scrubbedexpat091

We are thinking of moving to Vancouver, WA at some point in the next 2 years.

Its a nice little city and close to Portland so 2 areas to look for jobs.

Rent is lower by a good chunk to this Vancouver.

Even if we end up paying healthcare self pay (vs employer sponsored) the monthly estimated cost for premiums and co pays is still considerably less then just rent currently.

Looking at pay in the area looks like I could make 14 to 16 per hour there which is not much lower vs now where I would make min wage to 15 or so.

Checked my credit score in the US today and for having nothing on it and no credit there for 14 years, my score is pretty good. Would just need to get a secured card to build history.

Biggest hurdle is saving the necessary funds to relocate and pay immigration fees.

scrubbedexpat091

I was not all too sure about getting housing in Vancouver, WA without a job first and without credit history in the US (been 14 years since I last had credit there) but we called a few apartment places today, and they said no problem, they often have people moving from BC down that way and in the same boat, they just require a larger deposit equal to 1 months rent vs their usual $200 deposit, so seems housing would not be an issue, get a way nicer apartment and amenities there for a lot less, such a swimming pool and hot tub, don't see pools really in Vancouver condos/apartments.

Pay rates I am seeing are pretty much on par with pay rates in this Vancouver.

Have to look into how immigration stuff would work for my wife, its not issue for me, I can just cross, but obviously she would not be able to.

I think I would be happier, I think part how I feel is simply not liking where I am living, and depression episodes being very situational.

Looking at the community college there, there is a decent selection of vocational programs I could get into.

EMT for example, I started that program in California before moving to Canada, got an A in it as well, just moved to Canada before I could finish.

EMT's don't make a ton of money, but the job is more rewarding and isn't horrible, 30k-40k a year on average, after a year or 2 as an EMT there is also the option of going back to school for paramedic which is a 2 year program, and paramedics start in the low 40k range.

There is also Phlebotomy, pay is mid low to mid 30's on average.

EMT program pre requisites for example, pretty simple.

Be age 18
Have a BLS CPR certification (easy to get)
Drivers license
Hep B vaccine
MMR vaccine
Neg TB
Criminal background check.

Or I could take some course work and try and work towards getting into the Aquarium Sciences program further south in Oregon.

Aquarium Science Program Application - Oregon Coast Community College


Time will tell, but I think we would be better off in the long run.

BristolUK

Is it a parallel universe or an alternate one?

That's got to be be pretty weird, that, moving from Vancouver to Vancouver. Still, the alternate universe worked for the Star Trek reboots.

Rete

Hi there

Bringing your wife to the US requires you to sponsor her for a spousal visa, much the same as she had to sponsor you for your Canadian spousal visa. It is a lengthy process (currently 10-12 months). There are multiple steps to the process and you can't just move to the US with her and file for her adjustment of status due to intent to immigrate so you much go through the spousal visa (IR-1) process. It requires police clearance certificates, medicals from a US approved panel physician, and your financial sponsorship.

Not going to go into detail here and now but thought I would just throw this out to you to ponder.

Rete

scrubbedexpat091

Simply a coincidence. Lol

Vancouver WA is across the river from Portland so makes sense as it increases odds of a job.

Rent is decent. Housing prices decent.

We want to stay on the west coast but Seattle area is out due to high cost.

Jerseygirl

J...following on from Rete’s post...if you want assistance or info on a US visa for your wife the US marriage Visas forum’s regulars will help you...

https://britishexpats.com/forum/marr...ased-visas-35/

scrubbedexpat091

Oh I know. Its going to be a pain and not something that can be done quickly. I would go first and get a job and such and have to go from there.

Its not something that is happening today or next week. Its a longer term goal.

I may not even earn enough so will be looking into that as well, if the income requirements are too high then we may not be able to.

Its all in the thought process at the moment.

bats

Did you go to the support group?

scrubbedexpat091

Next week. I had a pre-existing appointment Monday that conflicted.

scrubbedexpat091

When the time comes ill post there.

From what I have read thus far does not seem overly difficult but more steps compared to coming to Canada which was really simple just time consuming as it took like 20 months. Lol

Rete

Was much easier 21 years ago when my Canuck came to the US. They still had direct consular filing back then (the US portion was all done at the Montreal and Vancouver US Consulates). Some changes aren't always for the better.

BristolUK

There's always fake passports and the like.

Here you go. Just fill in the blanks and add a photo.


The advantage of this one is that it's blurry and rather than admit to failing eyesight, the immigration people will accept it.

$50. To you, $40.

scrubbedexpat091

Government changes are rarely for the benefit of the tax payer....

I couldn't say how the process for Canada is today, but 14 or so years ago, just required some forms to be filled out, certain documents to prove relationship status, a medical, some background checks from the US, and some other not difficult paperwork, mailed in, and wait. Eventually approval in principal came, then a quick landing appointment, and PR status was granted.

scrubbedexpat091

The doctor appears to have been right, have gone a week now without any pain in my foot, first time since December last year I have gone without pain in the foot.

Guess standing on concrete for hours a day just isn't good for foot health.

scrubbedexpat091

My old company is hiring like crazy, they got a new contract so everything under the sun really.