We ARE moving to the UK for a bit ... we leave tomorrow!

I'm a creature of habit so I'd have a hard time going... BUT it sounds like an amazing opportunity and Julie is right, now is the perfect time to go.. besides you already know what it's like to live in a hotel in a strange place (remember CA!).

 

When I moved to CA from WI my mantra was, "I can always come home"... now CA IS my home and has been for 11 years. (yeesh!)

 

You never know where this may take you... AND you have your online support so until you find local mommy and "football" friends you'll have us.

Ann I can totally understand why you are hesitating. But I think its a great opportunity. I know 3 families now that have relocated to the UK (to Woking just outside of London..I think that's how you spell it). And in all 3 cases they were awarded an incredible opportunity and absolutely loved it!! Not only do you get to experience another country and lifestyle, but you're incredibly close to some pretty amazing vacation spots. Imagine heading to the south of france for a long weekend, or Spain for a week. Or taking 10 days renting a car and driving around Italy, Switzerland etc.... You're lucky because its at a time where you can more easily relocate and its for a short period of time. If you don't take the opportunity you might regret it one day. Plus you're still so young, there will be lots of time to be settled in one spot! I've been to the UK a number of times for extended periods of time and I absolutely LOOOOOVED IT! its an incredible country.

well, Paul booked his flight to London ... so looks like this might happen! now comes the painful part - getting ready to head over there, probably around July 5-10th for me and Gwen. I better enjoy MN while I can!

Wandsworth is great - it's really an urban suburb of London, there's a tube stop (I think it's putney bridge on the District Line) and you're really just across the Thames from Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge (that's where I lived), and the West End. So a quick hop into the fun parts of London.

 

I'm so jealous of your opportunity!

oh, good to know! would you say it's "family friendly?"

I absolutely LOVE London. I lived there in 3 months during college and it was the best time of my life. I know it will be hard with a baby but you will experience a whole different lifestyle while you are over there. I hope you love it!

Oh Ann I think this is so exciting! I would love the opportunity to do something like that - but I understand your hesitation with a little one and being a SAHM. I would imagine meeting new friends will be a little more tricky than it would be here.

 

I have a friend here who I met last year when she moved from the UK ... somewhere in northern England but that's all I know, lol.

 

I am excited for you!!!!

Oh Ann, I think this'll be an awesome opportunity for you. At least you'll see Paul everyday now, right?!!!

 

What are you going to do w/your home now for the meantime; leave it unoccupied w/someone to check in, or rent it out? Do you know?

I will see Paul every night after work - which is one reason this makes sense for us as a family. It's the first opportunity we get to be like a "real" family! We just had to travel a long ways to get that! lol

I think we're going to rent it out to my friend's sister. Actually, I grew up with them, but she's like 6 or so years younger than me. We'll rent it out really cheap, and they can keep an eye on things. She lives at home (with her mom and dad) now, and her boyfriend lives there too. So they're looking for somewhere to live - and they don't mind that we can't give them an exact time when we'll be back. And they don't have any stuff, like furniture, so we don't have to move our stuff out. Works for everyone!

I'm really excited for you! Joe and I lived in Botswana for just over a year. We did have family come as well, but really I loved the time w/out our family ALOt!!! I really hear you on the SAHM!!!! Although I have to be honest if we ever had a chance to move somewhere else there's a 99.9% that I would instantly say yes! We're young its a great experience, and really great one for a family!

 

I'm so glad things are working out for your house and I hope its very family & kid friendly! How exciting is it for a young child to say they lived in another country for some time? I'm sure you'll grow into, probably just as you're about to leave ! HA!