Also, the first class tickets for the train were totally worth it.
Hey, congrats for taking that big leap, even if it is to the UK (having lived in a couple of places in Europe including over a decade in the UK, my opinion of the UK is pretty low).
It takes a lot of guts to take yourself out of the environment you know (with all it’s implicit expectations of “this is how people behave”) and move into a different environment were people don’t value the same things, expect the same or behave the same.
Good luck!
Good luck, I hope you and your child find the UK to be less shitty than America. :)
Having emigrated to France with my kids in 2017, I think you’re making a good decision.
Welcome! Hopefully once you’re settled you’ll be able to find a local pub that does a good sunday roast
Welcome to the UK :)
I didn’t know if England was the best choice, but right now I think Neptune is probably better than here.
It was my only choice. I have citizenship here. (Technically I am a “British passport holder” until I go to a citizenship ceremony and say God Save the King and I’m not a spy or something, but whatever.)
I wish you the best here across the pond. ;)
Welcome to the UK! Not sure on your final destination, but I’m based in South West England. Please feel free to reach out if you need any help or guidance, especially if you’re heading down this way 🙂.
I’m based around south yorkshire if you need anything squid. Hope you like it here
Thanks! In Blackburn in a VRBO at the moment, but I have no idea where we’ll end up. Looking for work everywhere I can.
Ah you’re just up the road from me. Guessing you changed at Preston? Hopefully you find something soon!
Nice now flee to Netherlands. Yes you have to learn Dutch but you can use English in shops or so. Small price to pay to be part of a civilized country
If you decide to do so please bring your own house, we don’t have many available at the moment
I have a British passport, not an EU one unfortunately. Also, I barely made it through high school French, so I’m guessing I won’t be able to learn Dutch.
In my personal experience, learning Dutch as foreigner can only happen by a method akin to being pushed into the deep end of a wimming pool and learning to swim - in other words, you have to be in a situation were your only option is to know how to speak Dutch - and I say this as somebody who can speak 7 languages (though 2 of them are at a “just getting away with it” level).
That said, most Dutch speak excellent English and even the State (not the local but the central one) and the Banks will communicate with you in English if you want, so people can live in The Netherlands for decades without speaking Dutch (some of my Brit colleagues when I lived over there were like that).
The Netherlands is certainly a far safer place for a lesbian teenager than Britain and will remain so simply because seeing an sexual orientations as absolutely normal happens at the level of Dutch Society itself, to the point that their first large Far Right party was led by a guy who from the start openly admitted to being a homosexual.
Having also lived in Britain I would say they’re “complicated” when it comes to tolerance because unlike the Dutch, Brits are big on appearances and judging people, so tolerance its not a natural part of the social posture over there IMHO, whilst gedogen is something the Dutch are actually proud of.
They do speak English in the Netherlands. Not very good but enough
Isn’t dutch harder as german to learn?
Duno
Hey, you made it Squid. Congratulations and welcome to the UK. As I previously said when we’ve been in the same thread, anything you need that I might be able to help with just reach out.
Thanks!
Oh wow congratulations. All the best from us left behind! I can’t imagine the undertaking to get out and give everyone who has ever emigrated props.
I wish I could take everyone with me!
Ah congrats on the move, squid. We left the US for the EU in December (planned since the summer) and I can’t imagine a better choice already. I know you’ve got a million things going on, and of course job, housing, etc are all top priority, but I have some lighter advice on getting used to a new place.
To meet some people and make some friends, there are lots of volunteer opportunities. It’s a fun, helpful, community building way to give a little back.
London has a TON of ex-pats/immigrants. Not that the point is to meet a bunch of Americans or anything, but any you do have left for a reason, so they’re more likely to be like minded.
Say “yes” to any bids for connection you can. Even if getting invited to an activity that isn’t your jam, if you get an invite, go! It can be lonely at first, and feel like drinking is the only way to meet anyone. But social circles can spread quickly once you get them a little off the ground.
Have fun, and enjoy some piece of mind!
Thanks!
Welcome to our side of the pond, friend!
Wow! You weren’t kidding.
I’m so glad you got out, you’re one of my favorites.
Thank you, and likewise!
Even though you are a relative stranger on the internet its really inspiring to see you do this.
Thanks.
