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發表於 08-4-13 17:45 |只看該作者 |倒序瀏覽 |打印

Dear UK Parents

After moving into our first Australian Home (we bought recently), my wife and I have been exrtremely busy in unpacking the 20+ bags/packages for the last two weeks.

And we found the old VHS tapes we used to record our elder UK born boy while we were in London.

The Old Good Memories just keeps coming back.

And the facts that there are so many newly arrived UK families in our city (www.caloundra.qld.gov.au) and at our boys' school (www.ccs.qld.edu.au) have reminded us we are still missing all these UK TV programmes of "Top of the Pops", The Watchdog", "The Eastenders" etc., and the UK Food like Fish & Chips, the Chicken & Mushroom Pie - and of course, the big round circular road of M25! And the China Town in the Lecister Square!

Next Time, I am to share with you, why my wife and I had decided to leave HK 11 years ago for UK, and began what we did not know at the time, our journey of living overseas.

Have a Great Sunday.

Cheers
Fate
Learning the Past, Shaping the Future

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 08-4-21 14:20 編輯 ]

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發表於 08-4-13 19:05 |只看該作者

回覆 #1 Fate 的文章

Hello fate,

Can't wait to hear your sharing of the UK living experience, as my little family of 4 is planning our UK move in the very near future, possibly by end of this year. We are thinking about St Albans, are you familiar with this area? I have two boys, by the time we move to UK, my elder one should be in Primary two, and the younger one should be in Primary 1. Am struggling about if I should put them in a public school (no school fee) or in a private independent school (expensive fee).

And hello to all UK moms here, AJmom

:pint:

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Fate

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發表於 08-4-14 17:35 |只看該作者

The 1 Million $ Question

Hi AJ Mom

It must have been very exciting for you lot to now plan the move to UK. A New Life. A New Beginning..... Life is having something to Look Forward to.

(Just like I have two Mark 6 to look forward to every week while in HK!)

I have quickly checked the website, www.streetmap.co.uk, to ensure my memory is correct.

And it is - St Albans is about 20 km NW from where we last lived (Totteridge, London N20) in UK.

As it is just outside M25, it falls into the Hertfordshire rather than the Greater London Area. The Tube (i.e. the Underground) therefore does NOT go as far, but there is a BR train service available.

That's all I know about St Alban.
(Could I ask WHY St Alban?)

Our Living Experience in London may not be too update for you, as we left UK back in Dec 2001 - just in time for a Great Christmas in HK then!

But our experience of trying to be a Responsible Parent may be of More Value to you.

Like you now, back in 97 while in HK, we were considering having a child and did not wish our child to have too much pressure from school, so we started planning to emigrate to UK, where I did my GCE "O" & "A" Level, and Univesity between 79 and 85.

Like you now, back in 02 while in HK, we were comparing the pros and cons for Private and Public School, as we were planning to emigrate to NZ.

You have asked a Million $ Question :

Public Vs Private School - which type is Better?

Before expressing my personal view on this Always Controversial topic, could I first ask you Two Questions :

1) What are the Criterion you would use when choosing a school for your children ?

(i.e. other than it is a Public/Private one.)

2) What is your Definition of a "Good" school?

Cheers
Fate
The Best Education comes from....................

原文章由 AJmom 於 08-4-13 19:05 發表
Hello fate,

Can't wait to hear your sharing of the UK living experience, as my little family of 4 is planning our UK move in the very near future, possibly by end of this year. We are thinking about ...

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 08-4-14 17:39 編輯 ]

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發表於 08-4-15 19:00 |只看該作者

回覆 #3 Fate 的文章

Many thanks for your sharing.  We think it's the best time to move back to UK as<img src="./images//sad.gif" border="0" smilieid="2" alt=":(" />1) kids' education and character development;(2)Career advancement for my husband;(3) can afford to own a real house with nice garden.  St Alban seems meet our needs in the above mentioned concerns.  There are few good schools in the area, property prices are within our budget, my husband is quite possibility working in north London, a 30-min train ride will be okey for him.  The downside is that we will live a bit far away from our family as mine live in Hong Kong, and his parents live in Canada.<br /><br />Most likely we will opt for the private independent school because of the high academic standards and small classes setting, as well as the ability to differentiated for individual pupils' needs. However, it is the expensive school fees that makes uswondering if at least we should try to finding out first whether or not there is a good public school available that can meet our criteria.  Any advise in this aspect is much appreciated.  AJmom

[ 本文章最後由 AJmom 於 08-4-15 19:01 編輯 ]

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Fate

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發表於 08-4-15 20:45 |只看該作者

My Personal Preference and Observations

Hi AJmom

So, you lot have been living in UK before - this explains why you have chosen a "NON NEW IMMIGRANTS SETTLEMENT HOT SPOT". And you have obviously done your homework.

For me presonally, if Money is NOT an Issue and will NEVER be an Issue, then I will go for Private/Independent School. (Although paying 1500% More does NOT mean you are to get 1500% More in Return)

Other than the good reasons you have just mentioned (and several other good reasons mentioned previously by other parents in other forums), I would like to mention one seems to be always being Overlooked Point :-

The Networking.

Other than learning how to Think Logically, Plan Systematically, Written and Oral Communication Effectively, Calculate Correctly etc, as well as how to learn and develop their Social Mixing, Emotions Handling, Physical Strength and Mental Determination Skills etc, a child is actually "Networking" at school - and this Network is Effortless and Priceless because it is on the basis of "Friendship" (i.e. NOT because of Money, Power etc., like the Adults')

And the Networking, to me personally, is more likely to be a better one in a Private/Independent School Setting.

And in this increasingly Competitive World, a Good Networking is almost to guarantee a Better Start. One has to understand, in many instances in LIfe, it is NOT about what your Abilities are, but more about Whom you know that matters More.

It is also worth mentioning, after 10 year of searching over 4 Countries for the Best School, I would like to share with you my Four Observations :-

1) There is NO Best School in this World.

Like Every Country, Every School has Something to Offer.

The Only difference is,

What the school offers actually Matches what one needs at a particular point of time.

2) Other than the Top 10% & the Bottom 10%, the Majority of schools, in majority of places in this World, are More or Less the Same Standard;

3) The Best Education mostly comes from two parts :-

a) Parents

Children learn Most and Mainly from their Parents, AND Mainly from what their Parents DO than Say.

b) Hardship, Setbacks, Failures etc.

An individual learns their Most Important Skills in Life, More about Themselves, Others and the Nature when they are hit by all these Failures, Disappointments etc. in Life. How well they handle the Ugly Side of Life is to Determine how Happy or Successful they subsequently are.

Hope I have NOT confused you.

Cheers
Fate
Stay Clam. Stay Focus. And you will be There.

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 08-4-16 06:18 編輯 ]

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Fate

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發表於 08-4-16 12:41 |只看該作者

Be Kind

Hi AJMom

Trust you understand the Majority are mostly Wrong - that's why the Happier, Healthier, Wealthier etc. are always in Minority. (Just look at how many people suffering Massive Loss on Shares and Property Globally recently)

And the Majority put TOO MUCH Emphasis on the School, thinking that getting the "Best" school is Everthing, BE IT PRIVATE OR PUBLIC, and then they as parents do NOT have to do anything.

Remember, a child will learn how to write and read etc. eventually. Life is a Journey NOT a Competition. Pushing a child Too Hard, Too Early and in the Wrong Direction could only lead to Disastrous Consequences. As a Registered Nurse and Ex- Senior Police Inspector, my wife and I had witnessed many Tragedies over the years.

And NO parents deserve a Tragegy as a wake up call.

Nothing is better than 1-1, Personal Touch Life Education passing from Parents to Their Child.

AJMom,

The Child is Yours.
The Money is Yours.
And Naturally, the Decision is Yours.

But for me personally, as long as my boys are having 3H,

"Happy, Healthy and Harmless (to the Society)"

Everything else is Bonus.

Because I have learnt from Life that,

"Be Kind and Everything will Come to you."

Cheers
Fate
The Biggest Burden in Life is Parents' Unreasonable Expectations

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 08-4-17 22:51 編輯 ]

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發表於 08-4-17 20:44 |只看該作者

Thanks fate and kidslittle1 for your kind advise. My husband grew up in U.K., so he has some ideas and friends around. The challenges are actually on my side, such as how I can handle the childcare and house cleaning and cooking without a helper), family and friends are far away, finding the right school for kids, and getting them willingly to learn Chinese.

My list of worries is long.

The living cost in U.K. is expensive these days, I wonder how ordinary people survive? We have quite a good standard of life in Hong Kong because of the low income tax rate and affordable living costs enjoyed. But U.K. is a different world from these.

:pint:

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Fate

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發表於 08-4-18 10:18 |只看該作者

Difficult Circumstacnes

Hi AJ Mom

Glad to hear that your husband grew up in UK, that will certainly reduce Stress.

One word of Caution, though. Britain, like the remaining parts of the World, has changed so dramatically over the last few years, so be prepraed for many surprises.

One of which is, there are now at least 1 million Polish people in Birtain - and according to many recently arriving immigrants in Australia, they have left Britain because they could not compete with the Polish workers on Wages and Working Hours.

Yes, it is never Easy to Be a Responsible Parent.
But then again, it is also the Most Rewarding Challenge in Life :-

When you hear your child's Laughter - the Best Sound in the Universe;

When you have a Big Kiss from your child - the Best Touch in the World; and

When your child calls you "Mum"- the Best Recognition in Life.

It is all Well Worthy.

One would be surprised how little one needs to Be Happy. We did NO have internet connection for the 1 st week and TV connection for the first 2 weeks, when recently moved into our new house in Australia - but we, all four of us did NOT miss the above what appears to be the "Necessities" of the Morden Living.

We made the Most of the Circumstances, we read books, played games like "Monopoly", Chess etc., we tidied up, we rided bikes etc. One of the Qualities my wife and I believe in making a person more likely to be Successful is,

"Self- entertained."

(Being Alone does NOT = Lonely - one has to enjoy the Pleasure fo Being Alone at times)

I have NO doubt you are to make the Most of your New Circumstances once arriving Britain, and soon become a Happy Mum.

And you may wish to consider changing your Mentality to make yourself more Adoptable to the New Environment - changing your HK thinking of ,

"Doing Everything at the SAME Time";

"Getting it Right the FIRST Time and EVERYTIME " etc.

which Create Huge Stress.

Is it NOT your Whole Purpose of Living in Britain,

To have a Better Quality of Life?

(which normally associated with a Slower Pace)

Difficult Circumstacnes often Bring Out the Full Potentails of an Individual.

(Just like your Enemy making you Think Harder, Work Harder)

A few years on, when you look back, you have progressed and nothing had then pulled you back, and even the Most Difficult Circumstance will become part of the "Good Old Memories" - because you have survived and become a Better person.

Hope you do NOT mind me asking two questions :-

Do you HAVE to leave HK?

Do you HAVE to chose UK?

Have A Great Weekend - before arriving Great Britain!

Cheers
Fate
Life is about Making the Right Choices

原文章由 AJmom 於 08-4-17 20:44 發表
Thanks fate and kidslittle1 for your kind advise. My husband grew up in U.K., so he has some ideas and friends around. The challenges are actually on my side, such as how I can handle the childcare ...

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 08-4-18 10:38 編輯 ]

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發表於 08-4-19 00:23 |只看該作者

Balance of life

Hong Kong is a great place when you are a dual-income-no-kid household, and both of my husband and I used to do lots of trips, be it for business or pleasure, and we were working very long hours at the time, it was ok for us before when no kids to mind.

One of the main reasons for us to move to UK is that we would like to spend more family time together, which it's difficult with our current situation as my husband works very long hours and takes frequent business trips globally. Sometimes I feel like a single-mom with two children. At least when we move to U.K., my husband works shorter hours, and fly much less than it is now.

We spent some time in BC, Canada, do not like to live there at all.

[ 本文章最後由 AJmom 於 08-4-19 00:36 編輯 ]

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發表於 08-4-19 00:42 |只看該作者

Kidslitte1,

Could you please advise how to get a membership for such wholesales in UK as you have mentioned, many thanks.

:pint:

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kidslittle1

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發表於 08-4-19 09:43 |只看該作者

原文章由 AJmom 於 08-4-19 00:42 發表
Kidslitte1,

Could you please advise how to get a membership for such wholesales in UK as you have mentioned, many thanks.

Hi,

I have just PM you.

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Fate

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發表於 08-4-19 12:41 |只看該作者

In Your Best Interests

Hi AJMom

I have received a PM form a parent, raising some very good points, and she has agreed to me quoting here :-

"Fate, thanks for your sharing.........ajmom has stated she is to emigrate to uk in dec and to settle in st. alban. ...............I feel she now only needs specific advice on schools information (e.g. locations, fees) in st.alban and the cost of living in uk............she should then consider writing a post, asking such specific advice from uk moms........."

I believe she is right. Because you seem to have Already made up your minds on certain things, and only need particular advice in particular areas, and areas which I am NOT in the best position to help as I do NOT have Updated information about school performances or living costs. (Since I left UK 7 years ago)

It would therefore be in your BEST Interests to start two posts, something like :-

1) Advice on Primary Schools in Hertfordshire/near M25;

2) Advice on Cost of Living in Britain

Trust you undertstand most parents are very busy and therefore may NOT have time to clik on the post to read more, if they could NOT relate the Post Title to themselves. Many UK Moms would relate easily to your "School" & "Cost of Living" posts etc., and therefore Eager to share with you of their Experience.

Also, some parents may think it could be Inapppropraite to give you advice on schools, living costs etc., when they feel such advice is Unrelated to the current Post Title of "Good Old Memories"

Hope the above help and trust you are to make the Best Decision, based on the Best Information available at the time.

Cheers
Fate
Helping Those to Help Themselves

原文章由 AJmom 於 08-4-19 00:23 發表
Hong Kong is a great place when you are a dual-income-no-kid household, and both of my husband and I used to do lots of trips, be it for business or pleasure, and we were working very long hours at t ...

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發表於 08-4-20 14:31 |只看該作者

Yes, decision is made, and I am more looking into info for the cost of living, school, household management, etc. Thanks again for your kind sharing all along. As with the original heading of this thread said, still awaiting to hear those good old memories you have when you lived in England.

:pint:

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發表於 08-4-20 14:40 |只看該作者

Thanks Kidslittle1, got your PM, very useful. Am doing quite a bit research online, just to prepare as much as I can.

:pint:

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Kitchu

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發表於 08-4-20 23:59 |只看該作者

Hi there,

It seems that all of you like the life style in the UK very much.
I have been here for 3 years, but I could not get used to the living here.
Everything here is so expensive and I get no friends or relatives talked with.
Today, we got a car accident.
The other car accidentally hit us.
When my hubby tried to exchange information from the driver, he was asked to pull over.
But when we tried to move, the car drove away.
We couldn’t have chance to write down their register.
Actually, we were cheated by many British before.
My neighbors always give us long face.
Only a family will give us a warm wave when we meet on the road.

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ukmum

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發表於 08-4-21 00:13 |只看該作者

Hi Kitchu,

Sorry to hear that and are all of you okay ? It's just happened to us couple months before and first thing my hubby did, got out the car & took his mobile phone to take a picture of the scene and the car registration. Of course we claimed her. My neighbour is very nice, maybe you just meet some British who are not friendly. please don't be too upset.

By the way, i took my girl to see the GP after the car accident to make sure she's okay, my hubby & i got headache only.

Take care.

原文章由 Kitchu 於 08-4-20 23:59 發表
Hi there,

It seems that all of you like the life style in the UK very much.
I have been here for 3 years, but I could not get used to the living here.
Everything here is so expensive and I get no fr ...

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Fate

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發表於 08-4-21 14:41 |只看該作者

Let's ALL Share

Dear UK or soon to be in UK Parents

It seems that there is not enough avenues for UK Parents to prepare themselves Better for the coming Challenges in Life, like the ever rising cost of living, the ever rising numbers of "I do NOT care" people etc.

As such, I believe it would be Too Selfish for me to carry on my post as it is now as "Good Old Memories", and better change it to "Let's ALL Share", allowing UK Parents or those soon arrive UK Parents to share their Experience, their Knowledges, the Skills etc., aiming to help each other.

Let's Continue Sharing.

Cheers
Fate
Together We Make the World Happier

[ 本文章最後由 Fate 於 08-4-21 14:44 編輯 ]

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發表於 08-4-21 23:03 |只看該作者

Kitchu,

Sorry to hear you unpleasant experience. Do you have insurance to cover the car accident? Which part of England you are currently living in? Hanging-in there and try not to let negative people or incidents discouraging you. But I do understand there are tough times that you would wish youcan have friends nearby to talk to and go out with.

:pint:

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kidslittle1