather? It was pretty awful (November. It should be!)

As someone living in a similar climate with excellent food, wine, beer, and I get to drive on the right side of the road? I would be hard pressed to make the move.

[creaturecat]

i would consider it a golden opportunity. ....... other than your mom's situation.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

as a US citizen? Got a call about an opportunity. Anyone have experience or know someone that does? Almost certainly won't be taking advantage as my mom is not in great shape but very curious.

where. location matters.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

It's foggy and cold, but the food is terrible.

So you went in the 60s and haven't been since is what i'm seeing.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by oldE

Drive on the other side.
Be prepared for eye rolls.
Most people I met were great.
Haven't been there in 10 years, so maybe point of service has improved, I know coffee did over the previous 12.

Best
Les

Funny that the best coffee I have ever had was in an English countryside estate turned conference center when I worked the Gillette acquisition of Parker Pen. The Parker people hated Gillette's C-suite. The coffee was a Kenya AA in a French Press and to this day (35 years ago I think) still the best cup of coffee I've ever had.

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Learn what a semi detached home is before going. Or detached for that matter.

I lived there in the late 80s, school in the late 90s, visited in 2017. Back in the 80s it was way different than now. Back then you had to search for what one might consider comforts of USA home life. Now that stuff is everywhere.

Sure we had Pizza Hut back then but they also put corn on their pizza. Yes, corn.

Winter blows but you are in Mass so it will be a like for like without the snow. Summer and fall are wonderful.

My most recent trip, we went to a Premier League match (Spurs vs Southampton). It was so much cheaper than US sporting events. Our kids were teenagers and their tickets were less than half of adult prices. In total, I think we spent less than $200 for 4 tickets that were very close to the field. Try that at an NFL or NBA or MLB game.

From my experience, a lot of what made England unique has been overcome by world wide stuff (McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell, 5 Guys etc). Back in my earlier days, no way could you get a Budweiser. Now they are commonplace. Pubs are on the decline and have been so for a long time.

That said, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Sometimes I tell the Mrs. that I'd move over just to take a job at a distillery working in the malt house moving the grain around as it toasts. Plus you may run into Capt Ahab form this forum!!!

Good stuff, thanks. I was there in the summer of '23 and Mr. Ahab was my guide for much of the trip. Phenomenal trip but that's sort of the thing, the euphoria of visiting vs. the reality of living in England. I did fall in the love with London and the Cotswolds, the lifestyle, the lack of all the ugly American stuff that permeates our lives here. So I think I would enjoy it.