Wife's just dropped a bombshell. She's being offered a fantastic package by her work to relocate to Boston. Massachussets (sp?), not Lincolnshire.
Anyone know much about Boston? My main concern is our children, aged 6 and 3. What are schools like out there? Are they free? If not, how much is a good one? Oh hell, so many questions. I feel a bit queasy. But a decision must be made, I suppose. Any local advice would be appreciated!
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My knowledge of Boston doesn't extend much beyond the lyrics of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band's song about the tea party.
But I've always had the impression that area of the states is more like Britain than any other.
It would be less of a culture shock going there, which must make it easier to settle.
There is an English School, which may be suitable for the Alanovic minors.
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Boston is snootsville. Should feel fairly familiar to someone who has lived here.
I come from the city of Boston,
The land of the bean and the cod,
Where the Cabots speak only to Lowells,
And the Lowells speak only to God.
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I'm not feeling the love for the place yet.
I've never been there. Did a wistlestop tour of NYC once, liked it, been to Canadia aplenty (Ottawa, Toronto), but never been to Boston. Real step into the unknown.
I'm a little nervous about the US full stop, really. Don't like the idea of the preponderance of Bible bashers and the way that being involved in their version of Christianity seems to be a necessary part of achieving anything over there.
I have family, friends, a life, here. I have nothing there. Were I 21 and not 41, the decision would be easier. But. I'm not.
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But are you going to find a fantastic package too, or is her package so fantastic you won't need to?
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IIRC the norm is about only 10 days only annual leave in the USA.
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>> IIRC the norm is about only 10 days only annual leave in the USA.
>>
They do (well my former employer's US offices anyway) end up with roughly the same number of days off though, for starters they could trade unused sick leave for holiday, and had 'duvet days' IIRC. This was about 5 years ago mind you.
My trips to the States have been limited, but it's certainly a huge place with a wide variety of cultures across it, Atlanta is certainly very different to San Diego. Boston is after all part of New England, so I would expect it to still be a bit more 'British' than San Fransisco or New Orleans.
Last edited by: spamcan61 on Wed 4 May 11 at 16:20
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>> I'm a little nervous about the US full stop, really. Don't like the idea of the preponderance of Bible bashers and the way that being involved in their version of Christianity seems to be a necessary part of achieving anything over there.
Americans are nice, hospitable people who quite like being liked. After all one doesn't have to argue with every racist or Christian fundamentalist one meets. One doesn't usually bother even here.
In any case there are plenty of laid-back, immoral Americans quite like us. When I went there in the seventies I was expecting a lot of angry Vietnam war fallout and rabid anti-hippy stuff. There was hardly any of that though. It was much more like being in the movies at last.
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As another Reading resident, I would jump at the chance to move over there. Haven't spent a lot of time in the USA - recently just a 3 week west coast holiday, but as a nipper (ie. 30 odd years ago) our family stayed with family friends in Boston and somewhere not that far away in New England. Have very fond memories.
Of course having kids does complicate things, although with yours being relatively young that probably makes it easier.
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Will have to be quick now as have to run, but Boston is probably the most livable city I've been to in the USA. Along with San Francisco, it's the only place I would contemplate moving to by choice. It's almost European in some ways, most places in the centre are walkin distance, and there's good public transport including an underground system.
The city is pretty, the parks are lovely, the pubs are good, and the place is friendly. I don't know much about the schools, but there is probably a greater concentration of high quality universities there than anywhere else in the world (HArvard, MIT etc.). I would guess that would translate to good schools for the children of the Uni staff, but that is a guess.
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It's the cultured East Coast - perfect I would have thought.
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Went to Boston & Cape Cod on honeymoon in October '99. Really liked it. As others have said, it's probably one of the most European style cities in the US. You need to make sure you can take the frequent historical references to its role in throwing off the yoke of Georgian British imperialism. And it's love of all things Irish.
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Think I'd be Ok on that score. I do the Plastic Celt schtick quite well already.
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Is this a permanent move? Is she american? Are either of you Americans?
If its a permanent move, the best she will hope for is a green card, and you will be a permanent "alien" unless you both decide to take the route of pledging allegiance to the USofA and become naturalised residents.
Being just the spouse of a green card holder, offers you no status of citizenship there, and makes every day life (like working, getting bank accounts, driving license, buying houses, medical care etc etc) a real PITA.
If you are going to go for a permanent job, and both become naturalised, go for it. If its just a fixed term move - forget it.
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My brother went over years ago to SF on a green card, got married and getting up taking citizenship.
When he first went over he had to take his driving test (easier than ours) to get his licence. You can't just swap the UK one and I don't think you could insure a car without a licence either but could be wrong. I am sure he had to take the test to get his car. And with no no-claims discount he got a boring car to start with.
If you like the USA then go for it. I could have easily sorted something if I'd like SF through my brother's employer I am sure. But I don't like west coast America enough. Never been to Boston but I am sure I'd much prefer that to San Francisco - although it might feel like being in Cheers or Frasier ;-)
Last edited by: rtj70 on Wed 4 May 11 at 17:01
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If I had the chance to work their I would, if I wanted to live their you have to get naturalised to make it work. You are supposed to swear allegiance to the US and give up all other nationalities, but you can always get your British passport back if you want to leave...
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Think my brother still has his passport although you're meant to give it up.
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>> If I had the chance to work their I would, if I wanted to live
>> their you have to get naturalised to make it work. You are supposed to swear
>> allegiance to the US and give up all other nationalities, but you can always get
>> your British passport back if you want to leave...
>>
USA allows dual nationality, as does UK. So you would be able to keep both.
Last edited by: Suppose on Wed 4 May 11 at 17:16
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>> USA allows dual nationality, as does UK.
That's what I thought.
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The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad.
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My brother was meant to hand back his British passport. In practice there are no checks. In fact I know he leaves the US on his US passport (easier) and enter the UK on his British one.... and reverses the process. Begs the question about the security checks in place! He clears security with one passport and technically never enters the other country before returning.
Not too many of us with two or more passport in reality.
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>> My brother was meant to hand back his British passport. ...
.... if so, your brother must have misunderstood or been given a bum steer by some dopey official.
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>> If its a permanent move, the best she will hope for is a green card, and you will be a permanent "alien" ...
..... as the British spouses of green card holders who died in 9-11 twin tower attacks discovered to their cost. They were soon chucked out without much thought or ceremony.
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If my wife was offered a good job in Boston and could afford to support me in anything resembling basic comfort I'd be off like a shot...What can be so hard about a bit of ironing and lashing together something to eat of an evening? And...you can afford to run a V8 out there...
:-)
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I know you're joking Humph but I am the main earner and also do the food shopping and most of the cooking ;-) When I am working from/near home anyway. My wife hates supermarkets so I decide on what gets bought and therefore cook.
I bet she would do a cheaper weekly shop though.
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>> I know you're joking Humph but I am the main earner and also do the
>> food shopping and most of the cooking ;-) When I am working from/near home anyway.
Same here, when I had a job anyway. Who said men can't multitask ;-)
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>> Same here, when I had a job anyway. Who said men can't multitask ;-)
Men do, it stops women expecting too much of us.
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>> >> Same here, when I had a job anyway. Who said men can't multitask ;-)
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>> Men do, it stops women expecting too much of us.
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LOL, yeah I've fallen into that trap many a time, I'm not good enough at being useless.
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>> I'm not good enough at being useless.
You poor chap. I'm brilliant at it.
There are some things I can do, or rather there used to be. But after a recent week-long Jacques Tati-style struggle with a venetian blind, I am a bit apprehensive about trying to make some bookshelves.
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>> If my wife could afford to support
>> me in anything resembling basic comfort I'd be off like a shot...What can be so
>> hard about a bit of ironing and lashing together something to eat of an evening?
Welcome to my world.
I dont do the ironing tho.
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Why ever not?
It's a wonderful soothing experience.
Place ironing board in front of window to see the garden.
Put on AC/DC cd and turn up very very loud.
All done in no time.
Pat
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Who irons socks, underwear and towels? Apart from my mum that is.
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>> Who irons socks, underwear and towels? Apart from my mum that is.
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My mum (77).
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I do...and dusters, tea towels and dish cloths.
I just love those neat piles:) (maybe I should have said heaps?)
Pat
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Only the Esses need ironing.
Sheets and Shirts.
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>> Put on AC/DC cd and turn up very very loud.
Is that the same theory naval surgeons had in the 19th century, that a huge clamour in the background distracted the victim as you sawed his leg off or sewed the top of his head back on (also of course covered the screams of agony thought to be unsettling to the other sailors)?
Must try it if it ever seems a good idea to iron anything.
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I'd never thought of AC/DC as ironing music but I'll give it a go, maybe the results will be bad enough to excuse further ironing duties.
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I can and do cook. I enjoy it. I can or could iron and clean / vacuum quite passably too but my wife won't let me. She sees it as her territory and who am I to argue...
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I think overload of one sense can crowd out the others. The electric maiden aunt won't allow the obvious word, but gas passed in a noisy place seems less malodorous than in a quiet one.
Perhaps I should try playing Motörhead (the iPhone added the umlaut - how cool is that!) in the downstairs lav.
Last edited by: WillDeBeest on Wed 4 May 11 at 18:23
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Getting back to the OP, and moving to Boston MA, I think the thing to consider is the kids.
You need to start poking around in this place
www.britsabroad.com/
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I spent a year working just outside Boston at a place called Wilmington. It's generally a very nice place, and as some say kind of european. The people are accomodating and friendly (as is the case with most americans), and the weather is pleasant with good summers and coldish winters with a bit of snow.
I would have stayed longer but couldn't agree terms with my employer (BOC). I was there on secondment so enjoyed UK holiday entitlement, paid trips back, car, hotel etc. But to stay I would have had to be employed by the american business with less favourable terms. The only downsides were the overiding political correctness in the workplace, and the 'wow, awesome' attitude, which can get a bit wearing after a while.
There's a good bar in Boston though, The Purple Shamrock, which we frequented often, and even got kicked out of once. And just up the road is a nice gay bar, that we left voluntarily when we twigged what was going on.
Yep, many happy memories from the Boston area.
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I was sold into BOC for a few years, Did you ever work at Guildford or Windlesham?
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We enjoyed a self drive holiday from Boston in October 2009.
3 nights in Boston on arrival, then used the AA Best Drives New England book (and Rough Guides NE map) recommendations and drove up the coast to Acadia NP in Maine. We then drove back inland thru Vermont (the White Mountains & Kancamagus Highway were impressive) and NH, spending another 3 days in Boston before flying home. We shall definitely return in the near future, unlike my best friend who emigrated 20 years ago and never came back...except to visit family left behind in Yorkshire.
On a motoring note, the Stang convertible we hired from Hertz Downtown office at Park Plaza was immaculate in metallic black. Great memories of a fabulous part of the world.
Maybe you should go for a family holiday asap and check it out.
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I know theres a bar where eveybody knows your name..............
Only passed through once and thought the little I saw of it OK. Close to new england which is beautiful
Check the details / t's and c's of your wifes offer - things like healthcare etc can cost, and the holiday entitlement can be tight to say the least. 2 weeks is common.
I remember a guy I used to work with in CA who got 2 weeks but told me it was a no-no to take both weeks together, and if you were "focused" on progression then you sold 1 week back......
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It can vary holiday wise. My brother's annual leave entitlement is not great but his boss used to give him extra time off if he put in the hours. And in IT we all do that - put in the hours that is.
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New England is my next US trip, 2012 probably after the olympics.
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Going to New York next week. Not keen on NY but work demands.
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...Not keen on NY...
It's up to you, New York,
New York.
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I left my heart in San Francisco.
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>> Going to New York next week. Not keen on NY but work demands.
So good you named it twice.
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Zero,
I would be happy to give you any recommendations for your provisional 2012 NE trip...we planned nothing and took each day & drive as it came. I never pre book things, apart from the few days around arrival & departure.
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Legacylad, I assume you did it for the fall sights? I will probably fly in to Boston in October, hire a car and fly out two weeks later. The bit in between is currently empty.
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Yes. We flew M'ter-Hrow T5-Boston on 10th Oct, hiring the Stang for 9 days. Back then it cost us a shade under £1100 for the BA flights & car hire fully inclusive. The hotels in Boston were pre-booked courtesy of Priceline, which I rate highly.
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Zero,
Did Boston to Bar Harbor in 2008 - have some recommended places to visit. Concord Mass. is a must if you have a feel for the War of Independence...
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I'm leaving NY tomorrow. I'm no fonder of it than London, although having also been to Vegas on this trip, how great NY is has been firmly established. What a horrible place Vegas is.
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Viva Las Vegas!
Maybe not, by the sound of it.
I'm Going to Houston, Houston.
Well I'm not, of course, but I like the song.
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Las Vegas will polarise anyone. I can fully understand how you can hate it or love it, there can be no middle ground because it is so over the top.
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To be honest, what I hated was being unable to go outside without having flyers for prostitutes, sorry, 'Escorts' pushed in my face every five yards. My female colleague had the same, in fact anything breathing that was over 10 appeared to suffer the same.
The big new casinos are fancy, and sort of worth a look, but Alton Towers is more fun, and the real Paris or Venice or Rome is more stunning. Gambling a bit is okay, we came away a bit up, and the food was good to excellent, but really, wouldn't be the slightest bit bothered if I never went there again.
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>> Viva Las Vegas!
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Was that the Vauxhall limited edition where one ended up broke after owning it for a few weeks?
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It's the place in the US that is most like blighty, I could live there or perhaps somewhere like Plymouth or maybe on the cape.
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Boston, MA - Iffy
