Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

Is it worth moving to the US?

Is it worth moving to the US?

Thread Tools
 
Old Jul 20th 2015, 4:21 am
  #16  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by markonline1
Most definitely this! I love it here, but the notion that America has more freedoms than other countries simply isn't true. When Americans go on about their freedoms, basically what they are saying is they are allowed to keep assault rifle's at home.
Originally Posted by Boiler
Really?

You would need to be a SOT FFL holder.
Depends what you mean by "assault rifle", it is a pretty meaningless term often bandied around by the media and gun control lobby. Anyone can buy an AK47, AR15 or any other military spec rifle, so long as it has been modified to not fire automatically.

In any case a semi-automatic, which is about 90% of small arms (long and short barrel) sold over the past century, in the hands of a somewhat competent gunman, is much more dangerous than a fully automatic weapon which just empties it's magazine in a few seconds, whereas with a semi-automatic the gunman can aim each bullet at a target. .... A bolt action rifle is about the same as a semi automatic becase with practice it is possible to fire about one bullet per second and reload quickly enough to average firing two bullets ever three seconds.

Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 20th 2015 at 4:29 am.
Pulaski is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 4:24 am
  #17  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
scrubbedexpat099 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Then it would not be an assàult rifle.
scrubbedexpat099 is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 4:26 am
  #18  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
scrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond reputescrubbedexpat091 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by markonline1
Most definitely this! I love it here, but the notion that America has more freedoms than other countries simply isn't true. When Americans go on about their freedoms, basically what they are saying is they are allowed to keep assault rifle's at home.
Well the US does have stronger freedom of speech protection then some countries, there are things you can say in the US that for example would be considered hate speech in Canada and open to criminal prosecution but would be protected under the first amendment in the US.

That is about the only example I can think of though....
scrubbedexpat091 is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 6:24 am
  #19  
Still alive
 
Dorothy's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Dorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond reputeDorothy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by sir_eccles
The grass is greener.

Also you don't seem to know what socialist means.
http://www.google.com.au/url?url=htt...cnfopeJw9r4jVw
Dorothy is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 6:44 am
  #20  
MODERATOR
 
Noorah101's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Noorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by fromuk
or $1m with $500k (£340k) invested upfront* to obtain a condition green card. Would I still be freely be able to return to the UK if required?
Once you get a green card, it means you are a US Permanent Resident. The USA should be your permanent home. You can travel outside the USA, freely, but should not stay out for long periods of time. Your trips outside the USA should be temporary in nature. In your thread title (moving to the USA), it sounds like this is what you want...to live permanently in the USA.

And would I be able to bring my parents with me?
No. They can't get a derivative visa from your E2. Once you become a US PR, if you spend the right amount of time inside the USA, after 5 years you can become a US Citizen, and only then can you sponsor your parents to come and live permanently in the USA. In the meantime, they can only visit (either on the VWP if they are UK citizens, or on a B2 visitor visa if not).

Rene
Noorah101 is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 7:42 am
  #21  
Heading for Poppyland
 
robin1234's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,532
robin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by fromuk
Right! So in the UK we have central Govt and we have Councils.

Generally a lot of councils are very anti-business and don't even get me started on local Rates! No surprises UK high street is Gambling + Charity and Kebab shops..

How does it work in the USA?
Well, in the US there are generally more layers of onerous bureaucracy than in the UK. Federal, state, county, town and sometimes village. In my small town in New York State, there are at least seven police forces that have offices in town and a substantial presence on the streets; town, county, state, state university, border patrol and environmental police. These are all uniformed officers in cars, who could choose to stop you under certain circumstances. This is not to mention the Feds who are responsible for the Post Office and other federal property.

As for the high street, at least you can buy something in a kebab shop or a charity shop. Most US main streets have a couple of lawyers and insurance agents and not much else.
robin1234 is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 11:26 am
  #22  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Duncan Roberts's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Duncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Seems like everything you dislike about the UK is present in the US, sometimes magnified. To get round it you might be able live in smaller, out of the way cities but the the same is true of the UK.
Duncan Roberts is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 12:10 pm
  #23  
BE Forum Addict
 
rpjs's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York
Posts: 2,536
rpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

I certainly get the impression that whilst the US, especially the "red" states, may be more business friendly than Socialist Europastan, it's not necessarily more *small* business friendly. If you can get up to the sort of level which can afford to buy influence through campaign donations etc, you'll probably find the business environment pretty benign. To get to that level though, don't be surprised if you encounter petty regulations, licensing restrictions and downright cartel-like operations designed to keep the existing players on top.
rpjs is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 1:40 pm
  #24  
Sad old Crinkly Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
excpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond reputeexcpomea has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

I look at it this way.
Would I recommend any of my friends or family to move to the US, sadly no.
As mentioned if you think the bureaucracy in the UK is bad, it's a million times worse over here.
Everything is more expensive and more complicated.
Freedoms that were generally enjoyed in the 80's are gone.
I feel the 'American dream' is really a myth.
Am I sounding bitter? I don't mean to I enjoy living here. We have a great life.
But am under no illusion that if we were not working it would be pretty bad.
excpomea is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 1:44 pm
  #25  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by excpomea
I look at it this way.
Would I recommend any of my friends or family to move to the US, sadly no.
As mentioned if you think the bureaucracy in the UK is bad, it's a million times worse over here. .....
Licenses, permits, and fees out the wazoo.

If I don't cut my grass I get a letter from the council, with a date by which I must cut it or they will have it mowed, and bill me the cost, plus a penalty. If I don't pay, they put a lien on my house!
Pulaski is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 2:03 pm
  #26  
I have a comma problem
 
SultanOfSwing's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
SultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by sir_eccles
Also you don't seem to know what socialist means.
Just like a great many Americans, hence kim's suggestion that he'd fit right in, in certain regions. Like where I live, where everyone seems to consider anyone to the left of Thatcher as a Stalinist.

Originally Posted by Boiler
Then it would not be an assàult rifle.
I think most people mean to say 'carbine rifle' when they say 'assault rifle'. They basically mean an AR-15 or an AK.
SultanOfSwing is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 2:26 pm
  #27  
tht
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,854
tht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond reputetht has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by fromuk
I am relatively young (27) and I am not sure if moving to the USA would be a good move?

Also, which city/state would be good to move to?
I you are single and have a lot of money I would recommend NYC, its a great place to party and "date". As others have no doubt mentioned your issue will be getting a visa. As a data point for you I had a similar idea at age 21, it took me about 10 years to get a visa to move here, and then get my Green card. Since then I have married a USC and had a baby, so no more partying or dating for me, but it fun while it lasted, I have also heard that the British accent is even more of an asset in smaller places, to may Brits in NYC/Boston/LA/SF etc...
tht is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 2:46 pm
  #28  
BE Forum Addict
 
rpjs's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York
Posts: 2,536
rpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond reputerpjs has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by tht
I you are single and have a lot of money I would recommend NYC, its a great place to party and "date". As others have no doubt mentioned your issue will be getting a visa. As a data point for you I had a similar idea at age 21, it took me about 10 years to get a visa to move here, and then get my Green card. Since then I have married a USC and had a baby, so no more partying or dating for me, but it fun while it lasted, I have also heard that the British accent is even more of an asset in smaller places, to may Brits in NYC/Boston/LA/SF etc...
I dunno if OP would much like NYC if he's concerned that the UK is too liberal and over-regulated. A friend of my sister-in-law got nicked by the NYPD for jaywalking a few months ago simply because he was spectating one of the black lives matter protests. He spent a night in the cells and had nerve pain from too-tight handcuffs for weeks afterwards. All charges dismissed when he finally got to court.
rpjs is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 4:12 pm
  #29  
 
lansbury's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
lansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond reputelansbury has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
Or as we say here on BE...same sh*t...different bucket.
but the bucket here is bigger and better.
lansbury is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2015, 4:14 pm
  #30  
I have a comma problem
 
SultanOfSwing's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
SultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond reputeSultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is it worth moving to the US?

Originally Posted by lansbury
but the bucket here is bigger and better.
It's bigger obviously, but to say it's better is highly subjective.

Being able to enjoy the best of both buckets is what I like, personally.
SultanOfSwing is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.