Has anyone ever moved across the pond? And how was that for you? ie, expenses, culture shock?

Answer 1

I got in my canoe and took two strokes, landed on a rock, and settled my family there.
Took me about 15 minutes.

Answer 2

I lived in Europe for a year. My grad school had a satellite campus in France and then I had an internship in Germany.

As a student money was a bit tight because I was living off a student loan, but I managed okay. My internship was a paying one so by the time I left I'd caught up on most of my expenses.

I went there because I wanted to experience the different culture, as more than a tourist. I was very open to things being different, so I found it very enjoyable and came to quickly understand how many misundertandings took place. I had so much fun and so many great adventures, that after only two months there I'd come out of a depression I'd been suffering for over a year.

I tried many new scrumptious foods and saw so many beautiful sights, and experienced so many new things, it was really one of the best times of my life. I'm really glad I did it before I settled down. I cant' imagine being content without having had that experience.

Answer 3

Yes, I moved to the States from England. Middle class UK.
I was amazed with the way so called educated Americans talk with their mouths full, and wave a fork or spoon in the air when talking with full mouths, presumeably to express what they cannot express with words!!! I hate the way they put their 'purses' on the table cloth at dinners, these handbags have often been in public toilets and other unsavory places, but 'they' smilingly put them on the table. I hate the way most of the educated mispronounce English, (emphasis on wrong syllables, as in 'station' staSHUN - posiSHUN') no letter Ts, as in 'utter' pronounced as 'udder' or can and can't sound the same, so that you cannot tell if he CAN or bloodywell cannot! And the expression 'not at all' sounds like 'nadadall', or 'it is' pronounced as 'i-i-s'. Spoken communication is difficult, and then when we read hand written notes, the spelling is deplorable. But they are happy people, naive and think they are automatically superior.
If you decide to move then your expenses are:
Expense: transportation of belongings and self. Money in the bank to prove you will not be a liability. A job to go to, and maybe already you have acquaintances there. But do brush up on your history, spoken English, spelling and do not let your country down. The US is not too popular right now, maybe you should just stay PUT or as you say PU......

Answer 4

My friend just moved to England three months ago for a job. You have to have an address to get a bank account, but can't get an apartment w/out the bank account. You have to have a license to watch TV or you will get fined. He has been spending so much time jumping through hoops he has yet to experience the culture...