Ok, so what do you miss about the UK?

[NYceMummy]

We have been in New York since mid-July (-in the 'burbs since end Aug) and there are loads of things that I miss about the UK but before I make it sound like I hate the US (-which I don't!) I thought I'd see what others miss

I miss not being able to speak my own language everywhere and not having to think too long before I speak. I am fairly fluent in German but I know I make mistakes and it sometimes stops me from speaking because I think about it too long and then it's too late. I would love to try being an expat in an english speaking country.
I get homesick alot and my 2 dc would drop everything and move to the UK tomorrow if they could!

where are you admylin?

Interesting thread as we're considering leaving London to find greener grass somewhere - US / AUS / NZ ?

(If people don't mind, could they post where they are when they answer the Q so I can see what sucks about the States or Germany or whatever ? Ta)

I miss:

bookshops - desparately, we have one and its tiny and like one in a very small foreign airport. I want to browse dammit.
white wine vinegar (can't buy it here)
bacon
Walkers crisps
British tv
my friends and family SO much
fresh milk being used for tea/coffee rather than condensed (condensed milk + tea = retch)

I'm in Qatar.

Goddess - I like that, Californifrau - say it again!

Mamama, I'm in Nigeria.

Re sausages. The BDHC had pork sausage and mash on the menu last night - yippee! But after we'd tasted them I think it's fair to say they were only allegedly pork sausages.

family
being able to just chat without having to think
central heating
never thought I would say it but work
good shops close by
and the opening hours in the uk

some food as well including;
mcvities digestives
bacon
fish and chips
salad cream
sweets and chocolates
baked beans
indian and chinese takeaways

hub2dee, it depends how you feel about yoour family and friends tbh, and also whether or not you'd consider a time-limited (eg 2 yr) or permanent move. Can't say I'm that close to my lot and din't give it a 2nd thought, but esp for the children, they really miss their grandparents, and the gp's really miss them. I don't think, for that reason, I could go further away than I am now (ch).

I do think being a foreigner in an english-speaking country to be a lot easier, but these are usually a lot further away.

I for one am really glad to have left UK, but make sure I stock up on my tea & biscuits for cheese & branston & GAP jeans every time I go back. Other advantage to being (relatively) close is I can drive back on my own, so when kids have school holidays I often bring them while dh has to stay at work, but the journey's doable single handedly and you then have the benefit of the car. 1st 4 years of living here we always flew, but now alwys drive.

If you've got any other Q's I'm happy to help, from the pov of a foreigner in a strange language nearby country

I don't mind seeing the departure as temporary (for a year or two) or as permanent... If we got to and it didn't work out I wouldn't hesitate to come back whether this was after 6 months or 6 years... pretty easy on that particular point.

Close to family but my folks and my in-laws are all at retirement age so it's possible, in theory that there'll be a very big 'family move' to somewher IYSWIM. Friends might visit, and I guess we'll make new friends wherever (although I wouldn't ever understimate the value in friends, particularly people you've known for years).

Is (ch) Switzerland btw ? I lived in Baar / Zug for a wee while. Hated it LOL.

yes, switzerland. never been to zug.

things to consider also are if only limited time, renting out house if you own one, vs selling up if permanent move. I think the pull of family is stronger than most people expect, and distance surely only add to that?

Mass family move would be interesting, but would you ever get anywhere everyone would agree on? Friends have visited surprisingly little, thought they'd be up for a practically free holiday. maybe the all hate us really?

I find i'm returning more often than I used to (maybe 3 times a year as opposed to one) As the kids get older the more they want to get back. Also keen for them to learn british culture. for that reason also glad live relatively close as have british tv. Nowt like a bit of blue peter and basil brush. They get to grow up with 2 languages, 2 cultures, it's great

mince pies, mince pies,mince pies, mince pies,mince pies,mince pies,mince pies,mince pies, I could go on.....

general chit chat, without having to think ahead and missing the moment, sunday papers with the bits in, and english cakes,and pasties and an Asda and Boots.
The list is shorter each year, and we stock up on bits when we go back.

I found generally the Germanic middle bit less fun than the French or Italian 'sides,' ernest. ... but it's all quite pretty. I think it might be possible to get buy-in from at least 50% of the grandparents LOL.

I guess friends end up wanting to visit and holiday with people they are near to all the time quite often (IYSWIM). The bilingual side of things and the exposure to another culture have got to be good though.

I don't miss too much apart from being able to drive along a road without having to dodge a pothole/motorbike/man pushing cart full of random items/20 yr old yellow corolla taxis.

And family and friends..

However that said we are moving back to blighty for a wee while(slight smug) in a month.

Suedonim, nice to see another w african mnetter. How long have you been in Nigeria?

Bet you were taking a photo of something of massive political and strategic importance, like a roundabout

Toad in the hole!!!

ABSOLUTELY.

'Twas ridiculous. Oh, and enforcement of random traffic laws was also a feature. I had to talk some police out of stopping our truck and arresting the driver etc. etc. I think they might have kept his driving licence LOL !

I miss the John Lewis, Liberty and Laura Ashley.

I also miss knowing sometimes the best place to get something as most of the shops here are independently owned & you have to have really know them beforehand otherwise you could spend ages just going round loads of small shops in the pouring rain......

-big bookshops where you can browse for hours and be tempted by the blurb and cover (why do French editors have one standard, boring cover for all their books?)
-being able to carry out minor administrative paperwork without needing to provide certified photocopies of endless papers in triplicate, proving my mother's maiden name and my place/date of birth
-Radio 4
-Arthur's Seat
-irony
-people waving thanks at you when you give way in the car (or have people in Britain stopped doing that? maybe I live in a halcyon dream world of obsolete good manners)
-female friends who are not subtly involved in some form of rivalry over men/looks/clothes (that was a bit sweeping, wasn't it? I shall duck and run for cover)

"-Radio 4"

The BBC player is your friend.

I may have to stop reading this thread because every time I see 'mince pies' I get depressed. My English friends are like, 'just make some!'. Yeah, okay, I'm nearly 38 weeks pregnant, but hey, pastry's not that complicated and I'm sure the jars of mincemeat are fine.

Bluewater, Bluewater, Bluewater and did I mention Bluewater......old friends, being able to chat without thinking, strolling around London, nights out in town. Oh and my family, in small doses, that goes without saying.

arfishymeau you may have confused mamama with me. I am in Oz.

Cf I shall instruct my dc's to revere me from now on.

Cameroonmama, dd and I have been in Nigeria since January, dh for a few months longer. How long have you been in Cameroon? The potholes/bikes/carts/taxis sound v familiar! Do you have loads of street vendors as well? I don't think there's anything you can't buy at the side of the road in Lagos.