[MotheringHeart]

AHHHHHHHHHHH Whew. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. DP is in the Air Force and we have accepted a four year assignment to a base in Harrogate. I am excited and scared, all mixed up in a smoothie of freakout.

I have a ton of questions and would love any/all advice you mamas can give me! Thanks sooooo much!!!

First, I was recently reading that I should not bring all kitchen appliances with a motor. Is this true? I'm thinking it must be.

How hard is it to learn to drive on the other side? Should we sell both American cars we own and just buy over there? Will I be okay driving in my American mini-van or will I likely kill myself and my children?

Let me in on all the secrets, things no one tells you, etc. I'm totally excited, but I need info!!!

TIA

 

[orangefoot]

Oh don't freak out too much! It's nice here

Just quickies: about the appliances, our voltage is 240V and yours is less so some things may not work.

About the cars - Are you planning on shipping you truck over here? If you are then it may be harder to adjust to driving on the other side but I have friends here with European cars who drive her OK with freak-outs only once in a while and usually only in the dark!

To get an idea of what Harrogate looks like you can look on rightmove.co.uk and see pictures of houses for sale or rent, then you can look at google images and see what pictures people have uploaded. If you google Harrogate you will find links from the local council with info about local services and amenities as well as lots of links about the local countryside which is known as the Yorkshire Dales.

I think Flapjack is more aquainted with the North than I am so perhaps she can tell you more but I wouldn't mind moving up there if it weren't for my folks all being on the south coast in Portsmouth!

 

[Maluhia]

I'd sell and buy another car there - car sizes (even minivans) are different and parking spaces go for that. And you won't stick out as much....

DH and I got used to driving on the opposite side in about an hour, within weeks we did not think of it much at all.

 

[crunchymamatobe]

I agree about the parking sizes. Cars and places to put them tend to be much smaller here - with an American mini van, you'd have trouble.

There's another US-based military mama just about to move to the UK around here somewhere, too...

 

[Vinigirl]

HI!

Breathe...it's not so bad, I promise!

We just arrived here from Seattle 3 weeks ago. My husband works for Expedia and got transferred here. We're still in temporary corporate housing and our shipment hasn't arrived from the US yet.

We didn't bring our appliances except things with no motor that could just have plug adapter. We sold our cars as well, since we planned to live in London and didn't think we'd need a vehicle here. We've been taking the Tube and buses since we arrived and even with all 5 kids with me, we've not had any trouble.
We have rented a car on 2 occasions since arriving and my husband drove so I can't speak for how easy it is personally but he didn't have any trouble. I would say that with the streets and parking, a smaller vehicle than an American one would be handy!

I haven't been here long and I've not been north so I'm not help there but if you have any questions about coming over and getting settled I'm happy to help if I can.

It's fun! We're loving it here so far and are so glad we came!!

 

[ewe+lamb]

Harrogate is a fine place to be, don't worry about it, I'm from the UK and have always panicked about driving on the otherside of the road - we're in france now, it's not so bad but maybe worth buying an up-to-date highway code just to familiarise yourself with the different driving laws etc, or even taking a couple of lessons, if you're staying for 4 years your american licence will not be valid after a year - and you may have to look into that through the DVLA, I'm sure you could google it. It's really not so bad and you'll be close to the hills and not too far from the sea either, I wish it was us that was moving back lol!!

 

[Nuala]

As for the car... After a while (I think a year or so) you will have to registered your car here too. That is also expensive and may not be worth taking your own car in general.
I drove with a European car for 2 years in Ireland and the UK. The most difficult part for me....Parking premises and paying toll....you are always in the wrong size to pick up and pay tickets. Driving on the other side was not so much an issue.

 

[marsmom]

We moved to the UK two years ago. Unless there is some really particular reason you want to keep your cars, definitely sell and buy cars here. Its not terrible getting used to driving on the other side, but there are enough differences in the driving that I wouldn't want to do it in a car that had the steering wheel on the wrong side - harder to see to make turns, can't pick up parking & toll tickets, etc. You will need to retake your driving test (written & practical) before 1 year is up (from the day you arrive) - don't laugh, but you should definitely take lessons - the fail rates are incredibly high. It is definitely doable but something to take seriously. I'd been driving for >20 years with no points, accidents etc. and failed my 1st time on the practical.

On appliances, I kept the small things - blender stick, glue gun, rechargeable battery for drill, printer, maybe a few others that I run off a transformer (you can get here - easiest in electronic shops in London or online). Bigger things, I had heard too many bad things about motors blowing so I sold/gave away and bought new - hair dryer (actually I blew that one out), food processor, hand blender... The computer will just need a new plug - it doesn't need a transformer. Lamps will not work here, although if you're handy and attached to a special one, they are not that difficult to rewire, both plug and bulb socket - my fil did two for us.

If you haven't found it yet, this is a good website for the basics: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php

 

[flapjack]

There's another ex-pat mama who just moved up there: Glittergal, I think? I haven't seen her around in ages, though. Harrogate is nice, civilised and is within easy travelling distance of all the major cities in the north, and some of the best museums in the country. Plus it has the world's most decadent tea rooms, in Betty's. Oh yes. I like Harrogate

I'd consider bringing the minivan with you if it's relatively new, has power steering, runs on diesel and you completely totally and utterly love it. Secondhand 7-seaters over here are pretty expensive, and you really do want one with a diesel engine, not a petrol one. I wouldn't bring your other car, though, you should be able to pick up a run-around fairly cheaply, or better still a motorbike. Public transport is pretty good over here, but fuel is exorbitantly expensive. Based on what I've seen of other Americans over here, I strongly recommend booking yourself in for a couple of driving lessons more or less on arrival, just for parking. We have small parking spaces, and a lot of them are roadside.

 

[Vinigirl]

We just bought a van today!
We left our 12 passenger back in Washington ( still hoping it will sell) and had planned to just be car free here. That is still the overall plan but with trips to Wales for Christmas and to France in February we were going to be renting a van at least 2 more times in the next few months. We have some larger items we want to buy for our new place as well and the ability to drive to pick them up will be nice.

We got a '97 7 passenger Toyota Previa for 450 Our goal was to find one for about the same or a little more than the rental for the week in Wales was going to cost us and we've done it!
The van runs great, is in fabulous condition and although it has a problem with the catalytic converter it also came with a brand new exhaust system that my husband just has to install and a everything needed to give it a full tune up!

We aren't sure if we'll keep it or sell it after we're done with the trips we have planned. We figured if we buy an older car and then just turn around and sell it again we'll be farther ahead than if we'd just rented.

our new place has a drive way so we may just keep it and let it sit there for the times we use it.
So, it is possible to get a good deal on a set of wheels if you're willing to get something a bit older. I still would like to find an old Westfalia to putt around in occasionally so we may end up selling this and buying one of those when I find one.

I haven't tried driving yet but my husband has found it plenty easy, even the parking isn't a problem and the new van is pretty big. We're living in Westminster right now so it isn't even like we're far enough from central London to make it easy.

Just something to consider. Dave's company would have paid to move our vehicles here but it just didn't seem worth it and I really only see us using it for trips and such. I'm super happy using buses and the Tube.

Peace

 

[emamum]

oooh, harrogate is a beautiful place to live

I am from Bradford but i am living in ********** atm which is the next county on.. i am sure you will love it there!

 

[Luke2:51b]

we need to have a "just moved to the UK" party! we're still in the process of getting there (i'm in Canada now visiting family for the holidays but we're on our way within the month!!!!)
we're planning on buying a vehicle over there and storing the appliances.
so here it is, my ds is turning 4 on Feb 3 and we arrive on Jan 29. he wants to spend his b-day in a castle!!!! (i think he expects knights and kings to be there too!!!) any websites i can reference ladies????

 

[Vinigirl]

A 'just moved to the UK party ' would be fun! I'll be SO glad to finally be in my own place that I'll be ready to host gatherings of all sorts

We did the stop over in Canada to see family on our way here too! We flew from Seattle to Toronto and saw friends from that area and then drove and saw family in the Ottawa area. Sadly I couldn't squeeze in stopping in Calgary and seeing my sister before we left

We left our house Oct 29 and went into a hotel when the movers arrived and are still in temp housing. We leave for Wales on Dec 22 and FINALLY get into our house on Dec 29 and I cannot wait.

My eldest son's birthday is Feb 12 and he's requested a trip to some museum in Paris for his birthday so that's the next trip we have planned .

Fun! I have no good links for castle research for you but I'll be looking at all the replies since my kids want to do some castle hunting too

 

[ewe+lamb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinigirl I have no good links for castle research for you but I'll be looking at all the replies since my kids want to do some castle hunting too

Why don't you try the National Trust for England and Wales and Historic Scotland for Scotland - you can get family memberships for a year at quite a reasonable deal - my sister took a membership out for her family and it's been a great success - we love castles!!

 

[flapjack]

We're NT members, and yes, it's worth the money. If you're looking at February 3, however, it's out of main season for almost all the stately homes

indsor is open then and so is Hampton Court, which I like far better or, of course, the Tower of London, which has more gory weapons and history.

Vinigirl, LMK if you need a coffee stop on your way to Wales.

 

[artparent]

don't worry, england is great. we're newly living there, although on a trip at the moment!

vinigirl, where did you end up moving to? pm me if you throw a party, i love meeting mothering folks!

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[LucyLynnMcKay]

Hey Girls! My DH and I moved here three days ago. I have been an MDC mom in Portland Oregon for four years. I miss my girls back home, and my four year old girl needs some play dates!
I have not seen the Museum of Childhood, it's free. Who wants to meet there and then grab a bite sometime this week? I will be frequenting the Noting Hill Farmers Market on Saturday if anyone wants to meet up there too.
Let me know.

:

 

[artparent]

i love that market. raw buffalo + cow stuff! spelt chocolate croissants! we used to stay round the corner from there, but now we live in muswell hill. if that isn't too far from you, we'd love a date - or we could meet a the diana playground. my girls are on either side, 8 and 3 - but they are homelearners and play with everyone happily

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[LucyLynnMcKay]

I just moved here so I don' t really have digs for hosting...if you are willing to have us over in your neck of the woods name the time and place...we like week days while DH is at work. We would love to chat and play.

 

[artparent]

lovely, will pm you when we're back in town

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