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3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
I was away 9 years in Texas, been back in UK 3 weeks now and would like to share my observations / story.
After the nightmarish stress of the spouse visa and selling up in Texas the first week was bliss! Lovely weather and a feeling of complete joy that i am actually home, around family and friends. The couple of weeks after that i have to say i'm still in complete bliss! I made the right choice i feel. Week 1 - after collecting my wife's BRP card the day we got back, i managed to buy a car, get it insured pretty cheaply (NFU Mutual fyi), and view some apartments, signed up to rent one of them and it took about a week for all the referencing to come through because i'd been away so long. Seems my credit score was still decent, i did keep a UK bank account open while away so was able to get a mobile phone contract etc. Week 2 sent the kids and wife up to see grandparents (YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW GOOD THAT FELT!!!) after having lived with no family abroad for 9 years - i'm now down south in a B&B until the move in date for our apartment comes around. Inconvenient yes but i don't care because i am home! Week 3 - missing kids and wife but b&b still fine - we move in next week to our apartment Main observations.... nobody eats out! Texas it was every lunch very cheap so now i'm back on sandwiches for lunch. The culture - this is what i missed, joined the national trust and now spending weekends walking around stately homes etc, i didn't ever do this when i left as a 28 year old. Not all plain sailing, internet company in USA still billing me, Chase bank calling to ask why my address is now in UK, all manageable compared to the spouse visa absolute hell! Lots left to do, need to transfer remaining money, my shipment (Car and furniture) is on the way and due mid October, need to figure out how to transfer social security credit over here and have i'm sure a complicated duel country tax return coming in 2019 but i'm just overwhelmingly happy i am here, there were some DARK days waiting for the spouse visa after having already sold up on the assumption it would be approved. Started collecting items for the FLR already Anyway - Cheers! |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Do you have a job lined up?
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by fulwood
(Post 12566597)
Do you have a job lined up?
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Your observations were pretty spot on for us too, except we moved back into our old home. We hardly eat out, too expensive, but picnics, National Trust cream tea and the odd pub lunch is doable! This is the place where I just feel so at home!
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Thought i'd post an update - been back 4 months now.
Most logistical stuff sorted out now - we got our shipment, have since closed all credit accounts in USA - although i was being chased for a medical bill which i could not pay coming from a UK I.P address, so i had to get a VPN setup just to pay that. We surrendered our green cards which was pretty straight forwards Been setting up bills in both our names looking forwards to the FLR in a couple years and making sure i'm taking lots of family photos which i struggled to scrape together for my wife's spouse visa first time. Major item remaining to sort out - Tax! 2019 i have to file a dual UK and USA return - may post separately - i don't want to have to pay someone but it may be inevitable So all happy here, wife enjoying it so far! |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
No idea what an FLR is but tiz a lovely wee happy update. :thumbup:
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by BEVS
(Post 12607053)
No idea what an FLR is but tiz a lovely wee happy update. :thumbup:
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
What a wonderful return story. May I ask a few questions?
Is your wife American born, and how is she adjusting to living in a different culture? Are the children feeling at home yet? There is usually an adjustment period of time after packing up and moving to a new location before everyone feel a high level of comfort. Please keep that in mind as you guys move forward. May I ask what considerations did you look at in picking your area of the UK? Congrats on your move home! |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by UkWinds5353
(Post 12610375)
What a wonderful return story. May I ask a few questions?
Is your wife American born, and how is she adjusting to living in a different culture? Are the children feeling at home yet? There is usually an adjustment period of time after packing up and moving to a new location before everyone feel a high level of comfort. Please keep that in mind as you guys move forward. May I ask what considerations did you look at in picking your area of the UK? Congrats on your move home! |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 12610382)
Hi there - Wifey is Trinidadian but we both lived in the USA for almost 10 years together - she is adjusting pretty well i would say, only thing i could say she doesn't like is that she can't drive yet, i am getting her insured on the car in the new year and she will need to take the test next year too so hopefully she can be driving again soon because that gives her true independence during the day while i am at work. The older kid loves it so far - there is so much to do here for him where previously the best i had on a typical 100 degree day in Houston was to take them to the mall. The little kid really just wants milk at this stage lol i don't think she will remember much of the USA. Location wise - rough area was determined by the location of the office i work at, more precise area was determined by where we could find a good pre-school/ nursery and where was well connected for trains etc.
Thank you for your post and congrats on you and your family making it home. I know it has to be beyond exciting to be home, but also to have your family there with you. So many new beginnings in front of you, and many you will see through your own children's eyes. I'm sure it's going to be a big help to have extended family around you and your wife. It's a very different dynamic to live far away from parents and siblings. Having them nearby is going to be a big help for your wife's assimilation and for your peace of mind. All the best to you and yours. |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Have you both registered to vote?
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by BritInParis
(Post 12610806)
Have you both registered to vote?
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 12610811)
I certainly have, i'm not sure if my wife can under a BRP spouse visa? She is getting her N.I number next month
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by BritInParis
(Post 12610952)
Yep, she’s a Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 12611334)
Cool - thanks for the info i'll get her registered
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Hi BiP she had the NI number interview today went fine . Different subject - we have our 3 year old in nursery getting 15 hours of government funded childcare I just came out in a cold sweat thinking that this is a public fund which my wife is not allowed to claim but I do believe government funded childcare is not a public fund do you know? I know child benefit is but I understand childcare is not do you know?
Originally Posted by BritInParis
(Post 12611379)
No worries. As well as giving her the franchise in these turbulent times it’ll also help to build up a credit history in the UK.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 12619992)
Hi BiP she had the NI number interview today went fine . Different subject - we have our 3 year old in nursery getting 15 hours of government funded childcare I just came out in a cold sweat thinking that this is a public fund which my wife is not allowed to claim but I do believe government funded childcare is not a public fund do you know? I know child benefit is but I understand childcare is not do you know? This page tells you about exceptions to claiming public funds that may apply because of the nationality of a person’s family member. A person subject to immigration control is not considered as accessing public funds if it is their partner who is receiving the funds they are entitled to. Child and working tax credits are claimed jointly by couples. If only one member of a couple is subject to immigration control, then for most tax credits purposes, neither are treated as being subject to immigration control https://assets.publishing.service.go...unds_v13.0.pdf |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Cheers - i'm a paranoid personality so although i'm sure i could claim those benefits i couldn't sleep at night with worry! Oh yes a quick update on the childcare funding - i got all the forms through from the county council and i just put my name on them as a safety although it's only the 30+ hours of childcare that they want all your details for, i think even that is allowed for NRPF people anyway, panic over for now until the next one on our path to FLR!
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse
(Post 12619998)
While you're waiting for BiP, this may be of interest as it states that some 'public funds' such as child and working tax credits can be claimed if only one member of a couple is subject to immigration control. So if you're a Brit, you can claim these credits.
This page tells you about exceptions to claiming public funds that may apply because of the nationality of a person’s family member. A person subject to immigration control is not considered as accessing public funds if it is their partner who is receiving the funds they are entitled to. Child and working tax credits are claimed jointly by couples. If only one member of a couple is subject to immigration control, then for most tax credits purposes, neither are treated as being subject to immigration control https://assets.publishing.service.go...unds_v13.0.pdf |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Quick update:
NI Number was denied after my wife had the interview she received the letter saying basically she doesn't need it at the moment because she doesn't plan on working. So much for thinking ahead and trying to get one in advance so she would be ready to work at some point! I called the helpline and they said it happens all the time ah well, will reapply at a later date. Got my imported car registered and on the road, if anyone needs help with that process let me know. Other than that all is good! My wife managed to get registered to vote too. I feel like she has not experienced a true British winter yet but she is very happy, happy wife happy life! Looking ahead - next for us will be getting our first child in a school for 2020 - time seems to be flying by the FLR doesn't seem to far away now Cheers |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Hi Lakes, So now it is almost a year that you are back in the UK. It has been good to read your successful experience, thanks so much. You give me a better idea of what we will face if the Brexit gives us reasons to do something similar. It sounds from you that things have gone smoothly regarding settling and paper work. Happy to hear its been the right decision for you and your family. |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by tumbleweedly
(Post 12719980)
Hi Lakes, So now it is almost a year that you are back in the UK. It has been good to read your successful experience, thanks so much. You give me a better idea of what we will face if the Brexit gives us reasons to do something similar. It sounds from you that things have gone smoothly regarding settling and paper work. Happy to hear its been the right decision for you and your family. Aside from that all is good - our son starting new school in September, the summer has been nice and hot for my wife (from the Caribbean) - not so much for me i prefer the cold! We are trying to buy a house in the lake district but as you mention about Brexit - i believe that is why the housing market is so slow, we can't find anything suitable! FLR is the next big thing for me but i have prepared well so far and have priceless paper bills from council tax, energy bill all in order ready to go Cheers - RB |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Good reminder about the paperdocuments. I think we are all digital except our rent contracts in fact. Yikes! Good to hear all is well for you and your family and that someone still appreciates warm weather. After all we seem have been getting a fair share of it in europe this summer. :lol: |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
NI Numbers are subject to increased security. They are a commodity that can be sold on the black market.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 12720484)
NI Numbers are subject to increased security. They are a commodity that can be sold on the black market.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Thanks for all your valuable experience that you’ve shared. I hope after a year that you feel truly at home. Me (Brit LPR) and my partner (USA citizen) and hope to go to the Uk in a couple of years so if I may pose a couple of questions : 1) did you use an immigration lawyer/ to help at all 2) you mentioned that it was a nightmare getting your wife’s BRP. If it’s not too personal a question, are you able to say what the problems were and how you surmounted them 3) all the applications are done online via a sequence of forms. Is there a downloaded set of these anywhere as it’s difficult to see what they are going to ask overall. In other words, to see the big picture of the application rather than just a sequence of screens. Or is there a guide somewhere cellaring all the application questions etc. Apologies - Admittedly a bit of an ask - I may just put this last one in a separate forum question. Once again. Thanks for all your help, your story is inspiring. |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 12564627)
I was away 9 years in Texas, been back in UK 3 weeks now and would like to share my observations / story.
Main observations.... nobody eats out! Texas it was every lunch very cheap so now i'm back on sandwiches for lunch. The culture - this is what i missed, joined the national trust and now spending weekends walking around stately homes etc, i didn't ever do this when i left as a 28 year old. |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Hi
Thought i'd update - it's been a while and with FLR coming up I've started prepping for that so will share
R |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 12906862)
Hi
Thought i'd update - it's been a while and with FLR coming up I've started prepping for that so will share
R |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Yanks I knew in The Middle East were always complaining about the cost of eating out in Saudi. We thought the prices there were very low, but then we were comparing to prices for eating out in Uk, which is ofetn a rip-off
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Hi Everyone,
My last post was September gosh that’s gone quickly it’s now May! Just wanted to update the thread as lots of new updates! - yesterday we had my wife’s FLR biometrics in Newcastle, we’ve both been incredibly stressed about it so I caved and payed a lawyer to do the application. The appointment was at 10am and I am not kidding we had the approval email come through within the hour after the biometrics, I was amazed! ( payed for super priority processing ) - the house I mentioned in the last post went through and we moved in there in January - I did get my wife's name on all deeds etc, getting the official copy of the title register which we needed for the FLR application was not easy. The land registry are insanely busy after the stamp duty holiday in place so I ended up escalating the request based off my wife’s expiry date on her BRP coming up quickly. If anyone else is in the same situation I just sent a Facebook message to the land registry and they gave me the link to escalate after i explained the urgency. - that’s all great but also yesterday my mum fell off her bike and broke both wrists she’s in hospital now, amazing the ups and downs and how quickly they come and go. She’ll be ok but thank god I am here to help -so overall the Stress of the FLR has been really awful to be honest mixed in with this pandemic , but it’s done and I can relax a bit until ILR in 2 years - enjoying the new house so will concentrate on that now and hope this pandemic goes away before ILR comes around cheers |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 12988589)
Yanks I knew in The Middle East were always complaining about the cost of eating out in Saudi. We thought the prices there were very low, but then we were comparing to prices for eating out in Uk, which is ofetn a rip-off
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
We haven’t heard from him for ages so I suspect he’s not well at all.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Scot has had a stroke & we have been sending him our good wishes.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
SanDiegogirl must have just forgotten because she did send Scot wishes for a speedy recovery back in April.
I hope he's doing OK. |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Hi All,
My last post to this thread I started was 2 1/2 years ago how is that even possible. This is a final update I would say from our story. Yesterday my wife had her ILR appointment and we have just received approval, we paid for priority. I can't even describe the relief i am feeling at this moment, after 6 years of being obsessed by collecting paper statements, keeping the savings untouched in the bank account, sleepless nights wondering what if i messed something up on the forms or my documentation. I feel like at this point i can finally relax knowing we don't have to do all that anymore. Sleepless nights wondering if ILR was refused, or if we need to did into the savings pot which we have got pretty close a few times over the last year. We did end up extending the house from we got in FLR times and that's almost finished. My wife is happy here, she works at the local school, now her life here is secured i am blooming ecstatic! Thanks to everyone on the forum and good luck with your applications, i'm taking a break from visa chat for a while, i'll be back i'm sure i like following peoples stories Cheers!! |
Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Well this is the end of our journey, my wife got her citizenship and passport recently, thanks for all the help along the way, good luck to everyone....
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Good news, and thanks the update.
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Re: 3 weeks back - Initial Observations / story
Originally Posted by movingtolakes
(Post 13339267)
Well this is the end of our journey, my wife got her citizenship and passport recently, thanks for all the help along the way, good luck to everyone....
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