Dilemma, UK or USA?

[admylin]

Nothing is sure yet but dh has got an interview in London next week and one for a job in Texas but the interview isn't 'til December.Both places sound as if they want him.

I'm in Germany and can't wait to get away, infact could pack tomorrow so I don't really care where dh goes to work as long as it's an English speaking country. Somehow I think life might be nicer in Texas as compared to London. What do you think? I just seem to read so much negative, stressfull stuff about London (especially about schooling) and cost of living. I bet we couldn't afford to rent more than a tiny flat in London. Just thought I'd ask on here as I can't sleep thinking about it - I really really want out of here but why does London not appeal to me?

tell Dr. Phil i love him. the texan accent makes me orgasm

London is a wonderful city bursting with wonderful sites and and a great culture of which I visit often, however house prices are high and the space in most accomodation is very small as it seems to cater to business (singles or couples) rather than families. It is a very british thing to build small pricey accomodation to buy or rent anywhere in London and convenient to London as I live in Hertford which is close to London on train route and everywhere they are building 2 bedroom accommodation on any space posible similar to London. If you do decide to move research it really well. London as a city is awesome but to live their is a huge decision, so good luck, and I wish you all the best.

Where in Texas would you be going? Somewhere like Houston, Dallas or Austin might be ok (Austin is great). Texas is quite conservative.

The job in Texas would be in Dallas and I like what I see on the internet - I can't get the theme tune to Dallas (the series)out of my head either!
Califrau, you do understand me! Infact I would be happy to go to London just to get out of the German education system for the kids sake! Keep worrying about getting them into a decent school over there though.

Sittingbull, I'm British and dh is Indian with German nationality. You know that is one thing I'm also not sure about, climate. I'm not the type that get's depressed if it rains too much as I grew up in the Lake district so rain is normal and I wonder if I would eventually miss snow and rain if I went to live in Texas?

Dh is having the same dilemma as me, he has family in Texas for a start off and thinks of the old cliche that everything is possible in USA (or is it a cliche?) - but the job in London would be a good thing to have on his CV for later (Imperial college London.

The kids fancy Texas because they want cowboy hats and a lassoo! They would both be happy to leave Berlin tomorrow so no problems there.

I'm warming to the idea of London! Just sat this afternoon and read all the old threads from the past 3 years on London living and it doesn't sound all that bad!
Worried about mosquitos in Texas, I bet there are loads and I am really allergic.

Oh, it is definitely a cliche, I'm afraid. If things are going well then yes, anything is possible in the US. But things don't always go as planned and then it's crap.

And I can guarantee, you would miss the winter. Even my Texan friends complain about the lack of seasons there.

If I had to chose between the UK & the US then, all things being equal, I would pick the UK.

I have not lived in Texas, but have lived on both American coasts (currently live in Los Angeles) and spent 7 years in London (as well as one year when I was a teenager). I can categorically say that London is the worst place I have ever lived (or spent time in). And with children it is even more awful. It is not a cliche that anything is possible in the US. It is the story of my family (poor uneducated immigrants at the turn of the century who progressed into a current generation of professors, professionals and successful artists). I found the class system in the UK absolutely diabolical. I also found the Londoners to be racist and rude. I'm sure that this will start off a long discussion, but please remember that I am talking about my personal experiences. London is expensive and the quality of life is poor. And the weather sucks. I'm sure all three aspects would be better in Texas. There is plenty of culture in Dallas and I think you will find that all the major art shows and cultural performances pass through there, and with all the extra time and money you find yourself with, you may even be able to take advantage despite having children. And if you want snow, get on a plane and go somewhere to ski for a week.

There would be no choice for me - I've worked in London and I'm now working and living in Colorado. One of my best friends here is an amazing Texan lady from Austin. You'll probably get less mozzies in Texas than London. Cost of living will be far cheaper than London. Texans if very conservative are extremely friendly and very hospitable. There's plenty of us Expats over here too. And there's far more to the USA than the weather .a

What would be the time frame, admylin?

If it's something like 3 years, then Texas would be a great experience (on a decent international salary package). Long term on local salary would be a lot riskier.

We've done 2y + 4y in the US, but very glad to be back in the UK (greater London).

Wow, see what I mean about dilemma!
I keep saying London - no Texas - no London - maybe Texas and so on and on! I think dh has to definately go over to Dallas as soon as possible to check it out and the family near by would be a great thing.
My family couldn't be further away from London, right on the scottish border so would still be like living abroad really!
I've read all your threads on life in the US too and you all seem to be having a good enough time (although the londoners among us seem quite happy too!). Other threads about how many of you are going off to Australia makes m ethink there is some sort of exodus going on from the UK.
I think we are going to have to look at both places really closely.
Next horrid thing to get through will be the visa application for the US just to go and see the place!

admylin my boyfriend lives in Texas and used to live in Dallas.
If you want to talk to someone who lived there I can put you in touch with someone. He hates cities so you don't want his opinion But I know it's supposed to be a nice city.
I like London but would prefer not to live there.
The cost of living is lower in the US. I know they don't get as much time off work (vacation)
There are excellent expat sites on the internet.
britishexpats.com/ That one is free to join.

admylin just noticed your mozzie query...I came back in August covered in bites They loved me Don't know if it's so bad in the city as I was further out of town.

Ulysees, thanks that would be great. It would be a help if I knew to start with - which areas to avoid in Dallas! I've been looking to get some ideas but I can find plenty of forums and websites with praise for this or that area or district but I would find it a help if I know which areas to rule out. I would have to insist on relocation help anyway but just to get an idea of what we want would maybe save some time and some dollars!

ok well if you CAT me I'll put you in contact with her. I hope you come to a decision soon, it must be so difficult.

ok, so I am for the US Camp! I was born and raised in Chester UK and moved to Houston TX 17 years ago and am now back in Manchester UK for my husband to do his MBA, but... take me back to Texas ASAP ! I LOVE it there!! the people are friendly, the cost of living is low, the weather is great 9 months of the year, the summers are hot but hey you'll have a pool. If you have kids then I would DEFINITLY go to Dallas, its a very trendy city, loads of great shopping, nitelife & restaurants for you and the hubby. I have never lived in London but moving to Manchester with a 5 year old has been very scarry! I don't feel safe even taking him to the park so I would imagine London would not be a "child friendly" place. The schools in TX (when you find the right district)are excellent but be aware that they start a year behind the UK (kindergarten at 5 and first grade at 6). Good luck trying to make your mind up !!!

I think I have more ticks on my Dallas list than on my London one!
Dh is in London right now, he had his interview today and said it went well, he also liked the area and the whole atmosphere which is very different to the time he went to Bristol for an interview, he hated it and complained about everything!
Trouble is we are used to life in Berlin, it's so cheap to live here and we are in a very safe area so never feel worried about going to the park or to anything really. I do know which areas to avoid though so that is something I will have to find out about London or Dallas.
I'll be so relieved the day I board that plane to leave Germany, knowing that all my things are packed and we aren't coming back, the dc can't wait either so I will cope where ever we end up. I hope it's Dallas in the end though.

I wish you wouldn't leave before I do adymlin. Petty me?!...

I think admylin that you would be FINE in London and fine in Dallas - like I said in my mail, I think that you should just take the option you get and be resolved to give it the best you've got. I would start trying to find out about schools now though, just in case

I think in both Dallas and London there are better schools than here in Berlin.
There will be at least some brilliant schools (whether you get in/can afford them is something else but at least they do exist).

You will be speaking your mother tongue again (more or less) and that will make life so much easier. The dc will love being ENglish speakers in an English environment. Trust me. I see what a change there has been in dd recently. She would blossom in an English speaking environment. I know it.

Only reasons I would choose London over Dallas are - cost of educating yourself, health insurance.

If you get a good expat deal to Dallas, I would go and be resolved to enjoy it. I'm sure you can find your niche there or in London - much easier than here.

Good luck lin, I'm crossing my fingers for you. What did dh say about the interview in London?Oh and

What is difficult though is if dh gets the job in London and the interview in Dallas isn't till later on in the year. What do you do then? Would be a shame to turn down London and then not get Dallas.

FWIW I would give the US a bash. It would be a bit of an adventure for you all, something new and not too different and odd for you all to feel out of place there.