The Land of the Free & the Home of the Brave (expats)... All Those in the US!

[UnderRated]

I just finished the old thread by accident

I know what you mean. I miss my family in NZ and my parents are amazing grandparents, whereas DH's (in the UK) are not so good and favour/ prioritise our nieces. Unfortunately NZ is so far away from the rest of the world, DH would get so little holiday and NZ dollars are worth so little that we would end up stuck there and unable to travel/ leave. DH also couldn't use his languages. UK is the compromise because it is at least where DH's family is and near Europe, though we obviously end up with a smaller house, etc. My Mum tries to visit every year too, so it is not so bad. We too tried out the US as a compromise but it just isn't for me with no family here at all and having to drive everywhere, plus I miss English supermarkets!

Hello - sorry to hijack this thread but Califrau very kindly pointed me in this direction. Surely someone somewhere knows someone somewhere in Seattle...?! Here is my OP:

We are moving to Seattle in the Autumn. Just wondering if anyone reading this lives in Seattle - or knows someone who does - and can suggest some areas that will be good to move to for young families/to meet people. Needs to be not too far from Down Town - nice suburban area with open spaces/parks ideal.

We visited early in the year and fell in love with Greenlake. Also, Madrona has been suggested.

Anyone with info on these areas, please speak up!! Have got a 2 year old and expecting another one in Jan (giving birth in the States...well, that's another thread all of it's own!)

Pleeease let someone out there have some advice!

I'm off to bed now, will check in again tmrw!

Hello - sorry to hijack this thread but Califrau very kindly pointed me in this direction. Surely someone somewhere knows someone somewhere in Seattle...?! Here is my OP:

We are moving to Seattle in the Autumn. Just wondering if anyone reading this lives in Seattle - or knows someone who does - and can suggest some areas that will be good to move to for young families/to meet people. Needs to be not too far from Down Town - nice suburban area with open spaces/parks ideal.

We visited early in the year and fell in love with Greenlake. Also, Madrona has been suggested.

Anyone with info on these areas, please speak up!! Have got a 2 year old and expecting another one in Jan (giving birth in the States...well, that's another thread all of it's own!)

Pleeease let someone out there have some advice!

I'm off to bed now, will check in again tmrw!

Another one moving to the US here. Should be arriving in Ann Arbor (MI) early Oct. WE're already hooked up with a realtor who will find us somewhere to live, BUT it would be nice to have some people to 'chat' to asit will be freezing when we arrive, and I can't imagine hanging around by the school gates to chat for very long.

A bit worried that it could be a long, cold winter before spring comes & we get to meet people out & about.

Hello SB & GGM

No idea how you chose where to settle. Wherever you feel happiest? Most at home? Best school system?

No idea about Seattle either. Maybe Dooney will have an idea since she lives closer than the rest of us?

Kickassangel, I know people from Ann Arbor and was meant to be going there next weekend as it's not all that far from me. If you arrive on October, you should have a bit of time before it gets really cold - Jan - April are the worst months. I am sure there will be lots of indoor things to do so you can meet people. Have you googled moms clubs?

My mum arrives tomorrow

Nice cakes btw, Kickass

Um, if I'm an expert on Seattle, then you're screwed. All I can say is that I really love it and would be thrilled to live there, but can't tell you anything else. There was once this neighborhood we saw that was around a lake and it had a big park and it looked really cool. That's all I can tell you, though.

Mervyns went under here last year or the year before. I think every single one in the state went out of business, and eventually most of them were replaced by Kohl's. I want a gold bag, but haven't found any that I like. Give me a bit, I'll look again, but have been looking for a few months, and don't like anything I've seen, except for the super expensive ones. Do you want a small one or a full-sized one?

Have fun with your mum, UR. DH booked our trip last night, so we're set.

This is all a bit worrying, all these stores going under

No help on shoes I'm afraid.

Does anyone know where I can get a laptop for about 3cents? My screen is about to come off and, whilst a computer seems like a luxury, it is really quite a necessity for me and DS. It is beyond repair and the harddrive is almost full anyway. It is only 2 yrs old

Exciting, Dooney

Why not beg for one on Freecycle like everyone else? Don't be afraid to ask for a running car while you're at it.

UnderRated - are you a Costco member? I am, and they seem to be featuring computers on their weekly 'specials' emails recently (not sure if that is designed to appeal to the 'back to school' crowd). Anyway, here's a link:

www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=84&eCat=BC|84&lang=en-US&whse=BC&topnav=

Are you after a desktop or laptop?

I think it needs to be a laptop - i don't have anywhere to put a desktop. Not a member of costco but I suppose I could apply? Am looking on Bestbuy to see what they have. I knew this would happen sooner or later and I am sure mum will help but I don't really want to say, "Hi Mum, How are you? Flight ok? Do you want to buy me a new computer?"

OK, so this is a good time to have a broken computer. Good Don't think I can get hold of student ID but will hunt around. I can probably get something ok-ish for $500, I think.

Thanks for all your help.

COstco is miles away so unless I can get a much better deal there, it probably isn't worth the drive & joining fee. Will see what they have online though.

If any of you know about laptops, which of these is ok? Or are they all shite? I onlu need it for email, mn internet, word processing, photos and music (no CD player in the house )

?

? but my current one is Gateway and has been total rubbish

?

Oh, that didn't work, did it?

Compaq #1 $499

Gateway but my current one is a gateway and is rubbish

Compaq #2 $549

How about this one Cali?