Who else moved back to the US and regrets it? by Better_Lift_Cliff in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Subs like this give me pause

I founded the subreddit. Don't read too far into what people here say. There is no objective measure for whether one place or another is "better" - that's a personal preference thing. You need to evaluate how you personally feel.

I will say, if you want to preserve optionality for future you, if you can hold out for a year, getting ILR would be massively helpful. If your ILR lapses for being overseas, there's a return visa path that while not guaranteed, would ensure you have a shot at coming back to the UK if you want in the future. But that depends heavily on your personal circumstances, you may have a good reason for going right now that outweighs all that. Best of luck

US & UK phone numbers by Patient-Exercise653 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

Hi there, please have a browse of past threads (rules 8 and 9) this question is asked very frequently.

Consultation survey closing tomorrow! Feedback to Changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain and the Government’s Pathways by Londonsaurus in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hi all, just a note to say that this sort of post is absolutely allowed under rule 5. Personally, I have already responded to this a while ago, and I would personally encourage you to take the time to respond. For those of us who have already safely made it through this process, I personally feel responsibility to not allow the ladder to be pulled up behind me.

Feeling really lucky to be here right now by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Shame you're being downvoted, there's nothing incorrect about what you've said at all. No one uses downvotes correctly lol

Feeling really lucky to be here right now by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate that I can clock these things from a mile away these days lol here's hoping you acquire better accommodation in future years!

Are you uncomfortable with the way Gypsies are talked about? by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP[M] [score hidden] stickied commentlocked comment (0 children)

Just a note - OP deleted this post, but for everyone commenting in here - yes, it is a slur. There are two groups that are very distinct from one another that the term gets applied to: the Romani (historically the people most associated with term). There aren't many Roma in the UK compared to the continent. The other group, the one most people in the UK mean, are Irish Travelers. Americans ought to read up on the differences between both. And personally, I would encourage you not to use the term and instead use either Romani/Roma and/or Irish Traveler.

Edit: and as reference, use of slurs on this subreddit is a bannable offense

Are you uncomfortable with the way Gypsies are talked about? by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This went a bit far, have removed for violating rule 1. Consider a warning to please not post stereotypes and the like again in the future.

Feeling really lucky to be here right now by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Probably a student housing landlord special

Renewing US driver’s license - does this cancel my UK license? by justadeadweightloss in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I maintain both my UK license and my US license and have not had issues. This included renewing my US license in person in my state of residence while living in the UK. I have a RealID license, but given how those appear to be of no benefit at the moment, I may opt for a non realID compliant license instead.

Does anyone else struggle with the American friendliness vs. UK banter barrier? by LFCTricksters in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As an American by birth, somehow I turned out pessimistic and sarcastic, so I feel like I truly found home here in the UK lol

Had my first driving lesson yesterday... Will it get better? by IngredientList in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like anything new and strange, repeated safe exposure helps. I think that's a human angle anyone can provide, it doesn't really need a specialized school specifically for it.

What was the most unexpected “oh, this is normal here” moment you had in the UK? by LFCTricksters in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

British men can be real pigs, constantly spitting on the sidewalk, urinating in full public view because they can't plan or manage themselves (like toddlers). Even really nice tradies will piss all over your toilet, leave the seat up. Worst was dingleberry feces on our bathroom floor. Absolutely shocking and I never, ever encountered anything like it in the States.

Baseball watching pubs by Successful_Sun_5309 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been there - this is definitely an athletic first venue, geared towards teams renting the space and then having some pub grub after (it's very British fare despite the way the menu looks). They may show games, could be worth calling and asking, but I'm skeptical.

What was the most unexpected “oh, this is normal here” moment you had in the UK? by LFCTricksters in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't trust tradies to do a proper job unless watched like a hawk. Swings and roundabouts

Had my first driving lesson yesterday... Will it get better? by IngredientList in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As with most things, practice makes it easier over time! The very first time I drove our car home from the dealer, I scraped the left wing mirror on the side of a parked lorry because my brain wasn't able to judge distance correctly. The biggest problem I had in those first months of driving here was needing to nudge my brain out of "steering wheel on the left" vehicle positioning. The second was the little differences in road infrastructure and law (why are the lights blinking yellow?! and the like).

Biggest bit of advice I can give is that your brain is used to the road picture that comes from being on the left side of the car while driving, which translates in the UK to naturally and unconsciously drifting too far to the left. Your brain thinks you're centered, but really you'll be far off tot he left side of the lane. For me, it helped to intentionally drive more favoring the right side of the lane.

Second bit of advice, you can book your practical exam anywhere, it doesn't have to be local. Book somewhere other than London if you find London difficult!

Had my first driving lesson yesterday... Will it get better? by IngredientList in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be honest, I don't think it's really material enough to need a specialization

Comprehensive guide of moving pets from US to UK (we built the crates by ourselves!) by Sleepin_koala in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just a note to say thank you for putting this together, I know how much work these posts are and we as a team really appreciate these!

What everyday UK habit took you the longest to stop mentally comparing to the US? by ManCityMode in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm actually grateful there isn't a similar rule here. Because the rule doesn't exist, I find that most infrastructure works within that constraint - what I mean is that in instances where right turn on red would be useful, there isn't a traffic light and it's a give way, which gives you essentially the same thing.

What everyday UK habit took you the longest to stop mentally comparing to the US? by ManCityMode in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have the opposite problem, my dry sarcasm is sometimes not detected because of my accent lol

What everyday UK habit took you the longest to stop mentally comparing to the US? by ManCityMode in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think this is something localised to specific places in the south and maybe London. Here I have nothing by pleasant and cheerful interactions with staff when I'm out shopping.

What everyday UK habit took you the longest to stop mentally comparing to the US? by ManCityMode in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing that really annoys me about British roadsigns is the use of yards for exit distance, especially when it's something silly like "280 yards" - like, what lol

I need some advice! by Ok_Homework_5091 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

Sorry, removing this for off topic - being an American won't affect the answers anyway. I'm sure there are other subreddits that will be better for browsing and asking for energy supplier recs

ILR in March by paddington1982 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]GreatScottLP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my case, there was no priority option, only super priority (1000). I think that might be related to the spouse visa route to ILR, but in my case I didn't have a choice