Calling all Europeans...

[Maldur]

To be honest, if you go to a country where english is not the primary language, even if the bulk of people can understand it I wouldn't expect to be able to get away with just speaking english. If you're going to live there you almost certainly *will* need to know the national language.

But as you have kids this will be much easier. Those two will speak any language faster than you will so youll be able to learn with them.

Still have a long vacation this side of the pond. You might hate it. And then all your preparations will be for nothing.

And dont worry about any gaming, will be able to set you up with a game in notime

 

[The Grey Dwarf]

Just not Brussles!

-W.

Obviously !

But one of my colleagues from Miami bought a house in Brussels and doesn't want to go back to the US.

Be careful, Europe is addictive ...

 

[Ravellion]

I know several people in the Netherlands who just don't bother learning Dutch. Two of them are Americans, one of them an Englishman. One of them has lived here for almost 20 years.

Not speaking either Dutch when you are visibly of Marrocan or Turkish descent however, will get you the evil eye pretty quickly by certain population groups. That's usually all though (that, and lots and lots and lots of political discussion).

Despite all the tolerance Dutch society stimulates, the Dutch people still have human faults. Well, some of them .

Rav

 

[Conaill]

Just not Brussles!

Actually, even Brussles has it's benefits, especially as an american expatriat. It probably has the largest american community, plus american schools, if those things are important to you. Other than that, yeah, there's nicer places in Belgium to live than Brussles

Also, you may find it easier to integrate into the local population in a big city than in the countryside. If you do decide to settle somewhere in a village with 2000 inhabitants, you'll always be seen as "that american couple".

 

[Bluewolf]

Before moving

Before moving from the US I would strongly advise you contact the UK American Embassy. They would probably be the best people to direct you to correct sources of infomation.

However I must warn you that property prices within London can vary from £150,000 to above and beyond £2 million. If you are planning on having a large home, 4 bedrooms, I would consider looking on the outskirts of London.

Richmond, an area towards the edge of London, no longer has property below the £500,000 for over 4 bedrooms. This is but one area.

Best of luck if your planning on moving!!

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Richmond is an extremely nice place to live, however, so don't take that as a standard example!

Rich and famous people live in Richmond. I should know. They kept coming in the pub I worked in.

 

[The It's Man]

Australian Table Wines by Monty Python

(...)Although.. those old musty European wines will never be as good as the wonderful Austrailian ones

A lot of people in this country pooh-pooh Australian table wines. This is a pity, as many fine Australian wines appeal not only to the Australian palette, but also to the cognoscenti of Great Britain.

Black Stump Bordeaux is rightly praised as a peppermint flavoured Burgundy, whilst a good Sydney Syrup can rank with any of the world's best sugary wines.

Chateau Bleu, too, has won many prizes; not least for its taste, and its lingering afterburn.

Old Smokey, 1968 has been compared favourably to a Welsh claret, whilst the Australian wino society thouroughly recommends a 1970 Coq du Rod Laver, which, believe me, has a kick on it like a mule: 8 bottles of this, and you're really finished -- at the opening of the Sydney Bridge Club, they were fishing them out of the main sewers every half an hour.

Of the sparkling wines, the most famous is Perth Pink. This is a bottle with a message in, and the message is BEWARE!. This is not a wine for drinking -- this is a wine for laying down and avoiding.

Another good fighting wine is Melbourne Old-and-Yellow, which is particularly heavy, and should be used only for hand-to-hand combat.

Quite the reverse is true of Chateau Chunder, which is an Appelachian controle, specially grown for those keen on regurgitation -- a fine wine which really opens up the sluices at both ends.

Real emetic fans will also go for a Hobart Muddy, and a prize winning Cuiver Reserve Chateau Bottled Nuit San Wagga Wagga, which has a bouquet like an aborigine's armpit.

 

[Sixchan]

Re: Australian Table Wines by Monty Python

A lot of people in this country pooh-pooh Australian table wines. This is a pity, as many fine Australian wines appeal not only to the Australian palette, but also to the cognoscenti of Great Britain.

Black Stump Bordeaux is rightly praised as a peppermint flavoured Burgundy, whilst a good Sydney Syrup can rank with any of the world's best sugary wines.

Chateau Bleu, too, has won many prizes; not least for its taste, and its lingering afterburn.

Old Smokey, 1968 has been compared favourably to a Welsh claret, whilst the Australian wino society thouroughly recommends a 1970 Coq du Rod Laver, which, believe me, has a kick on it like a mule: 8 bottles of this, and you're really finished -- at the opening of the Sydney Bridge Club, they were fishing them out of the main sewers every half an hour.

Of the sparkling wines, the most famous is Perth Pink. This is a bottle with a message in, and the message is BEWARE!. This is not a wine for drinking -- this is a wine for laying down and avoiding.

Another good fighting wine is Melbourne Old-and-Yellow, which is particularly heavy, and should be used only for hand-to-hand combat.

Quite the reverse is true of Chateau Chunder, which is an Appelachian controle, specially grown for those keen on regurgitation -- a fine wine which really opens up the sluices at both ends.

Real emetic fans will also go for a Hobart Muddy, and a prize winning Cuiver Reserve Chateau Bottled Nuit San Wagga Wagga, which has a bouquet like an aborigine's armpit.

It's all bad grape juice to me. I hate wine. But many of my friends enjoy Australian wines.