Has anyone moved to a town that turned out to be terrible-tell us your stories
Mar 26th, 2002, 10:18 AM
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Good: Moved from Pittsburgh, Pa to San Diego, Ca. Late 50s. Didn't have to stoke the furnace, dig the car out, layers of clothing then high humidity in the summer.
Bad: From San Diego to "rural Sacramento" early 60s. No ocean, no bay. No "city".
In San Diego we played baseball and swam almost all year long. In No. Cal they actually went fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, camping and played basketball and football. At the time I thought it was the end of the world.
Now, it's probably was the 2nd best thing that happened to me. And without it, the first best may not have happened. ;^D
Guess being so young I didn't look at it in the long term scheme of things.
Other than wanting to be able to retire in Yountville, Kauai or Tuscany, I'll probably buy a plot here and become a permanent fixture!
Kal
Bad: From San Diego to "rural Sacramento" early 60s. No ocean, no bay. No "city".
In San Diego we played baseball and swam almost all year long. In No. Cal they actually went fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, camping and played basketball and football. At the time I thought it was the end of the world.
Now, it's probably was the 2nd best thing that happened to me. And without it, the first best may not have happened. ;^D
Guess being so young I didn't look at it in the long term scheme of things.
Other than wanting to be able to retire in Yountville, Kauai or Tuscany, I'll probably buy a plot here and become a permanent fixture!
Kal
Mar 26th, 2002, 10:19 AM
#42
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ah, Nina, I know your meaning, but I'd not be so certain if I were you, and if you are, lets not put it on the 11 oclock, film to follow, for we're always evolving, and that makes it all the more fun. In any event, just a brief hello, and hope you're keeping well. As for style, well, we have what we have, I suppose.
Mar 26th, 2002, 10:57 AM
#44
Guest
Posts: n/a
That's right, different strokes for different folks. Much of Arlington and Seven Corners, Virginia and Takoma Park and Langley Park, MD are little more than Ciudad Juarez 2000 miles northeast. If you like lots of spray-painted grafitti and hundreds of men milling about outside 7-11 convenience stores, these towns are where you should relocate. Just out of college, my wife could only afford Northwest Park Apartments outside Langley & Takoma. Cars parked all over the yard, impromptu cook-outs complete with boomboxes a normal event and, one time, my future wife caught some of these Mexicans ripping down the rain gutter to "earn" a little scrap money. That's "diversity". And the liberals that dominate these burgs are an intolerant lot. A pal of mine who used to live in Takoma had the audacity to light a cigar in his own backyard. Of course, he was lectured by his neighbors for his offense.
Mar 26th, 2002, 11:49 AM
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lisa - I live in the twin cities, and I can see your point. I have lived in Denver, Chicago, San Diego, and Manhattan. The twin cities are much more homogenous (sp) than most other big cities. While I had a network of friends already when I moved here, I've heard it can really be hard to meet people.
That said, I have stayed because of the natural beauty, great schools for my kids, and reasonable cost of living for what you get back. But I know where you are coming from.
That said, I have stayed because of the natural beauty, great schools for my kids, and reasonable cost of living for what you get back. But I know where you are coming from.
Mar 26th, 2002, 12:37 PM
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks, Tom, for understanding. In the 14 years I was there, I rarely if ever met another "outsider" who did not feel as I did, but the lifers usually don't get it--how can they? It's all they've ever known. Again, I DID meet some terrific people whom I still count among my friends, but it was a lot tougher in that part of the country than in the other three parts of the country in which I've lived. It's a pity, too, because as you say, it's a nice area and there's a good standard of living to be had there.
I'm sure it's a better mix of people now than when I was there, 1976-90. At that time, people from southeast Asia were starting to come in, and the African-American population was beginning to increase. The locals, at least those I heard discussing it, were NOT happy about this, and I used to think to myself, "Too bad, you ignorant fools, whether you like it or not, the world is changing and you're going to have to get used to it!" I hope the Jewish population there has also increased, because I used to hear an unbelieveable amount of anti-semitic remarks, quite vicious at times!
I'm sure it's a better mix of people now than when I was there, 1976-90. At that time, people from southeast Asia were starting to come in, and the African-American population was beginning to increase. The locals, at least those I heard discussing it, were NOT happy about this, and I used to think to myself, "Too bad, you ignorant fools, whether you like it or not, the world is changing and you're going to have to get used to it!" I hope the Jewish population there has also increased, because I used to hear an unbelieveable amount of anti-semitic remarks, quite vicious at times!
Mar 26th, 2002, 01:18 PM
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
All posts have been domestic US so far. But the husband & I are thinking about relocating to London. We've visited and were lucky enough to have great weather. I know we should expect pea soup most of the time.
Anything else I should be aware of when considering a jump across the pond??
Anything else I should be aware of when considering a jump across the pond??
Mar 26th, 2002, 01:21 PM
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dan must be a native.
Minneapolis St Paul has an incredible opportunity to use their University (the largest in the nation, i might add) to generate the diversity needed. I hesitate to say culture, because the MSP arts scene is second to none as far as mid-sized cities go.
Minneapolis St Paul has an incredible opportunity to use their University (the largest in the nation, i might add) to generate the diversity needed. I hesitate to say culture, because the MSP arts scene is second to none as far as mid-sized cities go.
Mar 26th, 2002, 01:38 PM
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
London: I have some advice for you further down. But first...
I made the huge mistake of moving to Manassas from Arlington. Thought buying a house would be cheaper out there. In the long run, it's not, when you factor in gas, wear and tear on your car, increased insurance for so much mileage, cabs home from decent bars, hotels in the city, etc. But we had enough sense to LEAVE somewhere we hated, and moved to Old Town Alexandria. Ah, life is good.
London-I'm an American living in the UK. A few words of advice: 1) Moving overseas doesn't suddenly solve all of your problems. Many people think a move like that will make them happy. They're wrong. What makes you unhappy in America will make you unhappy in London. 2) Avoid expat groups for your first year or so in London. Make a concerted effort to meet local people. So accept every offer you get for socializing (socialising to you, now!). If you join American groups to quickly, you will become dependent on your American friends, and not branch out. Once you feel established, seek out the expat groups (there are a lot in London). After all, you'll need somebody to watch the Super Bowl with. 3) Get out of London. You'll have plenty of time to explore the city, so make definite plans to explore the countryside, other parts of the UK as well as Ireland, and other countries on the weekends. Don't forget that you can go to Paris or Barcelona for the weekend. London's the best base in the world for traveling. 4) Depending on the industry, companies tend to be much more formal and structured than in the U.S. Typically, promotions are based on time with a company, not skills and performance (again, that varies by industry). Also, if you work in a field in the U.S. for which you don't have a formal qualification, you may find it difficult finding a job in this same field in London. They LOVE formal qualifications. For example, I'm an accountant who used to be a journalist. My degree is in journalism, and I moved to the UK before I took the CPA exam. Since I only took classes in accounting and did not get a degree, I could not get an accounting job even though I had three years experience until I passed part of an accounting qualification in the UK. This was very unexpected. I thought my experience would count for something. 5) Don't complain about things in England to co-workers and friends over there. It sounds like whining, and they don't want to hear it. 6) Above all else, be open minded. Yes, there will be things about living there that you won't like and that are very different to life here, but much of the fun of being an expat as I discovered is learning how to quickly adjust to things, and being able to be happy no matter where you are or what you are doing. 7) One last thing: keep a bank account and credit card open in the U.S., and use the credit card occasionally. I found this out the hard way, having moved back to the U.S. for awhile. I couldn't get credit because I had no credit transactions for more than a year. 8) Good luck and have fun! Oh, and don't eat the blood pudding or hamburgers outside football grounds. And do support Liverpool FC.
I made the huge mistake of moving to Manassas from Arlington. Thought buying a house would be cheaper out there. In the long run, it's not, when you factor in gas, wear and tear on your car, increased insurance for so much mileage, cabs home from decent bars, hotels in the city, etc. But we had enough sense to LEAVE somewhere we hated, and moved to Old Town Alexandria. Ah, life is good.
London-I'm an American living in the UK. A few words of advice: 1) Moving overseas doesn't suddenly solve all of your problems. Many people think a move like that will make them happy. They're wrong. What makes you unhappy in America will make you unhappy in London. 2) Avoid expat groups for your first year or so in London. Make a concerted effort to meet local people. So accept every offer you get for socializing (socialising to you, now!). If you join American groups to quickly, you will become dependent on your American friends, and not branch out. Once you feel established, seek out the expat groups (there are a lot in London). After all, you'll need somebody to watch the Super Bowl with. 3) Get out of London. You'll have plenty of time to explore the city, so make definite plans to explore the countryside, other parts of the UK as well as Ireland, and other countries on the weekends. Don't forget that you can go to Paris or Barcelona for the weekend. London's the best base in the world for traveling. 4) Depending on the industry, companies tend to be much more formal and structured than in the U.S. Typically, promotions are based on time with a company, not skills and performance (again, that varies by industry). Also, if you work in a field in the U.S. for which you don't have a formal qualification, you may find it difficult finding a job in this same field in London. They LOVE formal qualifications. For example, I'm an accountant who used to be a journalist. My degree is in journalism, and I moved to the UK before I took the CPA exam. Since I only took classes in accounting and did not get a degree, I could not get an accounting job even though I had three years experience until I passed part of an accounting qualification in the UK. This was very unexpected. I thought my experience would count for something. 5) Don't complain about things in England to co-workers and friends over there. It sounds like whining, and they don't want to hear it. 6) Above all else, be open minded. Yes, there will be things about living there that you won't like and that are very different to life here, but much of the fun of being an expat as I discovered is learning how to quickly adjust to things, and being able to be happy no matter where you are or what you are doing. 7) One last thing: keep a bank account and credit card open in the U.S., and use the credit card occasionally. I found this out the hard way, having moved back to the U.S. for awhile. I couldn't get credit because I had no credit transactions for more than a year. 8) Good luck and have fun! Oh, and don't eat the blood pudding or hamburgers outside football grounds. And do support Liverpool FC.
Mar 26th, 2002, 01:43 PM
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
I lived in London as a student and then as a recent college grad. I didn't mind the weather and I was never bored, but I found it difficult to assimilate. I wasn't at all an ugly American, but I found it hard to make friends among the British. Most of my friends were fellow expatriates -- French, Brazilian, other Americans. London's a cosmopolitan place, which is fabulous, but I always felt like an outsider. Several friends had the same experience.
Mar 26th, 2002, 04:06 PM
#56
Guest
Posts: n/a
I think this is an absolutely fabulous thread! One can do all the "research" they want,but there will always be the nitty gritty details you won't know until you've been in a place for a while.That's why it amazes me that people get so annoyed when relocation questions are posted.I think one actually receives more accurate info from transplants,than natives.Transplants see things with a different perspective.Natives will tell you "oh every one is soo nice." Yeah,that's cause you went to grammer school with the locals.Or they'll tell you certain things really aren't so bad.That's because you've been raised with these things,and are so used to them.
Mar 26th, 2002, 05:50 PM
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Denver isn't bad, but it is much more "sprawlish" than I expected. It also has more poor areas than I envisioned. I live on the east side of Denver, and I've found that my drive to the mountains (the reason I moved there) is measured in hours. I thought it would be an hour or less.
But, it isn't all bad. Come and visit. Give it a try.
But, it isn't all bad. Come and visit. Give it a try.
