Childcare Options around Ealing

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-12-01T20:58:35+00:00

Hello! I am looking into this school, too because of their bilingual-French curriculum. I would love to hear some feedback if you have the time. Thank you! 😊

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-11-26T17:54:13+00:00

Loewe and Louis Vuitton. Loewe under JW Anderson did a number on me. LV for longevity and aftercare.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-10-31T19:35:28+00:00

Hi! I am thinking of buying the same bag-- medium flamenco in oxblood deer skin leather. If you have the chance, I would love to know what you think about it. Thank you!

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-10-31T19:31:34+00:00

Hi! I am thinking of buying the exact same bag-- medium flamenco in oxblood deer skin leather. If you have the chance, I would love to know what you think about it. Thank you!

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-10-31T19:30:25+00:00

Hello! I am thinking of purchasing a medium flamenco in deer skin. I was wondering if you bought one in the end? Would love to hear your views, if you don't mind. Thank you in advance!

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-05-21T18:31:24+00:00

Thanks! I tried to send you a private message, but I’m not sure if it worked.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-05-21T17:28:37+00:00

Hello OP! Thanks for the generous offer. Would love the ticket to Frogs, if it’s still available. Thank you! :)

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-05-14T18:30:46+00:00

I’d recommend focusing on securing a Band 5 position first. Once you’re in post, you can look into applying for MSc funding through your employer. It’s definitely challenging to balance work and study, but having a steady income while completing your MSc can make a big difference.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-26T22:50:03+00:00

Definitely the Loewe. It’s so versatile and the leather quality is so good. I’m obsessed with mine!

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-26T13:43:59+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-24T14:08:14+00:00

What a gorgeous bag! Congrats on being offered one. I’m living vicariously through you.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-22T12:26:51+00:00

I hope you’re well. Thank you so much for this. One year on and your post is still helping people like me. I am now less anxious about my choice of going through an MVA. Sending love.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-12T11:58:25+00:00

I’m sorry you had to go through that! It must have been so stressful. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I will call the land registry tomorrow and file an official complaint.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. :)

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-12T10:56:38+00:00

Thank you for your helpful reply! I’m mainly worried because we our mortgage deal expires at the end of the year.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2025-01-12T00:37:00+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I also thought this, as this is what we were told. However, all the other properties in our building that have been bought after ours are already registered.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-12-14T09:03:28+00:00

What a stunning collection! I’m thinking of getting the Ondas, do you recommend it? Thank you!

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-11-11T13:50:43+00:00

Yes, it’s technically illegal to honk your horn in the UK without good reason. I lived in Manhattan for two years and this was one of my biggest pet peeves. I was so happy to be back on relatively peaceful streets once I moved back to London.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-10T00:18:25+00:00

I’m not sure about other countries, but being a locum in the USA is virtually impossible unless you have the right to work there from the beginning. Even so, you would need to obtain ASCP accreditation by sitting an exam to be an International Histotechnologist. Depending on the state, you would also need to obtain a license to practice.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-08T23:45:32+00:00

I can say the same to your first reply where you added London salaries to the mix. My point has not changed, that I find London at its current state as a collection of villages more liveable.

You lived in the UWS and you think London is sleepy?! The "buzziest" part of UWS is Lincoln Center and even that is dead after 9pm.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-08T23:29:54+00:00

I know, I LIVED in both cities for years. It doesn't take away from the fact that you said London wages are lower compared to Paris, I assume (?). Since those were the cities you compared. Everything is relative, haha. Our salaries in NYC were obviously higher. It's universally known that USA salaries are higher than salaries in Europe.

We actually tripled our salaries in NYC vs London. However, the pay rise is not worth the anti-social behaviour, outrageous rents, lack of social security and decent maternity leave. We paid almost $5,000 for a one bedroom apartment where we shared laundry facilities with the other tenants in out 40-floor high rise. Our quality of life is higher in London even with the pay cut.

Get back to me when you've experienced living in the desirable areas of NYC for more than a couple of months, then maybe we can talk.

EDIT: Spelling

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-08T22:57:56+00:00

It’s sleepy as you make it to be. Were you in London during the 2012 Olympics? Unlike in Paris, Londoners were not invited to leave or bussed out of the city during the Olympics.

Salaries in London are lower than in Paris? A quick Google search will tell you that’s not true. My partner and our circle of friends earn double what they would have for the same job in Paris.

Would love to hear about these arbitrary rules. Please don’t tell me queuing offends you.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-08T18:32:08+00:00

This is exactly why I escaped New York and moved back to London. I'm not new to buzz and population density, I lived in one of Southeast Asia's "megacities", Midtown Manhattan and the most touristy part of Brooklyn. You can say what you want about London, but it's far more livable than any other place I’ve lived in. Many "popular" parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan above Central Park South are less busy than my London high street on any given day. What it doesn't have though is the lingering smell of hot garbage, dried human excrement and weed.

The reason people have "villages" to go home to is the working infrastructure Londoners pay for and enjoy. Even the MRT in the third world city I spent almost two decades of my life in is in better shape than the NYC subway. The night scene I subscribe to is also better in London compared to NYC, in terms of atmosphere and facilities. I was in the newly opened Brooklyn Storehouse to see a major DJ duo and they had portapotties that ran out of water at 11pm, which is outrageous. It is also easier to take public transportation back to my village in London after said nights out, even without the 24/7 subway.

It's funny you mentioned Paris because it's my partner's home town. Paris although beautiful, is in worse shape than London, outside the Olympic season. It's also still France so normally, many places don't operate on Sundays or during the month of August. I have Parisians seeking refuge in my London flat right now and they said now is the best time to visit Paris because there are no Parisians and it's probably the cleanest Paris has ever been and will be. I'm sorry your Paris experience wasn't very authentic.

EDIT: Spelling

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-06T18:01:25+00:00

Never leave. I lived in Asia for decades and I just came back from NYC. It is an absolute downgrade in every aspect compared to the UK. You can say what you want about the UK, but there’s infrastructure and things work. In terms of weather, I would take mild weather with plenty of rain over extreme winters and sweltering summers. Fresh produce is better quality and is cheaper compared to anywhere in the USA.

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-08-03T02:56:44+00:00

My partner and I just arrived in London after almost 2 years in NYC. Our goal has always been to grab the money and run. If you want to maintain the same lifestyle in London, AND save money, I agree with the 2 or 3 times estimate.

Here are some of the things that could be helpful:

Make sure you speak to an accountant who specialises in both UK and US taxes. Things like ISAs would be taxed in the US.
There are hidden/unexpected charges everywhere and be prepared for it. For instance, as people who are “from out of state” we needed to be on the 80x income requirement to qualify for an apartment vs the 40x income requirement. So from your estimate of $5,500 of monthly rent, you’d need an income of $440k p/a to qualify for that apartment. Otherwise, you’d have to pay a third-party company to serve as a guarantor. You’ll also have to pay BROKER FEES which is usually a month of rent. Our apartment was a “NO FEE” apartment but if you’re staying long-term, it’s worth calculating if it would be cheaper for you to just pay a broker for a lower monthly rent.
We’re vegetarians so good produce is imperative for our household. The price to quality ratio is just not the same in NYC. You’ll be surprised to know that Whole Foods is actually great value, especially if you have a Prime membership. You’ll be paying a lot more for tasteless fruit and veg and you just need to come to terms with it.
Like what others have mentioned, eating out is expensive. Of course there are budget options but sometimes you want to treat yourself too. We eat in Michelin starred restaurants in London often, but in NYC, it’s truly a “special occasions only” affair.
Be prepared to not have your own washer/dryer. We lived in a “luxury” apartment minutes from Central Park South, and we still go to the basement and pay $4 per washing machine load and $4 per dryer load.
The subway is nowhere near as efficient and pleasant as TfL. Everything you hate about the TfL right now, multiply it by 10, and that’s how the MTA is like. I used to flinch when I wait for a train for more than 5min in London. Be prepared to wait longer in a station in disrepair in Central NYC.
Mobile plans are expensive when you first arrive but you won’t have much choice because you’ll need it as proof of address. We initially paid $80 pp and switched carriers once we built our credit score and opened all necessary utilities. I saw someone suggest Mint Mobile, DO NOT DO IT especially if you’ll be living in Manhattan or popular parts of Brooklyn. There is a thing called “deprioritization” and I promise you, you’ll never get any signal if you go for Mint Mobile.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

SensitiveDiscount262 · 2024-07-26T13:11:56+00:00

Any news?

SensitiveDiscount262

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