Emigrating/moving abroad. Anyone done it?
Discussion
Condi said:
Best advice is to go and try it, Oz, NZ, USA etc are all really easy because there is no language barrier and the cultures are not too different, [/footnote]
Unless via marriage, USA is one of the most difficult countries to legally emigrate to. There is nothing 'easy' about it at all. Matt Harper said:
Condi said:
Best advice is to go and try it, Oz, NZ, USA etc are all really easy because there is no language barrier and the cultures are not too different, [/footnote]
Unless via marriage, USA is one of the most difficult countries to legally emigrate to. There is nothing 'easy' about it at all. Matt Harper said:
Condi said:
Best advice is to go and try it, Oz, NZ, USA etc are all really easy because there is no language barrier and the cultures are not too different, [/footnote]
Unless via marriage, USA is one of the most difficult countries to legally emigrate to. There is nothing 'easy' about it at all. So with a direct blood relation as a legal migrant and a step-mother who is a born US citizen, could I use that to get a green card, or would it need to be through a employer sponsorship? As you say there is nothing easy about their system, neither my dad or his missus have any idea.
Not done so, yet. But would consider it if the right job/place came along.
Thing is though, I have seen a lot of the world and so I know the UK isn’t actually the worst place to be ever. Added to that, I’m the type that really doesn’t give a stuff where I am... I don’t feel any kind of emotional pull towards places, not even my home town. My mother always recounts that time when I was little and got separated from them in Disney land. I couldn’t have cared any less apparently. Quite happy anywhere, with anyone and my own thoughts.
So no pressing desire to leave the uk and go else where. But if the right opportunity calls. Then yeah.
Whilst on the subject, I do have a friend who got fed up with the UK and went on a bit of a travel to the usual places. Came back to the he uk and within 4weeks was off to start a new life in NZ. Now we get constant posts on FB/Insta about how great life is, how blessed they feel and how it was such a great decision...if you ask me, I think they’re compensating. Protesting too much. If it was so great you’d be too busy living life to care so I suspect it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.
Another lives in Texas with his Texan wife. He’s really laid back but I’m not sure he really gelled with the Americans, they’re moving to Germany I think! Where they originally met.
Another mate moved out to California. Absolutely loves it and the environment he’s moved into really suits. They have a big “marker” movement thing out there so he’s in his element making custom jewellery, leather goods and what not. Think his day job is now with Glowforge (cool piece of kit...it’s a laser cutter for your home!).
Thing is though, I have seen a lot of the world and so I know the UK isn’t actually the worst place to be ever. Added to that, I’m the type that really doesn’t give a stuff where I am... I don’t feel any kind of emotional pull towards places, not even my home town. My mother always recounts that time when I was little and got separated from them in Disney land. I couldn’t have cared any less apparently. Quite happy anywhere, with anyone and my own thoughts.
So no pressing desire to leave the uk and go else where. But if the right opportunity calls. Then yeah.
Whilst on the subject, I do have a friend who got fed up with the UK and went on a bit of a travel to the usual places. Came back to the he uk and within 4weeks was off to start a new life in NZ. Now we get constant posts on FB/Insta about how great life is, how blessed they feel and how it was such a great decision...if you ask me, I think they’re compensating. Protesting too much. If it was so great you’d be too busy living life to care so I suspect it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns.
Another lives in Texas with his Texan wife. He’s really laid back but I’m not sure he really gelled with the Americans, they’re moving to Germany I think! Where they originally met.
Another mate moved out to California. Absolutely loves it and the environment he’s moved into really suits. They have a big “marker” movement thing out there so he’s in his element making custom jewellery, leather goods and what not. Think his day job is now with Glowforge (cool piece of kit...it’s a laser cutter for your home!).
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Saturday 20th January 23:31
caelite said:
Matt Harper said:
Condi said:
Best advice is to go and try it, Oz, NZ, USA etc are all really easy because there is no language barrier and the cultures are not too different, [/footnote]
Unless via marriage, USA is one of the most difficult countries to legally emigrate to. There is nothing 'easy' about it at all. So with a direct blood relation as a legal migrant and a step-mother who is a born US citizen, could I use that to get a green card, or would it need to be through a employer sponsorship? As you say there is nothing easy about their system, neither my dad or his missus have any idea.
Your father would need to become a US citizen in order to petition for a child. Unmarried adult children (over age 21) are eligible, but are in the lowest lowest preference category. Assuming that you are otherwise eligible, your wait-time, based on current USCIS stats would be about 11 years from when your father attains US citizenship. There may be some very compelling reasons why he would rather not naturalize (there are some quite significant tax implications). In addition, he would be financially responsible for you for a protracted period of time after your arrival and he may not be all that happy to shoulder that responsibility. He would have to demonstrate to INS that he has the means to support you financially, if you are unable to support yourself.
Your step-mother (despite being a USC) cannot sponsor you.
So, the short answer is yes, your Dad could petition for and sponsor you, once he has attained US citizenship - but you'd have a long wait...
ollie05 said:
How do you lot manage with health insurance where needed? Expensive?
I've got Crohn's disease so that pretty much ruined my chances!
This is a definite must, (the health insurance, not the Crohns Disease, sorry on that one mate) ...I've got Crohn's disease so that pretty much ruined my chances!
If you are not covered, especially accidents, it can get very expensive away from the NHS, but there are all sorts of policies to cover you, from Annual travel insurance (usually only an issue if you stay more than 30 days in a country), and once you settle into a job somewhere, check what your employer provides, and if necessary check options to back this up, needn't be the Full BUPA deal either, for example, a local TNB policy in Thailand will cost you about GBP300 a year in local hospitals.
(Having said that i have quite a comprehensive regional / global cover with AIA that i daren't give up now for fear of what premiums would be like if i wanted to take a fresh policy out on retirement ...... )
King Herald said:
Then a year ago ended up back in England, nigh on divorced, skint again,
Sorry to hear that mate, however to remind the rest of the thread, you don't have to go travelling for this unfortunate experience ...King Herald said:
but lots of good memories. 
However you wouldn't have quite as many of these, or the stories that go with them if you hadn't. 
fingers crossed for you, and will hoist a beer to renewed fortune later today for you!King Herald said:
That was 25 years ago. Things have changed now. You’d probably have to have a couple of degrees and a three piece suit to get a work permit in Singers.
Its not that bad, but yes, you would have to prove that you are not taking a job that a local could be doing, and the local's are very qualified and skilled these days, but fortunately also very keen to travel and be "expats" themselves so many are away oversees also keeping enough gaps in the job market, Sure there is a similar thread on one of the local sing forums asking about emigrating to the UK or something
As others have said, I would backpack first. I did this for a year doing voluntary conservation work in Oz and Thailand about 8 years ago. Absolutely loved Oz and would have gone back in a heartbeat but the organisation I was working for did not do sponsorship and I was already 42 at the time.
I ended up buying into a bar in Koh Tao, a small Thai island, with plans to stay there forever. The bar was a spit away from the lovely warm sea, I could dive every day and just enjoy life. Sadly I got ripped off by my business partner and came back on a cold February morning with a rucksack full of dirty clothes and had to start my life again from scratch. Thankfully it is all good now but just be very careful what you wish for. Good luck with it though, I am sure you will do better than me.
I ended up buying into a bar in Koh Tao, a small Thai island, with plans to stay there forever. The bar was a spit away from the lovely warm sea, I could dive every day and just enjoy life. Sadly I got ripped off by my business partner and came back on a cold February morning with a rucksack full of dirty clothes and had to start my life again from scratch. Thankfully it is all good now but just be very careful what you wish for. Good luck with it though, I am sure you will do better than me.
I moved to Spain about 10 years ago after the fall of lehman Brothers. I will give you my take on it -
You will have similar problems that you have in the UK and certainly you will have more. You will experience culture shock and probably reverse culture shock - With a feeling that you no longer belong in your new country or your old one.
Looking to escape the 9 to 5..... get used to get used to 8.30 to 17.30 with 30 minute lunch.
Everyone will think you come from london and know John that they met on a hotel once.
It helps waking up to a blue sky and palm trees every morning and taking the kids to the beach in January with 22 degrees!!
You will have similar problems that you have in the UK and certainly you will have more. You will experience culture shock and probably reverse culture shock - With a feeling that you no longer belong in your new country or your old one.
Looking to escape the 9 to 5..... get used to get used to 8.30 to 17.30 with 30 minute lunch.
Everyone will think you come from london and know John that they met on a hotel once.
It helps waking up to a blue sky and palm trees every morning and taking the kids to the beach in January with 22 degrees!!
Matt Harper said:
So, the short answer is yes, your Dad could petition for and sponsor you, once he has attained US citizenship - but you'd have a long wait...
I have several in-laws in the Philippines who have been successfully petitioned to get into the US. When I first heard of this I scoffed, as they seemed to think any family member can petition any other distant relative without a problem. And they do. It does take a long time, but they seem to pull it off. Moving to the USA seems to be the life dream of almost every Filipino, and my wife was the same, the land of milk and honey, luxury life style for everybody etc. We went to visit several times and she has now seen the other side of life ‘in the states’.
We did it 7 years ago to sw france and was the best move weve ever made.
bought an old delapitated farm outright, 20acres, 6 buildings, with a view to converting the barns and cottages, one for ourselves and the others to rent out and house gym, we finish the renovation project this year and its been the most incredible journey with so many stories that made us laugh and cry in equal measure.
It means we’ll have a busines supporting the lifestyle we wanted (lots of travel) and a stunning place to retreat to between travels, we learnt the language which is important very important in non english speaking countries.
So many people find its not for them though and it seems mainly due to socialising or acceptance by the locals (not a problem for us as we have no interest in this side of things) so worth considering this when looking at your desired destination, allot of it is the foreign language barrier for them, english speaking places have less of a return rate.
French health care is brilliant in comparison to uk.
bought an old delapitated farm outright, 20acres, 6 buildings, with a view to converting the barns and cottages, one for ourselves and the others to rent out and house gym, we finish the renovation project this year and its been the most incredible journey with so many stories that made us laugh and cry in equal measure.
It means we’ll have a busines supporting the lifestyle we wanted (lots of travel) and a stunning place to retreat to between travels, we learnt the language which is important very important in non english speaking countries.
So many people find its not for them though and it seems mainly due to socialising or acceptance by the locals (not a problem for us as we have no interest in this side of things) so worth considering this when looking at your desired destination, allot of it is the foreign language barrier for them, english speaking places have less of a return rate.
French health care is brilliant in comparison to uk.
POORCARDEALER said:
If my wife would go I would sell up and move to California today
My pension is paid in US$ so I guess I would have some chance of getting in. It is very cheap to buy a place too, if you are off the beaten track. The medic off my old ship was telling me about her dads place that was for sale, big farmhouse, big barn converted into a workshop. 30 acres of land in rural Kentucky..... asking just $75,000
King Herald said:
My pension is paid in US$ so I guess I would have some chance of getting in. It is very cheap to buy a place too, if you are off the beaten track.
The medic off my old ship was telling me about her dads place that was for sale, big farmhouse, big barn converted into a workshop. 30 acres of land in rural Kentucky..... asking just $75,000
Check your criteria. From what you have said, I’m afraid you have little to no chance without a sponsor company or family.The medic off my old ship was telling me about her dads place that was for sale, big farmhouse, big barn converted into a workshop. 30 acres of land in rural Kentucky..... asking just $75,000
https://www.uscis.gov/greencard
King Herald said:
Matt Harper said:
So, the short answer is yes, your Dad could petition for and sponsor you, once he has attained US citizenship - but you'd have a long wait...
I have several in-laws in the Philippines who have been successfully petitioned to get into the US. When I first heard of this I scoffed, as they seemed to think any family member can petition any other distant relative without a problem. And they do. It does take a long time, but they seem to pull it off. Moving to the USA seems to be the life dream of almost every Filipino, and my wife was the same, the land of milk and honey, luxury life style for everybody etc. We went to visit several times and she has now seen the other side of life ‘in the states’.
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