My husband and I just got our follow-on after his Korea tour and we are coming to Lakenheath!!! We won't be there until Sept-ish 2012.....but I am moving home with my parents while he is in Korea, so we need to start preparing now and I have a million questions!!!

1) Suggestions for the best areas to live in.
2)Has anyone PCS'd recently and taken big dogs with you..........we are debating on what to do with our dogs.....how much did it cost to ship them and how much hassle was the quarantine, etc.....
3)Should we sell our washer/dryer before we come?
4)Do we have to have our vehicles modified..........how much does it cost/what does it involve?
5)Did anyone ship a second vehicle? How much did it cost to ship?
6)Can we use our US carseats over there?

There are some of my questions to start with........thanks for any and all info that anyone can give me! It is greatly appreciated! 

Ok, i have the answers to a few.
1)I live near the base and I like it, so I cant recommend any other area. I can tell you there is a long waiting list for base housing.
2) Go ahead and check with the base vets now about getting them ready for all their shots. UK is very strict on pets. They have to do a blood test 6 months b4 you arrive in country (or they have to be quarantined in a kennel, very expensive) to make sure their rabies resistance is high enough. they will also have to be microchiped, about $20. as for the cost of shipping, im not sure because i had to send our dog to live with my in-laws for the time being. I couldnt imagine doing the kenneling to her. my husband just told me that quarantining is reimbursable, but go ahead and start your pet stuff.
3)The air force gives you a washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, microwave to use while you are here. so dont bring those besides most of your american appliances wont work over here. if they are brand new, i'd put them in storage or leave them with your parents.
4)You have to have your lights converted, they point the headlights in a different direction, (driving on the left side of the rd), they add some side blinker lights over the front wheels, put a red fog light on the back of your car, and if you dont have fog lights they add it to your car. oh and if your blinkers are red on the back of your car, they take out your reverse lights, rewire your car and put amber turn signals in. our light conversion totaled $450, we had it done on base at the auto hobby shop. but we had a 2010 escape and they said ours was more expensive b/c the wiring was crazy and a butthole to get to.
5)didnt ship a second car, if your hubby has a motorcycle he can ship that part of your household goods and it doesnt count against your weight limit.
6)US carseats have to be used in US spec vehicles. If you buy a UK spec car, then you have to buy UK carseats. they said it's something to do with insurance.

Additional advice, make sure tv is dual band or at least PAL. NTSC signals (most american tvs) wont receive a signal over here so if you still have your owners manual you might want to check that out. you can always buy a converter box for them but they're like $200 from what we are told. we had just bought a tv in the US before we got orders and ours worked, i dont know if newer tvs do that now or what. oh and there is a tv tax too.

cant think of anything else right now but as soon as i do i'll tell ya. 

Wow, EW, great answer--wish I had had contact with you when we were moving here :-) 

You've got plenty of time to save for getting your pets over here and enough time to worry about the PETS travel scheme. So just start saving a little each month to ship them over here, you'll be glad you did! :-) Just make sure that you know well ahead of time before you take them in to get the FAVN test done of what THEY need to do. You'd be very suprised on how easily even military vets screw things up. Paperwork basically has to be perfect. Microchipping BEFORE getting the blood drawn is HUGE! They do have pet TLF so don't worry about kenneling when you get here.

We came from Germany to here so I can't really offer you on how much it will be to ship them by plane.

All in all, beyond saving to ship the dogs, you have a while to wait before you have to start all the hard stuff like getting the family their med clearances and the pets their clearances. We got follow on orders a year and a half in advance too. It seems so long away but the time flies while he's gone! Winter drags by a bit but the summer hurries along.

When you get here, if you care doens't arrive before you do, the car hires are cheap per week. Average about 30 pounds or so. You will have to pay for that up front before you can get reimbursed.

Start checking www.rightmove.co.uk about 2 months before you get here if you want to live off base. But only live off base if your finaces are in check. If they are, living off base is a breeze and has no more impact on your money than it would be living on base. Don't be like me and start looking 6 months ahead and start falling in love with some places only to know they won't be here when you get here!

Hope the year goes by quickly for you! I stayed where we were stationed when he left. I just can't handle family for that long. Bravo to you! :-D

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/ 

I know when we got here (my husband also did a tour to Korea) we went to the top of list for housing. They consider your year in Korea as "waiting" time. We however chose to live off base.

I have more but I'm seriously to exhausted to try to put together more. I will do it in the morning. 

Wow, EW, great answer--wish I had had contact with you when we were moving here :-)

Thanks Jeni. We just got here back in Feb so it's all still fresh in my head.

You've got plenty of time to save for getting your pets over here and enough time to worry about the PETS travel scheme. So just start saving a little each month to ship them over here, you'll be glad you did! :-) Just make sure that you know well ahead of time before you take them in to get the FAVN test done of what THEY need to do. You'd be very suprised on how easily even military vets screw things up. Paperwork basically has to be perfect. Microchipping BEFORE getting the blood drawn is HUGE! They do have pet TLF so don't worry about kenneling when you get here.

VERY TRUE. FAVN was the word i was looking for but couldnt remember it. the FAVN test is good for like 2yrs btw (so we were told) and yes military vets will give you misinformation. Not intentionally, just b/c it's all so confusing and there are a bunch of hoops to jump thru. At least you found out way in advance you are coming here, plenty of time to get ready.
I wasnt aware of Korea bumping you to the top of the waiting list but that's cool. 

We just PCS'd here about 3 months ago and since we didn't get orders until about 4 months before we were to leave, my dogs had to finish out their quarantine with my father. I just got them over here about 3 weeks ago and it cost us quite a bit. Be sure you check into airlines that will actually fly your dogs into the UK. We had originally gone with Delta but found out later that Delta doesn't ship dogs into the UK. We went with Virgin Atlantic in the end and they were amazing. They took very good care of my dogs and I actually got to watch them board them onto the plane. It cost us about $1500 for them to fly and then another $600 once we got into the UK to get them through customs at the animal reception centre, so definitely start saving now! It will depend on the size of your dogs and the size/weight of the kennel as well, but I have one big one and one little one and that's how much it cost us. Also, you will have to get USDA stamps and certificates for them to get into the UK and that costs around $100. Even though our vet was USDA certified, they couldn't do the stamp so we had to actually go to the USDA office to get it done. It was a complete pain and very stressful at the time, but it was worth it in the end. Hope this helps! 

Don't count on Pet TLF!!! They are always booked! 

Thank you all so much for all of the information. It is overwhelming, but at least I can start planning now.

We don't actually have a whole lot of time as we are moving across the country to live with my parents and have about 3 months to decide what to sell, what to take to my parents and what to put into storage. Also, we have 3 children under the age of 3.........(had a new baby 3 weeks ago)......so that cuts all of that extra time that I have down quite a bit. I just want to be prepared. I'm very OCD about things........so I like to plan and know what is coming my way. Thanks again for all of the info! 

As far as housing goes do not take something in Lords Walk. Liberty Village is nice if you want on base housing.

Sell the washer and dryer. Unless you have someone that will be using it I hear they don't work well after sitting around for years on end.

I was told universal carseats can be used in british or american cars so I would go for that if you can. My advice find one there before you move because the selection here sucks. We have a universal we happen to find but was the last one.

One rule my husband and I have is while you are here if you see something you want buy it then and there otherwise when you go back for it later on it won't be there.

Expect to buy clothing and just about everything you want online and expect 2-3 weeks for it to get to you. The bx is limited on womens clothing or little girls clothing but has a wonderful selection for men and boys. Unless you want to wear mens clothing buy from online. 

Thanks for the info Rabbit.........I'll have to stock up on womens and girls clothing in the year before we move! 

Before I moved here I got told that the farther you live from base the bigger house you get for your oha. I live out in littleport and have a house that is twice the size of my american home. I love living out here, we have a train station that is in the village so we use that when we want to go to paris or disneyland. 

I buy clothing here on the economy, they have the same types of stores we have back in the old USofA, you just have to get out and find them.

Just make sure you get out and see this amazing place! We are so lucky to have the opportunity to live in another country and see such beautiful places. Don't sit at home and talk about how much you hate this place without ever even going to London. 

Before I moved here I got told that the farther you live from base the bigger house you get for your oha. I live out in littleport and have a house that is twice the size of my american home. I love living out here, we have a train station that is in the village so we use that when we want to go to paris or disneyland.


Remeber to factor in the cost and ease of purchasing petrol/gasoline when you look at homes that are further out. Gas off base equals out to about $8 per gallon. On base, it is the American average. I live close to base and only fill up my tank once a month for regular travel. Our proximity to the base amenities outweighs having a larger home. If I lived much farther out, i doubt I would drive in to use the Base bowling alley, theater, grocery stores, library and gym. 

Thank you all.........this is all very helpful! We are definitely looking forward to exploring when we get to England and to seeing a bunch of amazing places! If you guys think of anything else, please let me know! 

We are currently stationed in Germany with 6 months left on our tour here.....thank God! Mildenhall was on our Equals listing, and as it looks, that is more than likely where we are headed.
I would like to add some questions that the initial poster did not ask.

1. How are the schools? I have 2 middle schoolers, a first grader and a preschooler.
2. Are there plenty of activities for older kids? i.e. teen trips, etc.
3. If you live or have lived on base, would you say the base housing is small, average or large? I have four children.
4. What about craft stores? I make fabric coffee cup coozie's and have very very limited selection on base and in the area in general.

I appreciate any info you can give me. 

Barbara

1. The schools are HORRIBLE, lots of bullying in Elementary, Intermidiate and the middle school. I used CDC for my daughter and she loves it as do I.

2. There are a lot of drugs on base with the HS kids

3. I have lived off base and on. Off base we lived in Thetford and I liked it just did not like the drive since me and hubs work on base. I love Liberty Village, very little parking but the houses are nice and open floor plan.

4. I know nothing about the craft store as that is not my things but I know a bunch of gals that do know.

Good Luck...we have 32 days left here after 4 years and I am more than ready to go as is mt 10 yr old so he can be rid of the bullies and crap teachers.. 

1. How are the schools? I have 2 middle schoolers, a first grader and a preschooler.
2. Are there plenty of activities for older kids? i.e. teen trips, etc.
3. If you live or have lived on base, would you say the base housing is small, average or large? I have four children.
4. What about craft stores? I make fabric coffee cup coozie's and have very very limited selection on base and in the area in general.


I'll try to answer these too.

1. My Son (he's 5) goes to British schools. He likes it, but as Jenh said....there are lots of bullies. I think most of the time though my Son doesn't even realize he's being bullied. Lol. The schools here teach in a different style....an example would be how they teach the Alphabet. The teach it phonetically....THEN teach the kids what the letter is called. Kinda confusing for a little kid. My Son walks around sounding out letters which is fine, but if you ask him what an "A" looks like he couldn't tell you. But, if you point to the letter "A" ans ask "How does it sound?" He'll reply "Ah, ah, ah".

2. Activities for older students? Not sure if there is much around really....I'm sure someone will come on here and name a bunch of programs teens can join/sign up for but that still doesn't change the fact I've got teens that hang out in the little kids playground across from my house on base. Based on that there doesn't seem to be alot offered.....or at least stuff that the "cool" kids want to do.

3. I'd say my house, on base housing (Liberty Village) is average in size with a sweet garage. Bigger than anything you'll find in Germany/UK! (I've seen the garages/houses in both countries). We too have a somewhat open floorplan. Our house is a 3 bedroom. We lived in two other houses off base prior to getting on base. Our first house was in Mildenhall Village, on a street called "Woodlands Way". We hated it. Well...I guess that sounds harsh. Let's just say we left when we had the chance. Then we moved out to "Flempton" and lived in a flippin' HUGE barn conversion. We miss that place, but the heating was crazy. Our base house is better than both of those place in so many ways.

4. My wife has went to the craft store on RAFL. She said it was great and that they had a lot of nice stuff. My Mother in Law is into that type of stuff, so they went together when she came to visit. They were both impressed with the craft store. I may have to check it out sometime.

We have about 8 months left and for US it isn't soon enough. We're ready to get outta Dodge. 

Don't count on Pet TLF!!! They are always booked!


We got it, our friends had it. It's not always booked. We called as soon as we had actual orders (about 6 weeks to a month out) and we got in just fine. I would go that route if you want Pet TLF.

We have been here for over a year. Enough time to see how things run and work with the schools. Now, I will agree that there are some teachers who just need to quit. They have been at it too long and they no longer WANT to do the job, they are just trying to get through it. That being said, I have 3 kids and have met 1 teacher (4th grade teacher) who should NOT be a teacher and one who gave me the impression that she just wants to be done. Shes older, it happens. I've dealt with 6 teachers so far.

As far as bullies go, the schools to me, are fantastic with bullying. They are very anti-bulling to me. I think the kids my son has had in the intermediate school have been outstanding with him. He is special needs and the kids have been so wonderful with him in both of his classes over there.

I don't have kids in HS so I can't say that drugs are a problem.

Activities, there is plenty of sports for them to get into on base. I'm not sure about teen getaways since I don't have teens! And I don't want to! LOL.



The craft is nice but very expensive on base. You would be better off to find online craft stores.

We were in Germany Barbara, and I'm happy to tell you that the sun is amazing over here! WAY more sun here than there! The summer doesn't get as hot but we are loving the sun! Can't tell you enough about the sun...:-D If you like being overseas, you will like it here. I won't kid with you, the scenery in the immediate area is nothing compared to Germany but it does get much better as you go out. We were super disappointed with how the bases (especially Mildenhall) looked when we arrived. Germany's bases are so pretty compared to here. Even still, we love being overseas and this place.

I just wanted to offer a different oppinion on what Jenh had to say as it would freak me out for my kids. 

@Barbara: My wife quilts and has been maddeningly frustrated with both the lack of sources for fabric and the ridiculously high prices at the places that do have it. Every gift-giving holiday she asks for fabric from family. That said, there is a lady here who makes those coffee cup things and other fabric stuff and sells them at the BX and through the local coffee shop, but I have no clue where she gets the fabric.

@Erica: Just an FYI for trivia's sake - the FAVN is to make sure your pets are 100% rabies-free because the virus has been all but completely eradicated from the UK (not one canine case in more than a century, and the last reported case was from a bat in 2002). 

FAVIN


Just FYI, it's actually FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation).

I'm just being a sh@t. Don't mind me. ;-) 

Right on - edited. 

@Erica: Just an FYI for trivia's sake - the FAVN is to make sure your pets are 100% rabies-free because the virus has been all but completely eradicated from the UK (not one canine case in more than a century, and the last reported case was from a bat in 2002).

Very interesting. 

Thanks everyone for the responses!

I had forgot to ask about schools- our first daughter will be 4 by the time we get there- do they usually start school at 4 or 5 there? When I posted in this thread last year (when we were hoping to come to England) people were talking about an amazing British preschool, but now I'm drawing a blank as to what it was. I dread my children going to school as I was bullied in school and don't look forward to my children going through that! 

They are just like the states. They have to be 5 by September 1st to start Kindergarten though they do Sure Start here. 

The preschool you are thinking of is probably Busy Bees. British kids start primary school at 4. It isn't called Kindergarten though, they call it Reception. I just signed my daughter up to start full day Reception in the fall. 

Oh, you want off base schools Christy? I thought you were talking about schools ON base. Whoops! 

Either one really........I just remember people raving about this particular British "preschool." I just want my kids to be happy and to learn wherever they go. Do you guys think the base schools are better or the British schools? Dawnmom- is your daughter going to Busy Bees? 

Busy Bees is like an upscale daycare. It cost like 155 gbp a week, but there are grants and stuff available, it is an amazing place though. The best school in Mildenhall according to all my British friends is St. Mary's
That's where I'm going to start my daughter. 

No, she is home with me now. I am still going back and forth about putting her in Reception in the fall.
She did go to Busy Bees for a couple months though, Nice school. Reception is full day. I think that is a little much for a 4 year old. I will
probably send her and see how it goes.

I have 2 kids in American school. One in 2nd grade at Lakenheath and a 6th grader at Felwell.
They both like school here. So far we are satisfied with the way they run things.

We are switching our 2nd grader to British school in the fall. She needs to be more challenged so we are going to try it out for a quarter.


We are keeping our middle schooler in American school. She likes it a lot.