Marco was born in South Africa,
growing up in Birmingham of NW England  

I've never met people from South Africa.

He said people from Birmingham have strong/peculiar accent.

 peculiar ﾋﾟキュ-ﾘｱ adj)独自の

Discussing past plans
I remember you were hoping to set up your own business.
 get back into teaching/move upstate 北部、内陸部、自然が残る田舎地方
 go for a promotion
I recall you were planning on moving to Golden Hill when I last saw you.
I recall you were planning to move out.
 changing jobs/quitting your job/joining a gym/traveling around Europe
I heard she was preparing for a big road trip. preparing to buy a house
 climbing Mt Fuji/start your own carpentry business
I think you were getting ready to retire.
 sell your sports car/go back to college/travel overseas/quit work