WE MOVED TO… VIRGINIA, USA

Friday 1st December 2006

Jenny Vereker

Natasha King, 30, and her husband Chris, 30, a sales manager, swapped Sutton in Surrey for Richmond, Virginia in July, 2004

Why did you move?
Chris was offered a job in the US office of the company he worked for. We'd both dreamt of living in the States, so we leapt at the chance of moving to Richmond, the state capital of Virginia. We knew no one when we first arrived, but it didn't matter because everyone was so friendly. Chris' new colleagues donated their time—and furniture—to help get us settled. They took us out and showed us around. We made some long-lasting friends in those first few weeks.

What's your new home like?
We owned a two-bedroom cottage in Sutton, which we sold for £200,000. It was on a noisy main road, we had a council office block overlooking our back garden and a new block of flats being built next door. For the same money here, you could buy a four or five-bed, three-bathroom house. For the moment, we're renting a two-bed, two-bathroom apartment for $1,000 (£600) a month, which includes cable TV and washer/dryer rental. We could easily get a bigger home for our money, but we're happy where we are. There's a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court and gym at our disposal. We have a balcony that overlooks a fountain and lake (residents are allowed to fish in it!) and there are outdoor grills and picnic benches.

What about the area?
We're within walking distance of restaurants, shops and a supermarket, so we don't have to use the car all the time. It's lovely and quiet, and feels safe and secure. Richmond is considered a 'southern' city because people are politically conservative. But we don't live in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains area, which really is completely different. Washington DC is only 100 miles north.