Sunny in London

A Florida girl's guide to finding SUN and FUN

How Accurate are English Stereotypes?

Is England a nation of tea guzzling, football-loving, heavy drinkers? Do English people all have bad teeth and charming accents? If you have ever wondered whether English people live up to their stereotypes, then take a look with me. Is it myth, legend or reality that the population of England loves queues and apologising?

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The English Love Their Tea

Most of these stereotypes apply to the whole of Britain and not just the English, and this one is no exception. British people do indeed love their tea. In fact, studies show that the Brits consume over 60 billion cups of it every year. It is no surprise that English drink menus are so long, what with the hundreds of tea options available. With everything from ordinary English Breakfast tea, to Lapsang Souchong and Darjeeling, you can bet all you have that there is a tea for literally everyone. And, of course there are rules to follow when you are drinking it. But, Sunny friends the blog has a complete guide to afternoon tea etiquette in London, if that’s something you fancy.

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English People Have Bad Teeth

In films, English people are often made fun of because of their supposedly ‘bad teeth’. So, do English people really have bad teeth? Well, it depends on what you mean by bad teeth. The English certainly don’t go gravitate to the bleached white Hollywood smile. But on the whole, their teeth are healthy.

The truth is that America’s obsession with teeth straightening and whitening can be dangerous, what with reducing enamel and increasing tooth sensitivity. The UK and EU have strict health and safety laws which prevent many of the American topical whitening products from being sold in England. This means teeth may be a little yellower than their American counterparts, but they’re probably healthier. The NHS England (the national health care system) also doesn’t offer dental care to everyone as a part of its benefits.

Everyone Has Met the Queen

Does anyone actually believe this stereotype? Of course most English people haven’t actually met the Queen. Most English people have never even seen the Queen. Despite being a lot smaller than the US, England is still pretty large and spread out. London and the areas surrounding royal buildings encompass only a tiny fraction of the landmass of England. So, the chances of seeing or speaking to the Queen as you pop out for groceries are next to none.

For more details about this, you can watch the Sunny News feature about myth busting.

The English Live for Football and Beer

One of the best ways to fit in with locals is to simply do as the locals do. So, if you are in England, then this means going to the pub and having a few pints as the local football team is playing on the TV above the bar. Although football (soccer) and beer are both popular in England, this isn’t so much a national stereotype as a global one. In most countries the people enjoy beer and sports.

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The English are Polite

Much like Canadians, the English have a reputation for being polite. If you visit England, you’re almost guaranteed to find a local willing to have a pleasant conversation about the weather with you. Of course, there are rude people wherever you go, but in England, you are much more likely to be met with a disapproving glance than be subject to verbal or physical abuse. English reserve is a very real thing, and people will often suffer in silence rather than offend anyone or cause a scene. But, be warned – if you push into a queue, you may be met with several sighs and disapproving looks.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re worried about what to do while in London, I have you covered on that too.

Sunny friends, what stereotypes about the English do you think are true? Are there any American stereotypes that come to mind? Please, add your ideas and questions in the comments.

And how many of these do you agree with, Sunny friends?

This is a collaborative post on Sunny in London.

Differences between British vs American Schools

‘What are the differences between British vs American schools?’ is a question I receive often because I have written several advice posts on American expat life in London. For this reason, I thought it might be fun to highlight some of the biggest differences here on the blog.

While you might think a school is a school, I’ve definitely learnt learned that’s not the case when comparing across the pond. And, yes, that strikethrough is there because it represents how British people spell the word, as opposed to American. Also, there are quite a few differences between the way teachers are hired so if you’re looking to teach in the uk then you might want to look into what qualifications you need in order to get a teaching job here. It’s not just different for the kids but also for the teachers! That’s just the surface of the differences between British vs American schools, Sunny friends. Take a look…

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British vs American Schools- Who has more Class?

When Americans belt out Alice Cooper’s ‘School’s out for summer!’, they really have a reason to celebrate. In America, schools generally give students around 10-12 weeks of vacation. They can release students anywhere from the end of May to mid August, or mid-June to the beginning of September. British schools are quite different. They generally end their academic year in mid-July and begin the first week of September. This gives students about 6 weeks of a summer holiday.

However, British students receive much more time away from school during the academic year, in comparison to American students. Nearly all British schools have a half-term, one week break in October, February and May. They also receive at least two weeks holiday over both Christmas and Easter holidays.

British vs American Schools- Off to Gryffindor

I giggle every time I pass British kids on their way to or from school in London.

Why?

I always feel like the kids are spawns of wizards or muggles on their way to Hogwarts in their colourful uniforms. However, I keep my chuckles to myself, in the event one of them actually pulls out a wand and aims it in my general direction.

American kids can wear what they want to school. I remember days in Florida when I wore a bathing suit top under my t-shirt so I could fast track it to the beach when the last bell rang.

The British school uniform nearly always consists of a: blazer, jumper sweater, dress shirt, trousers (with the option of a skirt for girls). Most schools have pupils students wear a tie, regardless of gender. Students must ask a teacher’s permission if they want to remove their blazer during class if they are too hot.

Uniforms are made in the school’s designated colors. Mr. Sunny’s uniform at Hill House School was gold, rust and grey. Prince Charles also attended this school, albeit much earlier than my British husband. Here’s a picture of the school and a very old picture of Mr Sunny in his uniform.

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Mr. Sunny also went to the Parkside School, and at this boarding school the uniform was grey and purple.

British vs American Schools- Where’s the Bus?

There are no school buses in London. Students rely on public transportation or a ride from their parents each day. In London, they refer to this as the ‘school run.’ It’s definitely a time you want to avoid being on the road or on a London bus.

In America, our school bus system is fairly standard. Every student who attends a public school has the opportunity to take ‘the cheese’ to and from school. And guess who had the chance to hop on a bus for this ‘luxury’ valet service once…

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(I know my outfit matches the seats. Hey, if you’re taking the bus, you at least have to look the part, right?)

The big yellow buses chauffeur kids to and from their educational destination each and every day that school is in session. Most kids work part time jobs in an effort to buy a car so that they can transport themselves to school and other places.

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British vs American Schools- What’s the plan?

British students spend ages 5-10 in primary schools. Secondary schools have students ages 11-18. There are no middle schools, unlike America and these schools accept students based on their school catchment areas. Until recently, British schools were compulsory for kids until they were only sixteen years old.

In America, we say students are in ‘Seventh Grade.’ British students of the same age are in ‘Year 8’. They are labeled a higher number in comparison to the US because we call the first formal year of school ‘Kindergarten’, which is the equivalent to ‘Year 1’ in England.

British school years are further broken in to groups called Key Stages. For example, Years 7-9 are classified as Key Stage 3. Students ages 16-18 are in Key Stage 5, which is called Sixth Form.

When looking at study plans as differences between British and American schools, there is more unity in the British course of study. Schools (unless they are independent) must follow the National Curriculum. American school teachers experience a substantial amount of freedom in comparison to what they can teach and when against their British counterparts.

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Instruction for British secondary students focuses on the GCSE subject exams and the A Levels. In America, the SAT and ACT are the only real standardized tests that students take at a national level.

The SAT is most popular and is taken on a Saturday morning, usually at the beginning of a student’s junior year. It is quite honestly- dreadful. It features three sections: math, critical reading and writing. For nearly four hours, students struggle to answer questions that seem to have no reflection on what they study in school each day. However, the results of this test have a substantial effect on a student’s ability to apply for a university.

Most American expat students in London tend to receive their education at International Baccalaureate schools because the work is transferable in all countries and universities.

At the end of a class period, British students must stand at their desks and wait for a teacher to say they are dismissed. In America, when the bell rings, you run. The end.

British vs American Schools- Food for Thought

I can’t tell you how many times British people have asked me to explain a ‘tater tot’. They find that food wildly entertaining. This is comical to me because every American associates a tater tot with a school cafeteria lunch. Tater tots are small, deep-fried grated potatoes and they’re always included on a cafeteria lunch tray, with chocolate milk, of course.

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American school cafeterias are not pleasant places. For lunch, kids wait in a line to be served a piece of soggy cardboard with two thick slices of pseudo-pepperoni, a thick red paste and chewy cheese that was probably manufactured from particles in the bottom of a bin in a science class weeks before. Next to their pizza is a watery, dull yellow substance called ‘Apple sauce.’ Finally, there’s a scoop of fruit salad. It’s usually hard to tell what fruits are featured because they’re all a greenish grey color and are very squishy.

British students call their lunchroom a ‘Canteen’. A random week at a British boarding school features Main Course lunch selections such as:
– Ratatouille with Mediterranean Herb Couscous
– Vegetable Moussaka
– Vegetarian Sausage Cassoulet
– Asparagus, Sunblush Tomato and Mozzarella Risotto
– Pea and Asparagus Girasole with a Cream and Chive Sauce with Fresh Parmesan Flakes

School children in England are absolutely forbidden to eat food in class. They are also only allowed to drink fruit juices or water. A fizzy drink soda is banned from a classroom. American kids enjoy Red Bull or Mountain Dew with a hefty bag of Cheetos for breakfast in a first period class.

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British vs American Schools- Who gets more?

Extra-curricular activities take place on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. However, in America, we tower above what the British offer. American students can choose from an array of sports like football, soccer, la crosse, hockey, swimming, tennis, track and field, baseball and basketball.

We also have events like pep rallies, where the entire school gathers in the sports gym instead of going to class. This is for the purpose of seeing the football players, basketball players, cheerleaders, dance team, majorettes and band display school spirit in support of a big upcoming game.

Further, students can belong to clubs like Art, Science Olympiad, Photography, DECA, FFA (Future Farmers of America), National Honor Society, Marching Band, Chemistry Club, Chess Club, Frisbee Club, French Club, Latin Club, Interact, Model UN, Debate Club, Ping Pong Club, Video Gaming Club, and Shrimp Club.

Ok. That last ‘club’ was an Ode to Forest Gump joke. I think. But…you never know. 😉

In America, if kids can convince the school that their club idea is worthy, there’s room in the extra-curricular budget, and they have a faculty advisor, then they can form their group. I guess it’s likely that there could be a group of marine biology students in Florida who start a Shrimp Club, right?

British vs American Schools- To Level or not to Level?

American schools offer classes that are usually either general or advanced. That’s it. Students mostly pick which type of class they’d like to take. Those that want the higher level need a teacher’s recommendation to register.

This is not the case in British schools. Students are separated in to numerous ability levels and can be changed and regrouped throughout the year. Therefore, it is clear to everyone what type of progress a student is or is not making.

British vs American Schools- Time and Tables

An educator’s schedule in a secondary British school is referred to as a ‘Timetable.’ Some schools offer them by one week, some by two weeks. They change daily and it’s rare for them to see the same class at the same time each day. British teachers could teach English to Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 within a five day week.

In comparison, American schools basically have kids take the same classes in the same order nearly every day of the week, with the exception of gym. Teachers call their workload ‘Preps’ and rarely have more than three a year. For example, a teacher with three preps would teach 9th Grade English, 10th Grade English, and 11th Grade English. That’s it.

Teachers in America must apply for teaching certification in every state they wish to work. The requirements and process for each state is complicated and long. It also costs money for each certificate. They often need to be renewed every several years.

British teachers apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) after they have trained and worked for a period of time. This enables them to teach any subject for which a school feels they are suited. Therefore, a teacher could teach English, Dance, Geography or Maths while working in one position at a school. However, it’s highly unlikely that would occur.

British vs American Schools- It’s no Musical!

Finally, British kids have the perception that American schools are like those they have seen in High School Musical and Mean Girls.

Thanks to Hollywood, American students are perceived to be very segregated by popularity groups like cheerleaders, football players and band geeks. So, I have to ask my American friends, do you think this is the case in American schools?

What other differences between British vs American schools can you add?

UPDATE: February 2, 2017

* After more time in London, and regular interest from readers, I created a YouTube video addressing many more differences between the school systems. Please add your comments/questions there too and share it on your social networks as well!

SUBSCRIBE to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

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UK Visas and Immigration Specialist Interview

What changes will Brexit have on UK Visas and immigration? Why would an American expat consider UK citizenship now? I had no idea in the beginning of June when I scheduled a meeting with my immigration specialist that the political situation would be what it is now. Many others may be speaking with immigration lawyers in Kentucky to discuss similar things. My plan was to acquire answers for some of my basic questions and interview her for the blog due to so many readers being American expats in London.

In 2012, I discovered Qiyin Chuah and QC Immigration on Twitter. That’s probably the last place you would search for someone to advise you on something as important as a UK visa. In any case, I stumbled across her and then investigated her website. Mr. Sunny (the man who is now my husband) and I were pursuing a fiance visa for me to leave the US and move to London. It took two and a half months to receive. This wasn’t to the fault of Qiyin’s involvement. We had the misfortune of sending our documents the day Hurricane Sandy hit New York (and the UK immigration office in Manhattan), so the process was a nightmare. We didn’t want to have to wait that long. But on saying that, it will probably be just as long a wait for those people who are currently in the position of applying for a green card to the United States. I’ve heard that they only release a certain amount of visas each year, so unfortunately for some people, they will have a very long wait until they are able to start their new life. Apparently they can also have a look at something called a Visa Bulletin which will allow them to estimate how long it may take for their green card to arrive. At least it will give them more time to get everything in order first. I for one hope I never have to wait this long for a visa again as it was just unbelievable.

However, from the initial contact to when my fiance visa arrived, I felt as if I was Qiyin’s only client. Her attention to detail, knowledge and response time to my emails was extremely impressive. As my first spouse visa expiration date approaches, I thought meeting with her again would be a good idea.

And then Brexit happened.

This political change has rocked Britain. Aside from the leader of the country resigning and creating tremendous turmoil, expats like me and European citizens living in the UK feel a tremendous amount of uncertainty.

My interview with a UK visas and immigration specialist couldn’t have been timed better. These are the questions I asked her when we met at her Westminster office to discuss the American expat experience in London. They are based on my inquiry in to two American expats in London Facebook groups and general questions I feel could apply to Americans interested in or currently residing in the UK.

I’ve taken my notes and transcribed them. Qiyin also had a chance to preview the draft prior to me publishing it on the blog.

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What changes do you envision Brexit will cause for Americans in London:

In the short term, which can be defined as a year or two, there shouldn’t be many changes to the non-European UK visas and immigration process. In fact, it was promised that the rules would actually become more relaxed for non-European citizens interested in living in the UK. Entrepreneur and investor visas would likely be more welcomed because of the need to have a strong economic situation. It may even be easier for non-Europeans to come in to the country at various skill levels.

Will the new system affect the ability for people who have to apply for a second FLR or for ILR to stay here?

There normally would not be substantial changes to the process for those already following a typical 5-year visa route. Nevertheless, sudden changes have happened before so we would still need to be observant and plan in advance.

What are the most popular types of visas that you process?

Most of the UK visas and immigration cases are family visas, which are people who seek to bring family to the UK. Spouse visas are the most popular, particularly if they are from the LBGT community. I also worked closely recently with an American company to move senior management over to the UK. Permanent residents seeking UK citizenship also are in high demand. With Brexit, alot of European residents will apply for Permanent Residence (PR) as a step to pursue UK citizenship.

When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema)

Why do you no longer publish your rate on your website?

The success rate for our cases is currently 98% but we are not allowed to reference it on the website. This is because there are always outstanding cases and applicants. Therefore, it is mandated that since the number can change at any time, immigration specialists cannot declare a finite number on our websites. However, through my ten years of experience I have maintained this level of a success rate.

What training do you do to learn about immigration law changes?

Aside from constantly reading and researching, attending conferences and seminars is important. My regulator is OISC, and I am a member of ILPA. There are criteria I must meet with each of them. I train other legal practitioners and have learned quite a bit through a decade of experience.

What are advantages for hiring a specialist for UK visas and immigration?

An immigration specialist (Americans can think of the term ‘specialist’ as synonomous to ‘lawyer’) will be informed of the latest changes to UK immigration law. The laws do change frequently. If you don’t have the time to research all of the current rules and amendments, having an expert handle it for you saves countless hours of research and possible room for error. For those who have a complex situation, it is ideal to have a trained professional handling the application. The forms for UK visas can change at any time, as well as the rules. Working with someone who studies this regularly enhances your ability to be successful.

Further, UK visas and immigration specialists should know ways to speed up your process.

How difficult are UK work visas to obtain for Americans?

A Tier 2 (General) work visa allow you to stay up to 5-6 years, and you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship However, if you are made redundant (the British term for being laid-off), your work visa may be cut short. You would only have very limited time to find suitable replacement. You may also pursue a Tier 2 Intra- company Transfer visa if your company offered you a role in the UK branch of the organisation. However, this visa route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship.

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Work visas are a good start, but exploring possible ancestory or family visas sometimes is more plausible for Americans. This means your visa won’t be volatile to your professional experience changing. For example, if you accept a position in the UK and are extremely unhappy, your only choice on a work visa is to return to the US. Often under the Tier 2 Work visa, there is a ‘cooling off period’ of 12 months that you must obey which involves returning to America before being allowed to accept a position in the UK on a work visa again.

What are advantages to pursuing UK Citizenship for American expats?

If you move to the UK on a spouse visa, pursuing UK citizenship may be of strong interest to those planning to live in the UK long term, especially if they want to start a family. You are able to have dual citizenship in both the US and UK.

When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema)

Does a spouse visa entitle someone to live in Commonwealth countries?

No. If you are married to a UK citizen and living in the UK, you cannot simply move to somewhere like Australia or Canada. Your spouse would to apply to that country, and then you would follow suit with an application.

Is it possible to bring an ailing parent to the UK on a family visa?

This is a possibility, but it is extremely difficult. The success rate is low. The process is extreme, and it definitely is beneficial to have an immigration specialist working for you, rather than trying to accomplish this on your own. You absolutely must prove no one else can care for that parent.

What types of visas have to pay NHS fee?

Visas that are for a stay period longer than six months are now subject to the additional NHS fee. Whether or not you are working in the UK has no relevance on if you have to pay the fee or not.

How can people research your services to determine your credentials?

Aside from being a member of the organisations mentioned earlier, my LinkedIn profile shows recommendations and testimonials. Further, QC Immigration shows all of my contact details, what we offer specifically, and the awards we have received as visa and citizenship specialists. A huge part of our success is due to referrals and recommendations.

And finally….

There is a section of the blog devoted to the American in London experience…

Differences Between American vs British Grocery Stores

When it comes to differences between American vs British things, you’ll find tons of everyday life occurrences listed. You wouldn’t think that a country that originated from the other would be separated by so many things. While generally, grocery stores have a lot in common when you compare the US and UK, for example, the layout is often the same, but so are the safety precautions. Otherwise, they would have too many people falling over and calling up a lawyer (such as this HEB Injury Attorney) when they get involved in an accident. But, there are a few things that are different that can be a bit surprising.

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American vs British Grocery Stores:

As an American living in London, I learned quickly that somethings just had different names in my new home. For example, I now use a Spiral Slicer to make courgette spaghetti a few times a week. Any guesses what that is, Americans? The word for zucchini in England is ‘courgette.’

There are also some products that you next to impossible to obtain cheaply or at all in London. For example, American expats will really drool over this picture…

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You simply can not find this many options of peanut butter in a UK grocery store.

Through time it is getting better. I’ve noticed that the Hispanic section of an international aisle of the UK grocery stores is becoming larger. This is what you’ll typically find in a Publix in Florida. It’s far bigger than anything I’ve seen yet in London.

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Something that really surprises Americans living in London when they do their first big shopping trip to a supermarket is what happens at the checkout section. Yes, you have self-checkout options on both sides of the pond. But in England, you won’t see this…

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That’s right. There are no people bagging your groceries. I get that Publix baggers are an exception and not the norm in every grocery store in America. However, in England, you are all on your own. It really causes anxiety when you’re trying to pay for your items with a currency that looks like Monopoly money to you initially and bagging your stuff all at the same time. Ok- it’s not third world problems and I appreciate that life could be worse. But, it is a big difference when you’re comparing the two different places.

And, I’ve never, ever seen a British person drink cold tea. I’m not saying that it hasn’t happened. BUT- this shot from Publix in Florida would probably horrify most UK citizens…

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For more American vs British grocery store differences, take a tour with me through both supermarkets in this YouTube video.

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more differences between the UK and USA, plus advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about visiting London.

If you have lived in both America and England, or another country, please leave your ideas about differences in grocery stores or other things in the comments below. The Sunny YouTube community is pretty lively, so feel free to start a discussion there too. 😉

Want a Food Freebie in London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

How to Find a Flat in London

How to find a flat in London can be one of the biggest challenges, when you first start planning your move. In America, I felt the rules were pretty simple. You search online and look at different apartment complexes, take virtual tours, and set up an appointment to view a unit that you like.

Easy peasy.

When I moved to London as an American expat, the steps and obstacles for how to find a flat was something I didn’t realise would be such an exhausting process. After going through this three different times, I can offer some moving advice to those considering or planning a move to London. In fact, I put together a video with 10 Tips for Finding a Flat in London and have an additional five to share below. So, if you keep reading and watch the video, you’ll have 15 tips for how to find a flat in London!

1. Find a Flat in London- Rent Prices

London is known for having some of the highest rent prices in the world. Brace yourself. It’s next to impossible to live in Zone 1 now. When I first moved to London, I lived on the edge of Covent Garden. Those days are clearly over. In fact, it’s even a little tough to find affordable, reasonable flats within Zone 2 currently. If you don’t know what I mean by a ‘Zone’, you need to check out an Underground/Overground map, STAT!

2. Find a Flat- Share

To compensate for the ginormous cost of living in London, most people flat share. This isn’t something for college grads. I am talking about adults that move to London tend to flat share when they first arrive because it means they have an opportunity to live closer to vibrant areas.

3. Find a Flat- Set Up Alerts

Properties also tend to go pretty fast once they are advertised. If your search involves something very specific, you’ll find it’s best to set up alerts with popular websites like RightMove and Zoopla. Those are the two that my husband, a man born in London, and I used each time we moved. Nestpick is another useful website for apartment search, as it is an aggregator – meaning it pulls various offers from different websites and provides you with a platform where you can sort through all the listings, searching by dates, dimensions, amenities etc.

4. Find a Flat- As It Is

Know that a landlord is going to show a property as it is. Luckily, more and more landlords these days are making investments in properties in different states and countries. When searching for a rental property, some landlords may not even live near to the flat. This ensures that the property will be shown in whatever state it’s normally in, which is a benefit for the potential renter. To understand more about landlords investing in properties further away from their home, you could always visit Roofstock, for example.

In America, I was felt that an owner would fix up a few things (or more depending on what damage the previous tenant did) before putting a rental on the market. That is not the case in London. If you watch the video above, you’ll learn what you can do to get around the fact that some things need to be done before you sign a contract.

5. Find a Flat- Your Neighbors

Just because you choose a gorgeous г3,000 a month flat in a nice neighborhood doesn’t mean your neighbors are of the same caliber as you. Landlords who own multiple properties are required to rent a percent of them to people on benefits. While landlords still receive the rent amount, it is subsidized by the council. This means your neighbors could be living in a flat just like yours and not pay for it. Their lifestyle could likely be very different from yours.

More Advice About How to Find a Flat:

I have found that utilities like water, electricity and mobile phones are much cheaper in London. If you’ve lived in America or another country, what questions do you still have about the process after you’ve watched the video above? Do you have any additional advice or experiences you can share for people who read this and need help? Are there other websites you found useful?

When you move into a new flat, you will want to keep it clean and in good condition. Consider utilizing a robot vacuum cleaner to clear your floors with the benefit of it all being automated, meaning that there is minimal effort required from you. Once it’s time to move out at the end of your tenancy then it’s important that you leave the property in a good condition. People usually look at end of tenancy cleaning london prices to see where does the cheapest. Getting it professionally cleaned is a sure-fire way of getting your deposit back.

The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help with your planning too.

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Related blog posts about Moving to London include:

Living in London- An American Rant
What Electronics to Ship When Moving to London
Advice for Americans Working in London
US vs UK Living- Kitchen Differences
UK Visas and Immigration Specialist Interview
Moving to London: What Household Goods to Ship
How to Have the Best International Shipping Company Experience

The Expat Chat playlist on my Sunny News YouTube channel is worth watching and subscribing to so you don’t miss upcoming advice on living in London too! Here’s an example of what you’ll need to know about schools…

Christmas Differences between the UK and USA

‘Do they celebrate Christmas over there?’ My American grandmother asked me this question once during our weekly phone call.

I think what she meant was, ‘What do they do for Christmas in England?’ or rather, ‘What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA?’

Most Americans have visions created by Charles Dickens dancing in their heads. They think Christmas celebrations in London involve Brits eating goose and hoping Jacob Marley doesn’t knock on their door.

So, just to keep things real, I asked Mr. Sunny to explain what he thinks Americans do for Christmas. His response, “Watch silly television. Have pancakes and syrup and bacon that isn’t really bacon for breakfast. Eat dinner which is roast turkey with mashed potatoes and country gravy that’s thick like what you get at KFC and corn, like creamed corn.’

He also added, ‘Being American you probably don’t drink too much, like us English.’

Well then.

It sounds like there’s both confusion and curiosity on both sides of the pond. But one similarity that happens on both sides of the pond is that when it comes to christmas, decorating your place of work is something that many people enjoy doing. Some even take it as far as hiring commercial christmas lights installation professionals, just to get the look they are after! After all, the festive season does just come round once, so why not go all out?

Let’s see if we can clear some of that. For a start, this is a very popular time of year for Americans to get a family photo together to send to friends and relatives. Believe me, you will need to book a professional who specializes in family photography Austin in advance around this time of year!

But first, are you spending Christmas in the USA this year? One of my friends from the UK now lives in Canada and she has told me that she is heading to the US for the festive season. Did you know that if you are planning on visiting the United States, your Canadian Criminal Record (CCR) can deem you inadmissible and you can be denied entry? With this in mind, you must obtain a US entry waiver before you attempt to enter the US, otherwise, you run the risk of being detained by the US authorities. You can learn more about the law surrounding US entry waivers on the Federal Pardon Waiver Services website.

Christmas Differences between the UK and USA

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
The Name

First, the Brits refer to Santa Claus as ‘Father Christmas.’ It’s a very tough thing for me to remember when I am in a conversation with my English mates. Next, they say ‘Happy Christmas’ instead of Merry Christmas.

Ok then, that’s sorted.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
On Your Mark!

I still can’t figure out when Christmas in starts England. In August, I’ve been approached by staff members in pubs about booking a Christmas party. In October, it’s common for #Christmas to trend on Twitter in London.

Americans are notorious for excessive advertising and gluttony, but we still have an official line for the start of Christmas celebrations. Thank you, Thanksgiving.

In America, once the dinner dishes are cleared at the Thanksgiving table, it’s time to get your Christmas gear on. (Oh yeah, if you’d like my brother-in-law’s recipe for How to Fry a Turkey, read here)

That actually could mean battle gear for beating crowds at malls. Up until recently, Black Friday was only an American shopping phenomenon. It didn’t really exist in England. However, for some reason England had an onslaught of sales and super deals the day after ‘Thanksgiving’ in 2014. I still can’t figure out why.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Decorations

You’ve probably all seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Home Alone.

Most Americans decorate their houses entirely in lights and other festive ornaments. That’s not just a Hollywood portrayal.

In suburan areas of America, great rivalries take place during the holidays to see who can have the most glorious display of Christmas covering their house and yard. It can be quite a competitive atmosphere. And, then there’s some that take the decorating opportunity to raise money for charitable causes. Check out this YouTube video which features the ‘Best of Star Wars Music Christmas Lights Show’

In the suburbs of London, I rarely see houses decorated on a street. Usually 2-3 houses out of both street sides have some lights. The lights seem to be tossed haphazardly around a tree.

What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA

However, if you travel just 20 miles outside of London, you can see Hogwarts in the Snow, which is the Warner Bros Studio Tour (AKA Harry Potter Tour) covered in Christmas decorations.

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Television

One of the toughest Christmas differences between the UK and USA for me is television. I just can’t seem to find Christmas specials on TV in London, except for an occasional channel offer. Channel 5 runs movies that are equivalent to Hallmark or Lifetime in the US throughout the day. But, I need my claymation and old school Christmas shows on constant replay to really get in the spirit.

In America, the titles below (Christmas Classics for Kids, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Fred Claus) are each on a few times a week. I had to buy them in London because they are never on television during the holidays.

Christmas Differences Between the US and UK

Christmas- Differences between the UK and USA:
Christmas Crackers

I learned about Christmas crackers the first Christmas I spent in London. It’s concept is similar to a Thanksgiving wishbone but much prettier.

This Christmas cracker is a cardboard tube which has a present inside it. The tube is wrapped in colourful, festive paper. As two people break the cracker, a loud snapping noise is made. The person holding the larger end gets to keep the prize inside.

These are some of my favourite themed Christmas Crackers:


Christmas- Differences Between the UK and USA:
The Pub

It is tradition to go to your ‘local’ in England on Christmas Day. The times I have been to our local pub on Christmas, it is absolutely packed. People bring their kids and dogs for a few hours to celebrate the holiday. It’s open from about 12-2pm.

What are the Christmas differences between the UK and USA

No, the kids and dogs aren’t drinking. Well, the dogs might get a few licks of beer here and there, but please don’t think the Brits are freely giving beer to their little ones. However, entire families are present and it’s joyous. The beer is also flowing pretty steady. Christmas Differences Between the UK and USAChristmas Differences Between the UK and USA

Christmas- Differences Between the UK and USA:
Boxing Day

I still don’t understand Boxing Day. Traditionally, December 26th was a day that servants received presents. Literally, they would receive boxes with presents inside from their employers.

What I do know is that since it’s a Bank Holiday, not much is open. Well, the pubs are open. Oh, and slowly there’s more and more shopping going on here on this ‘Bank Holiday.’

In America, the post-holiday sales kick off on this day.

Christmas- Similarities between the UK and USA:

Despite these differences, there are also some things that are in fact the same on both sides of the pond.
– There are major sales after Christmas. In London, they’re referred to as the ‘January sales’ and last a little bit longer than American retail sales.
– Stores play Christmas music throughout the season. In England, it seems Paul McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmas Time’ and George Michael’s ‘Last Christmas’ are rotated around every other song. I’ve never once heard Madonna’s ‘Santa Baby.’ I’m grateful for that.
– All those ‘happy holidays’ tend to drive some of us over the edge. Family arguments are at their peak in both the UK and USA over this stretch of time.
– Ugly sweaters/jumpers exist everywhere.
– We all like to open presents for Christmas.
– The red ‘Starbucks’ cup arrival is one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season in the UK and the USA.

If you’re in London this holiday season, don’t miss my 10 Best Things to Do in London at Christmas blog post. In fact, I have a whole section of the blog devoted to Christmas in London.

Or the YouTube video on Things to Do for Christmas in London that You Can’t Do in NYC:

things to do in london at christmas

What can you add to these Christmas differences between the UK and USA? What do you think of Mr. Sunny’s guess that there’s more drinking in England for Christmas than in America?

You can read more about the expat experience on the blog. Be sure to see the review of an international shipping company, which includes a discount for you. If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates of advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide.

What to Pack for Florida (if You’re British)

‘Do you know what to pack for Florida?’ I asked my British husband as we prepared for his first trip to my home state.

‘Pants and socks’ is his response.

Yikes!

Packing for a trip to Florida is never tough for me. No matter how long I live in London as an American expat, I always know what to pack when I make a trip to my home state, no matter what time of year it is.

However, when my British husband and I were days away from our first trip to Florida together, I realised I was at a huge advantage compared to him. While he travelled the world as an international cameraman for NBC News, he neither had an assignment in nor made a personal trip to the Sunshine State.

His response to my question about what to pack for Florida was both humorous and concerning.

I give him credit for the reasoning, ‘It’s just not stuff I want to have to deal with buying there.’ However, there are other essentials that he might not want to buy, or even have access to, once we arrive in Florida. While there are certain things that are easier to find in Florida than in the UK, such as many CBD or hemp oil based products, when you’re going to Florida it is always better to come fully prepared. However, if you are looking for a cbd florida guide, there are many places that you can look at to familiarise yourself with the CBD products in the Sunshine State.

To figure out what to pack for Florida if you’re British and going there for holiday, start with all your typical warm weather basics. Then, make sure you add all the items below to your pre-trip shopping list.

A list of what to pack for Florida for British tourists going on holiday to the Sunshine State

What to Pack for Florida: Bug Repellant

Florida is crawling with bugs (and reptiles, but there’s not a damn thing you can do about that in terms of what to pack). Whether they are mosquitoes, love bugs or ‘no see ’ems’, the little suckers are everywhere.

Bring bug repellant in your suitcase. Don’t wait until it’s too late and ruin your holiday with welts the size of Florida oranges on your body.

I was thrilled when I found Avon Skin So Soft on Amazon UK as I searched bug repellant to write this blog post.

Why?

This is the brand everyone in Florida uses. It’s the most recommended product from Florida natives. Trust me!

And, just in case you don’t believe me, I took this picture of the screen of my mother’s porch when I was in Florida last August. Notice all the critters?

A list of what to pack and NOT to pack for British tourists going on a Florida holiday

What to Pack for Florida: Suntan Lotion

This is where the Sunny in London blog will get painful. I’m going to be really honest here. Don’t get on a plane to Florida without suntan lotion if you’re British! Florida sun is powerful and intense.

If you’re an Englishman, like my husband, you don’t tan. Instead you get super red, super fast if you even look outside on a sunny day. On our beaches, we Floridians can spot you (and you’re white legs) from miles away.

When I worked at Universal Studios Orlando prior to moving to London, I regularly met burned British tourists. Those that spent their first day of holiday at Walt Disney World, then went to our theme park, hit the hot list. If they skipped suntan lotion in this two-day combo and ‘enjoyed’ our Jaws ride seated on the outside row of the boat, they were seared.

Ok, not like literally in the lawsuit sense. But, because there is an amount of heat generated from the ‘explosions’ on the ride, they experience great discomfort during those moments and don’t enjoy their visit as much. I would chat with them in Guest Services/VIP Studio Tours often and they always regretted not applying suntan lotion multiple times during their theme park visits.

What product does this Florida girl recommend? Anything from Hawaiian Tropic.

Why? The brand originated in my home town, Daytona Beach. So, it’s about loyalty. The company obviously knows about Florida sun and how to cope with it.


The one above is really cheap and features Protective Sun Lotion 50 Plus. Don’t mess around. Start with an SPF 50. You’ll thank me later. Profusely.

What to Pack for Florida: Drugs

You don’t want to take time to weed out what to buy when you’re in trouble. Make sure you throw some Paracetamol in your carry on suitcase. We don’t have the brand in the US. Our equivalent, I guess, is Tylenol or Aleve. As an American expat living in London, I never buy Paracetamol because it doesn’t work for me. You might experience the same phenomenon with American products when you visit, so pack what you know.

Further, if you’re being tossed around a lot on our theme park rides, you might need some motion sickness tablets. Or you can pick up some of these before you leave…


Again, these Travel Sickness Bands were super cheap when I searched them, and listed as a #1 Best Seller. 😉

What to Pack for Florida: Beach and Pool Gear

There is no doubt you’ll want to hit at least one of our countless beaches when you are in Florida. Make sure you have these items ready for your beach trip:

Hats

Bring at least one, especially if you’re a bloke who’s losing his hair. In America, we rock baseball caps, so if you want to look like a Yank, this is what you should wear. You can do this one of two ways. If you want to look British and get attention that way, bring one of these…


Any baseball cap with an English futbol team will catch attention across the pond.

However, if you want to look ‘American’ and really blend in with the Florida crackers, then you must wear a Florida State University (FSU) baseball cap that recognises them as the 2013 BCS National Football Champions.

    • If you aren’t familiar with our football system, that championship game is the equivalent of winning the Super Bowl for a university team. FSU is the Florida team that’s won it most recently. Please, please, don’t rock up in University of Florida (UF) gator gear.

Ick!

I found a wide range of Florida State University baseball caps online, if you’d rather have one that’s Garnet and Gold (the team’s colours). Oh yeah, it’s also where I received my Bachelor of Science degree, so I’m naturally biased here too.

Sunglasses

Florida winter days are much longer than England’s. If you visit during this season, you’ll have far more time to wear them compared to being in London where it gets dark at 4:00pm. Although, it generally gets dark in the summer around 8pm.

Swimwear for Kids

Inflatable Armbands (In Florida we call them ‘swimmies’ or ‘floogles’). Bring these for your babies who are too little (or don’t know how) to swim on their own.

    They’re also a great way to prevent anything tragic happening while you aren’t looking at the pool. Both my younger sister and I had them as kids.

A Beach Cooler for Beer

Specifically for packing purposes, you should bring an Inflatable Beach Cooler. You wil need one to keep your beer cool in the Florida heat. These are the ones I think Floridians would love seeing on our Florida beaches and pool decks:


However, I think the ultimate kick arse cooler is this Party Sombrero. Florida has a huge population of Mexican people, so this would be brilliant on the beach with your Dos Equis or Corona beer!

Multiple Suits

Bring at least two bathing suits (or ‘bathing costumes’ as you call them). There’s nothing worse than putting one of these things on wet, so bring two with you. One can dry on a day while you wear the other.

What to Pack for Florida: Apparel

Florida humidity is excruciating in the months of May-September, even at 6:00am. Be sure to pack lightweight clothes to wear. Don’t even put jeans in your suitcase during those months.

Regarding shoes, flip flops are part of our lifestyle. We literally value them like art.

What to Pack for Florida if You're a British Tourist Going on Holiday

Bring a pair to match every one of your outfits. Just make sure to put suntan lotion on the tops of your feet too! It’s a painful place to be burned and often is forgotten in application. Bring some smart clothes in case you decide to visit somewhere like the Francisca Restaurant but make sure you have plenty of shorts and cool clothes!

What NOT to Pack for Florida: A Speedo

I couldn’t end this blog post with integrity if I didn’t include the ONE thing you absolutely CANNOT pack for Florida, boys.

I beg you. Please, please, please don’t show up to my home state beaches and pools in one of these! The banana hammock just isn’t something Floridians want to see. EVER!

What to Pack for Florida: Final Thoughts

There you have it! It’s a good thing Mr. Sunny (my husband) has me to guide him through what to pack for Florida, so he doesn’t end up with just ‘pants and socks’ in his suitcase. Oh, and for you American readers, by ‘pants’, he means underwear.

If you are British and know people who are or want to have a holiday in Florida, please share this blog post on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon or any social network you value. It would be great if you pinned the picture below too so your British mates have a better chance at a sunny, happy holiday in Florida.

Update: And don’t miss this YouTube video published in August 2018 with even more travel tips!

A list of what to pack and NOT to pack for British tourists going on a Florida holiday

If there’s anything you can suggest to add to the list, please do so in the comments! I’m eager to answer any Florida questions you may have as well. Don’t forget the blog has tons of expat living and Things to Do in London posts, as well as a Guide for Visitors.

How to Have the Best International Shipping Company Experience

Are you planning to move overseas? If so, there’s no doubt you want to find the best international shipping company possible, if you are interested in finding out more about shipping containers for sale you could find out about them with a quick google search. Would you believe the shipping overseas process from the US to UK took me over three years?

Here is a summary of my saga and what you need to know for your move. (Oh, and make sure to see the end of this blog for a discount code for shipping!) (July 2018- Please see end note about discount)

How to Have the Best Internatioanl Shipping Company Experience is written by an American expat living in London and details the moving overseas shipping process.

My Timeline:

  • November 6, 2012- Representatives from a local moving company packed up my belongings from my three bedroom townhouse in New York. Items were held at New York storage facility until UK Fiance Visa approved.
  • January 9 2013, UK Fiance Visa approved. See separate blog about the nightmare I experienced with this process due to a weather disaster.
  • February 2013- Decision to keep items in storage until London life settled and we found a flat large enough to accommodate my belongings.
  • March 2013-January 2014- Wedding postponed due to parent illness.
  • September 2015- Moved in to London flat that we love.
  • November 18 2015- UPakWeShip retrieves items from New York storage facility.
  • December 6, 2015- Items begin trans-Atlantic journey. (I requested they send them a bit later so they wouldn’t arrive in London just before Christmas)
  • January 28, 2016, UPakWeShip arrived to our North London flat with over 45 boxes of my personal belongings. Delivery time took less than 2 hours.

The Best International Shipping Company Experience: Pre-packing

What I Did:

To make the international move easier, I put all of my furniture from my three bedroom townhouse on Craigslist in the US, with the exception of two cabinets and a wicker chest that I purchased from Pier 1. This is a photograph of the cabinet that I thought would never survive the move because it chips so easily. (It arrived flawless) 🙂 Also make sure you get the best storage containers. Check out this website if you wanted to learn more.

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip
I chose to bring them because I knew they would fit somewhere in a London flat. I contemplated bringing this Queen-size bed because it would be less furniture to buy once settled in London.

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

Next, my mother helped me pack 30 boxes full of my personal belongings. We documented nearly every item in each box as we packed.

I’ll write separate blogs later on specific household, kitchen, electronic and clothing items I included in these boxes and how I chose them. In summary, everything but glass, odd shaped items and my Gucci, Prada and Michael Kors bags went in to the boxes we purchased from a local storage company.

Clothing I didn’t like anymore or knew I wouldn’t wear in London went to a local consignment shop. However, I packed two full size suitcases and a carry-on suitcase with items I would need during the estimated 6-10 weeks it would take for my shipping from the US to UK.

Tips for You:

  • Try to bring as little furniture as possible. If you don’t know the exact dimensions and layout of where you will live, you could end up paying to ship furniture that you won’t be able to use (or doesn’t fit) in a new location. If you’re wanting to buy some wall stickers for your new house, get them once you’ve moved rather than before. I took way too many things with me and it was such a hassle. Buy all the new furniture and decoration items once you’re settled into your new home.
  • Take the time to list the contents of every box for yourself and put it in a spreadsheet. This helps calculating insurance, organizing your unpacking, and remembering what you shipped internationally. Also, it will help clear your items in Customs faster.
  • Use the opportunity to offload stuff that is clutter or no longer of value/interest to you.
  • It is possible to ship all the items yourself and not need a shipping company to do it for you. You’ll need to rent or buy a shipping container but it is doable if you want to. Check out https://www.opptrends.com/railbox-shipping-container-pricing-and-wholesale-buying-options/ for information on how to get your own shipping container.

Best International Shipping Company Experience: Professional Packing

What I Did:

I arranged for a local moving and storage company to handle the remaining parts of packing my belongings. Like a sniper attack, the professional movers in New York packed the items efficiently and with care.

They put glass and china items like a set of 12 Waterford champagne glasses, martini glasses, and giant pasta bowls in Dish Barrels. They packed artwork, an ironing board, handbags, exercise equipment and wooden drying racks in to boxes. Finally, the New York movers also took four plastic bins that I had packed previously.

Tips for You:

  • Use social networks like Facebook to ask for recommendations for local moving companies with excellent reputations. Make sure you ask if they have climate controlled storage, if there could be the slightest chance your belongings being delayed in starting the international shipping process.
  • Have the professional movers pack very expensive items, glass or odd shaped things. It’s worth the money for several reasons. Plus, what they pack is insured for damage upon arrival. If you pack a box yourself, there’s little you can do if the items are damaged when you unpack it in your new location.
  • Pack tissue paper in between all of your clothes. I never imagined my items would be folded for three years. My coats packed with tissue paper looked fine when I removed them from the plastic bins.

Best International Shipping Company Experience: UPakWeShip

What I Did:

Searching for an international shipping company is not easy. To get a quote, I had to complete a page of information which triggered tons of email responses. Then, I would have to wait for a shipping company representative to contact me by phone. Trying to remember which company said what was a nightmare. This stalled my process quite a bit.

Eventually I discovered UPakWeShip online. The company handles overseas shipping from New York or anywhere else in the USA.

They also handle moves to:

– the USA, UK, German, or anywhere else in Europe

– Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, Asia and Southeast Asia

If I could summarize the entire experience with them in one word it is: easy.

I was put in touch with Mark Nash, who throughout my entire experience was always very accessible, informative and friendly. He moved from London to the USA himself, so this made my trust in him even greater.

He understood that my items had been in New York for nearly three years and was eager to assist in reuniting me with them. In fact, many times Mark and his employees were ready with information faster than I was during the process.

We discussed my shipping rate for the 2 crates weighing approximately 2100 pounds (272 cubic feet). In addition, I learned about insurance options (which was complicated because I had packed many boxes myself and had professional movers) and the UK Customs clearance process.

Their website says they will ‘get your belongings there safely and save you money.’ True. And True. Mark indicated that it would be cheapest for me to pay for the second floor delivery in my initial check rather than upon arrival. This was one of the many money saving tips he provided me due to his strong experience with international shipping.

For more insight on the moving process, Mark has a free eBook available for download.

Tips for You:

  • Be sure to thoroughly understand the insurance process before you enter an agreement with a company. Also discuss timing and any potential additional charges that could happen outside of your quote.
  • Add time that the international shipping company predicts for you because you never know what will happen. My items were held at UK Customs extra time due to the fact they had been in storage for long, and this raised questions. I had to provide additional documentation to account for this. Luckily, Mark and his employees knew exactly what to do to handle the inquiry.

Best International Shipping Company Experience: The Delivery

What I Did:

Prior to the delivery, I gave our flat a good clean. This is the calm before the box storm…

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

I knew once the boxes arrived it would be chaos for a while.

UPakWeShip showed up exactly within the timeframe they indicated. A team of three guys moved my items quickly in to our flat to the room and place I indicated. The spreadsheet I had of my belongings really facilitated this.

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

A fourth member of UPakWeShip documented everything with an iPad, including pictures of the process. I also had a camera on deck.

We chose not to have them unpack all the boxes, even though this was available and paid for. Because I knew I would need to wash all my dishes and glasses plus buy cabinets to store them, it seemed silly to have everything unloaded without somewhere to store it.

They did unpack the artwork, furniture and a select number of boxes.

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

Fortunately, the only item that was affected by the move was one of my storage cabinets. As they unpacked it, one of the four legs was broken. However, this seems to be from the storage company and how it was initially packed. UPakWeShip was quick to take many pictures of the item, as was I. To be honest, with the amount of glass, artwork and other boxes I shipped, I can’t believe this is the only thing that ‘went wrong’ with the process.

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

Tips for You:

  • Discuss parking arrangements with the company prior to scheduling your delivery date. In London, you might need to purchase a parking permit for the company in advance.
  • Try to have at least two people available for the delivery. When I was busy guiding the placement of boxes, my husband assisted with taking pictures and answering other questions the movers had.
  • If you aren’t going to have the movers unpack items, make sure you have a plan for debris removal. Luckily, my husband was able to take crushed boxes and packing paper to a dump facility in London. That is an additional charge there.

I did receive a discount on my shipment because I planned to write a review on the company and process. It in no way affected my opinion of UPakWeShip. Think about it- if a company destroys your personal belongings- the last thing you would do is hold back the information on the internet! Now, I wish I could just snap my fingers and have all this fit neatly in to our flat 😉

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

If I ever need anything shipped in the future, there is no doubt in my mind that I will contact the best international shipping company in my opinion. They are also on Twitter and Facebook.

Please know that your own shipping experience could be different based on what you are sending, how you pack it and where you are going.

The Best International Shipping Company Experience: Discount

If you do choose to follow my recommendation for this international shipping company, UPakWeShip is offering Sunny in London readers a discount if you quote my promotional code at the time of your inquiry.

For this code, simply Contact Me. I’ll reply with the promotional code and answer any questions you might have about my experience. Please leave comments you have about your international shipping experience below to help others who are planning to move overseas.

Finally, a huge thank you to Mark and everyone at UPakWeShip for the amazing service. My stuff, after three years of sitting in a warehouse, is finally with me. These are a few shots they took to document the story too…

Best International Shipping Company UPakWeShip

  • July 2018- Please note that this discount code has ended. However, I still without a doubt continue to recommend this shipping company.

If you’re planning a move to London, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel too. It shows advice for living in London, as well as event, attraction and things to do guides.

USA vs UK- 5 Life Conveniences You Won’t Have!

Can you name five life conveniences that don’t exist when you compare life in the USA vs UK? There are a few every day hardships that Americans in London experience while living abroad that you would never guess occur!

These aren’t fun things like certain American foods (Skittles, Mexican cuisine, peanut butter) or cool shops like Sephora. We are going to classify those items as amenities for this blog post.

I am writing about regular every day items. These are things you wouldn’t notice as missing while in London on holiday. If you’re making an international move through a company, you probably won’t learn about them in your ‘expat moving to another country research’ either.

It isn’t until your feet hit the UK ground and you start living that you’ll suffer through the losses. And I mean, SUFFER!

usa-vs-uk-life-conveniences-differences

#1 USA vs UK- Forget a Filter

It’s always tricky trying to determine if a British person is really making fun of you or just ‘taking the piss out of you.’ You have to filter through a lot of sarcasm in social and professional conversations. One thing you don’t have a filter for, however, is your window in the UK.
usa-vs-uk-life-conveniences-differences-windows
American friends, get ready to live without window screens. In several years, I have yet to see one in a London window. That’s not to say the Brits have bad windows – quite the contrary! Double glazing and modern looking grey window frames are just some of the common features in modern buildings that you’ll see on the regular.

That’s right. For whatever reason, you won’t find window screens in London. As a Florida girl who grew up in a state full of love bugs, leaping lizards, pooping Pelicans and ‘no see ’ems’, windows without screens are terrifying. I guess they don’t have the need for the screens though as they don’t get as many critters and pests within their homes without them, that’s another point to think about – when I used to live in the US of A it would be a normal phone call to find a company similar to that of terminix Nevada and other location offers in order to sort your household pest problems quickly, here in London I haven’t had the need to get in touch with pest control services as of yet, here’s to touching wood!

#2 USA vs UK- No Bathroom Blowouts

Spend time each morning blow drying and straightening your hair in the bathroom, ladies? Say goodbye to that too. If there is a plug in your bathroom, it’s most likely for an electrical shaver and is shaped differently than other plugs.

usa-vs-uk-life-conveniences-differences-windows

It’s rare to have access to any small electrical appliances in the bathroom to do your hair. I’d love to know the reason for this, so I hope my British friends share their thoughts in the comments section. In our new flat, I literally had to buy a Plastic Frame Over Door Mirror from Amazon UK so I could have see what I am doing to my hair with a blow dryer.

#3 USA vs UK- Pay Per Minute

While it’s understood in the USA that long distance calls might cost money, depending on your phone plan, local numbers are always free.

In London I am always confused as to what numbers I can call and not be charged an additional fee per minute. Quite a few numbers, even though they are in London, can be pay per minute if they are companies or businesses. Don’t assume that when you call a company like Delta Airlines that the number is ‘toll-free.’ Businesses in London will require help in this financial services area, to make sure they are keeping within the rules, etc.

Make sure if you move to London, you check if the number you are calling is an additional charge or not prior to spending a long time on hold or in a conversation.

#4 USA vs UK- Let it Gooooo! Let it Goooo!

Be prepared to have a refrigerator and freezer which are half the size of what you have in the USA. For London readers, this was my kitchen in the three bedroom townhouse I owned in New York before I sold it and moved to London. Notice the huge shiny refrigerator…

usa-vs-uk-life-conveniences-differences-appliancesusa-vs-uk-life-conveniences-differences-appliancesFurther, I had an additional refrigerator and freezer in my garage, even though I lived by myself.

Americans, if you can picture a medium sized office refrigerator, that is pretty much what you’ll have in London. Also, in smaller flats, you might even have these two appliances separated and in different areas of the kitchen, which brings me to our biggest difference…

#5 USA vs UK- Wash and Wear

Not only will your clothes washer likely be in the kitchen, but it’s really possible you won’t have a drier.

Yes, that is correct. I lived in a fourth floor flat (with no lift) that we were told would have a drier. It didn’t. We also didn’t have a balcony.

Do you know what it’s like waiting days to have dry clothes because they’re air-drying all over your flat? Mr. Sunny was advised he could not have friends in the flat until he entered and did a ‘knicker sweep.’ This means he had to make sure none of my knickers (‘underwear’ for Americans) were hanging up to dry in a visible area before he let in his mates.

Have you ever worn a pair of jeans that air dried? An American expat friend also living in London asked me once, ‘So are you sick of wearing crunchy jeans yet?’

Eeek! That says it all!

Mr. Sunny and I now have the ‘fortune’ of having a flat that has a drier. It isn’t even close to what you use in the USA. At best, it dries my clothes, sheets and towels about 80% after 90 minutes. I still have to hang sheets on furniture for some time before making a bed. Good times.

In America, having a separate washer and drier that are huge is fairly standard.

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READ THIS SLOWLY and CAREFULLY if you are preparing to move to London:
– When you are looking at flats online, take a careful look at the kitchen. If a refrigerator isn’t pictured, it could be either around the corner of the kitchen (yes, I’ve seen that happen) or behind a cabinet door.

Also, don’t confuse a washer with a dishwasher in online ads for flats. In a picture, since you are not accustom to thinking about a clothes washer in a kitchen, you might not realise that’s what you’re seeing in the picture and may assume it’s a dishwasher.

Be sure to inquire about a drier if that’s important to you. You’ll likely get a combination appliance, which means you can’t do a load of laundry as you have a load in a drier. You can tour my London kitchen here…

https://youtu.be/uDXFEHXI3Bc

USA vs UK- Final Thoughts

While I love living in London, not having these basic life conveniences makes some days very tough. I’ve written about other things Americans will miss in London (like differences in Christmas celebrations) but would love to read what you can add, if you’re an American expat here too. Finally, here is a review of my international shipping company and a discount on your shipping.

Also, if you’re British and can add a reverse comparison, that would be appreciated by us all too!

If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates of advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide.

5 Things British People Say that Drive Me Crazy!

There’s a few things British people say that really make me shake my head as an American expat living in London. I am not referring to the general words that are nearly common knowledge for their other names now on both sides of the pond. They have been posted and documented to death:

– French Fries vs Chips
– Band Aids vs. Plasters
– Elevator vs. Lift
– Apartment vs. Flat
– Baby Stroller vs. Pram
– blah, blah, blah, blah…

No. It’s not those issues words that make my skin crawl.

Don’t get me wrong. I love living in London. My husband is British, and I love him too. However, in the time that I have lived in London, there’s a few things British people say that make me go crazy when I hear them. Every. Single. Time.

In fact, let’s start with that.

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1. Things British People Say- ‘Mental’

Instead of saying ‘go crazy’, people in England say ‘mental’. For example, a British person would say, ‘The traffic is mental’ or ‘My schedule is mental.’ Oh yeah, and they’d probably say it like ‘shhhhedule’ also. But that’s a completely separate blog post. 😉

To me, the term sounds awkward and very harsh on my American ears. It’s just plain crazy.

2. Things British People Say- ‘You Alright?’

I swear the first few months I lived here I was constantly paranoid about how I looked. Every time I saw someone that I either already knew or had just met, he or she said, ”You alright?’ It sounds like this: ‘Y’awwwwwwwroyt.’

Yep. One big long strangely exaggerated syllable. Y’all sound silly.

When my husband would introduce me to his mates friends at a pub, I felt I had something on my face or had a weird rash on my neck that everyone was curious about.

Why wouldn’t I be alright? What was wrong with me that I didn’t know or see?

After a month or two I realized this greeting is best equated to, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ in America. When we ask this, we don’t really want an answer from the person. It’s more like we’re just saying ‘Yo!’ with a head nod.

That’s not to be confused with ‘YOLO’, which is wildly annoying on both sides of the pond.

3. Things British People Say- ‘But’

Once you accomplish getting a British person to engage in a conversation with you that’s not about the weather, there’s the inevitable ‘but’.

I have no issues with the word. Obviously. But- the way it’s said presents never ending torture for me. It seems to be more peculiar to certain accents in England, but Londoners manage to turn it in to what feels like four syllables and 35 solid seconds of noise. ‘Buuuuuu-uhhhhhhh-uuuuuu-tttt.’

Anyhowwwwwww….things-british-people-say-drive-me-crazy

4. Things British People Say- ‘Gym Kit’

What in Sam hell is a gym kit? Each time I hear a Brit call a gym bag and its contents a ‘gym kit’ I want to stay away from a fitness centre. It sounds too much like a ‘medical kit’ to me, AKA first aid supplies.

Is it common to do CPR at a gym in England? Do they carry around portable difibileators in their ‘kits’? Perhaps they have a stash of Bengay and paracetamol Tylenol in the bag? Antiseptic? Who knows. It’s such a verbal exercise on my ears.

5. Things British People Say- ‘It’s Not an Issue’ and ‘It’s Quite Simple, Really’

These two phrases seem to get tossed around together in conversations with British people. Foremost, when I ask a question, many times the response begins with ‘It’s not an issue.’

Hmmmm.

Does this translate to ‘don’t be so overly American-dramatic about the situation?’ What exactly is an issue?

Then, a few minutes later when the answer is addressed, the response closes with ‘It’s quite simple, really.’

Oh. ok. If it’s that simple, a small yes or no will do. Why the sideways finish?

I could really keep ‘going on about’ the things British people say that drive me mental crazy, but it may be best to take a full stop here.things-british-people-say-drive-me-crazy

Things British People Say- Disclaimer

I hope that anyone British who reads this (Sorry) blog post realises the intent is fun. Sorry. I really do love your accents and idiosyncrasies. Sorry. Please add your (sorry) comments and thoughts below. Aaaaaaaand… definitely  don’t hesitate to add what (sorry) things Americans say that drive you crazy. Buuuuut, do so tactfully, Sunny mates friends.

Sorry.

 

The Sunny News YouTube channel has a playlist full of videos comparing life in the UK vs USA. Some of the topics include differences on: television options, grocery store and food shopping, schools, cultural exchanges, and choosing a hotel in London. The most popular video is below. And it sure has some interesting comments!

THE ESSENTIAL FIRST TIME GUIDE TO

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HARRY POTTER

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YOUTUBE

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