Ask an immigrant.

[Jenny A]

Are you aware how much the U.S. varies from state to state and region to region? Liquer laws, available public transport, quality of health care, whether there's green space between the towns, all vary widly from state to state. Steak and kidney pie on the other hand is probably rare everywhere here.

What makes the U.S. more adventurous than the U.K.?

[ignoramus]

How many guns ya packin bruthu?

[Tiberius]

Looks like you're adjusting just fine. Any out-there, religious fringe groups aggressively try to recruit you yet?

My aunt and uncle in law are born again Christians. We got invited to their church's easter production and decided to go because they are nice people. It was a nice show but nobody tried to force Christianity on us.

We live down the street from a Unitarian Universalist church which we might start going to to meet people from the community.

Let me just say that the no booze in the supermarkets is just some east coast bullshit. I buy my booze at the gas station like a good Californian. Speaking of which, have you had a chance to make it out to the best coast? It's also funny to hear Massachusetts described as cheap as it's got the highest cost of living in the US.

Oh I'm aware it's an east coast thing, and in some areas a Massachusetts thing. I'm just comparing it to the UK, where I don't think there are any areas which prohibit the sale of alcohol in supermarkets.

As for making it out to the best coast, as a good new New Englander I'd say I've already made it. My wife used to live in Washington though and says good things about it.

Massachusetts is cheap compared to London, where I was living previously. Sure, I could live in another state and probably pay even less than I am now, but there are other benefits to living here, like being close to the central hub of New England (Boston) and also relatively close to New York.

Are you aware how much the U.S. varies from state to state and region to region? Liquer laws, available public transport, quality of health care, whether there's green space between the towns, all vary widly from state to state. Steak and kidney pie on the other hand is probably rare everywhere here.

What makes the U.S. more adventurous than the U.K.?

Yeah I know the U.S. varies from state to state, but I'm only talking about my experience, which amounts to living in Massachusetts. Don't take anything negative I've said as a comment on the U.S. as a whole; I love this country .

As for what makes the U.S. more adventurous, I'd have to go with the size and space. The U.K is roughly the size of Michigan in area, but has about 1/5 of the total population of the US (and 6.5 times more people than Michigan itself). So obviously not only is the US far bigger in terms of area, meaning there's more to explore / do, the population density is also much smaller.

How many guns ya packin bruthu?

None. I don't believe I'm allowed to own one until I'm a resident. I'm planning on going to a range with a relative though.

[Pyrrho]

...

How many guns ya packin bruthu?

None. I don't believe I'm allowed to own one until I'm a resident. I'm planning on going to a range with a relative though.

When you finally get to be a proper member of society, you will need to stock your den like this:

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That way, people won't think you are some foreign monarchist trying to subvert the country, but are just a regular guy.  And, of course, you will want your pregnant wife to be able to defend herself, too.

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[popeyespappy]

How many guns ya packin bruthu?

None. I don't believe I'm allowed to own one until I'm a resident. I'm planning on going to a range with a relative though.

US law allows non immigrant aliens to purchase and possess firearms here. There are a few hoops to jump through paperwork wise, but the process isn't as complicated as you might think. MA law is considerably more restrictive though, and a non immigrant alien can't purchase a firearm there. They can however purchase a long gun in a bordering state and legally bring it back to MA if you go through all the proper processes. No resident of MA can legally purchase a handgun in another state.

[Whateverist]

No resident of MA can legally purchase a handgun in another state.

Cool.  Good reason to live there.  What about those who already have them.  Will there be enough jack booted militia to storm their strong holds and confiscate them and/or pry them out of their cold, dead hands?

[Pyrrho]

Have you had a chance to travel and see the sights?  Like Niagara Falls (though the view is better from the Canadian side), the Grand Canyon, Death Valley (which you should visit in the winter; if you visit in August, you will understand its name), etc.?

[popeyespappy]

No resident of MA can legally purchase a handgun in another state.

Cool.  Good reason to live there.  What about those who already have them.  Will there be enough jack booted militia to storm their strong holds and confiscate them and/or pry them out of their cold, dead hands?

Maybe I should have been a bit more descriptive on this one. Federal law prohibits intrastate sales of handguns. This includes both private and licensed sales. Federal law allows intrastate sales of long guns for bordering states. Once again this includes both private and licensed sales. As a resident of Alabama I can legally buy a rifle or shotgun in Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida then bring it back home myself. I can't do the same in Kentucky because Kentucky is not a bordering state. I can only legally purchase a handgun in Alabama.

I can order any gun it is legal for me to own from another state, but it must be delivered to an FFL licensed dealer in Alabama, and I can only take possession of such a weapon from my local dealer after a background check and compliance with all state and local regulations. The federal regulations and apply to all 50 states and DC.

[Dystopia]

How did your react to how Americans handle tipping compared to Europeans (and presumably the UK) Where it is a rare occurrence?

[Clueless Morgan]

Oh, and not having a booze aisle in the supermarket, and not being able to buy alcohol before 11am on a Sunday...that's odd.

Let me just say that the no booze in the supermarkets is just some east coast bullshit. I buy my booze at the gas station like a good Californian.

East coast bullshit, indeed.* Wine and beer are both sold in the grocery store in Oregon. You only have to go to the liquor store for hard alcohol or spirits.

Also, the time restrictions on when you can buy alcohol, as far as I know, either don't exist or aren't enforced in Oregon.

Move to the West coast, Tibs. It's way more awesome out here.

*I think it's actually a state-by-state thing having to do with each state's particular liquor laws, but who cares? The West Coast still rocks.