Moving to Bristol, UK--recommendations appreciated

[Anonymous]

We are moving to Bristol in the UK this summer and I'm looking for some great recommendations. I'd really appreciate any advice on neighborhoods on the north side of the river, preschools (especially private, international or language immersion ones), doctors, and American dentists? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Load up on your Vitamin D supplements

[Anonymous]

Do you need a nanny? Take me with you!

[Anonymous]

American dentists?? LOL!

I have a friend that lives there so I could ask for you, though she's single with no kids so might not know much about the schools.

[Anonymous]

Why do you need an American dentist?

I grew up in England and used an English dentist. I had my first cavity at the age of 38. And no, I didn't take fluoride supplements.

[Anonymous]

The healthcare system is great
You get more vacation

[Anonymous]

Can I ask what is moving you to Bristol? I'm jealous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The healthcare system is great
You get more vacation

The healthcare there is awful. There are a few good hospitals in London but other than that......... Make sure you have private insurance it will keep you off long waiting lists for care. Keep your American health insurance should you need to come back for anything serious. My BIL was a doctor in an NHS hospital and his experience would keep him from ever backing Universal Care here, and this was years before the UK's drastic budget cuts.

I lived 45 min. north of Bristol for about 3 years. I don't have details about Bristol neighborhoods but I do know what it's like to be an American living in that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The healthcare system is great
You get more vacation

You must be kidding (about the heathe system)... I lived in London for a couple of years and found the system beyond awful. Luckily, I'd kept my health insurance in the States and had to call my GP in DC on a few occasions, after not hearing back from the NHS helpline for days.

[Anonymous]

I went to the Emergency Room in Bristol (what is it called there? Trauma? Can't remember) when I was on vacation in the UK about 10 years ago. It was first rate -- I was seen in about 10 mins for stitches for a head laceration from a fall. Not only did the emergency room doctor examine me, but a surgeon stopped by just to make sure there was no cause for concern. I would love to have such "awful" health care here in the U.S.

I remember leaving and wondering when I would be presented with a bill, then realizing it was all free -- even for me. Incredible system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to the Emergency Room in Bristol (what is it called there? Trauma? Can't remember) when I was on vacation in the UK about 10 years ago. It was first rate -- I was seen in about 10 mins for stitches for a head laceration from a fall. Not only did the emergency room doctor examine me, but a surgeon stopped by just to make sure there was no cause for concern. I would love to have such "awful" health care here in the U.S.

I remember leaving and wondering when I would be presented with a bill, then realizing it was all free -- even for me. Incredible system.

Casualty.

We lived in London with private insurance and appreciated the specialists we saw. But once our DD needed to go to casualty at an NHS hospital on Easter Monday and received very good care. A nurse realized we had evaded registration with the NHS up to that point and assigned someone to follow up to see if we were interested. So my one NHS experience was positive.

On the other hand, we had a friend who needed NHS care for pregnancy complications for some reason in the short term before she could get to a private hospital. She was unhappy, but I think it had more to do with the relatively less comfortable facility (ward with many beds in each room, etc.)

Speaking as a former (expat American) Londoner-- wow, Bristol is remote! What brings you there? Academic position? I've never been farther west than Bath, and that was a long drive.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the great recommendations and thoughts. I think it's helpful to hear different experiences people have negotiating the healthcare system and life in general.

Any particular UK banks anyone could recommend? Which cell service is the best? Which grocery store has the best produce and organic products? Any women's clubs or expat groups you could recommend?



15:10--We are moving to Bristol for my husbands job. We were really impressed by the city of Bristol and all the cultural offerings last time we were over there.

11:36--Thanks for the offer to nanny! Wish we could take a nanny with but that's not part of our relo package.

11:20--Stocking up on that Vit D right now!

penguinsix--What a great website. It will definitely help to be prepared for the cultural differences. In a previous move to elsewhere in the US, we were completely unprepared for the culture shock we experienced and don't want to go in blind this time. If you think of any other expat networks, please feel free to toss them my way.

[Anonymous]

I have heard Bristol is a great cultural city, and close to Wales. Drive is only 43 miles to Cardiff. Lots of amazing history in the area. Lucky you! Wish I could return to UK (went to university there and hubby is brit)

[Anonymous]

Healthcare in the UK is so terrible, they have a longer lifespan than we do with nearly-equivalent obesity rates and spending half what we spend (out of GDP) than we do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any particular UK banks anyone could recommend? Which cell service is the best? Which grocery store has the best produce and organic products? Any women's clubs or expat groups you could recommend?

Bank - First Direct (part of HSBC but a telephone bank - have been with them for years and they're great).
Groceries - Waitrose, but pricey. Not anything like Whole Foods over there (but there is a Whole Foods in London!).
Women's clubs ... ha ha! You'll find lots of local community things to do if you have toddlers/babies.

Good luck.