Well, I'm happy to announce that my wife and I are moving to the US on June the 19th! We'll be relocating in the Richmond area, Virginia. It's crazy to think that we are so close to moving now! Things are getting very real indeed, as we are only 47 days away! Woohoo!

Glad to hear it. I was born in, and lived (more or less) the first 18 years of my life there, in Henrico Co.

Welcome. Good luck with your new endevour.

You'll have a fine time.

It will be interesting to see if your perspectives change after living in the US...

Welcome to America, Horyok!

Yikes, I can't imagine all the stuff involved in moving from one country to another!

I hope your move is trouble-free and you don't experience any francophobia from the...shall we say "less tolerant" folks in the US.

Thank you all for your nice messages

SWM28WDC, we'll be living right next to Henrico!

Just Leave me Alone!, thanks for your support

Amlord, that's an interesting possibility... at least, I will be able to participate in the Domestic Debate!

DaffyGrl, moving abroad is a complicated business... it requires some planning indeed, but with our experience (16 moves already) things will be fine!

Outstanding news, Horyok

I sure hope you like it here. We are probably moving to Virginia soon, too...two potential locations. The second possible location would place us within an hour or so drive of Richmond.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
It makes me sad to see you go. It's always the best that move away and leave their country behind...

Well, I wish you the best, and I hope you will come back when you realize that the US doesn't fulfill the expectations you hoped for.

PS: Beware of that infectious Republican Conservatism.

Virginia is a nice state and you'll be in close driving distance to the shore. Best of luck in your new home. Perhaps getting to know some "real Americans" will show you that the forum is only for a certain type of person and that most people are more interested in more "mundane" pursuits (such as family, job, hobbies, etc.).

But, the thing about the US is you can find a circle of friends independent of the views you hold; particularly in an area like Virginia which has those leftist NPR types and the military types who hang out in Virginia Beach.

Happy Trails!

LordHelmet, thanks for your encouragements!

Seien Sie nicht traurig, Sevac! I'm not leaving France because I believe the US are the ultimate in fulfilling my "expectations". I'm leaving because the US represent a better opportunity for me and my wife at the moment. Quite frankly, I'm well aware that there are good and bad things in both places!

We made it clear to everyone else we know that we can move back to France someday. Because of our international marriage, my wife and I belong to the French and American culture equally.

Mrs. Pigpen, your relocation is great news too! It would be nice to be able to meet in person someday!!! I remember one of your future locations could be Arlington; is the other Norfolk?

Yes and yes . I look forward to hopefully meeting you, too. I sure hope you enjoy it here.

I give you less than a year before you are hooked on American football. Just my guess......

I don't know about American football right away, that may take some time, but Horyok, living in Richmond puts you smack dab in NASCAR Country! They've got two big races a year at Richmond International Raceway, one this weekend and then again 10Sept. If you want to get a taste of down home America and have a day of fun with some just plain nice people, take in a NASCAR race weekend. I'll even give you the inside scoop on the sport.

And there is baseball in D.C. again. A summer evening at the ballpark might be a relaxing into to US sports (if Horyok doesn't fall asleep watching it).

Building on the baseball suggestion - watch a video of "Field of Dreams" starring Kevin Costner. It's very, um, French, for a baseball movie. Then work your way up to "The Natural" and "Bull Durham." Understanding baseball is critical to understanding America. If nothing else, it helps in understanding the slang - first base, home run, strike out, etc.

I see by your profile, Horyok, that your family has made it to the States. Welcome, my friend. What a great time to be here. Even if you aren't all 'rah-rah' patriotic, July is a great month all over this country. It starts with 4th of July festivities and throughout the rest of the month you'll find outdoor festivals, concerts, and activities of all sorts. Enjoy your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Hey Jaime,

We're definitely going to celebrate Independence Day with the family here, around a nice BBQ meal that my father-in-law will fix for us. I wish we could eat outside, but the weather being so darn humid and hot, it feels like a thunderstorm is constantly about to happen! Hopefully, we'll be able to attend one of the main fireworks they have around Richmond.

Anyway, we're adapting just fine here.

Happy 4th of July to you all!

Ha, my friend, you just have to get used to sweating. Wait till the 90 deg / 90% humidity days later in the summer.

Also, try Bill's Barbeque, get the family dinner, a pie, and some limeade.

I second the Bill's BBQ recommendation. I believe there's one on Broad at Libbey if you're in the westend. Also, the true humidity will not hit until later this month. On the plus side, the sound of cicadas on a lazy afternoon is a fine thing to drink a beer to.