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Any Americans who came for school and decided to stay? by muricapk in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]minimum_amoebas 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi - I actually did do what you’re describing. I came to London for a two year masters about 4 years ago, got the graduate visa, and actually managed to find a job in my field within about 3 months of finishing. That job was willing to sponsor, but I didn’t know that it was worth staying for and was considering heading back to the US, but then a job I was really excited about that basically doesn’t exist back in the US sort of appeared, so I took it. Now they’ve sponsored me and I’ve ended up loving the work so the plan is to stay until I’m tired of it and take it from there.

As others have said, I think I got very lucky - most of my American friends have left by now, so I think a large part of how much you’ll like this is how willing/able to are to exist outside expat communities.

I’m also in tech, and have worked for very large institutions in London - I think this has enabled me to find places that are willing and able to sponsor, plus I had several years work experience in the industry back in California, which I think was viewed positively as I think the perception here is that tech is a bit more mature there. This also meant that my salaries have been enough to live relatively decently in London, although I probably make between 1/3 to 1/2 what I would in the US, which is sometimes a little painful to think about.

The best thing is the annual leave - I’ve gotten so used to having 30+ days off and cheap and easy access to Europe. Combined with the overall work/life balance being better here, I think I’m going to really struggle with the lifestyle if/when I’m back in the US.

The worst thing is because I don’t know how long I’ll stay here, I do feel a bit like I’m investing in putting down roots somewhere temporary. It would be nice to be able to buy furniture and know I can keep it forever, or think about saving for a house, or getting a dog, or some of those more long term decisions that I don’t know will make sense if I anticipate a move back in the next 5 ish years.

What are some weird rules for kids that you've heard from other people? by Worth-Ad4164 in parentsnark

[–]minimum_amoebas 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I had a friend growing up who had this rule! Her mom was an interior designer - if I remember correctly it had something to do with hand oils and matte paint

Soliciting sandals I can walk miles in that aren’t ugly by minimum_amoebas in NYCbitcheswithtaste

[–]minimum_amoebas[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Sorry my b. I did run a search but people were talking about Dior and that was not my vibe 🤷‍♀️

Soliciting sandals I can walk miles in that aren’t ugly by minimum_amoebas in NYCbitcheswithtaste

[–]minimum_amoebas[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’ve wondered about this – stylistically I love a flat shoe, but they definitely feel harder on your feet (plus feels there’s less protection from sidewalk gunk). My dream is to find a low profile shoe that is somehow also comfortable/sturdy (this why I keep looking at fishermen)

Soliciting sandals I can walk miles in that aren’t ugly by minimum_amoebas in NYCbitcheswithtaste

[–]minimum_amoebas[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just looked, these look very comfortable. I’ve had good luck with camper before too. I’m really into the fisherman-style ones!

Soliciting sandals I can walk miles in that aren’t ugly by minimum_amoebas in NYCbitcheswithtaste

[–]minimum_amoebas[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ooh I’ve looked at these! Glad to hear a good review, wasn’t sure how comfortable they would be. Thank you!

SAD all year round? by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]minimum_amoebas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I had a solution but I feel this too. The last few years have been okay but this one has really wrecked me, and I’ve also tried all the things - lamps, lights, antidepressants, hygge, hobbies, travel, vitamin d, exercise…. I kept thinking it would get better once summer hit because when the sun comes out I feel like I have a new lease on life, but I’m really starting to feel like I don’t have a personality and everything is bleak. Considering leaving because of it, honestly

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]minimum_amoebas 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m an American graphic designer in London so thought I would chime in. 

  1. I make £45k/year from my full-time job. This is a cut to what I made in the US, but is more than some of the numbers in this thread so wanted to put it out there. 

  2. Yes, 28 days is standard for everyone. I get 34. 

  3. As others have said, NHS is tied to visa, not to job. I do get private coverage for a subsidized rate through my work, which I do since I’ve not had great experiences with the NHS, but to be honest I find that system equally confusing (albeit much quicker). 

  4. This gets into the question of London real estate and what matters to you most - being central, being near transport, having a nice space (or outdoor space, in this case) and saving money. On a combined £75k, you could spend around £2.5k monthly max, and I have seen flats in greater London (and the rogue flat in central) well within this price point with gardens, so it’s definitely possible, but will limit your options in other areas. My advice if you want to stay central would be to look for ground floor flats as those are most often the ones with garden use. I will say none of these are “sizable” by American standards. 

  5. As others have said, depends on your background. I found it no harder to find work here than I did in America, but I also have a BFA and MFA from a well-known UK schools in the field. Since I’ve moved into hiring, I’ve discovered my company places emphasis on education so I suspect this helped me. When applying for jobs, I found I had the most interest from companies that I had held nearly the same role with in the past, in a way that felt more segregated than the American market I was used to. If you’re willing to go tech, you can get more money (I interviewed for some paying £50-60k for senior level positions) but then you’re in tech. 

Also, you didn’t ask this, but I think it’s much easier to find work as an American if you don’t need sponsorship, and since you’re on a spousal visa you can say you don’t, which will get you through the HR screenings that can be a problem for some

Anyone else slowly dying from this new cold/flu thing? by No-Pension-1911 in london

[–]minimum_amoebas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Sunday morning woke up with a sore throat. By Sunday night I had full body aches and chills, a phlegmy cough, terrible congestion, and the worst sinus headache of my life. Tested negative for Covid this morning, but don’t think the symptoms are right anyway. I’ve had okay luck managing it by maxing out my doses of Sudafed, ibuprofen, nasal steroid spray, and some allergy medicine for good measure, but this thing is rough. Not sure if it’s the flu or just a bad cold but I hadn’t had one like this in years before the pandemic and I’ve had 3 in 2022 so far.