Any of you ex pats now in America or Canada? [Archive]

Joto

10-03-2009, 11:42

Well if they are living anywhere in NW Ontario they are probably hunkered down and waiting for it to stop snowing...which it has been all doing day without a break. We have so much snow it will be weeks before we see any sign of the lawn or garden let alone spring flowers. Each time it melts a couple of inches we get twice as much to replace it. Weather channel says this has been coldest winter in years and it's not done yet.
But it's better than earthquakes or hurricanes.....

Hello Springslass, I live in Southern Ontario, 'Burlington' I've been here since 1974, my children grow up here, I've lived over half my life here now. So Canada is definitely home, I've got 6 grandchildren that was born here.
All our snow has now gone, but no doubt before March is out we'll get some more :D We ought to have had a poll for this thread:thumbsup:

rogG

10-03-2009, 12:21

P.E.I great in the summer but i think rogG is quite wealthy can afford to pay for someone to dig him out of those 15 ft snow banks.Kingsville Ontario the most southern town in Canada & all the snow is gone the tomato plants are in & the birds are singing:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Our snow is still around flyer. 3ft of it. It's looking dirty now from all the stuff they put on the roads that the ploughs have thrown up. Beautiful sunny day today but Spring time, if you can call it that, is mud season. Meting snow mixes with the sandy soil and the road muck to create a slushy mess. Not great for taking the dogs for a walk.

Not wealthy. Just lazy. I pay a guy $200 p.a. to keep my driveway clear.

Would I return to Sheffield? Only for a visit. I'm headed over this Aug for a month. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

SPLITLIP

10-03-2009, 14:42

Since this is an expat forum I was wondering how many people on here are in America and Canada. I have been in Cincinnati coming up for 12 years.

I wondered were you are located?, how long have you been here?

Hi StJohn,
I came to Canada in Jan. '88 Lived in Barrie area, Ontario. Now in Creemore.
Used to live up behind the Acorn, Burncross.
rogG, I see you spent some time in Nfld. I married a Newfie girl,originally from Fogo Island, more recently Labrador City. (Now we're talking SNOW!!), I wish I could get someone to shift my snow for $200/year.
Been back to Sheffield frequently, twice this year already just for funerals.
I prefer the lifestyle here.

Beery

10-03-2009, 15:14

mickr

10-03-2009, 15:16

Brought up on Beall St. Been in British Columbia since 1974. Now live in NE BC. Temperature minus 33C this morning and minus 36C yesterday so Spring is coming!! Every few years we go back to Sheffield but BC is home now. Miss a plate of whelks in Castle Market though!

poppins

10-03-2009, 15:56

Beery

10-03-2009, 16:25

For me, Connecticut is nice, but it's not like home. The whole of New England is virtually one huge forest - there's just not the fields and hedgerows that I see as being essentially 'homelike', so until you get to Long Island there's nothing 'homey' here, and by the time you get there it's too New York-ish to seem like home.

Plus, where's the national park on Connecticut's doorstep? The nearest one, Acadia, is 300 miles away.

I guess my love of England and Europe has spoiled me for the US.

StJohn

10-03-2009, 16:26

Hi StJohn,
I came to Canada in Jan. '88 Lived in Barrie area, Ontario. Now in Creemore.
Used to live up behind the Acorn, Burncross.
rogG, I see you spent some time in Nfld. I married a Newfie girl,originally from Fogo Island, more recently Labrador City. (Now we're talking SNOW!!), I wish I could get someone to shift my snow for $200/year.
Been back to Sheffield frequently, twice this year already just for funerals.
I prefer the lifestyle here.

Hi Splitlip, I spent many hours in the Acorn Pub in the early 80's, used to take my girlfriend there on a friday night. I grew up at the top of Springwood lane. I remember there were fields behind the Acorn?

rogG

10-03-2009, 20:34

[QUOTE=SPLITLIP;4769309]Hi StJohn,
rogG, I see you spent some time in Nfld. I married a Newfie girl,originally from Fogo Island, more recently Labrador City.

Der best koind me old trout.:hihi:

Cynthia

11-03-2009, 03:29

Came to Canada in 1982 and live in Ajax,Southern Ontario, 30 minutes east of Toronto and few minutes from Lake Ontario. The life style is quite different here. Eat out lots more than when we were in Sheffield, See bunch of teen-agers approaching and know that they will greet us politely. Getting off a bus 95% of the passengers say thanks to the driver and in turn he/she will say "have a nice day". Winter weather cold but bearable, the roads are cleared of snow very quickly. Summer can be too hot and air conditioning required when it is humid.
Miss our family, going to 'The Lane', Henderson's and Marks & Sparks. Would we return to Sheffield-No.

Beery

11-03-2009, 10:30

I'm all for people feeling happy with the decisions they've made in life. But that all ends when people start tearing down the options they chose not to take and the places and people they left behind them.

Some of the responses on here, for example the one above, make me wonder why some of you folks come to a Sheffield forum. I mean, judging by what her post clearly implies, it seems like Cynthia dislikes Sheffield and Sheffield people. If that's the case, Cynthia, why are you on an internet forum specifically devoted to Sheffield and its people? Why not just leave, shake the dust from your shoes, and avoid the place and the people altogether?

Look, Sheffield people are no different than people anywhere else. Like any other people there's the occasional bad apple, but that doesn't mean that in general they're any less likely to greet you politely. And this idea that Sheffield youths are generally impolite is nonsense: they may not always be bright and cheerful and they may not dress to impress, but like any city, Sheffield has sometimes had its hard times, so there's sometimes reason to be glum. I'm sure the elders of the 18th and 19th centuries went around in abject terror because the youth of the age dressed poorly and looked as if they'd kill you as soon as look at you. Youths tend to do that, because they're youths, but get to know them and they're just the same as we were at that age.

Then there's the issue of city folk vs. country folk. Sheffield has a population of 530,000 while your town, Ajax, has a population of 93,000, so to compare them is unfair: there are going to be differences in how people respond to the people around them. Yes, it takes more effort to engage with city folk, but that's just a facet of the crowding together that goes on in cities - it doesn't mean city folk are less friendly or less generous. They just respond in a different way. That's the same in Sheffield as it is in similar sized cities in North America such as Ottawa or Boston, but it doesn't mean that cities are worse - they're just different.

But if Sheffield expats really just don't like Sheffield people, there's an easy solution - DON'T SEEK THEM OUT! Hell, in Ontario, just like here in Boston, the chance of meeting one of those 'impolite' Sheffield teens or an inconsiderate Sheffield bus driver is virtually zero.

So if you regard Sheffielders as unpleasant and impolite, why go on a forum where you're bound to meet them?

And if it is just a case of wanting to make yourself feel better about leaving Sheffield, please stop it, because when you're disrespectful towards Sheffield and Sheffielders, you're being disrespectful towards most of the members of this website as well as me and my family and the town we grew up in.

There are ways of celebrating the choices you made without badmouthing the alternatives.

flyer

11-03-2009, 21:30

I'm sorry but I've never seen so much bull in writing to even try to compare the U.S.A with Canada is to stupid for words yes in all citys there is going to be bad apple's the difference between Detriot (500) killings) & across the bridge in Windsor (4) is a good example. on my last visit to the U.K all the Tourist towns were lock & bar at 6 o'clock just to late for a cup of coffee ,the reason given was the goolie's come out at night & far to much danger to be out after dark & this is from the locals.And as for your dislike for people who come on this forum &not fit your perfect slot where all stand around just to pat each other on the back well it might be your forum but not mine and I suspect most would agree

Beery

11-03-2009, 22:19

Last time I checked it was no more your forum than mine. You may have been around longer, but we're both members and while you're clearly willing to label another member as 'stupid' and their posts 'bull', I won't stoop to that level. If you say similar sized cities are not comparable (I disagree - we're not talking about murderers or murder rates here after all - we're talking about regular folks' general friendliness, and anyway Ottawa and Sheffield have similar gun laws), and if you say cities of very different populations are comparable (as Cynthia suggests, but which I find illogical), that's your opinion and you're welcome to it. If you're going to go that far, then I guess nothing can ever be made sense of we may as well engage in whatever prejudices we like with no fear of contradiction.

I still say that Cynthia's post implies that Sheffield is backward and Sheffielders are ignorant. Somehow I don't think many Sheffielders who choose to live there, or expats who recall the city and its people fondly, would support that viewpoint.

And I'll ask you the same question I asked Cynthia - if you dislike Sheffield so much, why are you spending time on a forum devoted to that city? If you don't dislike it, why are you so quick to support someone who clearly does?

darra

11-03-2009, 22:30

flyer

12-03-2009, 02:53

beery I think you're trying very hard to put your own words on what was never said ,i don't it as been said that any one dislike Sheffield or Sheffielder's that would be your words, but not to note the huge difference in city's is to look at the world with rose glass's,And please to your ref' that this is everyone forum for a while I thought you was trying to drive someone off with your bad manners

Cynthia

12-03-2009, 03:22

Goodness me Beery you are in a state perhaps it is to do with you pseudonym.
No where in my post did I put Sheffield down but I do read The Star every night. I love to return to my birthplace and spend valuable time with my relatives but my family including two grandsons and a great-grandaughter are a great pull to stay here.
If you are so depressed about living in the States what is keeping you there ??, sell up and return to Sheffield do not let life pass you by being unhappy, you only live once.
I would add that as a self appointed critic on this thread, it would have been better if you had said that you were going to return to Heeley a place that I know well, my husband comes from Heeley and we lived and worked in the area for many years.
Cheer up and set you future return plans in motion.

Take care, Cynthia.

flyer

12-03-2009, 10:37

How sweet it is,oh how I wish I could put things in print as well as Cynthia :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

SPLITLIP

12-03-2009, 11:08

Hi Splitlip, I spent many hours in the Acorn Pub in the early 80's, used to take my girlfriend there on a friday night. I grew up at the top of Springwood lane. I remember there were fields behind the Acorn?

Yes,
There's a park (a fairly steep hill) and a footpath. I lived in the house right on top of the hill on the right. I think there are more new houses on the left now,where the old factory used to be.

StJohn

12-03-2009, 19:14

SPLITLIP

12-03-2009, 19:40

I have just got off the phone with my Dad in Sheffield and was reading this thread and had to have a snicker to myself. He told me Sheffield has gone to the dogs, a friend up the road had his car broken into, again, the council, the weather, speed cameras, everything is so expensive, they are closing the pubs ....... you get the idea.

So should I tear him a new one for badmouthing our beloved city?

Everyone has gripes about where they live and places they feel close to and usually they will share them in places and with people they feel comfortable with ..... We are Sheffielders and we are known for speaking our minds.

The best way I heard it was originally about Newfoundlanders, but the same applies to Sheffield.
"You can take the man out of Sheffield, but you can't take Sheffield out of the man".
My home was broken into on four occasions in the last two years that I lived in Sheffield,(that's more than 20 years ago). When I do go back it is depressing to see the steel shutters on the shop windows etc., graffiti, the ridiculous volume of traffic, & the general feeling of not being safe is very real.
However there is,and always will be, something very special about growing up in Sheffield, if that wasn't so, we would not be on this forum, talking about the things that make Sheffield so great.
Having said that, Sheffield is great, but there's no place like "home".

Cynthia

13-03-2009, 02:17

How sweet it is,oh how I wish I could put things in print as well as Cynthia :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Thanks for your comments Flyer. I am 78 years old so have had people twist my words and make digs before. Life goes on- I hope. My brother who lives in Norton Lees is 86 years old so here's hoping.
Cynthia.

flyer

13-03-2009, 10:07

Thanks for your comments Flyer. I am 78 years old so have had people twist my words and make digs before. Life goes on- I hope. My brother who lives in Norton Lees is 86 years old so here's hoping.
Cynthia.

oh I've got a long way to go only 75 but dad was pushing 100 &mum was over 90:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Floridablade

13-03-2009, 14:34

Been in North Central Florida for three Years, Keystone Heights to be exact a place we fetched up after hurricane Wilma rearanged our house in Broward County. We had an RV and toured Canada and most of the eastern seaboard of the USA. Canada is much too cold for me and the black flies in summer in Ontario were a menace. PEI is very nice and so is Nova Scotia but our favourite place was St Andrews in New Brunswick. It is located on the famous Bay of Fundy with the highest tidal range in the world. The Canadians are very friendly and much more British orientated than Americans and they know how to make a cuppa which is something the Americans don't seem to grasp.

The exchange rate is now dire and I suspect many expats will be thinking of returning to Britain but I'm 80 this year and we did move back to Epworth in N lincolnshire for 3 summers and enjoyed our trips to my old hiking places but the uncrontrolled yobos and filthy streets cancell that out. I miss the Football and the friendly Sheffield people but that's about all. We have now bought a trailer/camper and will be out of Florida during the hottest months and may well end up in our beloved St. Andrews again and New Brunswick and of course the Maine coast, a long haul but well worth it.

Floridablade

13-03-2009, 14:51

Beery although you make some very valid points I think you are a bit hard on Cynthia, unless I totally mis-read her post she didn't try to put down Sheffield or Sheffielders but simply said she preferred Canada. Her point about the Yobos is well known. Here in the States the youths don't behave like the louts in Britain.

buck

13-03-2009, 15:01

Since this is an expat forum I was wondering how many people on here are in America and Canada. I have been in Cincinnati coming up for 12 years.

I wondered were you are located?, how long have you been here?

I've been over here now for 41 years, 9 in Canada ( 8 in Quebec, 1 in Newfoundland. Then 2 in Chicopee, Mass. and the rest in Connecticut ( Windsor, Windsor Locks, and East Windsor) To me, Conn is the most beautiful state in the union. It has enough stone walls to equal the Peak District, and the rolling hills and winding country roads are very much like home was, and this is where I'll stay till my time is up, enjoying the world's finest college basketball, men or women, eh Poppins?

buck

13-03-2009, 15:21

poppins

13-03-2009, 15:29

I've been over here now for 41 years, 9 in Canada ( 8 in Quebec, 1 in Newfoundland. Then 2 in Chicopee, Mass. and the rest in Connecticut ( Windsor, Windsor Locks, and East Windsor) To me, Conn is the most beautiful state in the union. It has enough stone walls to equal the Peak District, and the rolling hills and winding country roads are very much like home was, and this is where I'll stay till my time is up, enjoying the world's finest college basketball, men or women, eh Poppins?

Damn Skippy Buck...Go Huskies !, :thumbsup: (well the girls for now) :)

buck

13-03-2009, 18:27

Damn Skippy Buck...Go Huskies !, :thumbsup: (well the girls for now) :)I'm lucky, I.m close enouygh to get to some of the girl's games. This probably the best team of lady huskies ever, including the team that won 3 nationals in a row, with the fabulous Diana Taurasi.:banana:

flyer

13-03-2009, 21:31

Snoopy took on the red baron who is now gone down in flames, from now on the baron's name will be Hound Dog

Cynthia

14-03-2009, 02:38

Re reading my last post I realise that I did not make it clear where my brother lives, Norton Lees is Sheffield 8. We lived next door before we came to Canada in 1982. I miss him very much as he looked after me when our father died when I was 11 years old.

Floridablade

15-03-2009, 01:46

mh01

15-03-2009, 02:42

We've bought another camper and will be off north in July and escape most of the summer heat in Florida. If you haven't driven up the east coast of America then you don't know what you're missing. We'll drive up the I 95 half way through Georgia then take the 17 to Norfolk, cross the Delaware via the tunnel/ bridge and north leaving Baltimore to our left and up to New York. The return trip will be fantastic with the trees turning into brilliant orange, brown and yellow with the ocassional green. Have ourselves some Lobster in Maine which is actually Nova Scotia lobster but who cares.
sounds great have you any room for lodgers in your camper lol

flyer

15-03-2009, 09:31

sounds great have you any room for lodgers in your camper lol

yes but he's taking me first I'm much better looking:hihi::hihi:

teddie

15-03-2009, 09:57

Hello Springslass, I live in Southern Ontario, 'Burlington' I've been here since 1974, my children grow up here, I've lived over half my life here now. So Canada is definitely home, I've got 6 grandchildren that was born here.
All our snow has now gone, but no doubt before March is out we'll get some more :D We ought to have had a poll for this thread:thumbsup:

My friend lives in Burlington, I used to visit her a few times, perhaps we have passed! is the shopping mall with the big "B" outside still there?

rogG

15-03-2009, 11:54

.
All our snow has now gone, but no doubt before March is out we'll get some more :D We ought to have had a poll for this thread:thumbsup:

Think I'd win that one Joto. Still 2-3 ft of snow and ice kicking around here. We get some nice sunny days but not much above freezing so thaw is slow. Roads covered in a mucky slushy mess which is just wonderful for taking my little dogs (they're white) for a walk! Not much of an advertisement for PEI is it? Well, summers are nice - bring them on.:(

flyer

15-03-2009, 17:57

love P.E.I and all the east coast but when making the big move just to many grand & great grand to stray to far,but then again U.K to Ontario was a fair move

Springslass

16-03-2009, 00:08

rogG....
This past Tuesday we got a full blown blizzard with 16-18 inches of snow on top of the 2 feet we still had left from winter; and windchills minus 30 range. It looked like we would have snow on ground until end of April...This weekend we were the warmest place in Canada at 11 plus (at least according to the Weather Channel) and snow has gone down at least 12 to 14 inches...it is now 8 pm and temp is still plus 10...what a difference a couple of days can make, eh?

nanrobbo

16-03-2009, 01:19

Lovely thread -now I remember why we chose Australia over Canada- it was a toss up!:D

buck

16-03-2009, 02:10

We've bought another camper and will be off north in July and escape most of the summer heat in Florida. If you haven't driven up the east coast of America then you don't know what you're missing. We'll drive up the I 95 half way through Georgia then take the 17 to Norfolk, cross the Delaware via the tunnel/ bridge and north leaving Baltimore to our left and up to New York. The return trip will be fantastic with the trees turning into brilliant orange, brown and yellow with the ocassional green. Have ourselves some Lobster in Maine which is actually Nova Scotia lobster but who cares.I like any alternative to I-95 I can find. When I go down toward Florida I like to take I-81 through Harrisburg PA on to Roanoke, then join 95 north of Savannah GA. I just don't like the NY to DC corridor, but that's just my choice. You buy those lobsters in Nova Scotia, they are bigger and cheaper than they are when they get to Maine.

flyer

16-03-2009, 12:56

Lovely thread -now I remember why we chose Australia over Canada- it was a toss up!:D
already been to oz but they were paying your fare (well 10pd) but 1960 the boats were full for two years so Canada it was,but never think it's all snow and ice here, I live in Kingsville the most southern town nice warm summers with lake breeze & the snow this winter was a mere dusting the snow shovel never left the shed,i think I made the right move:|:|:|

Floridablade

16-03-2009, 13:22

Yes Buck I've taken that route too but I like the coastal route where I can have another gander at the Wright brothers museum and cross the Delaware by that magnificent bridge tunnel with its shops half way and a toilet. Why do people sit at home when the world has so much to offer, go to Vermont and New Hampshire in summer and see the Everglades of Florida in winter. Get on a ferry in Washington State and tour the islands of the San Juan, visit Vancouver and Vancouver island, book a few months ahead if you want to partake of tea at the Embassy in Victoria. Drive down the west coast of the US from Seattle to San Diego and if you're feeling adventerous hop over the border to Tiujana and listen to the brass. So many things to do and so little time.

poppins

16-03-2009, 13:37

I like any alternative to I-95 I can find. When I go down toward Florida I like to take I-81 through Harrisburg PA on to Roanoke, then join 95 north of Savannah GA. I just don't like the NY to DC corridor, but that's just my choice. You buy those lobsters in Nova Scotia, they are bigger and cheaper than they are when they get to Maine.

We use the I-81 route to GA, depending on what time we start off we make an overnight stop in Roanoke, last time I actually saw a truck use one of those Runaway Truck ramps, dust flying all over the place.

One part of that route at dusk looks like Afganistan :) forgot just what part that is now.

flyer

16-03-2009, 16:56

Hi Floridablade you're right,but why do people stay at home MONEY one would love to do travel,but with 3 company's folding underneath me bye bye pension's now with just old age its a case of shall i go to the park or McDonalds but not complaining a lot worse off

buck

16-03-2009, 20:50

We use the I-81 route to GA, depending on what time we start off we make an overnight stop in Roanoke, last time I actually saw a truck use one of those Runaway Truck ramps, dust flying all over the place.

One part of that route at dusk looks like Afganistan :) forgot just what part that is now.One way I like is to go over the Tappansee Bridge, because I hate the George Washington Bridge, and join I-78 through Allentown and pick up 81 near Hershey. Savannah is my favorite town in Georgia. It has tons of class and a great British pub.

poppins

16-03-2009, 23:38

One way I like is to go over the Tappansee Bridge, because I hate the George Washington Bridge, and join I-78 through Allentown and pick up 81 near Hershey. Savannah is my favorite town in Georgia. It has tons of class and a great British pub.

A British pub in GA...name and shame Buck! :love:

nanrobbo

17-03-2009, 01:52

already been to oz but they were paying your fare (well 10pd) but 1960 the boats were full for two years so Canada it was,but never think it's all snow and ice here, I live in Kingsville the most southern town nice warm summers with lake breeze & the snow this winter was a mere dusting the snow shovel never left the shed,i think I made the right move:|:|:|
Good for you, I must admit I don't care for the summer heat here- but the other seasons more than make up for it. :thumbsup:

Joto

17-03-2009, 03:09

My friend lives in Burlington, I used to visit her a few times, perhaps we have passed! is the shopping mall with the big "B" outside still there?

Hi Teddie :wave: You must mean Burlington Mall, that's the very first Mall we had. Now we have Mapleview Mall, which at the moment they're extending and renovating. When was the last time you visited your friend? Here's our website.

http://cms.burlington.ca/site4.aspx

mh01

17-03-2009, 03:17

best woman that ever moved from sheffield to canada? JOTO!

miami now

17-03-2009, 11:28

poppins

17-03-2009, 11:31

Hiya
Im in Miami, im here from Sheffield the Gleadless Valley area, I have been here for over 35 yrs, I used to go home every year to see me mum, but she passed away two years ago so i havnt been since then to many unpleasant memorys..Maybe one day i will get the courage to go back and recall the good times with my mum...

Like me miami, I haven't been back to Sheffield since my Mom died a few years ago,although I have most of my family still over there, they come to visit me now.

StJohn

19-03-2009, 19:43

Like me miami, I haven't been back to Sheffield since my Mom died a few years ago,although I have most of my family still over there, they come to visit me now.

I have the opposite problem, trying to persuade my family to visit me. I have plenty of room and a lot of fun stuff for them to do but I get "OOh it such a long way a way"

miami now

19-03-2009, 19:46

Me to they all say its to far, but then they go to Africa, or Egypt lol oh well.

StJohn

19-03-2009, 20:05

Me to they all say its to far, but then they go to Africa, or Egypt lol oh well.

This is so funny My mum just came back from a trip down the Nile...and then she said "It was mucky we should have come to you instead"

Still shaking my head......................

miami now

19-03-2009, 21:13

lol
i can see you now, when my mum could travel before she got ill, she loved to come, here and to San Diego to visit her sister, but as far as anyone else goes no one. My cousin went to Orlando, and Disney, last year and i drove up (5 hr drive) to see her, and i may have talked her into coming here next time.

buck

24-03-2009, 20:31

A British pub in GA...name and shame Buck! :love:It was called the Winston Churchill. Sold good food too, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie.

miami now

24-03-2009, 21:37

whish we had something here in Miami, it would be nice to have a good pint and some good fish and chips... We went to San Diego in November, and they had a nice Pub there it was awesome

John Peace

25-05-2010, 23:01

That would probably be the shakespeare :-)

denlin

26-05-2010, 20:05

Joto is my cousin and we grew up not far from each other. My other cousin also lives in Ontario and their younger sister and I were bridesmaids when she got married.

Those of us back in the old country don't see them often enough and don't 'arf miss'em - speak to you soon joto - Linda:hihi:

John Peace

26-05-2010, 20:32

miami now

27-05-2010, 00:48

Yep, i say strange, i have had a lot of friends also most as you said from anywhere but yorkshire only my family that live in San Diego and Palm Springs, good old yorkshire folks.

John Peace

27-05-2010, 03:27

I lived in San Diego for 20 odd years, I may know them

flyer

27-05-2010, 07:43

I have been in the US for over 30 years now. Mostly in Southern California with a stint in Chicago and currently in Seattle. Also travelled through most of the states and let me tell you I have met Plenty of Ex Pats during that time. Folk from Devon, London, lots from Manchester/Blackpool/Preston/Liverpool area, and plenty of Irishmen. But Guess what, I can count the number of Yorkshiremen on one hand, and it's a big fat zero from Sheffield. Strange dont ya think !

No not strange, my own brother who a keen fisherman and here some of the best fishing around would not leave Sheffield he stayed for 6 months but just was to homesick ,now me i just love it and would never go back its a great place. Theres nothing so queer as folk:):):):)

miami now

27-05-2010, 10:29

They have lived fulltime in SD for the last 6yrs after they retired up to then it was only on weekends from Palm Springs he ran a Painting and Paperhanging company there, now they live of Mira Masa Blvd or around that way not far from Torry Pines Beach which i just love they have the best weather i have ever been in, here in Miami its so humid and hot most of the year its nice just to be able to sit in the outdoors and not get to hot.

Kolongo

27-05-2010, 11:10

Are there any Sheffielders in Michigan? Could do with a Yorkshire friend?

flyer

27-05-2010, 11:30

Are there any Sheffielders in Michigan? Could do with a Yorkshire friend?
Since in Leicester and presuming Sheffield must be the same the O.Es (original English)are now in the minority for the first time,soon all the English will be driven out to over seas, please bring any spare gold with you,Michigan will then talk with a strong Yorkshire accent:hihi::hihi::hihi:

miami now

27-05-2010, 13:52

Dont feel bad i live in Miami, and when I say NO I Do NOT Speak SPanish i get the look and WHY its all over

poppins

27-05-2010, 14:02

Dont feel bad i live in Miami, and when I say NO I Do NOT Speak SPanish i get the look and WHY its all over

My son lived close to Miami, he said no one stops after a car accident as most have no insurance and are illegal anyhow, so why stop and get caught.

John Peace

27-05-2010, 14:10

Too bad we left SD about 8 yrs ago.
ps

Hang on to yer shorts on that beach :-)

miami now

27-05-2010, 15:07

thats true about the car accidents and they leave the scene of the accidents, and most, not so much the cubans but most others are illegal, and they are living in houses like 10 to a place. its got bad, we moved into Homestead, a little further south but its still bad

911wasalie

29-05-2010, 18:36

We lived in Margate, Broward County for about 11 years, got hit by hurricane Wilma and moved up near Jacksonville. Still living here very rural and quiet, gets a bit hot but that's it, no Miami types. Nobody drives down to Miami if they can help it.

poppins

29-05-2010, 20:11

911wasalie

29-05-2010, 22:59

Yes I was Poppins, born at Meadow Head, my father worked at the Abbeydale works ( Tyzacks ) which is now a musem. We moved to Meersbrook when that place closed down in 1940 I think, because the scythe grinders were moved to Little London Works.

I went back 4 years ago to have a look, not impressed I'm afraid, not the Sheffield I remembered, mind I left when I was 18 ( 1947 ) for national service then went on to serve for 25 years. I've been in the States for 16 years but I'd rather be back in Spain where I lived for 11 years on the Sol, now that is a free country.

911wasalie

29-05-2010, 23:02

I used to post as Floridablade.

buck

30-05-2010, 00:11

chuffinel

30-05-2010, 00:52

Are there any Sheffielders in Michigan? Could do with a Yorkshire friend?

How about in Windsor, Ontario ? We're neighbours, depending on whereabouts in Michigan you are. :thumbsup:

911wasalie

30-05-2010, 13:23

Interesting about Miami. The Cubans running the rackets in Havana sent all their ill gotten gains to banks in Miami and when Castro kicked them out they moved to Coral Gables where they own most of the large houses. The Chief of police is Cuban and so is the Mayor.

miami now

30-05-2010, 14:01

your telling me lol, all in each others pockets, shame a government has to be run like that but thats the way it is in Miami thats sad

poppins

30-05-2010, 14:11

your telling me lol, all in each others pockets, shame a government has to be run like that but thats the way it is in Miami thats sad

It wasn't too long ago that Miami was just for the rich & famous..nothing wrong with that, shame that people are afraid to even own property there now

miami now

30-05-2010, 16:03

you know i live here and i have a home my son owns a home we have good jobs its what you make of a place thats important, no need to say people are afraid to live here that just not so. yes every place has its bad spots but they also have there good spots.

buck

30-05-2010, 16:05

I'm in Boston, Massachusetts. I lived in Los Angeles for a few years too. I definitely regret moving here. It's been fine, people are friendly, the towns are nice etc. But it's just not the same as home, and everything is so widely spaced out here. In England I could pop over the border to Derbyshire any morning and be enjoying the Peak District by lunchtime. Here I'd have to drive for hundreds of miles to get to the nearest national park, and none of them (in my opinion) match the Peak District. Plus, in England I was a day or two's train ride from any country in Europe. While I can hear immigrants speak Spanish and Portuguese by heading into downtown Boston, it's not the same.

Yup. I'd move back to England in a heartbeat, and if the current financial crisis gets any worse we'll be penniless and we might be no worse off by moving back to Blighty.It's been a time since Beery wrote this post, so he may have already gone home. I have had many friends in both Canada and the US who have eventually gone home, and I don't blame them if it doesn't fit. Some of them return because the kids became unhappy in UK, and a cycle of transits began, all of them expensive, like being in Limbo.
I was fortunate as long service in the Royal Navy made my late wife and I less homesick for Sheffield as the years went by, so we adapted easily. I must admit I loved the Peak District too, often times cycling to Dovedale or Ashbourne and Buxton but travelling Sunday in the summer could be a bind.
I also live in New England halfway between NYC and Boston. The road from Boston to Vermont is easy driving and no big distance by our standards. There are a thousand Peak Districts in Vermont or New Hampshire. Maine is the last great wilderness to me especially north of Bangor. I canoe the Baxter Park for a week at a time with friends, camping at river clearings, fishing for supper, portaging round the big rapids of the Penobscot River.
The Adirondacks of New York aren't out of reach. The finger lakes and Lake Placid are unmatched for beauty.
New Englanders can be a little abrupt and outspoken at times, but when you're really in trouble they look out for you. I'm just recovering from severe pneumonia and my neighbors shop for me, cut my grass, pick up my mail.
All the best to all who stay or return home. At least you gave it a shot, and that takes courage.:):):)

poppins

30-05-2010, 17:25

It's been a time since Beery wrote this post, so he may have already gone home. I have had many friends in both Canada and the US who have eventually gone home, and I don't blame them if it doesn't fit. Some of them return because the kids became unhappy in UK, and a cycle of transits began, all of them expensive, like being in Limbo.
I was fortunate as long service in the Royal Navy made my late wife and I less homesick for Sheffield as the years went by, so we adapted easily. I must admit I loved the Peak District too, often times cycling to Dovedale or Ashbourne and Buxton but travelling Sunday in the summer could be a bind.
I also live in New England halfway between NYC and Boston. The road from Boston to Vermont is easy driving and no big distance by our standards. There are a thousand Peak Districts in Vermont or New Hampshire. Maine is the last great wilderness to me especially north of Bangor. I canoe the Baxter Park for a week at a time with friends, camping at river clearings, fishing for supper, portaging round the big rapids of the Penobscot River.
The Adirondacks of New York aren't out of reach. The finger lakes and Lake Placid are unmatched for beauty.
New Englanders can be a little abrupt and outspoken at times, but when you're really in trouble they look out for you. I'm just recovering from severe pneumonia and my neighbors shop for me, cut my grass, pick up my mail.
All the best to all who stay or return home. At least you gave it a shot, and that takes courage.:):):)

You sound like you're in good shape Buck ,for most of the time anyhow, myself I'v never met anyone that wanted to go back home, not just England, but Poland, Jamaica & other Islands, I do work with many people from other countries, all say they miss their country but would never go back, some even admit they don't even miss it.
I miss my family over there but thats all.

buck

31-05-2010, 23:50

You sound like you're in good shape Buck ,for most of the time anyhow, myself I'v never met anyone that wanted to go back home, not just England, but Poland, Jamaica & other Islands, I do work with many people from other countries, all say they miss their country but would never go back, some even admit they don't even miss it.
I miss my family over there but thats all.I think most of the returns happened while I was in Montreal. Two things might have contributed to it, the French situation was getting worse in Quebec Province making anglophones feel unwanted. ( I had the advantage of being fluent in French), and the very high cost of phoning home in 1968. We used to send reel to reel tapes acrosss the Atllantic and wait for the returns, I once drove a Sheffielder who was visiting my mill in Newfoundland across an ice field at 70 MPH. I sent a tape to my MIL and he told her all about it lol. She let me have it for that!:)

rogG

01-06-2010, 14:08

I think most of the returns happened while I was in Montreal. Two things might have contributed to it, the French situation was getting worse in Quebec Province making anglophones feel unwanted. ( I had the advantage of being fluent in French), and the very high cost of phoning home in 1968. We used to send reel to reel tapes acrosss the Atllantic and wait for the returns, I once drove a Sheffielder who was visiting my mill in Newfoundland across an ice field at 70 MPH. I sent a tape to my MIL and he told her all about it lol. She let me have it for that!:)

I'll also add my two cent's worth to beery's posting. I think it depends where you live. Beery finds the distances not as convenient. Living in rural Canada on a small island, I can walk to the beach in 10 minutes, be on a golf course in 20 (driving), go trout fishing in about much the same time, and be in a very scenic part of Maine in 5 hours (the last two driving again). We have a beautiful national park, Greenwich National Park, 30 mins drive away with an unspoiled beach that is to die for. Close by it is the more touristy Cavendish National Park where those who wish can get their fill of Anne of Green Gables and Ripley's Believe it or Not museum (well, some people go for that). Did I mention the fresh lobster at 5 dollars a pound? I do agree though that the Derbyshire countryside is beautiful and I'll be taking another eyeful of that in later in the summer. No, I've spent my life here and never regretted it.

wain

01-06-2010, 17:21

Texas

01-06-2010, 18:07

I came to Montreal in May 1968, fell in love with the city. Was moved to the Gaspe, Quebec to take charge of the Electronicsof a papermill in 1972, then to Newfie for a year. Then back to Montreal until the company asked me to move into New England in 1977, first to Chicopee Mass then to Windsor, Connecticut in 1979 where i was awarded a green card, and was finally awarded citizenship in1987. I have now lived in Windsor Locks and East Windsor, Connecticut for nearly 30 years, and wouldn't want to live anywhere else in America.
Hi buck, I read with interest the fact that you once lived in Chicopee Mass. Chicopee Falls is nearby, right? I've visited New England many times and it's always a place I've wanted to have a look at, but never getting there. My interest in the place being that when I was a kid I had this old, spiked, single shot firearm, it had a button on the side which depressed the barrel and was a great source of entertainment to me. Where it disapeared too, I don't know. On the side of the chamber was a nameplate and the place of manufacture was Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. It's over 60 years ago now and I've never forgotten it. From a bit of research it was believed to be something to do with coachdriver's. A coachman's pistol if you like. Can you remember a gun manufacturing company when you were there?

Brian White

02-06-2010, 04:08

Been in California 43 years. Was married to an American girl from Massachusets but she's been gone a dozen years. Love hearing about Sheffield. Anybody remember gypsies and their caravans in Owlerton?

hillsbro

02-06-2010, 07:45

Love hearing about Sheffield. Anybody remember gypsies and their caravans in Owlerton?Yes - they evidently parked their caravans at the bottom of Herries Road where the bus depot was later built (here are (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s17149.jpg) . two photos (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s18679)) and later on the land by the stadium where the fairs moved to. This photo (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s09160.jpg) was taken of a group of gypsies camped off Leppings Lane, but as it was taken about 100 years ago I guess they'll have moved on...:P

911wasalie

02-06-2010, 14:00

Buck,

My wife loves Vermont, we used to rent an apartment at the Christmas tree inn near Warren for 3 or 4 months in the summer, it was a skiing resort so the rents were reasonable.

The last time we went the river had overflowed, caused a lot of the roads to be washed out so we had to go miles out of our way to get to the Xmas tree inn.

We're getting ready to journey north to St. Andrews in NB.

crookesey

02-06-2010, 14:50

St. John
I have lived in Pennsylvania for 50 years. Nice as it is .. it just is not home, I would go back in a heartbeat. I have to remind myself that the Sheffield I want to go back to is not there anymore.

You have it in a nutshell, my wife left Sheffield for Toronto in 1966, and returned in 1971. Sheffield was great in 1971, but is completely different now. The City Centre is a mess, there are no go areas in districts that used to be safe. Thank god that we live right beside the Peak District National Park, that is as nice now as it used to be in your day.

poppins

02-06-2010, 14:55

Yes - they evidently parked their caravans at the bottom of Herries Road where the bus depot was later built (here are (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s17149.jpg) . two photos (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s18679)) and later on the land by the stadium where the fairs moved to. This photo (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/zoom.pl?picture=http://www.picturesheffield.com/jpgh/s09160.jpg) was taken of a group of gypsies camped off Leppings Lane, but as it was taken about 100 years ago I guess they'll have moved on...:P

hillsbro what year would the first phot have been taken, I lived on Herries rd in the 50/60s don't recall the gypsies down there, I do remember them comming round the houses selling paper flowers though.

Brian White

02-06-2010, 15:14

Thank you Hilsbro, I loved the pictures.

The first picture is interesting but I don't recognize the surroundings. Neither do I know about the bus depot on Herries Rd. Must have been built after my time. The second picture plainly shows Herringshaw's scrapyard with advertising hoardings (correct name for these things ? ) and at the extreme right edge of the picture, part of the bus shelter. I recollect this shelter was built in the war years but I could be wrong about that. I'm looking hard at this picture but there seems to be nothing positively identifiable as a gypsy caravan.

As a child living on Beulah Rd, I remember the gypsies arriving in 1936 at a time when the government forced all the children to go to school. This made the gypsies stay in one place. They parked their caravans on the empty land on Penistone Rd a little further towards Bradfield Rd. Two of the gypsy children went to my school, Sacred Heart on Ripley St. I guess all the gypsies were absorbed into the community and the caravans vanished.

Anyway, thank you so much for the pix.

Arthur Bell

02-06-2010, 21:09

Since this is an expat forum I was wondering how many people on here are in America and Canada. I have been in Cincinnati coming up for 12 years.

I wondered were you are located?, how long have you been here?

I've been in London Ontario since 1966. I've visited Cincinnati many times - the only place that I know that celebrates Oktoberfest in August - It's a great time though. I like the cheap booze store just across the river in Kentucky, I think most people from Cincinnati go there because of the prices

hillsbro

03-06-2010, 08:01

hillsbro what year would the first photo have been taken, I lived on Herries rd in the 50/60s don't recall the gypsies down there, I do remember them comming round the houses selling paper flowers though.I don't have any personal memories of the gypsies on Herries Road site (I'm not old enough, honest!.:P) but according to picturesheffield.com both photos date from the 1940s. The bus garage was evidently built in the early 1950s on the site the gypsies had used, near where the fairs were held before they moved to the land in front of Owlerton Stadium

The first photo shows a pair of semi-detached houses. These were Nos 922 and 924 Herries Road, and stood between the bus garage and Marsden's sheet metal working firm. They must have been demolished in the late 1960s/early 1970s as they are shown in my 1968 Kelly's Directory but not in the 1973 directory.

The second picture ... I'm looking hard at this picture but there seems to be nothing positively identifiable as a gypsy caravan. Yes, quite right. On picturesheffield.com the description of the photo states "Penistone Road North at the junction with Herries Road showing the fairground and Wadsley Bridge Allotments in the background, 1945-1955". As it mentions the fairground I guessed that the gypsy camp and fairground were on the same site, but perhaps the gypsies camped on the land where the bus garage was built, and the fairground was across the road where Herringshaw's scrapyard was located. In this case, whoever captioned the photo may have mistaken the scrapyard for the fairgound (?) but I am at a disadvantage as I can't remember the gypsies or the fairground at this location.:)

Brian White

03-06-2010, 15:30

[QUOTE=hillsbro;6315017]I don't have any personal memories of the gypsies on Herries Road site

Nor me, but I do remember them and their caravans on vacant land on Penistone Rd opposite Burnell Rd. I passed them on my way to and from school.

John Peace

03-06-2010, 16:54

flyer

03-06-2010, 17:32

I've been in London Ontario since 1966. I've visited Cincinnati many times - the only place that I know that celebrates Oktoberfest in August - It's a great time though. I like the cheap booze store just across the river in Kentucky, I think most people from Cincinnati go there because of the prices
So the big question is I also have been in London ont for 46yrs how come I've never met you or have i and just forgot, Oh now what was the question i forget:hihi::hihi::hihi:

crookesey

03-06-2010, 18:28

There are on this forum a number of people who continuously put down America for whatever reason, even against native born Americans who grace us with their presence. As a Sheffielder I feel ashamed about it at times. If I read comments from fellow Sheffielders about some of the stuff happening in Sheffield today, I can only comment on it negatively. That is not putting down my native town. If I comment, as I have done, about the beauty of Connecticut, that is not a negative connotation about Derbyshire. You have made enough badmouth about New England that you ought to go home. We do not need negativity right now.

Buck, I have never been to the states but often meet Americans during my travels in Europe. They are generally very focused on their trip, and are usually very polite and interested in where they are and what they are doing. I have no problems with our Colonial cousins. :thumbsup: