C r a z y. 

I was telling a friend/borderline complaining about our big move and everything it entails including almost daily inquiries to Taylor's future employer; visa requirements; packing and selling our possessions; and maneuvering a large supply of needed information, trying to comprehend what we need to be successful. He brushed it off quickly and unapologetically said, 'No one feels bad for you.'

Point taken. 

So instead of complaining, I'll try to informative. I know from a previous post that I have at least one reader and friend who is moving to the UK! So I'd love to share what I've learned so far and great sources of information that I've still got to sort through. 

We have been selling our nearly brand-new furniture on KSL and Craig's list. They have less than 8 months of use and they are in perfect condition. So we still have a coffee table and standing lamp with which we will happily part :)

We are totally moved out of our apartment in Sandy and will be spending a month with my in-laws in Holladay until we fly to the East Coast for Taylor's training. Next week, I will, unfortunately, be getting a tonsillectomy. Yikes! So if I'm miserable or you call and I don't answer, I either have no voice or I will be sleeping.

We found a place to stay in New York through Airbnb. So much more reliable than anything we tried to organize through Craig's list. I don't know how often people fall into that trap but there were many fraudulent offers with gorgeous pictures of apartments at ridiculously amazing prices ($1,000 USD for one month's rent in downtown NYC?) There were kind sounding people answering email inquiries but the fishy-sounding deal began to reek of straight lies. They request pay in full by wire transfer. We looked into the forms of transfer (i.e. MoneyGram) and the fees alone are a reason to seek another form of payment. Our mystery host refused debit/credit card transactions. We just abandoned all hopes of finding credible sources from which to rent after about a week of sifting through ads. 

We found Airbnb and later received several suggestions to check this out. (The link is to the their FAQs). But this site has 30K cities worldwide for traveling and you can become a host, too.

Things we like about it:
-Direct contact with the renter/host
-legitimate forms of payment (accept credit cards, too)
-real time availability of rentals with well-organized maps and calendars
-rent is comparable (and in some cases much more economic) to hotels
-options for fully furnished apartments, homes, etc make a short stay so much more convenient than even an extended-stay hotel

The best roundabout way to describe this service if you are completely unfamiliar with it would be to think of the movie, The Holiday. (Haven't seen it? Go find it. It's a goodie) Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet switch houses for the holidays through a home exchange website. This is kinda like that.

Our rental is a one-bedroom apartment located in downtown NYC and we couldn't be more excited about our month stay there. Taylor will be training from July 14-August 14.



Here's what I have about London specifically, however I will specify when a blog/site is great for general UK knowledge...

First, I have learned over and over again that London is NOT a cheap city. Non-essentials and things like dining out are $$$ big bucks.
But guess what exists in the UK??

Clicking will take you to the London sites. Hurray for familiar "deal" sites!
I really wouldn't even know about Living Social and Groupon if it wasn't for Taylor. He's a pro. We got great deals on some items to help us with the organization of our future London flat. It's sure to be small (there is no other choice for our budget nor in Central London) so we have to be frugal with our space.


London Blogs:

Girl in London:
I LOVE this blog. Cheylene from Nevada, USA relocated to London a few years ago. With this experience getting her visas, moving between flats, and learning the ins and outs of UK banking and taxes, Cheylene has been able to translate British life to something a US expatriate can understand. She writes about everything from day-to-day items to restaurants and groceries and important information about US versus UK taxes, council tax and British basics. Follow her!

Young Rubbish:
Taylor's friend, Jon, from Connecticut and his wife, Jess, post on this blog documenting their recent move across the pond. They take spectacular day trips and explore London together and let us all read about it. Jon is an accountant and Jess is a fabulous photographer. Check out their adventures!

Makeup and Beauty Blog:
This might be a little random but it's actually great blog that I will definitely be using in London. Fee posts about low-cost products on the high street and online deals. I appreciate the reviews and will rely heavily on them as I make the switch to UK brands. Gotta stay pretty, ya know?

Instagram:

Even if you're not planning a move there, check these out for amazing photos from talented photographers. Maybe you'll visit and you'll know what you want to see in person! There were a few weeks where posts consisted of 'off the beaten path' London gems. Those were my favorite!

@london

@jacob

@mumhad1ofthose
@sparrowflu
@london_only
@ash
@jhyattphoto
@karl.1

I'll post more about London apps and other helpful hints as we actually get to use them.
Other than these sources, TALK, TALK, TALK.
I tell some pretty random people about what we are getting ready to do and they want to help! Usually I get the "oh, I love London. You'll totally love it." and nothing more. Then there are kind folks like the manager of my favorite makeup store at the Fashion Place mall <<who is a sweetheart and taught me to do my makeup for my wedding and bridal photos. Still remembers me EVERY time I go and get some more beauty supplies>>. Her whole family currently lives in London and in Birmingham. She gave me their information so that I could ask questions and maybe even hang out with them once we get there! Friends of friends are better than no friends at all :)

For $$, we will be setting up a UK account (to be explained in a future post) but here in the U.S. we bank with Chase. We got the Chase Sapphire Preferred card because it has the handy dandy EMV chip that is more commonly used outside the US. Not only does the chip help, but the card relieves us of all foreign transaction fees! Winner! With the 40,000 signup bonus and 5,000 points for adding an authorized user, we got sufficient points to use our travel benefits for my ticket to London (Taylor's ticket was provided). So wherever we travel in Europe, we can use this card.

Charles Schwab has an ATM card that reimburses any ATM fees. No ATM fees for the lifetime of our account with Charlie? Yes, please!

We have more to do and think about. We have a head start on what to do about with our cell phones but I'll have to look into it more so info coming soon!

I have loved every lesson we've learned together and look forward to soooooo many more. 

I cannot think of a more comforting and hopeful thought than the promised blessings of eternal companionship and family through our commitment to live in accordance to the promises we made in the House of The Lord. 

 I recently read a great post from the Matt Walsh blog (link to article) about the "D" word (divorce). Something that is not even in our vocabulary as a married couple. Matt Walsh talks about people having "Divorce Parties".... that's a thing? What is being celebrated? It breaks my heart. The "D" affects more than two people who decide that they will part ways.

And to quote a Miranda Lambert song,
Anywho, maybe no one will pay much attention to little ol' me when I've presented my marriage experience as brand-spanking new but check back in 40 years ok? 

ALL THE CHANGE
We have graduated and received the marvelous pieces of expensive paper with our respective University seals. (Go Utes!)

We were informed that Taylor starts training on July 14 so we will fly out to New York the Saturday before to get settled into the city. Many blessing came raining down as we just discovered that Papa Larson will also be in New York at the same time! Yay! That'll be great.

Training for Taylor ends August 15 so the next day, we will be on our way to London. Taylor will have some additional courses/training to complete before starting at the beginning of September. I hope that means that we will have a little time to FIND A FLAT and get to know our new home before he really digs into his workload (which we still don't know exactly what that will look like...)

I am still looking for a job. Hopefully everything pans out with my job, a flat, shipping and moving. My plan is to have a few London Prep posts. You know, just in case anyone else happens to be turning their life upside down and moving to the UK. And to inform our friends and family of what our life has been like preparing to go and what it will be like learning British English and maneuvering this huge change!