Moving to the U.S

I know there are a few expat Bluebirds based in the US on this forum and I am just wanting to know how their moves across the pond have fared and whether they have enjoyed making the move. I had my spouse visa approved yesterday and we are looking at flying over at the end of the year with the potential aim of settling in Washington DC for work so any background from anyone in and around this area (if any) would be greatly welcomed. Already resigned myself to the fact that cost of living there is quite high but regardless of this I am looking forward to the move. Its just a shame I will no longer have the City on my doorstep anymore!

Thanks,

ElyBlue85

I live in Florida but my son lives and works in the DC area so I'm reasonably familiar with it. He works in DC but lives in Northern Virginia where its much cheaper to live. He takes train in to work which takes about an hour. It's a nice area.
If you have specific questions I could probably tell you what you need to know.

I too live in Florida, been here since 2004. So far it has been a good move, do miss the British humour, the pubs and being at the games. DC is a great place, foggy bottom has a bit of character with some good places to socialize. Good luck with the move!

On holiday in California at present. Good luck with your move. One thing you will miss is the quality of television. It is appalling in the states with adverts every five minutes. The Olympics coverage has been dreadful and is not even live. Unlike the bbc who show coverage of all events in the Olympics regardless of who wins gold, NBC only show events involving Americans.

Made the switch to Oregon 27 years ago and never looked back. The USA is a GREAT country, a wonderful place to live and, if you have kids, it presents a tremendous opportunity for them.
Like a previous blogger, I have a married daughter that lives in Northern Virginia (Manassas) with her family. Her husband commutes about 45 minutes each way to work. It is much more economical to live there than DC proper and I might suggest that it is also more conducive to family life.
Forget the garbage that you read in the British press about the USA.
1. It is an extremely safe place to live. Most murders & violence occur in the gang infested inner cities. You & 90% of the people that live in the states will never go near those areas. Plus Saturday night in some Blaenau Gwent towns can be pretty scary.
2. The health care system is 2nd to none in the world - yes it is expensive by UK standards - but most 'career' jobs come with attractive benefit packages which include health insurance.
3. Americans are the soooooooooo friendly and extremely proud of their nation - don't try to one up them by remaining British. You will find the occasional British pubs, but American social life is more about BBQs, fishing, outdoor life, skiing, hunting, weekend vacations than watching the telly and going down the local. If you want British life in another country then move to Majorca. Embrace ALL that the USA has to offer including MSL, American Football etc.

Now some of the bad things.
1. You will miss British food. However, living close to a big city you will find a few things for sale in specialty shops. There will be times when you could kill for a decent curry & chips. US Chinese food is different to UK Chinese food.
2. You can get to see more football on the TV than you can manage but VERY little of CCFC. You will yearn for a Saturday down the City.
3. Very few Yanks know anything about Britain outside of London. They imagine we all live in Downton Abbey mansions. Don't bother trying to educate them as they just don't care. All of the land mass of the UK will fit into the State of Oregon and the US is made up of 50 States. They don't have the time or inclination to worry about a little island across the pond.
4. Americans (by and large) do not understand subtle humor, haven't got a clue about sarcasm & have no idea who 90% of British comedians are. They like British comedy such as the Benny Hill show, Are you Being Served and Keeping Up Appearances - but they don't understand Mrs Bucket's class situation - they just think she is pompous.

Finally, it is not as far away as you think. IAD - LHR is about a 6 hour flight. Just a little bit further than the Canary Islands.
Hope this helps & Welcome to the States

Stay in Wales, yanks are cunts!!

I lived in Kentucky for 2 years and although getting sucked off by hookers on farms is good from time to time, I missed good old fashioned Cardiff f*cking city boybach.

If you visit Kentucky, give Mary Jane Morris a holla, 70 yr old hooker and a bloody great shag, takes her falsies out for a gummy finish

The USA is wonderful until you get seriously ill, a serious cancer in the family will wipe out your insurance quickly. My parents emigrated in the 1950's stayed for three years and came home mainly over the worry over health.People slag off the NHS which gives me the right hump it is our jewel in the crown make no mistake. Americans commonly refer to our NHS as "communist" which is laughable.If it is so wonderful why did my auntie who emigrated to the USA in 1946 come over to the UK in 2005 for knee replacement surgery ? And she was a Nurse Trainer in Michigan for the best part of 50 years !!!!!