Meghan is an American expat who has been living in the UK for the past eleven years. She is married to a British man, and they live in Worthing with their three children. Meghan is the author of a book about raising kids abroad, Bringing Up Brits: Expat Parents Raising Cross-Cultural Kids in Britain.
Read more about living in the United Kingdom in our UK guide, or read more about expat experiences in the UK.
About Meghan
Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Knoxville, TN, but I was born in Korea (I was adopted at the age of eight months and grew up in the USA).
Q: Where are you living now?
A: Worthing, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Q: How long have you lived here?
A: Six years (11 years total in Britain)
Q: Did you move with a spouse/children?
A: I moved with my British spouse (but he was not my spouse at the time I moved; we got married a year after I moved to Britain.)
Q: Why did you move; what do you do?
A: I moved because my British boyfriend (now my husband) is from England, and he wanted to move back. At the time, we were both living and working in Tokyo.
I am a designer, and I run my own design company. I am also the author of a book called Bringing Up Brits: Expat Parents Raising Cross-Cultural Kids in Britain.
About living in the United Kingdom
Q: What do you enjoy most about Worthing? How’s the quality of life?
A: I love the seaside feel of it. Even in the winter, it is nice to walk along the beach for some fresh air and sea breeze. The quality of life is good, but things are pretty expensive (in Britain in general).
Q: Any negatives? What do you miss most about home?
A: I miss the food, the grocery stores, the friendliness and openness of the people and the sense of community.
Q: Which are the best places/suburbs to live in Worthing as an expat?
Q: How do you rate the standard of accommodation in the UK?
A: Okay. The houses are much smaller compared to American houses and far more expensive. You don’t have things like closets, laundry rooms/areas or front yards like you do in America. Only one bathroom is standard in a three-bedroom house. In America, you’d have at least ½ bath in a three-bed house. Of course, if your budget is higher than GBP 300,000, you could have a bigger house or, if you live further north of London, you get more house for your money. We live in a three-bedroom Victorian terrace, and it is small with a tiny backyard, no parking, and no garage, but it is very expensive.
Q: What’s the cost of living compared to home? What is cheap or expensive in particular?
A: Houses are more expensive here, clothes and shoes are more expensive here. Kids’ clubs and activities are more expensive here. I don’t think anything is cheaper here, apart from some types of childcare.
Q: What are the locals like; do you mix mainly with other expats?
A: I only know one other expat who lives in Worthing, and she is Canadian. There are not many expats living in Worthing at all. The locals are nice, but it’s hard to meet people and get to know people. Neighbours mainly keep themselves to themselves.
Q: Was it easy meeting people and making friends in the UK?
A: No, not at all. Over the years, I have made friends, but I still find it hard to get past that initial stage. People already have their own set of friends, and they have their families here, so they are not as open to meeting people. Especially when you are older and have kids, so you don’t go out a lot in the evenings. I meet a lot of people, and I see a lot of people at the school gates and through my business, but actually making friends is really hard.
About working in the UK
Q: Did you have a problem getting a work visa/permit?
A: No, because I was married to a British national.
Q: What’s the economic climate like in the UK? Is there plenty of work?
A: Yes, but I’m not sure about work for younger people or graduates.
Q: How does the work culture differ from home?
A: Americans probably have a stronger work ethic overall, and I think they have fewer national days off. People are less willing to pitch in for ‘the good of the company’ and tend to view weekends as strictly non-working days. So it is different. The terminology is also different and takes some getting used to.
Family and children in the UK
Q: Did your spouse or partner have problems adjusting to their new home?
A: My husband is British, so no, he was happy to be ‘home’.
Q: What are the schools like? Do you have any particular suggestions?
A: The schools are generally very good. I have been really pleased with all the schools my children have gone to and are currently attending. I would recommend looking at all the options carefully, visiting the schools and meeting the head teacher. Ask questions and be assertive with the teachers.
Q: How would you rate the healthcare?
A: Very good. Although the British NHS gets a lot of negative press, it’s actually very good for families and children. The system is completely different from the States, though, so it takes some getting used to. I have never had a problem with any aspect of it.
And finally…
Q: Is there any other advice you like to offer new expat arrivals?
A: Join some type of group, whether it be a networking group, community group, baby and toddler group, church group or something else. Even if your first attempt is not successful, keep at it and stay positive; you will eventually meet some nice people and start to make friends. It took me four years to make friends and feel a part of something. I really put myself out there and got knocked back many times. I didn’t have any support from friends or family (my husband was too busy with work, and he had his own friends) and found it very difficult to fit in and make friends. It takes time to learn the social etiquette and terminology as well.
~ Interviewed May 2012
