As the famous saying goes, 'If I had a quarter/nickle/dime/dollar for every time I heard, ' you're so lucky to live in England' or 'I would die to live in England' or 'you're living the life,' I WOULD BE RICH! I would have this lovely nest egg of money in a savings account. If only I required payment each time I heard any of those words.
Don't get me wrong, living in England has it's perks.
To name just a few:
*Free museums. England has LOADS of museums and as stated before, most are free (unlike most other places in Europe). Dave and I have ventured out to a few of these museums; Wallace Collection, National Gallery, Imperial War Museum, Jewish Museum, Maritime Museum, and I'm sure a few others I can't remember.
*Lovely parks. We were fortunate to live close to Regents Park last year. It was only an 8 minute walk from our flat (apartment) and is over 400 acres. This garden happens to be manicured and has some of the prettiest flowers. In June they have a lovely rose garden that has thousands and thousands of blooms. If you're in London at that time, it's a MUST SEE. There are other parks; Hampstead Heath, Hyde Park, etc that are just as lovely in different ways. A great thing about these parks, ALL FREE as well. (Parks mentioned are in London) (Pictures - Regents Park Rose Garden)
*Diverse Food. Dave and I are both foodies. We love food and enjoy eating it. We also enjoy cooking it and love trying out new dishes. Indian food is everywhere here. I like more modern Indian food but also the older dishes. Thai food is all over the place. Who doesn't enjoy a good curry and rice..... ah, it was lovely the other night as we went and enjoyed a local place for the first time. Mediterranian food is also all around us but not to the same degree as Indian food. Unfortunately Mexican food isn't as well known here but there are a few places we enjoy (Cantino Laredo, which is originally a Dallas chain and Chipotle). Dave also found a good BBQ place when we're in need of a fix for a little home comfort. The most common foods England is known for (besides curry); Sunday roast and fish and chips. We aren't big fried people so fish and chips aren't high on our list.
*Estate Homes. There has only been 1 estate/manner home that I thought was worth seeing, Chatsworth House (Dave and I have visited a few this past year). Many will recognise this house from the recent movie, Pride and Prejudice. Most homes are big and impressive on the outside but hardly have any furniture in them. Chatsworth house had tons of furniture and a great deal of character. I, especially enjoyed, the white marbled room. It was pictured in the movie and the veiled woman statue was there to see up close. IT WAS AMAZING! (Pictures of Chatsworth House)
*Beautiful countryside. Hollywood does a great job of showing everyone how beautiful the English countryside is. IT REALLY IS THAT GOOD! I recommend coming to England and going to the lake district. IT IS STUNNING. The English little towns are true and many are situated in a lovely position. It's always nice to see the local (local pub), narrow roads, stone fences with flowers or a vine drapped over it, cottages all around and animals in the pastures. Picture PERFECT! (Pictures are from around the lake district)
(Pictures of Edinburgh Castle)
As mention before, SO MANY people would think this is the most fantastic place to live. I'm pretty sure my grandmother thinks the same but I really miss home. As the saying goes, there really isn't any place like home. I miss my family, my friends, a job I really enjoyed and a very large church family. Moving thousands of miles away brings saddness too. There are beautiful things here but there are more important things, like family. It's not awful here, it's just different. I want to share a few of the differences between England and the United States.
*Cost of living. After living in Texas, in a suburb of Dallas, I enjoyed a lot for my money. My husband who owned a house in Dallas, in a lovely neighborhood, lots of well known private schools around, the Galleria about 5 minutes away, only about 15 minutes from downtown also enjoyed a lot for his money. You do not enjoy a lot for your money in London. You will if you lived farther out but with living farther out you get less pay and taxes are still VERY HIGH. God has been great to us with providing us a lovely home to rent, which we moved into a week before the riots in our old area. This home is composed of a lounge/living room, eat in kitchen, half bath, family bath, 2 double bedroom, a single bedroom and about a 12X12 foot garden. It's about 1000 square feet. Houses in the area on the market for more than £1 million. The average cost of a house in the greater London area is £406,000 OR $700,000, though of course more closer into the city. Most of these homes might not even encompass 1000 square feet.
*Teaching in London. After moving to London I quickly found a job as a substitute teacher or supply teacher as they call it. Being a supply teacher you get a better daily rate than you would in America, that was a plus. The downside, 30 kids to a classroom and being inner-city means awful behaviour. Look to the London riots last year and that's what you're faced with. If I became a full time teacher here I would take a pay cut. That was quite surprising as this is the capitol. After 9 months of supply teaching and hating being mean ALL DAY LONG to the kids, going all over the city for jobs and making no connections, I hung up my hat to teaching. I want to enjoy what I do.
*Gas prices or petrol. Yesterday showed the highest price petrol has ever been in the UK, £1.40 a liter or $2.21. Since everything is on the metric system in the UK you need to know how many liters make up a gallon of gas. A gallon of gas is approximately 4.5 liters. So for all you math savy people that would be about $9.95 for 1 gallon. I have a feeling those in America would riot if they had to pay so much for gas. One reason everyone has tinker toy cars in the UK, they get much better gas mileage. Since Dave and I live in the city we just use public transport. Not the greatest but cost effective for us. Plus, it's very expensive and hard to find parking for a car. There just isn't any space.
When coming here just be prepared that everything costs about 60% more than the US. When you go and buy something it will have the same number price as in the US but you're paying in pounds stirling rather than dollars.
Lessons learned so far living here.
- Less is more. The houses are smaller which means less storage/space. Quite frankly how many people have things just to have things and these things are never used. I know when I moved out of my apartment to get married, I got rid of LOADS of things because they really weren't needed. Since I think about the exchange rate on items I refuse to buy many things. When I return to America for a visit and feel there is something I need, I buy it there. Example; I like many others I buy items for my wardorbe, but I buy far less than I used to. I have the habitital thought of, 'Is this a need or a want.' The goal it to keep these thoughts and lifestyle when we hopefully return to the US someday. Neither Dave or I have the urge or thoughts to keep up with the Jones. We only buy things if there is a use for them.
- Learning to live in a different culture. The way things are done in England are different. Quite different in my opinion from those in America. Somethings I think are outrageous, but frankly those from the UK moving to America would think the same. It is fun to move to another place, to explore and be with my husband but it's still hard and challenging at the same time. Even though people speak English here you still have to learn their way of doing things, meet new friends and settle in.
Dave and I are healthy and happy here. Looking forward to returning to America but know God has a plan for us. Where He'll take us only time will tell. Sometimes people think an idea is amazing, someone else's life is better than their own, etc but don't really know what's associated with it. Another famous saying that comes to mind, 'the pasture isn't always greener on the other side.' Just take the UK taxes and you'll find a few stinky parts of the pasture. Many Americans like the idea of living in England and there are great things but most of these thoughts are more romantic. With these romantic dreams/thoughts come many realities as well. Always remember that what might be magical and romantic also can also be challenging and difficult which isn't always seen at first.
*Teaching in London. After moving to London I quickly found a job as a substitute teacher or supply teacher as they call it. Being a supply teacher you get a better daily rate than you would in America, that was a plus. The downside, 30 kids to a classroom and being inner-city means awful behaviour. Look to the London riots last year and that's what you're faced with. If I became a full time teacher here I would take a pay cut. That was quite surprising as this is the capitol. After 9 months of supply teaching and hating being mean ALL DAY LONG to the kids, going all over the city for jobs and making no connections, I hung up my hat to teaching. I want to enjoy what I do.
*Gas prices or petrol. Yesterday showed the highest price petrol has ever been in the UK, £1.40 a liter or $2.21. Since everything is on the metric system in the UK you need to know how many liters make up a gallon of gas. A gallon of gas is approximately 4.5 liters. So for all you math savy people that would be about $9.95 for 1 gallon. I have a feeling those in America would riot if they had to pay so much for gas. One reason everyone has tinker toy cars in the UK, they get much better gas mileage. Since Dave and I live in the city we just use public transport. Not the greatest but cost effective for us. Plus, it's very expensive and hard to find parking for a car. There just isn't any space.
When coming here just be prepared that everything costs about 60% more than the US. When you go and buy something it will have the same number price as in the US but you're paying in pounds stirling rather than dollars.
Lessons learned so far living here.
- Less is more. The houses are smaller which means less storage/space. Quite frankly how many people have things just to have things and these things are never used. I know when I moved out of my apartment to get married, I got rid of LOADS of things because they really weren't needed. Since I think about the exchange rate on items I refuse to buy many things. When I return to America for a visit and feel there is something I need, I buy it there. Example; I like many others I buy items for my wardorbe, but I buy far less than I used to. I have the habitital thought of, 'Is this a need or a want.' The goal it to keep these thoughts and lifestyle when we hopefully return to the US someday. Neither Dave or I have the urge or thoughts to keep up with the Jones. We only buy things if there is a use for them.
- Learning to live in a different culture. The way things are done in England are different. Quite different in my opinion from those in America. Somethings I think are outrageous, but frankly those from the UK moving to America would think the same. It is fun to move to another place, to explore and be with my husband but it's still hard and challenging at the same time. Even though people speak English here you still have to learn their way of doing things, meet new friends and settle in.
Dave and I are healthy and happy here. Looking forward to returning to America but know God has a plan for us. Where He'll take us only time will tell. Sometimes people think an idea is amazing, someone else's life is better than their own, etc but don't really know what's associated with it. Another famous saying that comes to mind, 'the pasture isn't always greener on the other side.' Just take the UK taxes and you'll find a few stinky parts of the pasture. Many Americans like the idea of living in England and there are great things but most of these thoughts are more romantic. With these romantic dreams/thoughts come many realities as well. Always remember that what might be magical and romantic also can also be challenging and difficult which isn't always seen at first.
