lexie

Thank you all so very much for your input and the time you put into your responses! They have ALL been extremely helpful and given us much to think about.
Flanneruk--no ,you're correct- no close connections to speak of as you so astutely pointed out- but I did at least spell Birmingham correctly-allow me half a point for that one! Some of your obsevations gave me a giggle [meant that in a nice way] which I badly needed today!

lexie

Hi again Flanneruk!If your there, just forgot to complement you on your keen social and cultural insights. You're right on target. I'm not one to expect eveyone to love me --it's difficult to move somewhere when ,as you've pointed out people have formed their friendships over the years and aren't necessesarily seeking new one's. It's the same everywhere I guess. One thing I would like to say , being an American,is that some of us go abroad expecting things to be like they are at home and are upset when they're not . Maybe some of it stems from culture shock, or the reluctance to embrace each countries uniqueness .I've seen some people very unerved by cultural differences they could be enjoying and learning from. It would seem some only love what they are most familiar with, which is natural enough I guess.But I can only speculate that traveling must be a burden then, not the joy it should be.We are hoping to relocate to EXPERIANCE the differences in your great country, positive or negative.O.K.--enough of my rambling. Again, thank you everyone for your insights and advice.

lexie

To Kate-- Thank you sweetheart for your offer-- I do have one question for you if you don't mind. First off, I was sorry to read about your parent's illnesses. You did mention that they were paying 5,ooo.oo [pounds] for their private insurance.Is it possible to get a good standard coverage for cheaper if you are in good health? Maybe I should check on the BUPA website and see if they can give us a quote.

About Birmingham, what attracted us to that area is because of the reasons you said-- the city has built up so much cuturally and we love to live outside of a city like that.Now, we live 20 minutes outside of N.Y.C. and have a great time enjoying the great restaurants, museums and Lincoln Center. So to have a similar situation Logistically with Birmingham would be perfect for us!! Sorry if I'm asking you crazy insurance questions-- I realize your not an agent!!!

lexie

Morgana-- if you're ever in the N.Y.C.area you just let us know--we'd love to show you around!!!

lexie

Hi again Morgana--after re-reading everyone's posts, we feel that if we can afford it, we will go with the private insurance--as you said it does give you peace of mind should something come up and the waiting lists--still a bit frightened about it. Thanks!

BTilke

Kate's summary of my views about the life in the UK is right on the money, so I won't add to that except that if an opportunity came to move back to Belgium or Germany (or pretty much anywhere in continental Europe), we'd start packing. At any rate, Lexie, you seem pretty gaga about the UK, so you will probably enjoy it. But what about Italy? I thought you wanted to move there?

lexie

Hi BTilke--thanks for your input, very much apprecited. Re: My Italy post-- if you read it again you'll spot the part where I said we were interested in retiring to Europe eventually and that the biggest contenders were Italy AND Britain,[I'm not sure exactly how I worded it at the moment] my phrasing was different on this post, I decided to just focus on England obviously.So if I've confused you in any way, here it is. What am I supposed to say--AH-- you've caught me wanting to live in two different places!! This is a difficult decision for us BTilke --I personally have always leaned more towards England, but through certain circumstances, Italy has come in to play. It's also easier for us to get citizenship there because of our heritage. Right now , as you can see it's a big confusing mess --need all the help we can get in the decision making process.

GreenDragon

btw, Lexie is the name of my favorite character on one of my favorite Brit shows... Monarch of the Glen

If I were to move over, it would be under the highly skilled immigrant program, as I finally qualify. However, the husband is still down on it. Can I just leave him behind?? hehehe

There were several areas that I enjoyed staying in that I would like to live. Nottingham was top on my list (partially because it had one of the few things in it my husband adored -- the Games Workshop Factory, where they offered him a job!). I also was interested in the Wells area, Shrewsbury and Carlisle. I've never been to Birmingham, though I've been to Bristol -- I didn't care for Bristol that much. I definitely wouldn't want to live in London! I left Miami because 1. it was too hot, 2. it was MUCH too metropolitan and crowded.

It was good news to hear that prescriptions were free for the over-60 crowd. That's one of the biggest problems here, especially in Florida which has a high retirement ratio. Monthly prescription costs can be over $1000, and this is for people on $1200 a month social security payments!

Best of luck with your retirement, Lexie! My dreams are going with you

Perhaps someday, when I beat my husband over the head enough, I will come by and join you, we'll have a party!

lexie

Hi GreenDragon! Ive' never been to Nottingham or Shrewsbury,but had always wanted to visit the two. Shrewsbury in particular looks lovely to me.
Wish I WAS working on your Brit soap--I'd probably be making ton's more money than I am as a nurse! If the dollar doesn't reboud soon, We may end up joining you in Florida !![Then we can all go to lunch in Canterbury].

I thought of kidnapping my husband at one point but perseverance won out thankfully. Thanks for your well wishes GreenDragon --carry on for your Cause- you may sway him yet!

GreenDragon

Well, kidnapping him may be difficult, as he outweighs me by about 75 pounds, and is about 8 inches taller than me... but, who knows!

Shrewsbury was nice, though a little more touristy in areas than Nottingham. I liked both in that they were large enough cities to find something to do, but not so large that you find the common downsides of large cities -- dirty, crime-filled, etc.

What I liked about both is that it is quite easy to get out to the country, a very short drive. Living in Miami, we had city and The Everglades (not a garden spot, especially in the summer!), so to find a good, isolated spot for camping or picnicing, you had to drive several hours.

Barbara

Every time I ask my mum about all this waiting time for medical care/tests/ etc in the NHS she says "What wait". Nobody in my family, who live in Edinburgh, has ever had to wait longer than a couple of days, which is less than you'd wait in the US. Here, you have to wait until your insurance company authorizes the care your doctor says you need. Sometimes it can take several weeks just to see my primary care physician, then you have to get an appointment for the test/procedure/whatever. Unless it's a truly life-threatening emergency, it can take longer to get the care you need in the US than the NHS and you have to pay for it.I think it depends to a great extent on where you live.