Tell us a little about yourself and family.

Married to an Irish 'girl' in 1967, and we only have one 'child' a daughter born in Cardiff, December 1969.

Daughter came with us and as she never got a work permit or Residents Card she went to college and got a Bachelors and then a Masters in Digital Imaging and Photography. My wife has never worked, here or in the UK other than some Charity Work.

What were your reasons for moving to the USA?

I came to Savannah GA, to do a specific job on a Gulfstream G-IV that was being built there, aircraft was delayed and delayed. However I notice that there was a market for some new designs so I started a business here. The business went well, and Savannah is a beautiful place, so we decided to stay.

How long did the emigration process take?

About three months, from application to fingerprinting. Stupid and arrogant Immigration Lawyer said daughter needed separate application AFTER we were done. Immigration Inspector asked "Why isn't your daughter on this application with you?" I replied, looking at the lawyer, "She is either stupid or greedy. Maybe both."

My status was unusual and the first outside of the "Beltway" and that of E11, then changed to E21. Now my wife and I are E27 as the computer thinks we have retired.

In which state do you live?

Georgia.

In your opinion what are the biggest cultural differences between the USA and the UK? (Perhaps things you were not prepared for, or were surprised about.)

Obviously the language differences, and some of the strange, to us, expressions such as "Do what now?" "Know what I'm saying?" The letter "A" being swapped for the letter "O" as in Jaabs for Jobs or "Baax: for Box" and "Moll" for "Mall".

People talking on cellphones as if they are talking to a crowd around them.

Almost total lack of understanding of lane discipline; such as moving to the left before turning right and doing it the other way round turning to the left.

What are the things you enjoy most about living in America?

The weather; property costs, fuel costs, basic friendly attitude of people in the South.

Could you describe anything that you dislike about living in America?

The corrupt medical practitioners, the corrupt pharmaceutical companies, the greedy hospitals and surgeons. The ridiculous, in my opinion, Republican attitude to birth terminations. The male attitude is primarily "You'll not terminate anything a man (I) may have started." Even if the woman is raped, they expect her to have the child then every day have to look at the person who raped her in the face of her unasked for child. The abysmally low standard of general education...

What do you miss most now you are not living in the UK?

The changing seasons; the bread, chocolate, the humour, the understanding that there are other countries out there. People who know about world history, and geography that extends beyond the county they live in.

How badly, if at all has homesickness affected you?

Not a lot, if it wasn't for the medical crooks, we'd stay here.

If you, or your spouse, work how easy has it been to find employment?

Very easy. But I am in a very specialist field.

How does the education system differ from the UK?

In what I have seen over the past 20 years, I am glad my daughter went to school in the UK and Ireland.

Have your children settled?

Yes and NO! Our only child came here when she was 22. Went to college here, and worked part time for me. Then she met an Australian and in 2000 moved to Australia and married him there. Later she became an Australian. Then they moved to Austin TX 3 years ago, as his company opened an office there. I saw more of her when they were in OZ!

Has your quality of life improved?

Hard to say. In some respects yes, in other not sure.

How does cost of living compare?

Cheaper here for almost everything.

In what way does America fit into your long-term plans?

I shall maintain an office here, but we are moving back to the UK, probably Bournemouth in the New Year.

In retrospect is there anything you would change?

I would have got a different Immigration lawyer, and listened to my friend in the State Department, and not my business lawyer.

Are there any final thoughts you would like to share?

Life really is what one makes of it, and be prepared to take some risks, but most of all, be guided by your wife/girlfriend as they naturally see the bigger picture, whereas men feel a subliminal need to make all the decisions even when logic tells them otherwise.

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