Quote:
Originally Posted by wj4
Hey Steve, what was the reason(s) you made the move? (I understand if it's personal and you don't want to disclose the information).
The streets in general in London are more narrow than the U.S. right?
I also hear of wacky weather, ie sunny one day and snow the next?
I bet the fashion scene is a lot better there, ie fashion week and such. We have nothing here in L.A.
I know the cost of living is high. I read that it's up there with N.Y. and Tokyo as being some of the most expensive places to live.
Did it take you a while to switch to U.S.'s dialogue version of English...ie 'color' vs 'colour', 'realize' vs 'realise'.
If I do make the switch, I would make sure that I have a decent job lined up at the very least. I would not dare just to pack up one day and move there.
I didn't know that about car tax. I just know it was high, like other places in the world. The U.S. has got it so good when it comes to prices of cars and gasoline.
The currency exchange isn't too bad right now I think. I just ordered a sweater off from a British based company and it's about 1.2 USD to 1 Euro. It was higher about a year ago though if I recall correctly.
|
I initially followed a chick over here. She was doing an abroad program in London as many do. I was self employed with no real roots so I thought WTF - I always wanted to ride in a Yellow Cab lol.
The language thing didn't affect me at all. You will have a harder time understanding Cockney and British slang in general not to mention all the Irish and Scots that you will bump into.
Umm..realize that you can't just move there and work. If you show up at Heathrow with a one way ticket, you won't even make it through immigration unless you have a visa. You will need an employer to offer you a position and then sponsor your work visa/permit. I would look for a US Employer with a London branch. Once you get your permit, you will have free healthcare.
Although the currency exchange seems reasonable, what you must realise is that something that costs $5 in the US - like a beer for example, costs close to 5 pounds in London, a cheeseburger is $2 here and 2 pounds in London - or more. So you are paying 150-200% more depending on the current exchange rate. This is why the Brits love Disneyland - everything is about half the price when you come here instead of going there.
London is expensive but you can live on the outskirts and commute since the underground is reliable and regular.
Cars are smaller with smaller engines (BMW 318 and 518 for example). Gasoline is about a pound twenty a liter or about $7 per US Gallon. If you see an Escalade in London, it's probably a Premier Division soccer player or an Arab lol.