Our move to the USA - Lessons learned

We’ve gained valuable lessons during our transition from the UK to the USA, and today we will share them with you.
Join us in Charlottesville, Virginia-where we first set foot in the United States. As we explore the area and revisit the houses that shaped our initial American experience, we’ll relive the moments that surprised and shocked us during our relocation to the USA.
#themeparkbazza #relocation #expat #expatlife #usa #lessonslearned #usalifestyle

[@joansmith-fc1fu]

You’ve had a very similar journey to us, except we came over in 1976, it’s a learning experience for sure, we are now well retired and enjoying the Florida lifestyle.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Wow 1976, you will have seen a lot of changes

[@michellechristiesmith]

So great to listen to you both. Mrs Bazza has been your rock, it’s lovely.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much, yes she has !

[@lin30dsey]

What beautiful homes you have lived in. I really enjoyed watching this trip down your memory lane.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We had fun filming it

[@juliesmith9097]

So lovely to hear you reminiscing about walking your dog

[@ThemeParkBazza]

A daily walk for us

[@TC-rf3tu]

Well done!, Mr. & Mrs. Bazza! 👏👍 Cheers!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BroadwaysAway]

Love your story. So happy how it’s turned out for you both 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you!! 😊

[@Matthew-nh3zt]

Thank you for sharing your journey and tour of your former neighbourhoods, the houses look amazing!! I'm relocating to the USA next month from the UK and watching this made it feel very real and exciting! Thanks again and I'm looking forward to checking out your future videos. :)

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Good luck!!

[@chiarastirland4971]

Lovely to hear more of your story of moving over there. Some beautiful houses over there ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Virginia is a beautiful area, with as you say, beautiful houses

[@shirleymclean5895]

Curious about the much beloved BAZZAS mentioned regularly by The Lodge Guys, I had to subscribe! Watched all the Florida LG and DD vlogs, and was impressed by your kindness and hospitality shown to these four rascals! So lovely to hear YOUR story!Sending best and kind thoughts from the U.K.

[@shirleymclean5895]

Fascinating cheers 👍

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much, we always have fun together

[@sarahmelvin166]

This was a great vlog, very interesting. We took a similar journey from the UK to New Jersey and it was good to see how another family did it. As you pointed out, the opportunities in the US are incredible compared to the UK, very happy we made the move!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We are glad things worked out for you also

[@chrisb389]

Excellant vlog detailing the pros and cons of moving and leaving in the USA. Bazza and Mrs Bazza I bet it gave you a lot a very happy memories walking around and seeing familiar sights. Well done for the great content

[@ThemeParkBazza]

It was very familiar, yet odd as we have not been here since 2020

[@jackyhorsman4422]

I really enjoyed this vlog. It’s fascinating how lives differ and turn out. You originated not far from me (Bolton) and now you live in my favourite place. Mrs Bazza you were a great support to Bazza.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Life is definitely a journey, takes us in many directions. Luckily Mrs B was giving directions :-)

[@martinpettitt2734]

Thanks for sharing, fascinating watching your trip down memory lane.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you, we enjoyed strolling down the lane

[@JackieBrady-pv1bg]

Loved listening to your story and watching, thank you 🌺

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@THErealBRITSofFlorida]

Thanks!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you. We do appreciate your tip, though it's never expected x

[@staceywoods7975]

Aw lovely vlog 😊 hope you get another dog, be great for both of u. Your past homes were lovely but your current home is just beautiful 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We will soon

[@anngilnack5011]

It was and is a great story of your journey, workwise and home wise to America and Charlottesville, Va. Looking forward to the continuation. Love all your stories and sharings. You're both great.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@nxtcr]

So nice to hear your story. We moved to the US in 2022, had the credit card issue until I found out that AMEX will now issue you a US card based on your UK Amex payment history. I think this is a fairly new thing. It really helped with building credit and we were able to buy a house one year in. We had to buy both cars with cash though.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That credit thing is a pain, that's why I mentioned having plenty of cash on hand

[@nxtcr]

@@ThemeParkBazza yep, definitely need plenty of cash even nowadays! Even our landlord would only rent to us with several months deposit due to the no credit.

[@christinebarr7687]

Enjoyed the walk with you both round the area where you lived. Felt as though I was walking with you. 👍

[@ThemeParkBazza]

It was all our huffing and puffing that did that , lol

[@MrsFazz68]

Thank you so much for sharing. We’ve been in VA for a year now and even though we’ve travelled the States for over 20 years there is sooooooo much to learn whilst living here. You’ve made me feel a little more settled knowing that isolation is a thing over here and that having lots of trees and wild animals to look at daily is the norm 🦌 🐍 🐻 🐿️ the bugs on the other hand I could really do without!! They get everywhere don’t they? Don’t forget, if you ever need anything when you’re up this way, give us a shout. We’ve always got a good cuppa 🇬🇧☕️ ready for you xxx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We appreciate that

[@skybluejay9473]

Beautiful area to live in, thanks for showing us around. If it hadn’t been for cars passing on the wrong side of the road, you could quite easily believe that was the UK

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We used to say that every week when we were driving on the back roads

[@amymcelgunn2720]

What a fun vlog! You two give me hope. We are the same ages as you and Barry. Getting ready to send my youngest to College. I can’t wait to show my husband where Barry says,” There is no such thing as a forever home”. I can’t wait for a change or a new chapter…and might I add, my husband to be home a full week without travel. 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome! Never give up on your dreams !

[@Lyces]

Beautiful area, very spacious and leafy. It looks like a safe place.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Apart from the snakes and bears :-)

[@conradanderson548]

What a fascinating video, throughly enjoyed that...thanks for sharing your story.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks for watching

[@susanrobinson2746]

Thank you for sharing once again, love these vlogs of your move to America x

[@ThemeParkBazza]

You are so welcome!

[@susanhunt5944]

Your stories are so interesting and informative thank you xxx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you for watching

[@Buns1172]

Totally enthralled watching this 👍👍. Thank you for sharing your experience and answering those questions we all want to know the answers to 😀. Wishing you both a safe summer ❤️❤️

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@trevorhall9524]

Fascinating, thanks for the glimpse into your past life.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Chrissyhappy]

Very enjoyable thank you. You’re both articulate and easy to watch.😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Mxbarry]

And it indeed was a wonderful lunch date, Mr. and Mrs. Bazza! Lots to catch up on, and it was wonderful seeing you again! One little bit of information for you: the (former) GE complex was built, and the property purchased by GE back in the 1980s in order to consolidate all of the satellite offices that were spread around the Charlottesville area. The manufacturing building was constructed first, followed later on by the engineering and marketing buildings. Those were heady times and at the division's peak, parking was at a premium, with cars lining all of the access roads around the complex!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

It certainly has changed a lot

[@Mxbarry]

@@ThemeParkBazza And sadly, not for the better.

[@nickyleach3856]

What a beautiful place you were lucky to live 😍 Thankyou for showing us around . Lovely memories you have shared . X

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cynthiaslabosz7560]

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you for watching

[@shirleybrewer8921]

Nice video! I enjoyed hearing more of your story!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much!

[@carolinemunro1557]

Lovely houses, and what a great opportunity for you both and your family .

[@ThemeParkBazza]

It's been a fun journey

[@juliablowfield6069]

What a great vlog! Thanks so much for giving us an insight into your American life before Orlando. 🇬🇧x

[@ThemeParkBazza]

You are so welcome

[@alembic6384]

A really interesting and inciteful vlog, Virginia looks stunning

[@ThemeParkBazza]

It is a beautiful place

[@kevinobrien5450]

Very interesting blog. I also moved from the UK to usa but in the mid nineties. Not retired yet but hopefully soon, 3 years max. Didn't have the fancy relocation package you had. Flight paid for (required by H1B) and two weeks in a hotel. That was it. I did open a uk amex credit card just before I left because I knew you could transfer to a us amex. Good to know that trick still works. Funny to hear you mention San Ramon, I live in a neighboring city in the tri-valley and have done for 23 years. Will probably sell and move to a cheaper area on retirement.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Retirement does make you think more about the pennies and value for money for sure

[@juliegarner4357]

What an interesting vlog tonight, loved listening to your journey to America. Lovely area where you used to live and what an amazing home you had there. If I was younger I’d would love to move over to start a new life. Love your home in Orlando and you should be both so proud of what you’ve achieved as what an upheaval it must of been moving out there and leaving family in the UK. Really hope to meet up with you guys next year when we are over x

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much! 😊 . We look forward to seeing you

[@Turbotails118]

Great insight into what life was like for you after you left, looks like a gorgeous and quiet neighbourhood

[@ThemeParkBazza]

It is a beautiful area

[@kezzacollinson621]

A great insight guys ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you

[@linpownall4381]

Absolutely brilliant loved this vlog you’ve had wonderful homes thank you so much for sharing ❤😘😘😘

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@2bigkidsgo]

Brilliant informative vlog… lots of walking haha. Such a beautiful area you lived in too. Really interesting 👍

[@ThemeParkBazza]

And very hilly lol

[@annamarie83]

Lovely video 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you 🤗

[@donaldlamaster3789]

Loved this. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

You are so welcome!

[@THErealBRITSofFlorida]

loved this vlog...always wonder how people end up where they are. Pretty area to live.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We love the Virginia landscape

[@aimeeguerrera2579]

Love hearing your history 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you

[@cathyhydephotography]

Loved this ❤️ I love looking at houses 🏠

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you

[@jeffxgoodman67]

I love y'all's videos :) Thank you so much for the content. Come to Austin for our tiny little theme park at Circuit of Americas!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We will be back to Texas on a road trip

[@wheelswheelchairgirl]

Wow I loved this tour of your old homes .... looks lovely .... is the Virginia mountains there where the Waltons was filmed ? Thanks Maxine and Bazza for showing this loved it xxx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes the home the Waltons was based on is just about 30mins south of Charlottesville.Night Johnboy

[@wheelswheelchairgirl]

@@ThemeParkBazza oh wow not far then ... I loved the Waltons .... that is cool ... thanks xx

[@sharonsmith381]

Hi Mr and Mrs Bazza, I love listening to you both your os interesting, and Virginia is beautiful but like you both I love florida 😊😊❤❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks for listening

[@sjw007]

Thoroughly enjoyed that vlog, thanks for sharing your story, really interesting.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Our pleasure!

[@myraconnelly7965]

Thanks for taking us on ur journey ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

My pleasure 😊

[@nevillechant27]

Wow so interesting many thanks guys

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MinibazzaTPB]

Great memories! it was hard as first like you mentioned, worth it though. Definitely still traumatised from nicking that wood outside Food lion 😂

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Sorry Son !

[@SeeShaunVlog]

Super interesting video Baz!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers Shaun x

[@deborahjohnson8015]

I am a new subscriber and I love your life story . Thank you for sharing !!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Welcome’ thanks for following along our journey !

[@tedansley]

We did a bit of the opposite. In 2008 we moved to Thailand, from the USA, and in 2012, moved back then to the UK in 2012-2015. Then moved to Harrisonburg VA, about 50 miles from Charlottesville. I also retired in my 50s. This year my wife moved to FL, Im still outside Harrisonburg moving to FL after our youngest graduates and goes to college in FL!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Quite a journey indeed, we love living in Orlando

[@falconvelocity]

You "learned" their spellings as well 😉😂 Congrats guys. Hope you have an awesome time over there living the dream. Would love to be able to do this.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Good old USA software will do that for you lol. Never give up on your dreams

[@sharonpott4253]

Really interesting ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SheardTV1]

14:32 ahh the joys of the GoPro, poor Maxine looks like she’s on a treadmill doing a hike up the alps whilst Bazza floats along like a ghost. 👻

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I actually think we filmed that one on the Insta360 Pro

[@michaelward4669]

Lovely watching this one,must of been a tearful reunion it’s a shame the shops and pubs aren’t closer,but now you’re in your second happy place,just a thought did max ever work in the USA or was that too complicated

[@ThemeParkBazza]

She could work , and did have a part time jobs at one point but me never knowing when I would be away and for how long I would be away, she needed to look after the kids as a priority

[@Chieftracyhorse]

I’ve been visiting the States from 1990, It was my dream to move to America.🇺🇸 However , I’m a phyciatric nurse, and unfortunately they don’t recognise my qualification in the USA, plus, maybe more importanly ……I never learned to drive!!! 🤣🤣 Thanks for sharing your journey, very jealous , you made your dream come true!❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Weird they do not recognize it, is it possible to get grandfathered into an existing USA certification ?

[@lmutch427]

You should just test out and take a certification test in the US, I can bet that you could pass. Schools is Europe and UK are way more difficult than American , my mom is from Edinburgh when we visited our cousins in the UK couldn't believe the course requirements.... way more stringent .😃

[@DDadTravels]

The house you owned was very Home alone picture perfect and lovely! Do you miss it or is Orlando the true dream come true??

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That home served its purpose to bring up our kids. Orlando is our next phase of life for early retirement. We don’t have forever or dream homes, they are just places for now. Who knows in 10 years we may move somewhere else.

[@AnnaPawlina-r8b]

Firstly I would like to say I love watching your channel. Did your work pay for your houses or did you have to pay rent on these two house?

[@ThemeParkBazza]

A bit confused with houses ? We have one house that we own

[@3252messi]

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your well deserved retirement in Orlando!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@GringoLoco1]

Very interesting. Sure hope you invested in a riding mower! 😉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I did and it still took me 4hrs to cut the grass

[@susanstanley2414]

Lovely vlogs, Virginia is my favourite state in the past we have done 3 Road trips through Virginia. I could happily live in any of your previous homes. Can I just ask did maxine work aswell while you were in Virginia?

[@ThemeParkBazza]

She had a couple of part time jobs, but as I was away 75% of the time she had to manage the house and the kids so that took a priority

[@gilscot100]

Such a lovely area. I can understand why you would have picked it over the outskirts of Boston. And the necessity to be close to the “high head uns” - US firms can be ruthless. Was it a bit disorienting at first with all the trees and no landmarks - no SatNav back then? Our journey is very similar but started in 1994 with a move from Scotland to Singapore (American firm - we were going to Longmont, Colorado but that fell through), who then after 18 months transferred us (husband, me, daughter age 7, son age 5) to San Diego. This was September. Furnished apartment for a few weeks until furniture arrived then into a rental house. January 3rd firm announce they were shutting down the San Diego and everyone who wanted it would transfer north to San Jose. We had already started the green card application, that the firm was paying for so we had to move north to keep that going. Because the work location was a different address that whole process had to go back to square one. In those days it could take 8-12 months for the cards to come through. This time we bought a house straight away and have been in it ever since. So your advice about an escape plan is very wise. And my goodness Barry, GE San Ramon, that is 10 minutes up Hwy 680 from me.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Wow what a journey , but you took the risk and it paid off. We did have a Garmin portable sat nav so all was good for navigation. 2015-17 I was in San Ramon every month

[@gilscot100]

@@ThemeParkBazza my goodness what a small world. The city I live in, Pleasanton, is right at the junction of 580 and 680. Bishop Ranch complex at San Ramon is home to the headquarters of quite a few multi nationals

[@Sarahsparkles83]

Loved this, just wondering what your children are doing now, are they living in America still?

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Our daughter lives near DC, you will see her in the Washington DC vlog we did a few weeks ago. Our son moved back to the UK 2 years ago to restart his life there, you can see him in our vlog from last July on our UK vacation.

[@1955A]

Loved the vlog. What a beautiful area you lived in , as you do now. We love the usa. Can I ask a question, have you ever been to Salem. My daughter is itching to go and wondering if it's easy to get to if she and her husband stay in Boston. ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Not yet! I do believe its not far from Boston

[@lindaalmond6769]

“Play out” is there only us Yorkshire folk who use that phrase 😂

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We are special !

[@lesliereynolds4492]

When u came back to the USA I couldn’t get credit even though I bought and paid off a car and paid any cards I had. I was in Wards and they turned me down and i said I had a card before so they looked it up and opened it back up. My daughter got hers cuz I opened one at a store I don’t shop at but bought something and added her. I just didn’t give her a card and I never used it again.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I know, the whole credit thing is crazy

[@sheelaghdunne-ck4pg]

Looks stunning don’t mind me I’m a coward when it comes to wildlife 🙈

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Something you have to learn when you live in Virginia

[@ZM-jb6gc]

There's a street in Hawaii called "Easy St." and funny enough the road sign has a marker which says "Dead End". Bit of a metaphor. Anyway, I'm glad you got to experience the USA from a largely very nice town, and even the climate of Virginia is rather perfect. Somewhat temperate but you can still experience winter, mostly mild, and also have those nice autumn leaves.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We loved the seasons, hated digging out in the snow . Hence the house in Orlando now :-)

[@Sarahsparkles83]

Are u guys able to vote in November? Also how do u find the health care over there I’ve heard about it being really expensive?

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes, we are US citizens, so we can vote. Healthcare is expensive, but salaries and company benefits are increased to help compensate. Also, the treatment you get is first class and quick

[@tedansley]

Where did you live in Yorkshire. We lived in North Yorkshire just north of Harrogate!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Barnomdswick on the Yorkshire, Lancashire boarder

[@colekenyon4577]

Wow! The dog was a bargain. We paid $5k to bring our dog over In September 2022. And 2K for the cat. (Well the company did)

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Well, it was 2005 pricing

[@colekenyon4577]

@@ThemeParkBazza stunning area!

[@lesliereynolds4492]

I kept typing it right and auto correct insisted to put in u when I typed I.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

🤣🤣

[@sheelaghdunne-ck4pg]

Nope you can keep that forest walk the thought of coming across a bear or a snake …yeiks🫣😱

[@ThemeParkBazza]

just part of living in Virginia

[@michaelsandner9373]

Nice walk down memory lane 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks for watching