Moving from Hollywood CA to Uk soon.

[Mhy]

Hi all, I would like to get information, about life, jobs, kids schools, people and the whole 9 yards. Me (filipino/Hawaiian), my wife (from uk but grew up in California) and our 2 kids. We are moving out of California to Uk for a fresh start and job. As a filipino, Am I going to have a hard time living in the UK? I was told that the weather and people are different. If so, how different? Thanks and I appreciate it.

[RickyR]

How long have you been in the USA? The UK is for the most part a very racially tolerant and open country, more so then the USA IMHO.
The UK will be a lot quieter, salaries are less then the USA and cost of living is higher. I'd say you are may expect a lower quality of life in the UK, but if your closer to your wifes family than that will make up for it.

If your in London you're children could continue in the American School, otherwise you'll have to look up statistics for schools in the UK to find a good state school. The good state schools are often oversubscribed, so private may be the way to go with that. The school system starts earlier in the UK, so depending on the age of your children it could be a slightly jump in curriculum.

What kind of work are you in?

[stevewool]

good luck, bring lots of warm cloths like as if you where going to Alaska:icon_lol::icon_lol:

[Mhy]

hi rickyr
i came here in hollywood when i was 10 from hawaii. my wife is originally from birmingham/redditch. we both grew up here in los angeles ca. and used to california lifestyle. we have been talking about moving to her "home land" since 2002. now that its happening im kinda getting excited and SCARED at the same time. i know that UK is quieter, greener and family oriented. our kids are 10 and 13. me and wife are in the media business. i'm praying that we are making the best decision for our kids and families.
thanks and hope to meet new friends in uk.

[Mhy]

thanks for the heads up stevewool. cannot wait to meet new friends in uk.

[stevewool]

what part of the uk are you looking at moving too

[Mhy]

we are thinking about brighton or redditch. my wife is from redditch/birmingham. hows brighton?

[Mhy]

hi rickyr, i replied to your post a while ago and i don't know why its not posting. but i'm checking

[stevewool]

redditch, birmingham is the midlands, the center of england just abouts and very very busy,brighton is the south coast, next to the sea, a little sleepy

[Mhy]

we have 2 kids 10 and 13. is there any job/s in redditch? is redditch better than brighton? what do you mean by "a little sleepy"? thanks for the info

[raynaputi]

oohhhh...can we exchange houses?!?!?! hahahaha :biggrin:

[andy222]

redditch, birmingham is the midlands, the center of england just abouts and very very busy,brighton is the south coast, next to the sea, a little sleepy

Redditch is very nice but keep away from Birmingham your wife would not recognise it now.

[Terpe]

hi rickyr
i came here in hollywood when i was 10 from hawaii. my wife is originally from birmingham/redditch. we both grew up here in los angeles ca. and used to california lifestyle. we have been talking about moving to her "home land" since 2002. now that its happening im kinda getting excited and SCARED at the same time. i know that UK is quieter, greener and family oriented. our kids are 10 and 13. me and wife are in the media business. i'm praying that we are making the best decision for our kids and families.
thanks and hope to meet new friends in uk.

Wow Mhy, why on earth would you imagine there are any benefits to be gained in your lives by coming to UK with no jobs and no accomodation ??
Apart from that your children are at a key point in their education.

No offence, just very curious. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[tiger31]

you must be nuts coming to the uk from california absolutly nuts lol There were 250,000 people left the uk last year looking for a better life and lots of them heading to the USA ,what does that tell you lol.I,m taking my philippina g f to the u.k to let her see for herself how expensive it is to live there and i,m sure she,ll want to go back to the philippines lol.If nothing will convince you to stay put well redditch is a nice place just the right distance from birmingham as birmingham was never one of my favorite places to visit .Brighton is the gay capital of the u.k so its never gonna be sleepy it has a vibrant nightlife 7 days a week its got a nice feel to it with the smell of the sea drifting about so not much pollution there lots of nice places to eat and its full of antique shops .It all depends on your lifestyle if its the quiet life you want then redditch is the one .good luck on your venture where ever it maybe.

[RickyR]

I'd suggest if I was in your position that you rent for the first year after arriving, so that your not committed to any particular area, or in fact the UK in general. Then if after a year you want to move to a better area, or home, then you have the flexibility.

The economic situation in the UK at the moment is worse thn the USA. But the quality of life in th countryside can be great.

[stevewool]

sleepy brighton in the day time, if you are gay it must be the best place to live, but other people live there too, each to there own, i know where i would rather be i think, just like hollywood, parts are fantastic but other parts just like brighton, redditch and birmingham too, its what we all get use to

[Mhy]

what up raynaputi, yeah lets switch cribs for a month. haha. if you don't mind me asking, how do you like uk? i know there's pros and cons. why did you choose uk?

[Mhy]

good question. we (wife and i) have been talking about it since 2002. i'm also doing it for my kids. most of my sons cousins are in redditch, birmingham and brighton. i'm also doing it for my wife. theres really nothing here in l.a. people think, "the grass is greener in hollywood", it's not! economy here is getting worst and worst. not like 10 years ago. people here in the u.s. are rude, no manners and so many "wannabes and haters". i'm not raising my kids like that. i would love for my kids to have cousins and aunts, uncles and the whole 9 yards. and good education too.
now i'm wondering?! are we making a bad decision? be honest please, thanks

[Michael Parnham]

No you are not making a bad decision, I'm sure you know what you are doing. A lot of people here in the UK don't realise what a great part of the world we live in and what a great country this really is, and take everything for granted. I'm sure your decision for your family is right, but I must say I would let the kids finish school first.

[Mhy]

thanks for the info tiger31. l.a. is getting worst. economy is bad, people are racist, rude, no manners and no heart. i've been here since i was 10 and its time for a change and the grass is NOT greener. i'm also doing it for my wife (shes from redditch and birmingham) and doing it for my kids too. and yes i/we want a quiet life.

am i making a bad decision? please be honest. thanks

[Mhy]

thanks michael!

[tiger31]

thanks for the info tiger31. l.a. is getting worst. economy is bad, people are racist, rude, no manners and no heart. i've been here since i was 10 and its time for a change and the grass is NOT greener. i'm also doing it for my wife (shes from redditch and birmingham) and doing it for my kids too. and yes i/we want a quiet life.

am i making a bad decision? please be honest. thanksThe u.k aint what it used to be either we have been flooded by eastern europeans and when your in town centre in my home town all you here is foreign languages yapping away sometimes you think to yourselves are we really in the u.k i think its called multi culturisim but its not working very well.but your right you get bad things everywhere you go its how you handle things that matters .redditch is a nice place much better than birmingham ,my daughter lives there and hates it .anyway it would be best to rent first before you put down your roots and having family around will help

[raynaputi]

what up raynaputi, yeah lets switch cribs for a month. haha. if you don't mind me asking, how do you like uk? i know there's pros and cons. why did you choose uk?

Hahahaha..well I got here to UK to be with my then fiance, now husband (which is the owner of this forum btw :biggrin:)..I've been here for a year now (by end of this month)..time flies so fast eh? :Rasp: The place where we live in is quiet as we are in the country side in North Wales..Although I grew up in the city (Manila, Philippines) so I find it a bit difficult just going to shops if I want something as I always have to drag my husband to take me to town (only 3 miles from where we live though)..but after a year being here, I;m kinda adjusted..UK is a nice place if you would disregard the very unpredictable weather (I hate rain!), BUT if it's just me who would decide, I'd rather live in Manila, where my entire family is (no one beats the comfort of your family around you)..but my husband needs the NHS here and is dependent on it..Yet I know if you would ask him, he would rather stay in Las Vegas and live there..our house has lots of photos of the Grand Canyon other scenery in Las Vegas! :crazy: He's been to Hollywood but he said the traffic there is so annoying and that the place is so overrated..but still, compared to the weather here and the beaches around your area, I'd rather be there..ahahahaha :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[joebloggs]

A lot of people here in the UK don't realise what a great part of the world we live in and what a great country this really is, and take everything for granted.

:xxgrinning--00xx3: not all of us are :censored: with living in the UK :smile:

[gWaPito]

thanks for the info tiger31. l.a. is getting worst. economy is bad, people are racist, rude, no manners and no heart. i've been here since i was 10 and its time for a change and the grass is NOT greener. i'm also doing it for my wife (shes from redditch and birmingham) and doing it for my kids too. and yes i/we want a quiet life.

am i making a bad decision? please be honest. thanks

I wouldn't dwell too much on the negative stuff...we live in the county of Wiltshire...its a lovely place ...my wife calls it the land of Sedi...plenty of work here as well...all becoz its the pits in one place doesn't mean its the same all over...my Filipino wife can vouch for that.

Out of Redditch and Brighton..I'd go for Brighton...an overall more pleasant place to live.

[gWaPito]

No you are not making a bad decision, I'm sure you know whf2at you are doing. A lot of people here in the UK don't realise what a great part of the world we live in and what a great country this really is, and take everything for granted. I'm sure your decision for your family is right, but I must say I would let the kids finish school first.

Good post Michael..reputation sent :)...I absolutely agree...but then, it all depends your situation I guess. With money you can live a good life anywhere...even in The Philippines:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[sars_notd_virus]

Hi all, I would like to get information, about life, jobs, kids schools, people and the whole 9 yards. Me (filipino/Hawaiian), my wife (from uk but grew up in California) and our 2 kids. We are moving out of California to Uk for a fresh start and job. As a filipino, Am I going to have a hard time living in the UK? I was told that the weather and people are different. If so, how different? Thanks and I appreciate it.

you'll be fine , as long as you got your family with you (wife and kids)...might be a little difficult to start with getting jobs but if theres a will , theres a way:wink:
I've been here for nearly three years now and i can say I've well adopted the British culture but not the weather...:biggrin:
I can also say that the cost of living near the Black country is also slightly less than if you plan to live near London.

good luck with your plans.

[bigmarco]

Good post Michael..reputation sent :)...I absolutely agree...but then, it all depends your situation I guess. With money you can live a good life anywhere...even in The Philippines:xxgrinning--00xx3:

I agree reputation sent aswell Michael and Gwapito.
To some the grass is always greener on the other side. This country is not without fault but I still love the place and am proud to call it home. We have much to be proud of and celebrate.
Unfortunately I have no experience of Redditch and will leave to our members from that area. However I have friends in Brighton and my brother used to live there. I have many happy memories of Brighton going back to my childhood and still look forward to going there during the summer months. I feel it would be a lovely place to live.
Good luck to you MHY in whatever choice you make :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[stevewool]

With money you can live a good life anywhere...even in The Philippines:xxgrinning--00xx3:[/QUOTE]

yep with lots of money you can but better to have work too

[stevewool]

no matter where you live there will always be problems, its how you cope with them, yes england is a great place to be, but like many places it has gone down the hill no matter where you live,

[bigmarco]

Well we're not without fault as I previously said.
But I've yet to see children running about with no shoes on their feet.
Every single child is entitled to be educated free of charge.
Every citizen is entitled to free health care.
Of course should after you have qualified to be here fall on hard times we have a welfare system that I can assure you is the envy of all our neighbours in Europe if not the entire World.
Uk not my 1st choice for a holiday destination but my 1st choice as home.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[gWaPito]

I agree reputation sent aswell Michael and Gwapito.
To some the grass is always greener on the other side. This country is not without fault but I still love the place and am proud to call it home. We have much to be proud of and celebrate.
Unfortunately I have no experience of Redditch and will leave to our members from that area. However I have friends in Brighton and my brother used to live there. I have many happy memories of Brighton going back to my childhood and still look forward to going there during the summer months. I feel it would be a lovely place to live.
Good luck to you MHY in whatever choice you make :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Both places are nice... For me Brighton ( one of my uncles had a guest house there) has a young vibrant feel about it..almost cosmopolitan...and not far from the Great Metropolis to boot:xxgrinning--00xx3:...housing of equal quality will be more expensive but, that's to be expected given the location.

[gWaPito]

Well we're not without fault as I previously said.
But I've yet to see children running about with no shoes on their feet.
Every single child is entitled to be educated free of charge.
Every citizen is entitled to free health care.
Of course should after you have qualified to be here fall on hard times we have a welfare system that I can assure you is the envy of all our neighbours in Europe if not the entire World.
Uk not my 1st choice for a holiday destination but my 1st choice as home.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Absolutely!...if you got children, the UK is the only place to be...be it for only its health and education...that alone is enough.

[Arthur Little]

A lot of people here in the UK don't realise what a great part of the world we live in and what a great country this really is

:iagree:, Michael ... 100% ... well ...:anerikke: ... the unpredictable (or perhaps I should say, predictable in one respect, i.e., it's foreverrrrr:raining:) weather aside :doh ... it'll ALWAYS be "good ol' :Britain:" for ME! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Arthur Little]

Damn & Blast!! :Blacklistnonono: ... the smilies I've used in my immediately~preceding post are still popping up 'out of sync'!!! :yeahthat:

Apologies for going :icon_offtopic:

[stevewool]

Absolutely!...if you got children, the UK is the only place to be...be it for only its health and education...that alone is enough.

you are right on this one, and if we had kids i would not leave here too

[nnomad]

quite honestly i can understand why you want out of the hell hole that america is now being recognised as ( i lived there for some years in the early eighties and saw the reality that the "land of the free " really is ) but as for moving to the satelite state of england is no more than jumping out of the frying pan into the fire,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,try south of france or the soon to be liberated country of scotland !!!!

[andy222]

Ok Michael I think I am more qualified than most here to talk about Birmingham because I have to work there. If you want honesty I would not send my worst enemy there. As for Redditch/Bromsgrove I think that is a nice area at the moment in fact when my wife comes here that is where we will live. The schools are decent. I cant comment on Brighton.

[Mhy]

hi itsme again. youre very right about hollywood/los angeles. los angeles is overrated and traffic. i dont mind the weather, i can adjust with unpredictable weather. what "NHS"? las vegas is pretty cool. las vegas is always hot. i lived there too but i can't handle hot weather. i like cold weather. it's our kids that i'm worried about, i know they'll be with cousins and family but i worry because i'ts a different country. i gotta be honest. i really don't know if i'm making the right decision. please tell me good things about uk.

[Mhy]

i like your post. that kinda give me a reason that i'm not making a bad decision. uk is my wifes home land and have cousins (wife side) but i'm still kinda scared but your post really helps. thank you so much and hope to meet you guys, once in uk. thanks

[Mhy]

you guys are a big help. i'm so glad i joined the forum. yes we have 2 kids (10 and 13). just like what i said before, wife and i can adjust with the crazy weather. its our kids i worried about. weather, school, lifestyle,friends and etc. i hope they'll love it. once again thanks. i hope i'm not making a bad decision.

[Michael Parnham]

Don't worry Mhy, I don't think other members are trying to sway your decision, I think they are just voicing opinion on there own personal experiences. As for myself and Arthur, we have been around a lot longer than most and we know a little more than most, so go ahead with your decision and keep doing your research first. Good Luck!

[Arthur Little]

Michael's correct, Mhy. :smile: None of our members have purposely set out to influence your decision :nono-1-1: ... simply voicing their opinions on the parts of their native land that are most familiar to them. If I were being biased, it would be in favour of my own neck of the woods here in the 'Fair City' of Perth ... a striking contrast to the HUGE Scottish industrial metropolis of *Glasgow (60 miles south) where I was born ... but *which I have no desire to return to apart from occasional visits.

:icon_sorry: I've never been to either Redditch or Brighton, so cannot add my tuppenceworth about those particular places. :NoNo:

Meanwhile, :welcomex: to the friendly, online filipino/uk community and good luck with your plans. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[RickyR]

I would also recommend finding some advice on an American Expat Forum, where fellow countrymen who've made the move would be better placed to advice on the challenges and benefits of moving to the UK.

[stevewool]

England is still a great country for many that like here or even flock here from differant parts of the world, its just that some are ready to leave these shores for other far of places, its just like you asking for advice about living here, thats what we do about moving to the phils or anywhere, better to ask then just jump in at the deep end

[Mhy]

thanks all!

[Michael Parnham]

You are very welcome!

[Mhy]

i just wanna say thank you to all. thanks for the support, inputs, pros and cons about england. after reading all the post/replies (good and bad) it maybe think about moving to england. i still don't know what to do. but as far as i know, england is a good place. it's quiet, green, nice people, nice school, health cares,etc, EXCEPT the weather. the weather is the only thing thats stopping me and my family. IS THE WEATHER REALLY BAD in england/brighton/??? what is so bad about the weather? if so, how bad?

[Michael Parnham]

Dont worry about the weather, if you dress a accordingly everything will be okay.

[bicesterladee]

very Filipino. Family oriented. ;)

[Terpe]

Dont worry about the weather, if you dress a accordingly everything will be okay.

That's just how we look at too.
When our daughter came we taught her no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

Mind you I find it hard to survive without the warmth of the sun on my face.

[stevewool]

walking around london and the weather well drizzling, so coat and jumper, and away we went, just nice until you get into the shops and museums, bloody to hot now, and carrying your coat and jumping tighed around your waist, next minute back outside on a boat freezing, wish i had a hat, :icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol:to right about wearing the right cloths for the right weather

[Mhy]

i'm back. it's oct. 25th @ 11:10 pm!

"WHAT WOULD YOU DO?"

A) move to uk (to be with family)
or
B) stay in california but no family

What would you do?

[stevewool]

most important thing is work and money, have you work in england to come too, is the pay better here then there, and what happens if you come here and dont like it can you go back there

[sars_notd_virus]

i'm back. it's oct. 25th @ 11:10 pm!

"WHAT WOULD YOU DO?"

A) move to uk (to be with family)
or
B) stay in california but no family

What would you do?

lol welcome back ...just go wherever your heart tells you to go.

my answer to your mighty question

Letter A move to uk and be with family

and letter B for holidays:biggrin:

[nnomad]

as stevewool says,,,, " money ", if you are sure you can get decent employment here then all is well,, but your line of work is suffering badly over here, as i am sure it is there,,,,, could you come over for a short stay with your relatives and check out the employment situation

[Mhy]

@ nnomad - that is a good idea! we'll do that. we are going next year, maybe may or june?!. what do you guys think? is that a good month to go? i also wanna check how cold is cold! lol. so what month should we come and check? thanks all:Help1:

[raynaputi]

@ nnomad - that is a good idea! we'll do that. we are going next year, maybe may or june?!. what do you guys think? is that a good month to go? i also wanna check how cold is cold! lol. so what month should we come and check? thanks all:Help1:

It's still autumn here now and it started snowing on some parts of the UK already! :36_1_26[1]:

[nnomad]

@ nnomad - that is a good idea! we'll do that. we are going next year, maybe may or june?!. what do you guys think? is that a good month to go? i also wanna check how cold is cold! lol. so what month should we come and check? thanks all:Help1:

well it "sure aint " ( american vernacular, make him feel at home !! ) may nor june mate, unless you " wanna check out " the rain !!,,,,, try october " throo " ( again, omg !! ) march .

[Terpe]

@ nnomad - that is a good idea! we'll do that. we are going next year, maybe may or june?!. what do you guys think? is that a good month to go? i also wanna check how cold is cold! lol. so what month should we come and check? thanks all:Help1:

As has been already suggested, you should visit for a while and see if you feel comfortable to settle here.
I think anyone who suddenly decides to move the family to any other country without having the first idea of the impacts and consequencies to that family especially without any consideration to employment and accommodation must be completely 'nuts'.

No offence intended buddy, but surely you intend to think much much deeper than you have so far divulged.

Well I certainly hope so, otherwise you likely to be putting your wife and children in a very difficult position. No excuse for that my friend.

I urge you to consider your responsibility.
It's not usual for me to be so strong, but I'm convinced from you've posted that you've given scant consideration to the impact and future of your children. To me they're more important than your interest in the weather.

No offence intended but please THINK

[d0nz]

Hey Mhy,

I am actually from redditch, it's quite a nice place.

[Mhy]

hey donz, how are u? so, how do u like redditch? my wife is from redditch. she grew up here in hollywood but "thinking" about moving. how nice is redditch, things to do, clubs (pubs in uk), jobs, people and etc? thanks in advance

[Michael Parnham]

What was your decision in the end Mhy?

[South-east boy]

If you look on a globe and see where UK is, follow that line across in USA and that's what the weather will be similar too. Obviously colder than what you are used to, and more rain, pretty cold at times in the winter with the odd bit of snow and can be hot in the summer.

I quite like Brighton. It's also not too far from London and also near to the rest of Europe if you fancy visiting there. Lots of people go on day/weekend etc trips by boat to France, Belgium etc

[Mhy]

michael - we are thinking about moving to uk on 2015. me and wife and the kids are excited. we are taking our time but for sure going. we are going on december to try. finger crossed!

[Michael Parnham]

Good Luck Mhy, will follow your story as you proceed :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Mhy]

@ south east boy - yeah, we are thinking about brighton. i for sure will keep that n my list. but my wife is from redditch. so, we are thinking about that too. what do you think about redditch? brighton or redditch?