ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomConverting the $$$$$
Well, wouldn't all the big city bankers similarly skew the UK figures?
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-18 19:51:00
United KingdomConverting the $$$$$
QUOTE (Boiler @ Feb 14 2008, 02:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Other areas are more expensive.

You do not have UK prices, but the you do not have UK Salaries.

According to IMF figures for 2007, the UK and US have an identical GDP per capita, to within a couple of hundred dollars.
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-16 10:10:00
United KingdomSo anyone thought of moving back/already moved back???
Oh, I missed story. Cheers Gordon, you prat.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-21 05:38:00
United KingdomSo anyone thought of moving back/already moved back???
Our tentative plan is to come back to Wales when I have my US citizenship, and then stay here as long as it takes Shan to get her UK citizenship. We'll both have either passport then so we have more options. It's all up in the air though, hard to tell which is going to be best for us and our family.

One thing I will say for sure is that I don't think we'll actually move back to the UK until at least one of us has a job to go to, assuming that's possible to arrange overseas. House prices and rent such as they are, it'd be a bit of a drain to just up and move.

Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-19 06:00:00
United KingdomNEWSFLASH FOR THE BRITS...
QUOTE (rene1 @ Feb 19 2008, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Don't you miss #8 rock from Wales,

I'm not sure what that is blush.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-19 05:50:00
United KingdomNEWSFLASH FOR THE BRITS...
QUOTE (rene1 @ Feb 18 2008, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You can get HP at the World Market stores

Awesome! There's one in Chicago apparently, so that's a 7 hour round trip to get my HP sauce.

Worth every mile biggrin.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-18 18:29:00
United KingdomNEWSFLASH FOR THE BRITS...
QUOTE (elmcitymaven @ Feb 18 2008, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
HP Fruity available at the aforementioned Shaw's...

Bah, Fruity. sad.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-18 10:08:00
United KingdomNEWSFLASH FOR THE BRITS...
Dang, I haven't seen HP sauce on anyone's lists yet. I'm gonna have to get someone in the uk to ship me over a suitcase full occasionally!
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-18 05:18:00
United KingdomWe are MARRIED!!!!
Congratulations biggrin.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-23 16:12:00
United KingdomStunned
Congrats!!! good.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-26 15:14:00
United KingdomNeed Info on what to do
Might want to make a new account, that sig could be a little confusing! smile.gif

Sorry I don't know the specifics, but I've seen a few folk mention the US -> UK process, which is probably the opposite of what most of us are trying to achieve on this forum. I'm fairly sure the UK visa process is a lot quicker for some reason.

Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-02-18 05:12:00
United KingdomTraveling to US, question about "proving ties"
I had a letter from my employer stating how long I'd been with them and what I earned, and that they valued me etc. I did mention the emigrating thing to them but she seemed happy enough to write it anyway, as I'd been to see Shan a few weeks prior and I mentioned I thought it might raise eyebrows me going back so soon again.

So, armed with that letter, my last salary slip etc, the Chicago O'Hare immigration chap asked for... nothing! And didn't even ask why I was in the country. Perhaps I was just lucky it was Christmas Eve, I've no idea.

edit - should probably say, I also took a print out of my NOA1, to show I was intending to do the whole thing above board, just in case they asked.



Stu

Edited by SMB x2, 10 March 2008 - 07:00 AM.

SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-10 06:59:00
United KingdomTraveling to US, question about "proving ties"
We filed a few days ago and I'm going back to the US for Christmas on the 24th. I'm rather hoping we'll have had our NOA1 by then, as I was going to take the email (I'm assuming you get an email) as proof of "doing it properly" and not likely to go awol. Also going to ask my employer to knock up a letter for me, as well as perhaps having a mastercard statement and of course my return ticket.

Hopefully that'll suffice. The immigration guy at Chicago was utterly nonplussed that I was visiting my girlfriend last time, so hopefully this will go as smoothly.

Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2007-12-02 06:47:00
United KingdomDriving in the state of Florida
Regarding the insurance bit, I was insured on Shan's car over Christmas when I visited, using my UK license.

Not sure what FL's rules are on needing to obtain a local license though. The general figure seems to be a year, but obviously mileage is going to vary. I've been fishing about the license site for FL but it seems as confusing as Iowa's, so I'm not getting very far, sorry.
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-08 19:41:00
United KingdomWelsh day trips?
It's about a 5 minute walk down hill from Caerphilly station to the castle then - you can't miss it, the castle is in the centre of the town. smile.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-10 18:20:00
United KingdomWelsh day trips?
It's a nice city, worth a look around. The castle ain't bad, but 7 miles up the road is the second biggest castle in Europe with a tower leaning more than Pisa. Get thee to Caerphilly, if you have time smile.gif

Loads of lovely scenery to see too, you don't need to go far outside of Cardiff to see it either.

What sort of time will you have up here, a whole day?



Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-10 13:14:00
United KingdomBest American banks
What sort of interest rates do US banks offer on savings accounts? For comparison, I've got two savings accounts with Barclays - one 4% AER and an e-savings account with 4.24% AER.

QUOTE (TracyTN @ Mar 12 2008, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I find the comparisons about UK banks interesting - Chas HATED UK banks and all their many and complicated charges.

Probably a good case for mileage varying. I think the only time Barclays have charged me was for going overdrawn, although I had a good moan at them and got the ridiculous £30 a day charge refunded.

Not that Barclays are amazing by the way, I just happened to sign up with them years ago as a student and didn't really get around to changing.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-12 10:41:00
United KingdomBest American banks
We're with Wells Fargo at the moment but, assuming I'm reading the blurb correctly, they're quite a bit poorer with interest rates etc as compared Barclays. I'm not too enamoured with their online banking either, it's a simple user/pass to login, compared to a pretty comprehensive security system with Barclays.

Mind, they're super polite when you visit a branch, in fairness, and bend over backwards to help you. Makes a change to the somewhat grumpy buggers Barclays employ.

I think we're going to look for another bank once I'm over there.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-10 07:37:00
United KingdomNew & waiting
QUOTE (Roberts @ Mar 12 2008, 02:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi all! I am so glad I found this site... I'm a little shaken & nervous after reading the beginning guides...There is so much involved and I am amazed at what people have to do in order to be with their foriegn loved one home.

I found this site while I was trying to find info on bringing my man here.


Welcome to the forum!

I couldn't get my head around the process at all, from what scant details I could make out from the USCIS site itself, until I found this forum. Quite amazing the difference it's made, and it helps to be amongst people who can really empathise with your situation. That and folk here are brill smile.gif

Anyway, as you no doubt know by now, just take it one step at a time and read through the guides. We found it difficult to take it all in, but as long as you know the jist of what's going on, I'd generally just focus on the current steps you need to carry out.

All the best.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-12 17:32:00
United KingdomTesco's Fresh and Easy Stores
QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 16 2008, 04:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Cheese, on the other hand, is a problem for him....


I can see where he's coming from. Proper strong cheddar doesn't seem to be the in thing there, at least not in Iowa. Good news is that our local co-op imports cheeses from everywhere, including Wales!

Cheddar-me-do \o/


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-16 11:18:00
United KingdomTesco's Fresh and Easy Stores
QUOTE (pucklechurch @ Mar 16 2008, 12:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That reminds me of when I pulled into a BP gas station in Kansas City and popped into the shop hoping to get a Ginster's Steak Slice and a Egg Custard.

laughing.gif

Hmm, egg custard. Nom nom nom.



Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-16 07:38:00
United Kingdomlondon medical and vaccinations
QUOTE (babblesgirl @ Mar 15 2008, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyway, yes book an appointment with the practice nurse and get them done asap.

Cheers mate good.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-15 11:49:00
United Kingdomlondon medical and vaccinations
Cheers for the medical write up!

It seems the vaccination records I had as a kid have been misplaced or not entered onto the computer. One of the drawbacks of being over 30 I guess tongue.gif Anyway, I didn't realise the MMR jab required a month, effectively. I'm guessing it would be sound advice to book the relevant jabs with my local GP right now, given our NOA2 is imminent? Also, I'm assuming they'd be free, paid for by the NHS?


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-15 11:30:00
United KingdomHelp regarding closing UK bank account and opening one in US
QUOTE (Meg and Grae @ Mar 13 2008, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My understanding is that you cant open a bank account in the US until you are in posession of a social security number,which takes a while to get.


I was able to make joint savings and current accounts with Shan at Wells Fargo, although she already had her own account with them. All they wanted was my passport and a card of some sort (gave them my Barclaycard) as ID.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-15 18:44:00
United KingdomLondon Medical - if anyone is interested
QUOTE (Smallz @ Mar 29 2008, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Then i had to lay down and stay still while she stuck a long needle into my vein.

sad.gif wacko.gif I don't think I've seen that one before in medical posts.

Still, thanks for the write up!


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-28 20:03:00
United KingdomNATWEST BANK
Blimey, Wells Fargo charged you as well as Natwest? When I withdrew some money out at WF last November, it was only Barclays that charged me (about £2 for withdrawing £150).

Banks :/


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-06 16:07:00
United KingdomNATWEST BANK
QUOTE (unforgettablefire @ Apr 5 2008, 06:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
[...] everytime I draw money from the cash point I get charged twice (in total about £4). I believe an international transfer would be cheaper (between £10 or £20).

That's interesting, I could have sworn I saw a TV ad for Natwest the other day that said they don't charge for transactions abroad, although perhaps that was on a Natwest creditcard or doesn't apply to money withdrawals or something.

Or I completely misheard! Wouldn't be the first time.


Stu

Edited by SMB x2, 06 April 2008 - 11:58 AM.

SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-06 11:58:00
United KingdomSurreal night
So glad you guys are both ok! Scary stuff! ohmy.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-04 15:53:00
United KingdomMedical and vaccinations
I had my jabs the other day, shoulder went a bit dead with the Tdap injection. I showed the nurse a print out of the link earlier in the thread and we agreed it was just Tdap and MMR I needed. They'll print out the bumf I need prior to the medical, apparently.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-14 07:13:00
United KingdomMedical and vaccinations
Oh nice one, I'll grab a print out of that too. smile.gif


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-31 08:47:00
United KingdomMedical and vaccinations
QUOTE (Poiteen @ Mar 29 2008, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
and here's the one to tell which of those vaccinations you need:
http://london.usemba...ccinechart.html

Aye, that's the print out I'm taking with me to the GP when I get them done in a week's time. I'm pretty sure as a 31 year old male, I only need Tdap and MMR, given I had chicken pox as a wee nipper.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-30 17:14:00
United KingdomMedical and vaccinations
If they're willing to take our word for it re: chicken pox and it's not on my official files at the GP, I think I'll take my mum's notepad where she wrote down all the stuff me and my siblings had over the years.

The notepad must be so old by now it could appear in a museum tongue.gif
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-30 16:00:00
United KingdomMedical and vaccinations
laughing.gif

Yeah, I've checked through the list and I think I need Td/Tdap, MMR and Varicella. I'll just give the print out to the nurse though, she'll probably know what the score is.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-28 19:16:00
United KingdomMedical and vaccinations
QUOTE (Smallz @ Mar 26 2008, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Today i had vaccinations done, and aparently i have wonderful side-effects of varicella and HIB.

Eek sad.gif

I've got an appointment booked next week to see my local GP to have the relevant jabs, not really looking forward to that. The sheet I printed out from the US Embassy in London suggested that Varicella wasn't available in the UK though? I'm sure I've had chicken pox but it isn't recorded on my medical records unfortunately.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-28 16:02:00
United KingdomRoyal Mail Delivery Recommendation
Hmm, you'd think special delivery items with the Royal Mail wouldn't go amiss, it's advertised as a business service for prompt delivery of documents, amongst other things.

That said, my passport and drivers license was sent to me first or second class, I forget which.

I think I'll send them SD, I'm not sure any of the couriers are going to be more reliable for things like this.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-03-30 16:15:00
United KingdomWhich of these kids shows do you remember watching?
Oh man, The Flumps! There's a cool ad on TV at the moment for Auto Trader I think, and has the music to the Flumps in the background! First time I'd heard it since I was a kid.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-17 15:31:00
United KingdomNew UK coins
QUOTE (govols @ Apr 18 2008, 03:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well they can't change the royal coat of arms just for the coins and I think you'll find the reason it is not on the royal coat of arms is because Wales is a principality therefor has a different coat of arms.

Tony

Indeed, which is why I'm surprised this design was chosen. Normally, coins have local customisations for everyone, even us ruffians in the principality.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-19 14:39:00
United KingdomNew UK coins
QUOTE (illumine @ Apr 17 2008, 10:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What's the one on the 2p?


QUOTE
It is not surprising then that Matthew Dent chose the Royal Arms, and in particular the shield of the Royal Arms, as the theme for his innovative range of new designs. The Royal Arms is divided into four parts: England being represented by the three lions passant guardant in the first and fourth quarters, the Scottish lion rampant in the second and the harp of Ireland in the third, with all four quarters spread over the six coins from the 1p to the 50p. Completing the new range of coins is the £1 coin featuring the shield of the Royal Arms in its entirety, uniting the six fragmented elements into one design.


http://www.royalmint...nspiration.aspx

It's the Royal Arms, which doesn't feature Wales, basically. And the guy is from Bangor, too! For shame, boyo.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-17 17:00:00
United KingdomNew UK coins
Wales isn't on the coat of arms they used for those coins.

Psh. Psh, I tell thee.


stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-17 16:36:00
United KingdomYou know you're living in America and not the UK when...
QUOTE (rkl57 @ Apr 14 2008, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree - they need to do away with self-flushing toilets here (the ones that flush when you merely shift your weight) and introduce those "half flush/full flush" buttons (or whatever they are called) like you get in Oz

laughing.gif

I leant forward on a loo at a highway services once and it triggered the automatic flush. The suction noise was so loud and sudden that it made me leap off the loo in fright. I felt like a right prat.


Stu
SMB x2MaleWales2008-04-14 12:11:00