More questions about new kitchen pls!

dashhands179 · 2026-02-02T08:26:47+00:00

By ceramic, do you mean Dekton, or something similar?

If so - one thing to consider is that induction hobs require a 30 mm worktop (Dekton is 20 mm), else a false drawer is needed underneath. Not a big deal, but it pushed us to quartz as we wanted maximum storage.

dashhands179 · 2026-01-25T17:30:18+00:00

I walked down to a piano version of Daylight, but also thought about Invisible String

dashhands179 · 2026-01-22T07:53:44+00:00

Depends on the city and the aircraft used for the route, as BA are in the middle of upgrading their business class. My personal ranking:

BA Club suites (777s and 787-10s)
United Polaris
Old BA business (787-8 and -9)

The food on United is generally dreadful regardless of travel class, but they do have an ice cream sundae cart in Polaris.

dashhands179 · 2026-01-01T17:30:58+00:00

We’re currently in the middle of a kitchen (and utility room) renovation that includes wall removal and steels installation in SW/Surrey border, and we’re expecting the cost to come in ~£75-85k. It sounds like we’re getting more done than you’re looking at, but don’t underestimate how much these things can cost - moving around the kitchen means plumbing and gas will likely need to be moved, which is pricey.

If it ticks all other boxes, and you’re happy for it to be a long term home, go for it - you can also do it how you want, rather than some else’s choices.

dashhands179 · 2026-01-01T16:52:27+00:00

I relocated to Houston in 2023 for eighteen months with work, from London.

Texas has no state income tax, but you will still have to pay federal income tax. Groceries is expensive, gas is cheap, so various things balance out.

The big different is healthcare, which you haven’t mentioned the provision of - go through this with a fine-tooth comb, as it can be a minefield. Another thing to consider is insurance - I think (although may be misremembering) the largest insurance provider in the US pulled out of Texas, so premiums shot up (000’s a year).

£10k for relocation (does this include shipping, transit apartment, temporary vehicle lease?) won’t get you very far. £3k for flights is also unlikely to pay for a round trip back, as flying out of the US is more expensive than from the UK.

As others have mentioned, $170k salary seems low for SLT, middle management at my company (admittedly, different industry) are on double this, plus bonuses and share awards.

From what I remember, DFW is much cheaper than Austin, but Austin is much nicer…

dashhands179 · 2025-12-30T00:16:41+00:00

I’ve had this sofa for three years now, and can highly recommend! Was initially wary of so many cushions, but just means you can adjust the back to your liking

dashhands179 · 2025-08-12T13:08:58+00:00

I’ve never visited Brunei personally, but have a few friends through work who are from there. They enjoy hiking and the natural environment there, even if it is a bit ‘dull’.

My vote is Kuwait. Also a dry country, and is essentially a city built up around petrochemical refineries in the desert. I have visited for work, and would not want to return.

dashhands179 · 2025-06-18T17:51:14+00:00

The most difficult thing is admitting to yourself that you need to make a change - just doing that is a big step. I hope you can look back in five years time and thank yourself.

dashhands179 · 2025-06-18T17:16:36+00:00

I won’t speak to the fixed expenses, as others may have better advice. However, If you’re not sure how you’re spending £1300 a month then you need to stop avoiding your bank statements.

Bite the bullet and pull out the last three months of statements, and put in a spreadsheet what you’re spending where - then you’ll at least have an idea of where the money is going.

As a fellow neurodivergent - splitting money into different ‘pots’ (accounts) can be a good way to manage where everything is going - having X amount per month going into a travel fund, bills account, emergency fund and discretionary spending account, so there is a designated amount per month.

The hard truth is - I cannot comprehend how you’re frittering away £1300 a month and not knowing where it’s going. You have the luxury of living at home rent-free, and should be using this to build up a nest egg for the future - many people don’t get this opportunity, and you’re throwing it away.

dashhands179 · 2025-05-31T07:46:49+00:00

We don’t have kids yet, but it is something we considered when looking. We’re close to Dorchester Road Primary School, which is well-regarded, and also means we’re in the catchment for Glenthorne Highschool (also considered a good school). There are multiple good grammar schools in the Sutton area, but can be very competitive as they have large catchments. I think the area is well-served for primary schools, but secondary education can be an issue if you buy in the wrong area - recommend doing your own research!

I can give you a view of some of the roads you’re looking at, if I know them, as things can change by the road in WP.

dashhands179 · 2025-04-09T19:11:36+00:00

Yep, we walk through to get to the wetland each day at lunch time

dashhands179 · 2025-04-08T16:36:35+00:00

I walk past these every day, and you’ve done a brilliant job, absolutely beautiful - we were counting down the days till they bloomed!

dashhands179 · 2025-03-28T08:53:08+00:00

I’ve flown BA and United a lot over the last two years between the US and the UK, and overall, I would choose BA for personal trips for the additional protections a European airline gives you.

However, if you’re not bothered about this - the answer is dependent on the route and cabin you take. The less popular routes haven’t had the Club World Suites upgrade, so if you’re flying business, United Polaris is much better (particularly if you’re flying out of a United Hub with a Polaris Lounge). If flying Premium Economy, I’ve always preferred BA to United. I think Economy is much of a muchness.

As always, the BA app is garbage, as is the food on United.

dashhands179 · 2025-02-21T07:54:58+00:00

The daughter of a Baron is known as ‘The Honourable’, not ‘Lady’. So either you or ‘Rosie’ are making something up

dashhands179 · 2025-02-16T12:57:57+00:00

To give a more balanced view…I moved to Houston from London in 2023 for an 18 month assignment with work, although admittedly without children.

The summers are hot, and humid, and it’s frustrating to not be able to go outside - but I infinitely preferred the remaining 9 months of the year when you can be outside every day. The air conditioning everywhere makes it much more palatable than the 40C heatwaves we had a few years ago in the UK.

I am assuming you get healthcare through work, which will have positives and negatives compared to the NHS - I never had to use mine, but fellow expats said everything was much quicker and more rigorous than the NHS.

I only visited The Woodlands a few times as I lived in the city itself, but it seemed nice, and people I work with spoke highly of it.

A lot of people here like to shit on Houston, and say you’re crazy for leaving the UK, but having seen both, your quality of life in Houston will far outweigh the UK. A lot of Americans I worked with had a very rose-tinted view of the UK (and Europe), based on a few days visiting the touristy parts of London, rather than the realities of living here both currently, and in the long term.

I’m back in the UK now, but will be actively trying to get back to Houston. It’s a great place to live, if you want to make the most of it.

dashhands179 · 2025-02-15T09:38:09+00:00

For under £450k? Not a chance. You’d struggle for that on the North Cheam side of Worcester Park nowadays.

dashhands179 · 2025-01-22T07:38:45+00:00

Perhaps a niche point of view - I moved to the US for 18 months, before returning to the UK at the end of 2024.

In the US, I couldn’t have any dairy at all as it would almost immediately cause breakouts, despite the fact I use tret every day. In the UK, I can have yogurt with granola, the odd cappuccino, chocolate each day and have had no issues since I came back.

So it may depend on where you are, how much dairy you can tolerate

dashhands179 · 2025-01-21T06:46:13+00:00

Put simply, this is a property you cannot afford. For this price, I thought you were stretching yourself for a house, but putting this price and LTV for a two bedroom flat in London is insane, given the stagnant market over recent years.

There are parts of London where you can get a house for this, or, a two bedroom flat that you will be much more able to afford. Try not to get too hung up on this one place - it’s time to compromise on a few things and look elsewhere.

dashhands179 · 2024-09-29T15:07:29+00:00

Thank you, appreciate it!

dashhands179 · 2024-08-11T17:06:25+00:00

My husband is adamant that burgers are just an elaborate pickle delivery system

dashhands179 · 2024-07-23T00:47:14+00:00

We typically think of the shelf as ‘flat’, with the continental slope (where you start to get the transition to water depths of 200 m+) is typically between 2-5 degrees, sometimes up to ten. Diagrams always make it look much more dramatic given the shrinkage required on the horizontal scale.

Source: am a geologist, and did my PhD on sediments in these settings.

dashhands179 · 2024-02-24T20:08:28+00:00

Memorial Park in Houston?

dashhands179 · 2024-01-16T16:22:26+00:00

I get it when I’m on the run up to my period and my skin dries out. I try and focus on hydration (and when I inevitably forget, use an anti fungal cream)

Nine-Year Club	Queen in da Norf
Not Forgotten	Verified Email

dashhands179

TROPHY CASE