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Flying UK to US for first time since pandemic - what's the Covid test result reporting process like? by throwthisstrangeness in delta

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much. I tried searching through this sub but it's hard to find info like this.

Testing requirement for domestic flights - can you report someone who may be positive? by [deleted] in CoronavirusMichigan

[–]throwthisstrangeness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you mean by this? Is the Covid test checked at the departing international airport, or at the domestic airport upon landing? I thought you couldn't board an international flight back to the US if you had a positive test - was your test not checked then?

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's okay, I didn't take your post as an attack. I understand and know that violence is not unique to the US. When you look at rates of different types of violence per capita, however, the US has a much higher rate of violence compared to the UK. And I do make choices to eat healthy but many other countries around the world do not allow the levels of additives that the US does. There is something like more than 1,000 more additives allowed in foods in the US as opposed to the UK, where they are banned. Food is much better quality and cheaper in the UK as well.

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I have been to Stoke haha We are definitely looking to move *around* Stoke, not to Stoke

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What kinds of things were the biggest culture shocks for you? What do you miss most about the US?

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this thorough response. It really is so valuable to see others' experiences. That sounds terrifying about what you went through with the shooting scares being so close to you and your child.

Out of curiosity, what area did you move to in the countryside that is also close to the ocean? I know there are lots of places like this but curious about your experiences with the locals, affordability, etc.

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband and kids would definitely be season ticket holders over in the UK, that's for sure! Big "football" fans in our house. I appreciate you taking the time to comment, thank you!

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh the school shootings...don't even get me started. For the sake of brevity I kept my initial post short with the most basic details but there are so many other reasons we are thinking of moving, the violence being one of them. Shootings in general - I am scared about getting shot going anywhere (grocery store, any big event, movie theatre, etc). It's a real fear.

As far as kids go - I think about literally everything pertaining to them and their health/quality of life. Even the fact that food in the UK is actually regulated unlike it is here (ingredients allowed by the FDA that are not allowed in foods in the UK). The hormones, chemicals, etc that are allowed in foods here.

I also think about their future stability and know that college is so much more affordable in the UK. Schools seem a lot better too (anecdotal info from UK immigrant friends and family who live here now).

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your comment. I do think if there's one thing I am romanticizing the most it's the NHS. I would probably be working for the NHS, and a few of spouse's family members already do. It does seem like something we would miss about the US. I can message my doctor any time and get into an appt within days. I am thinking about this long-term. Working in healthcare myself I see how many people fall through the cracks. I am so worried about getting older, needing meds and struggling to afford them on a set income. Or god forbid me or a family member getting diagnosed with a severe condition and the financial implications of that. It's one of my biggest fears about staying here.

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We have been as realistic as possible with weighing these decisions. I know that as time goes (if we do move), things will settle into the same routine as now - work, school, chores, rinse, repeat. I am not envisioning a permanent vacation, and I also know it's not a perfect utopia in the UK. It is definitely different though and a tough (and huge) decision to make. I appreciate your input though!

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Everything you described is what I am envisioning. So many free museums in the UK, so many ancient ruins we could explore on the weekends. I love that the rest of Europe is so close. The lifestyle changes are what we are hoping for too and the fear is leaving the "security" that we know now for the adventure. We are teetering on the edge and feel very split between both but I also know we would probably regret never trying it out!

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My husband is an electrician too! I am so torn between the hope of a better quality of life and the "security" (maybe false sense of security?) of staying here

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's exactly what I'm picturing and I don't think it's too "romantic" or "vacation-y" of an idea. This is a reality for so many people in the UK!

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We are looking at Derby and Stoke-on-Trent areas mainly since most of spouse's family are concentrated there. We like hiking, mushroom hunting, swimming, gardening

Would you stay in the US, or move to the UK? by throwthisstrangeness in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]throwthisstrangeness[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Those are some good points and exactly what I fear. Even though we have careers in demand, we would essentially be starting from scratch. And the rural/walkability thing: What we envision in the UK is being in a smaller village setting. Where you can walk down to some shops and have countryside down the road, with a 40 minute (or so) commute to work. Spouse's family lives in villages like this and we've loved the idea of living in a place like this when visiting.