as someone who’s neither white nor American - i think so many Americans, including on the left, don’t realise just how Amerocentric their biases and worldviews are. i think anything that opens minds has to be a net positive! wishing you all the best for your move 🙏🏼
The home counties will be very lucky to have you and theres a pretty thriving kinky scene within touching distance of London. Having moved countries myself it's a head fuck, but in the long term a brilliant one. Good luck and safe travels
As someone who lives in a country with universal healthcare and has young children, I think it will, in that way at least, feel utopian. You also just don’t know what the needs of your children will be. I have two neurodivergent kids and am AuDHD myself. I honestly don’t know how I would have survived early parenthood with the financial stress and overwhelm of all of that if I couldn’t rely on affordable healthcare. Probably by putting my own needs last which would have created a very bad situation.
I grew up with no health insurance in the U.S. and my parents would tell me if i got injured we’d have to mortgage the house to pay for the medical bills - bad parenting aside i never want a child to be caught up in that kind of anxiety
It’s unfathomably barbaric. Even the most conservative people here believe in universal healthcare. At the same life stage I also moved away from what had been home for my whole adult life. While there are inevitable moments of missing places and people, and even the occasional “What have I done?” the quality of life benefits we’ve gained make it worth it a hundred times over. Although I understand all those more complex issues with leaving the US. Good luck!
As someone who lives near fields in one of the Home Counties, I can tell you I love living here and feel so so lucky, even with the downsides in the UK. I wish you all the luck and hope you find what you’re looking for. The peace is real ❤️
It Will be a Big adventure. Having universal care that works is amazing. About good mexican food, you Will have Spain at a couple hour flight distance, we have super good mexican tradicional food as well as amazing spanish food😅, you Will survive and thrive!
We have a 1 yr old and have moved out of the City in December. My nervous system is already resetting and it's been lovely to be able to touch grass for free 🤭 You're going to have a great time!
One of my best friend's accent shifts whenver she travels and it's hilarious, so it's interesting to see it happen to other people haha
Lina, I've been following along for years now and I'm really looking forward to what this next chapter will bring you. I hope the move goes as smoothly as possible! And I'm not in the UK, but welcome to this side of the Atlantic 🫶
So relieved for you! I left Los Angeles 20 yeas ago and have never regretted it. It’s gotten more and more chaotic feeling. So looking forward to reading more of your zesty writing about the UK. Feel like your view could be adjacent to Hellen Russel’s Year of Living Danishly, that turned into many years. Except also meeting UK kink educators.
Thank you! I found Helen Russel’s memoir /travel book funny and refreshingly delightful. Her husband got a job working for Lego and they were super stressed out with London lifestyle. Moved to rural Denmark by the sea.
I moved from City California to Rural California last year, and it's been a hard transition but a good one. I like country living a lot, and I hope you do too. Send us some of that universal healthcare.
If you get sheep, get at least three. They need two other sheep to feel like they're in a herd, and to a sheep being in a herd is the only way they feel safe.
I am so incredibly excited for your new journey! Moving is a giant upheaval and you will face many challenges but also so so many rewards. You are a strong, intuitive woman who can do the damn thing 👏👏 go forth and live your fairy tale, queen.
This is so exciting! I moved to the UK from the US in 2019, and while it does come with many of the challenges you noted (I'm too far North for the Madonna syndrome to hide my accent), I've never looked back. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to chat about anything related to moving/settling in.
Mexican food, difficult but not impossible! Also, when in London go to Bake St, co owner and head baker is from LA has Mexican heritage and has treats you’ll enjoy - she also wrote this for Mexican London food context https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/mexican-food-beyond-the-tortilla
as someone who’s neither white nor American - i think so many Americans, including on the left, don’t realise just how Amerocentric their biases and worldviews are. i think anything that opens minds has to be a net positive! wishing you all the best for your move 🙏🏼
The home counties will be very lucky to have you and theres a pretty thriving kinky scene within touching distance of London. Having moved countries myself it's a head fuck, but in the long term a brilliant one. Good luck and safe travels
I love this 🫶
As someone who lives in a country with universal healthcare and has young children, I think it will, in that way at least, feel utopian. You also just don’t know what the needs of your children will be. I have two neurodivergent kids and am AuDHD myself. I honestly don’t know how I would have survived early parenthood with the financial stress and overwhelm of all of that if I couldn’t rely on affordable healthcare. Probably by putting my own needs last which would have created a very bad situation.
I grew up with no health insurance in the U.S. and my parents would tell me if i got injured we’d have to mortgage the house to pay for the medical bills - bad parenting aside i never want a child to be caught up in that kind of anxiety
It’s unfathomably barbaric. Even the most conservative people here believe in universal healthcare. At the same life stage I also moved away from what had been home for my whole adult life. While there are inevitable moments of missing places and people, and even the occasional “What have I done?” the quality of life benefits we’ve gained make it worth it a hundred times over. Although I understand all those more complex issues with leaving the US. Good luck!
great piece love send more
I moved to the UK from the US 12 years ago and I think you'll enjoy finding your people (and your peace!) here
As someone who lives near fields in one of the Home Counties, I can tell you I love living here and feel so so lucky, even with the downsides in the UK. I wish you all the luck and hope you find what you’re looking for. The peace is real ❤️
It Will be a Big adventure. Having universal care that works is amazing. About good mexican food, you Will have Spain at a couple hour flight distance, we have super good mexican tradicional food as well as amazing spanish food😅, you Will survive and thrive!
We have a 1 yr old and have moved out of the City in December. My nervous system is already resetting and it's been lovely to be able to touch grass for free 🤭 You're going to have a great time!
One of my best friend's accent shifts whenver she travels and it's hilarious, so it's interesting to see it happen to other people haha
Lina, I've been following along for years now and I'm really looking forward to what this next chapter will bring you. I hope the move goes as smoothly as possible! And I'm not in the UK, but welcome to this side of the Atlantic 🫶
So relieved for you! I left Los Angeles 20 yeas ago and have never regretted it. It’s gotten more and more chaotic feeling. So looking forward to reading more of your zesty writing about the UK. Feel like your view could be adjacent to Hellen Russel’s Year of Living Danishly, that turned into many years. Except also meeting UK kink educators.
ooh I will check this out!
Thank you! I found Helen Russel’s memoir /travel book funny and refreshingly delightful. Her husband got a job working for Lego and they were super stressed out with London lifestyle. Moved to rural Denmark by the sea.
https://www.helenrussell.co.uk/books/the-year-of-living-danishly/
I moved from City California to Rural California last year, and it's been a hard transition but a good one. I like country living a lot, and I hope you do too. Send us some of that universal healthcare.
If you get sheep, get at least three. They need two other sheep to feel like they're in a herd, and to a sheep being in a herd is the only way they feel safe.
Love,
A sheep farmer's wife
it's me I'm sheep
Congratulations! Best wishes for a smooth move <3
congratulations!!
I am so incredibly excited for your new journey! Moving is a giant upheaval and you will face many challenges but also so so many rewards. You are a strong, intuitive woman who can do the damn thing 👏👏 go forth and live your fairy tale, queen.
😭❤️
This is so exciting! I moved to the UK from the US in 2019, and while it does come with many of the challenges you noted (I'm too far North for the Madonna syndrome to hide my accent), I've never looked back. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to chat about anything related to moving/settling in.