Easier for Brits to adjust?

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Still not sure how Darren will adjust to the summers in FL...he came for a visit the week of the 4th of July, and he just about melted...and the temp. is pretty much melting heat from Memorial Day (end of May) sometimes to early October...

Mark's sister lives in Cocoa Beach and apparently she had trouble adjusting to the heat there - which freaked me right out given how hot it was in Kansas during the summer!

Whereas most of Devon just gets 2-3 weeks of hot weather (this can sometimes occur in April rather the summer) before returning to 70% chance of rain! More than two weeks without rain and I start to feel like something isn't quite right with the universe *laughing*

It's also going to be strange for me not living right by the sea anymore... not that I'll miss it.

Edited January 16, 2008 by Mark and Hannah

[Krikit 1,164]

I really don't taste so much difference between hersheys version of cadburys chocolate and ours here.

Sacrilege!! Are you sure you're British?

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Still not sure how Darren will adjust to the summers in FL...he came for a visit the week of the 4th of July, and he just about melted...and the temp. is pretty much melting heat from Memorial Day (end of May) sometimes to early October...

Mark's sister lives in Cocoa Beach and apparently she had trouble adjusting to the heat there - which freaked me right out given how hot it was in Kansas during the summer!

Whereas most of Devon just gets 2-3 weeks of hot weather (this can sometimes occur in April rather the summer) before returning to 70% chance of rain! More than two weeks without rain and I start to feel like something isn't quite right with the universe *laughing*

It's also going to be strange for me not living right by the sea anymore... not that I'll miss it.

Where in Devon?

[j4k 0]

I really don't taste so much difference between hersheys version of cadburys chocolate and ours here.

Sacrilege!! Are you sure you're British?

i'm sure he is!

[snowfrostedlashes 0]

Where in Devon?

I'll pm you.

Chocolate is my biggest weakness, so I'm actually relieved that my favourites are not so readily available in the states. I recently went on a huge Wispa bender and gained 4 pounds over the space of three weeks *sighs* I'm also going to miss Sainsbury's Mini Doughnuts.

[j4k 0]

i've seen some irish specialty stores that carry UK candy bars like the flake and aero etc

[gwenneh 7]

Yep, we have one of those in the nearest mall!

[TracyTN 237]

Mark's sister lives in Cocoa Beach and apparently she had trouble adjusting to the heat there - which freaked me right out given how hot it was in Kansas during the summer!

Whereas most of Devon just gets 2-3 weeks of hot weather (this can sometimes occur in April rather the summer) before returning to 70% chance of rain! More than two weeks without rain and I start to feel like something isn't quite right with the universe *laughing*

It's also going to be strange for me not living right by the sea anymore... not that I'll miss it.

My hubby must be an odd ball - he LOVED the Tennessee summer weather! He said its like the weather that Brits seek out on a holiday. He was enjoying our many days of 100 degree heat while the rest of us were dying. LOL.

[nannajacey1 0]

I think it might be harder in some aspects....after all, since it's our 'cousin' country, one would ignorantly assume things can't be too much different. I know I felt that way before I moved to the UK....'like how hard can it be?' I'd say to myself. Well, I dunno about any other temp ex-pat Americans, but I found out quickly that it wasn't nearly as easy as I thought, and that fact alone (I think) complicated my adjustment. It's not so much all the big things, but the little things that had me feeling completely alien for quite some time. I'd hate the big fuss ppl would make once they heard me speak. I'd hate having to repeat myself a zillion times. I hated having disjointed conversations....like one time, this guy at our local ordered a 'pint of Scotch' and I was like 'omG what an alcoholic!!! he wants a WHOLE.PINT.OF.SCOTCH.'

There are tons of things like that, but eventually I grew to love the place, and the adjustment issues subsided. I'm sure it's easier to adjust to a country where you at least speak the same idea of a language.

D hasn't made the move just yet, but I'm bracing myself for a possible difficult adjustment....truth be told, he'd be so much happier if I was going to him. But it is what it is, so I guess we'll just cross our fingers and see!

I think it might be harder in some aspects....after all, since it's our 'cousin' country, one would ignorantly assume things can't be too much different. I know I felt that way before I moved to the UK....'like how hard can it be?' I'd say to myself. Well, I dunno about any other temp ex-pat Americans, but I found out quickly that it wasn't nearly as easy as I thought, and that fact alone (I think) complicated my adjustment. It's not so much all the big things, but the little things that had me feeling completely alien for quite some time. I'd hate the big fuss ppl would make once they heard me speak. I'd hate having to repeat myself a zillion times. I hated having disjointed conversations....like one time, this guy at our local ordered a 'pint of Scotch' and I was like 'omG what an alcoholic!!! he wants a WHOLE.PINT.OF.SCOTCH.'

There are tons of things like that, but eventually I grew to love the place, and the adjustment issues subsided. I'm sure it's easier to adjust to a country where you at least speak the same idea of a language.

D hasn't made the move just yet, but I'm bracing myself for a possible difficult adjustment....truth be told, he'd be so much happier if I was going to him. But it is what it is, so I guess we'll just cross our fingers and see!

[Jeraly 4]

I was surprised I coped Summer 2006 - I was in 104 (in the shade) every day through the summer and I wasn't too bad - in fact it was worse being inside because we had a swamp cooler which resulted in just feeling humid and sticky and not much cooler at all! But we used to drive around in my OHs beat up pontiac with no air con and the front passenger window didn't open I just got used it it

[nannajacey1 0]

Hi Mark and Hanna,

I too am very new to VJ but what a wonderful site this is!!! One of the very best for inofrmation on all visa stuff! What nice people you VJ'ers are!

Now I am brit been living in Canada ---- left Banstead. Surrey in 1991---- When I left UK I too was a bit homesick but I have to say the USA and Canada are the very best countries to make a new start!

OK I am biased having been here for 17 years in Canada! I lost my husband 3 years ago to cancer, went home for a visit and returned with the thought I will never go back to live --- maybe a visit?

I relate to people NOT understanding our accent--- still happens but most people do say to me that they love listening to my accent --- you will be fine ! As for Chocolate, well you can get Cadbury's here--- it is all we eat still--- curry--hmm a hard thing to get but there is one in Ottawa that is awesome! You can even get Devon Custard and Devon Clotted cream--yum! Oh and you will lose weight---- running around trying to find this stuff is exercise enough!

This is my first post on VJ---hope there will be many more---you guys are awesome! Jacey

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Ah, but were you working?

I find the heat a LOT easier to deal with when I can just laze around! If I'm having to work, especially when it's humid, it can be unbearable! A sunny afternoon just sends me straight to sleep.

I'm hoping I'll be okay with the Californian heat because it's usually very dry heat. I didn't mind the heat in Summer '06, despite the temperatures reaching 40+ degrees. However, that may be because I spent the majority of the day in the fabulously-air conditioned San Diego convention centre

Now, what was bad was driving 12 hours (San Diego to San Jose) in an old Volkswagen Beetle with no air conditioning when an overturned lorry caused us to sit still in traffic for two hours in the middle of the afternoon. Yeah, I'm never going to repeat that.

On a side note: Anyone else have problems ordering water in the US? That's the only hurdle I've encountered on my visits. My requests for water were not understood in five separate restaurants - and one lady even asked if I'd said 'lemonade'. I have no problem ordering anything else, and my accent isn't that obtuse! (I have a Sussex/London accent).

Edited January 17, 2008 by Alex & Rachel

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi Mark and Hanna,

I too am very new to VJ but what a wonderful site this is!!! One of the very best for inofrmation on all visa stuff! What nice people you VJ'ers are!

Now I am brit been living in Canada ---- left Banstead. Surrey in 1991---- When I left UK I too was a bit homesick but I have to say the USA and Canada are the very best countries to make a new start!

OK I am biased having been here for 17 years in Canada! I lost my husband 3 years ago to cancer, went home for a visit and returned with the thought I will never go back to live --- maybe a visit?

I relate to people NOT understanding our accent--- still happens but most people do say to me that they love listening to my accent --- you will be fine ! As for Chocolate, well you can get Cadbury's here--- it is all we eat still--- curry--hmm a hard thing to get but there is one in Ottawa that is awesome! You can even get Devon Custard and Devon Clotted cream--yum! Oh and you will lose weight---- running around trying to find this stuff is exercise enough!

This is my first post on VJ---hope there will be many more---you guys are awesome! Jacey

Welcome to VJ, Nanna! Lots of great people and good information here. Just be careful when straying in to Off Topic. That's all I have to say.

I never had a problem finding British food in Canada. (BTW, I'm from Cheshire but pretty much grew up in Ontario. Lost my Canadian husband also. Years ago though.) Anyway, when I can't find what I need here I bring it back from Canada.... because I'm there a LOT.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

This is an awesome site all around, Jacey - you'll love it here!

I've only been posting for a few days myself, despite the join date. People are really nice and welcoming. I didn't know how to introduce myself so I just jumped straight in!

[catrocks 0]

I liked this post too

What I think you will like:

Everything is convenient - more brands to choose from at the supermarket (many have "international" aisles with British brands as well), you don't even have to get out of your car for the pharmacy, bank, dry cleaning and a coffee.

I personally don't like that you can drive thru for almost everything.... I find it like the beginning of laziness or something but it's definitely different!

Our cars are automatic mostly, one less thing for you to worry about while you are learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road!

This is just a personal preference, but I hate driving automatics. I was already comfortable driving on this side of the road though before I moved here, due to living in Belgium for 3 years. Autos are fine, again I find it the lazy way of driving tho! However I bet it would be great if you had never driven on this side of the road.

Service - you will get water, chips and salsa or bread as soon as you sit down at your table in a restaurant. They will keep coming back and ask if you want more tea/water/soda.

I love this - this is DEFINITELY one of the great things about the US. I can't even believe they charge you for water in the UK...

What you won't like:

You and your accent will be a novelty to everyone you meet, sometimes they will patronize you...."what do you mean you don't have BASEBALL in England? EVERYONE has baseball!" Americans like to assume that you have everything we have.

Like Thanksgiving! Ben's grandmother can't believe we don't have Thanksgiving.

It can get HOT. I mean unimaginably HOT in the summer, depending on where you are at.

And thank God for a/c!!!

Apart from that, she feels that everything is really a plus and is very much looking forward to her April journey to Dallas and our June 7 wedding!

Good luck to you - April is getting close now!