Moving to England

[Derelictmyballs]

So I was thinking about moving to England for a while, because it seems like a nice place to getaway and I've always wanted to go there. Me and a couple of friends will be living over there for about 2 or three years.

One major question, will we adopt the British accent? Might seem like a stupid question, but I just want to know how long it takes for someone to take up an accent after living there.

[MunkeyQ]

I know an American guy who moved over here (I'm in England) about 10 years ago and he hasn't picked it up yet.

Don't worry about it, no-one really gives a shit about an American accent.

[madeyes]

Living there for three years I doubt you'll change at all. Either way, British people can always spot a foreign accent, no matter how naturalised the person is. We are more finely tuned to such things than others as, for English people, the accent of another English person is the strongest indicator of their social class. Anyway I like the US accents, you should try to keep yours.

[madeyes]

And the bullshit about class is one of the reasons I want to live in the US when I'm older.

[23]

No. You will keep your American accent.

Once you learn a language, and grow up in an area, it is pretty hard to loose the accent unless you are trying.

[Jive Talka]

Originally Posted by 23

No. You will keep your American accent.

Once you learn a language, and grow up in an area, it is pretty hard to loose the accent unless you are trying.

(Madonna)

[MarcusAurelius]

It really also depends on your age, if you're still a teenager, nothing is set in stone, and it also depends on where you live here in America. I live in Nova Scotia Canada. My accent, while North American, still retains some of its British influence. So if I live in Scotland, England, or Ireland for an extended length of time. I'll probably pick the accent. However, if you're from Alabama, or Georgia etc. You're accent will probably weaken, but you won't lose it.

[Leady]

A) Unless your going to be living up a very big hill, England is not a nice place to just 'get away' if your going to be living Urban.

B) Do you have any idea how expensive it is to live in England?
First of all half all your money thats in dollars and you have pounds, according to the current exchange rate.
Then there is just how expensive this place is generally, especially in the south.

[Lewcifer]

if you are living with friends who also speak with an American accent, then probably not, as these are the people you will talk with the most. English people will always recognise your US accent, but after 2-3 years when you return people back home might notice a change. It will depend on where you go in England (some places have stronger regional dialect) and how much time you spend around people with strong English accents. You're still more likely to pick up colloquial words rather than the actual accent.

[Streetvision]

I have an Australian accent :s