Things you'll miss from the UK, and how you'll compensate?

[vicks5721 18]

I used to drink Clipper tea in the UK, and you can't get it here.

Since arriving in the US, I've experimented with quite a few different brands, to see what I like. I'm lucky that HEB stock a decent range, including several English imports (which I don't usually buy). This is what I found:

- Tazo Awake - what I usually buy now. It seems to have more subtle aromatic teas added, so it's not quite a standard "builders tea" blend, but I like it. This is what they usually serve in Starbucks in the US. It's a bit expensive though.

- Stash English Breakfast. Standard breakfast tea, but still good.

- Twinings. Not sure if this is the same as their UK tea. It's OK and a decent blend.

- Vinis. OK.

- Ceylon English Breakfast. OK.

- Lipton yellow label. Only if I'm desperate. This is what is provided at work.

- Bigelow. No.

I have only heard of lipton and twinings from this list, gosh I hope I like them when I move otherwise I am going to have to ship British tea over! lol My fiance doesn't get why I like tea with milk he thinks I am strange, he likes herbal and fruit teas, I tried ice tea once in Florida when I was there years ago and I was expecting it to taste like lipton ice tea, nope it tasted like black tea in ice, I didn't drink it! I know in the southern states it is common to drink sweet tea, I may try it one day.

[vicks5721 18]

I don't get homesick here but oh I miss certain stuff.

My best friend sent me a package for Christmas because I had mentioned just a few things I was missing and couldn't find.

Branston pickle

Bisto gravy

Bournville chocolate

Still have plenty of gravy and one serving of branston pickle.

I miss so much English food. Everything is just processed and sugary and high in syrup here which has made me gain a few pounds.. A pound or two might be from the frosted doughnuts.. I do like those, and peeps... My lord I could just eat peeps all day every day and become obese and be very happy.

Marmite, tea cakes (sweet and savoury), Heinz tomato soup which I can't find anywhere and I tried Campbell's tomato and it was hideous, potato cakes, vimpto.

I found PG tips which is amazing but I've stopped eating sugar to lose the weight I gained so sweetners taste awful.

Proper sausages, real bacon, volvic lemon and lime water.

There's a lot more but heres a few non food items.

I miss public transport, there isn't any where I now live so I won't be able to work for a further six months whilst I learn how to drive which is ridiculous for someone who is 26...

I miss not everything being a drive through!

Busy places full of life... Don't get that here.

Cocktail bars.

Pubs.

Top shop.

Oh lord I could go on for days.

I know I will miss branston pickle too and yep everything is definitely processed, sugary and high in salt in most American foods, what I noticed once was for Easter last year my Fiance sent me a load of the American versions of Kitkats, Hersheys and Reeses cups, I noticed straight away how sugary the Hersheys were and the KitKats were so different to ones here in the UK,The Reeses cups were so salty, I had to take my time eating all the chocolate bars as I wasn't used to the high sugar and salt. Also I sent Chocolates from UK with my Fiance for his family to try, his Sister said it was not sugary enough for what she is used to lol.

I will miss public transport as I am moving to a small town and I haven't learnt to drive yet either, I am 25 almost 26 in March so I am in the same boat as you.

I can't wait to start learning to drive, my future father- in law offered to teach me! It is going to be weird that where I will live there won't be trains or buses, in general most villages and towns in England have at least one train station or bus connection.

Also nothing will be in working distance besides local shops, walmart is where we will go shopping for food as my fiance told me all the other places are too expensive.

I am looking forward to small town/village life though, nicer community than where I live in England right now and calmer environment, beautiful lakes and countryside, and I am looking forward to the local butchers and farmers market in the summer months, I love watching American small town tv shows like Hart of Dixie, as I just think that kind of community life is wonderful!

Edited February 14, 2015 by vicks5721