Relocating to the US....any advice?

[Seagull58]

A couple of years ago I went to a speed-dating event. One of the women asked me where my accent was from. I said to her "well, where do you think?". She thought for quite a while but couldn't come up with a guess. I said "I'll give you a clue - I am from Europe and I speak English". After another pregnant pause, she finally offers: "Germany?"

I once tested some of my US colleagues with a football quiz. In answer to the question "name 5 London football teams" the first answer fired back was, of course, "Manchester United"! He then buried his head in his hands having, fairly quickly, realised the faux pas.

 

[sussexbornandbred]

Cheers Lyndhurst and So.CalGull, appreciate the advice re DMV, social security, and the tesco stores, all good to know....anywhere to get a decent pint of english beer? (assuming that Harvey's is a complete no-go...) Or recommendations for non-lager american beers to try?

As for the sarcasm and 'australian' comments, I've been working with americans for a while so am somewhat used to it, although they are all generally fairly well travelled to be fair to them. I'm actually kind of looking forward to experiencing the complete ignorance though and being able to come up with even more sarcastic responses...i like the "small island in europe that speaks english" one...not heard that before!

 

[HalifaxSeagull]

I've visited friends at walnut Creek. A lovely town about 35 mins from the centre of SF by the BART. Very safe, prosperous and 'clean' community. Easy access by motorway too. Quite expensive though...

 

[Insel affe]

I've visited friends at walnut Creek. A lovely town about 35 mins from the centre of SF by the BART. Very safe, prosperous and 'clean' community. Easy access by motorway too. Quite expensive though...

'clean' ?

Wifes family have a holiday home in a so called 'clean' community.... I would call it gated though, and the only mexicans you see are tending the gardens, sad but true the most clearly race divided country I have ever visited.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

....anywhere to get a decent pint of english beer? (assuming that Harvey's is a complete no-go...) Or recommendations for non-lager american beers to try?

Most of the big cities will have the better known UK brews, London Pride, Bass, Newcastle Brown etc. – even seen Timothy Taylor Landlord. But in the last 10 years the States has established so many craft beers and microbreweries that you’re spoilt for choice for decent beers. Just try some and see what you like. From the West Coast I like anything by Sierra Nevada which is based in California. Only thing is Americans seem to prefer beers to be served cooler than you may be used to in the UK. Still miss Harveys and Hophead.

Even if they think the Brit accent sounds Australian – American women love it!

 

[tedlit]

Most of the big cities will have the better known UK brews, London Pride, Bass, Newcastle Brown etc.

Specifically in SF.. Foley's have the usual suspects on tap, there's a deli up on Nob Hill (fnarr) that has a good British can/bottle selection.. and there's a shop run by a nutter from Yorkshire near Van Ness that keeps proper Mars bars, Crunchies, Irn Bru, etc.

That said.. the local stuff is pretty good too. 21st Amendement Brewing have some good brews and are a short walk away from Market St.. there's a Rogue brewpub near Chinatown.. in short, I don't think you're going to have to search for a good (if slightly small) pint.

I've been in San Antonio for two months, although I live in Portland - and EVERYONE down here thinks I'm South African. I just can't comprehend it.. although apparently my looks of constant confusion/irritation are quite amusing.

 

[HalifaxSeagull]

'clean' ?

Wifes family have a holiday home in a so called 'clean' community.... I would call it gated though, and the only mexicans you see are tending the gardens, sad but true the most clearly race divided country I have ever visited.

Wrong end of the stick I'm afraid...

It's a very clean and immaculately tidy town, similar to Carmel. I wasn't referring to the racial / socio demographics of the place! Which according to Wiki is...

The 2010 United States Census[12] reported that Walnut Creek had a population of 64,173. The population density was 3,246.2 people per square mile (1,253.4/km²). The racial makeup of Walnut Creek was 50,487 (78.7%) White, 1,035 (1.6%) African American, 155 (0.2%) Native American, 8,027 (12.5%) Asian, 125 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 1,624 (2.5%) from other races, and 2,720 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,540 persons (8.6%).

 

[Insel affe]

Wrong end of the stick I'm afraid...

It's a very clean and immaculately tidy town, similar to Carmel. I wasn't referring to the racial / socio demographics of the place! Which according to Wiki is...

The 2010 United States Census[12] reported that Walnut Creek had a population of 64,173. The population density was 3,246.2 people per square mile (1,253.4/km²). The racial makeup of Walnut Creek was 50,487 (78.7%) White, 1,035 (1.6%) African American, 155 (0.2%) Native American, 8,027 (12.5%) Asian, 125 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 1,624 (2.5%) from other races, and 2,720 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5,540 persons (8.6%).

I was not inferring anything towards your good self, I have heard the expresson clean before in America and they were impyling the racial mix of an area by very wealthy people aswell which is even more scary than a thug saying that, because a wealthy man imploys people and has standing in the community they live more often than not. All in all America is a wonderful place.