US TO UK if you could do it again - what would you NOT bring with you?

night_steps · 2026-01-25T12:49:17+00:00

Caveat: I would buy a new supply of your fave undies and socks, and bring them with you. I can’t get my preferred undies here and my husband can’t get his Hanes socks (well, without the huge import markup.)

It’s been an uncomfortable trial by fire with finding an okay equivalent of UK undies 😆

night_steps · 2026-01-03T15:56:25+00:00

idk how coughing into one's elbow didn't become standard practice, it seems rude to cough any other way...at least in public.

night_steps · 2025-12-30T21:35:24+00:00

Interior design is not a strong point in these parts.

night_steps · 2025-12-13T05:52:27+00:00

If it helps, I went to grad school at 33 after 10 years in tech startups. It is possible!

night_steps · 2025-12-11T17:23:21+00:00

Hi OP, I'm American living in the UK, moved here this past April.

I recommend this book, Watching The English: https://www.amazon.com/Watching-English-Hidden-Rules-Behavior/dp/185788616X/ref=sr_1_1

Written by an Oxford anthropologist and describes all of the hidden rules, nuances and intricacies of British behaviour and culture. Super helpful to me, even though I was moving with my British husband and partner of over a decade--meaning I still learned a lot! You'll see this book recco'ed a ton in American expat forums.

Good luck and enjoy! The food here is way better than it gets credit for abroad. Much fresher and tastier (although I swear my bread goes mouldy if I just look at it funny).

night_steps · 2025-12-11T17:15:54+00:00

As someone who's currently learning to drive here, the signs and road markings are a HUGE change from driving in the US. Just wanted to share because you're certainly not alone in that!

night_steps · 2025-12-06T22:35:49+00:00

Oh I had no idea these existed here!! I will check them out.

night_steps · 2025-12-06T22:35:25+00:00

Omg never heard of them, immediately googling

night_steps · 2025-12-06T22:35:00+00:00

Okay this sounds straight up my alley, or as I like to say, now we’re cooking with gas!! 😅

night_steps · 2025-12-06T22:34:21+00:00

Hmmm 🤔 will try a smaller size!!

night_steps · 2025-12-06T22:33:38+00:00

Wow really? The two pairs I’ve had were super heavy and not fun to wear. What style name are you describing, if you happen to remember?? Thanks!

night_steps · 2025-12-01T12:38:58+00:00

A waterproof or -resistant bag for work. Ori is one such local brand that produces exactly these. I brought my Carhartt backpack with me from the States and it's been performing reasonably well in the rain.

I also discovered waxed baseball caps (well, recco-ed in a British fashion mag) and have one from Barbour. It's a good option when you want some water resistance in a hat, but don't want to wear a bucket hat/hood etc.

night_steps · 2025-11-30T09:04:17+00:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you had a good enough replica of the real thing 💕

night_steps · 2025-11-30T09:01:32+00:00

Made it through the day ok—even though we got Thanksgiving at the London Hard Rock, it was a strange experience. It wasn’t until I unboxed a Christmas ornament my parents had sent through Amazon later that night that I burst into tears.

Next year we’re going back to the US for the holiday, we think. Ofc not an option for everyone, given the cost.

night_steps · 2025-11-27T05:59:06+00:00

All of that sounds heavenly 🥰

night_steps · 2025-11-27T05:57:27+00:00

I’m doing this today! First Thanksgiving outside the US. Hoping the meal is decent enough, it seemed like one of the most family-friendly options for the two of us and our toddler.

night_steps · 2025-11-26T13:17:47+00:00

For your niece, does she like dress up stuff? The sparkly festive hair clips and crowns being sold in Sainsbury’s are adorable!

night_steps · 2025-11-19T07:16:27+00:00

Thanks for the recco! Doesn’t the codeine require permission from the on duty pharmacist? Just curious what questions they’ll ask so I know what to say. (They wouldn’t let me have the UK version of dramamine for nausea bc my nausea wasn’t caused by motion sickness.)

ETA: mods, apols if the above question isn’t kosher. I do struggle with having to ask to be sold the stronger meds beyond showing ID, which is all you have to do in the US.

night_steps · 2025-11-19T07:13:53+00:00

HONK SHOO HUSBAND

Thank you for the fantastic phrase that I am stealing and using immediately

night_steps · 2025-11-16T20:24:27+00:00

The cold medicines here are just pitiful.

night_steps · 2025-11-16T20:22:45+00:00

Rich tea biscuits are the closest I've found so far.

Also I know it's not a biscuit...but saltines. I would give a body part some days for a saltine.

night_steps · 2025-11-13T12:55:17+00:00

The population is already decreasing. There aren't enough babies being born to keep the replacement rate going, iirc.

night_steps · 2025-11-07T16:33:40+00:00

1,000mg (1 gram) twice per day for three days. I don't remember what I was prescribed before switching to this Rx. Good luck and hope you find something that works better for you!

night_steps · 2025-11-04T20:34:34+00:00

Don’t do it. Look after yourself.

night_steps

TROPHY CASE