Anyone moved abroad? What were your experiences?

[FrillyPancake]

As above, want to move to the USA, anyone got tales of wisdom to share?
Tks
Fp

[woofgang]

We went there more than 20 years ago for DH's job, we lived in NJ. The big thing that I remember is that even though i had visited there before, living in a place is different and the US is as foreign as Japan. I would say keep yourself an escape route!

[TWR]

At this time, any where out of this rain infested bloody place Frilly.

[ChuckFickens]

What type of visa are you planning on moving there on?

[Bambiagain]

I've lived in Germany for five years now. A bit different from the USA, so obviously there will be a lot of differences. For a start you won't have the language problems, but since it's not the EU, you will have to go through a lot more hoops to get there. Assuming you do, you will probably find that you miss things from the UK - and sometimes things you didn't expect to miss. Apart from friends, relatives, English food and newspapers (or whatever you like about your native land) and driving on the correct side of the road, there are a lot of cultural differences you have to get used to. But if you for good reasons, there's no reason to worry about it all. Modern technology means you can keep in touch with home very easily. Good luck!

[FrillyPancake]

Just planning from the beginning permits etc still tba.......yes rain infested it is. Fed up-ness big time! Thinking of just going 4 it!

[Bambiagain]

It rains in the US too. I'm still looking for the place with the perfect climate and there's a downside to everwhere.

[FrillyPancake]

Friends and relatives are one thing, and as you say we can visit as can they- yes home comforts another, although they seem to have most things..... F and R are one of the main reasons actually so shouldn't be a prob there....just had enough of this country and people really. Dead serious, have no kids got good jobs, why not!?

[ChuckFickens]

"permits etc still tba"

In that case there is a pretty good chance you will not be moving to America unless you (or your husband) work in an area that has a recognised skill shortage and can find a company to sponsor you for a work visa, or you have a shed load of money to sponsor yourself for a investor visa.

You can't just up and go to America, they are really strict about who gets in.

[bednobs]

hiya FP, if you are a british citizen, i'm afraid you have less than no chance of moving to the USA legally. If you want to work over there, you have to have a job offer before applying for a visa and you have to prove that no american person could do that job.
the green card lottery is not open to british citizens

[FrillyPancake]

They are actually screaming for people who do what I do in Houston, it would be on my job not his......

[bednobs]

what do you do?

[FrillyPancake]

Contracts, oil ind

[FrillyPancake]

Already got an offer and phone interview.....

[FrillyPancake]

Just wanted experiences if you can let me know already worked in Houston half a dozen times, Norway, France but never actually moved there........

[bednobs]

fabulous, in which case, that's great!
My sister emigrated to America and likes the lifestyle, She lives in Florida and the thing she misses (apart from f+r and coleman's sauce mixes) is the change of the seasons. She doesn't have all that much spare money so coming home is a big undertaking (for example our nan recently died and she didn't have the spare cash to come over for the funeral) Also she tells me that she never gets a chunk of holiday - the holiday entitlement is poor compared to here as they have so many "days" like labor day, president's weekend etc etc. At xmas she has xmas day off nad then goes straight back to work

[FrillyPancake]

Cool bed nobs thanks. That's the kinda thing I mean. Cheers. I know the grass is never greener but hey.......nothing ventured....

[ChuckFickens]

If you have a job interview the best people to talk to will be the company that's offering you the job as they will have to sponsor you for the visa and will have a legal team well versed in the procedures.

As a general idea a friend moved over there on a K1 visa and it took his visa application nearly 3 years to be processed, so I don't expect it to be a quick process.

[FrillyPancake]

Thanks C F, I know it's not quick, the project that i be working on begins on two years, prep is now, that's why we are looking at moving now. Permits a beatch eh! Not perm position which means I reman freelance - bliss. They are pushing for me to join staff bit the move will push our decision.