Just found out I am moving to England!

[luvfigment]

Hello I don't mean to hijack the board but I figured you guys would be the best to help me answer some questions about my upcoming move to England. My DFi is in the AF and we just got orders to Lakenhealth AFB and I had some questions. Just in case you couldn't tell I am American and have never been to England or Europe so...will me electronics/hair dryer etc. work there or will I have to get an adapter thingy?

Also I read that Lakenhealth is 70-80 miles northeast from London and about 30 miles from Cambridge so what airport would I use do I have a choice? (sorry about the miles not sure about the conversion to Kilometes )

If we went to WDW from England how long is the flight and what is the price range for the tickets?

Does anyone know what kind of area it is around Lakenhealth?

Ok I guess I will stop my questions for now. I would really appreciate all the help y'all can give me. I am really looking forward to the move...and to see the UK and all of Europe. If you have any suggestions on where to visit in the UK let me know! Thanks!!!!

 

[AndRu]

Welcome to dear old Blighty

You will need an adapter to use electrical equipment just as we need to use an adapter when with our stuff when we come to the USA. I'm sure that your partners colleagues will be able to help you with this kind of thing when you get here.

The nearest airport (apart from Lakenheath which has a massive runway!) is Stansted but I don't think this does flights to/from the USA. The main 2 airports in the south of the country for flights to America are Heathrow to the west of London and Gatwick to the south. Typical flying time from England to Orlando is 9.5 hours. As for price, that's a "piece of string question". It all depends on who you fly with and when. You just have to keep looking for the right deals! If you fly in February it will be a lot cheaper than flying in July / August. The airlines jack up their prices massively during school holidays so if you can fly when kids are at school you'll save a packet. As for Lakenheath, I've only been there to view the fighters taking off and landing - nothing quite like an F15 on full reheat streaking into the sky!

I guess you'll have a lot of fun exploring and going to London but even though I was born there I don't like it. It's too busy, noisy & dirty - the best part of London is the train out! But, it's here and you have to go. Also have a look at visiting places like York (Historic, good for shopping), the Peak District (beautiful countryside), Scotland (someone has to go ) and Snowdonia in Wales, an area that I think is the most picturesque and tranquil in the whole of the British Isles. Oh, one downside is that I think you'll find that the UK (especially London) is expensive.

Good luck on your new venture.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi and welcome! Wow, what a change for you! My DH works for a big US bank so we're permanently waiting for the word to move across the pond ourselves!

I'm not sure about the location of Lakenheath but I'm guessing that Heathrow and maybe Birmingham International would be the airports for you. It'll probably be a 9 hour flight to WDW.

Your hairdryer should be OK with an adaptor but could work out better to get new stuff when here...

Sorry I'm not more helpful but it's nice to meet you and I wish you the best of luck.
Best wishes, Karenxxx

 

[jen_uk]

Welcome to the UK!! I dont know anything about the area you are moving to so Im not much help really, sorry!

My advice is bring a brolly because it rains lots here and when it doesnt rain for a few days we have threats of hosepipe bans! Seriously though, I hope you are very happy here.

 

[mark&sue]

If you can't get out to WDW that much there is always Disneyland Paris which does not take long to get to either by Eurostar or even ferry.

Hope you enjoy your stay.


Susan

 

[casinocolin]

Hi,

I just like to welcome you to the uk, I am sure you will have fun. I think AndRu has given you the best answers to your questions, but if you enjoy boating take a holiday on the Norfolk Broads they are not far from Lakenheath and you will discover some of the Uk's most beautiful countryside and friendly folk.

Have a nice day and remember the magic.

 

[SammieG]

we have a differnt voltage in this country and different plugs (ours are three pronged) so I advise you get new hair stuff... or else yours might blow up! :O

 

[florida sun]

Welcome to the UK

 

[mandymouse]

Welcome to the UK, I hope you settle in well once you've moved over

 

[Claire L]

Hello and welcome, hope your move goes well. As for kilometres what are they?!? Luckily we still use the sensible measurement of the mile here in the UK

Claire

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Hello and welcome, hope your move goes well. As for kilometres what are they?!? Luckily we still use the sensible measurement of the mile here in the UK

Claire

What an exciting move for you! Welcome to the UK!

Claire, you took the words out of my mouth. I have no idea about kilometres. Everyone thinks we are metric over here but I don't know anyone who is. Even the road distance signs are still in miles. I think it's because the supermarkets changed the weights of fruit and veg to grams/kilos. Still don't understand those either.

I have never been on a flight from Gatwick to Orlando that's taken as long as 9.5 hours. I usually find the flight takes nearer 8 hours or just over. Maybe we're just lucky every July

 

[Claire L]

Yes as for flights we find they are usually about 8hrs 40mins going out and 7hrs 50mins coming back, with a good jet stream. Virgin Atlantic states times to Orlando as 9hrs 10mins and return as 8hrs 5mins. Cheaper times of the year to fly are January to March, May and September to mid December (but not the last full week of October as school Holidays).

Claire

 

[Goofyish]

Hope you enjoy your stay in the UK

Here's a few useful website I've dug up to help you:

http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/

http://freespace.virgin.net/lakenheath.2000/

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/lakenheath.html

http://www.48servicessquadron.com/

http://www.raflakenheath.homestead.com/raflakenheath.html

 

[Goofyish]

Welcome to dear old Blighty

You will need an adapter to use electrical equipment just as we need to use an adapter when with our stuff when we come to the USA.

You will need to check the operating voltage of all your electrical equipment. In the UK we use 230VAC. So if you equipment is OK to use up to this voltage then all you will need is an adapter. I'm sure that they have them for sale or loan on the base
If the equipment doesn't operator at 230VAC, then you will need to get new stuff I'm afraid.

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome to England

 

[rparmfamily]

I'm butting in here, but we are military and have lived in Europe. The base gave us different sized transformers to use w/our TV, lamps,etc but you would probably have better luck just buying a new toaster, hair dryer,etc. You may find that your electrical equipment (TV, stereo) actually has a 220/110 switch in the back, in which then you'll only need the little plug converter. (these are cheap and be bought at the base).

Good luck! I know we loved living in Europe and would love to go back, but we have orders to Hawaii so you won't hear any complaints from us!

 

[Beeincrazy4 da mouse]

Hi, know the area fairly well. Bury st edmunds is nearby, lovely park and the cathedral is worth a look if you get the chance, and of course there is Ipswich, Cambridge and Norwich, for shopping. and we arent so far away from London either. Good Luck with your move. And hope you have fun whilst you are in the uk.

 

[SerendipityBlue]

just wanted to say hello , i moved here nearly 15 years ago from florida/california and have never looked back since! if you have any questions or concerns, just drop me a line, as i remember what it was like when i first moved to the UK.
cheers! ella

 

[luvfigment]

Hi, know the area fairly well. Bury st edmunds is nearby, lovely park and the cathedral is worth a look if you get the chance, and of course there is Ipswich, Cambridge and Norwich, for shopping. and we arent so far away from London either. Good Luck with your move. And hope you have fun whilst you are in the uk.

What is the weather normally like? Does it snow at all? Thank you for your response.

 

[luvfigment]

I'm butting in here, but we are military and have lived in Europe. The base gave us different sized transformers to use w/our TV, lamps,etc but you would probably have better luck just buying a new toaster, hair dryer,etc. You may find that your electrical equipment (TV, stereo) actually has a 220/110 switch in the back, in which then you'll only need the little plug converter. (these are cheap and be bought at the base).

Good luck! I know we loved living in Europe and would love to go back, but we have orders to Hawaii so you won't hear any complaints from us!

Sorry it has taken me a while to respond things are a little busy. Anyways when they gave you the transformers did you rent them?

Where in Europe were you stationed? And man I am jealous that you get to go from FL to Hawaii...what branch?