UK or USA/London or New York? (apartment, safe neighborhood)

[Beetlez]

Originally Posted by krichton

This is why nyc is one of the most exciting cities in the world. There's always that fear of death that you simply wouldn't get elsewhere unless you traveled to some third world country.

This is absolutely ludicrous. Unless you're in a high-crime part of the city (which this family obviously won't be moving to) your chances of being killed are practically zero. The same goes for most other American cities. Violent crimes are generally quite localized.

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by PetuniaP

It's hard to for me to choose between the cities because New York is my home and I love it. But if you can afford London, I say go for it. I'd rather raise kids in Europe than in the US. I think the education here isn't as good and kids are spoiled. London in many ways is more cosmopolitan than NYC, and your children will be exposed to more of the world. The US is very self-focused and xenophobic. Plus, Europeans work to live while Americans live to work. I think you will find more time to spend with your kids in London than you will here between the late hours and the commuting.

This is NOT true of the UK. Vacation time aside, Londoners (especially in finance) work much more like Americans than the French or Germans. It's the long hours capital of Europe. This is a really common misconception Americans have. Yes, we get 4 weeks holiday here; it's very nice. But I know people working in finance who work 70 hours a week and do not see their kids.

I've lived in London for 4 years and have had 1 child here, and I'd say New York. Westchester schools are as good as you're used to in Essex and there's no 11+ or applications system. You're guaranteed a place in your local school. Period. Housing and property tax aside your money will go further in New York (and a comparable house will be bigger in the US, and detached to boot). Americans can be a little more materialistic, but there is a lot of variation and if you want low-materialism, you can find it. Up to you.

The OP lives in Chelmsford, not London proper, so "cosmopolitan" doesn't come into it, I think.

As for the weather, I prefer New York; I must be a weirdo!

NHS does not cover treatment outside the UK.

[krichton]

Originally Posted by Beetlez

This is absolutely ludicrous. Unless you're in a high-crime part of the city (which this family obviously won't be moving to) your chances of being killed are practically zero. The same goes for most other American cities. Violent crimes are generally quite localized.

You know what's the biggest mistake ppl/victims make? Thinking they're always safe.

[AlexisT]

You're not always safe, but NYC is very safe as big cities go. Again, I've lived in both; London is more dangerous these days. 2 men were stabbed on the street near me recently.

[Beetlez]

Originally Posted by krichton

You know what's the biggest mistake ppl/victims make? Thinking they're always safe.

That's a straw-man that has nothing to do with what I said. The fact is, if you stay out of certain relatively dangerous parts of the city (which you'd probably never have any reason to go to) your risk of being murdered by a stranger are basically nil. Obviously, this doesn't mean you should walk around blindly and be completely unaware of your surroundings.

[swim73088]

if you live in London stay as central as possible as it is definitely the best place to live. the rest of London is great (i LOVE Hampstead) but the problem is that allot of the housing is mixed where multi-million pound homes are situated next to horribly dilapidated 60's/70's era public housing. this is the reason why they say crime is higher in London...it actually isn't at all but the average Londoner is much more likely to be a victim of it because the housing is so mixed.

[hotdog1972]

i would consider the amazingly cheap houses with pools 4 bed + for only £200k in NY vs a 2 bed flat in uk for same price i know where i want to be......

[Fata Morgana]

Originally Posted by ajeleonard

I live in here and the £35,000 salary your husband has been offered is a really derisory salary for London. I'm only 23 and made nearly twice that last year! The exact same job in London generally pays slightly more than New York (I make 16% more than the person doing my exact job in our Manhattan office) to cover the cost of living. So if your husband can command a salary of $95k in New York, he should be looking at around £50-55k here. If he is being offered less then tell the employer where to stick it. So many employers here think they can get away with paying foreigners badly because they will put up with it to live here, an American friend was offered £17k out of college when we (her British freinds) were offered 3x that in base and bonus package

I totally agree with this. The amt offered for London is fairly ludicrous given the NYC amt.

[mead]

Originally Posted by hotdog1972

i would consider the amazingly cheap houses with pools 4 bed + for only £200k in NY vs a 2 bed flat in uk for same price i know where i want to be......

Where are you going to find a house with 4 bedrooms and a pool for $400k? Thats crazy. Even small little houses by me cost closer to $500k.

[yosser]

If you are Spanish originally neither you nor your children will never be considered a Brit. I was born of Indian parents in England and went to a posh boarding school/university etc and was always made to feel a foreigner. Although I lived there 26yrs people always asked me where I was from although I have an English accent etc. The first time I actually felt British was when I came to the US where they judge you on your mannerisms/upbringing etc.
I feel the US is a very fair place where if you work hard you will make it.
35K in London is a paupers existence. The NHS is free but it is in a dire state, petty crime everywhere and the country just blames everything on the "uncontrolled immigration". For your childrens sake don't even consider staying.