hello
 

First time poster here, I've enjoyed lurking and reading for a while. I'm not strictly an expat as I'm still here in rainy Scotland.
Lived for three years in PA, loved it and now ten years later I'm thinking of returning to the States. This time my wife and I are looking at Eureka Springs Arkansas. Immigration not a problem as I have my Green card.
What I would like know is how much living costs have increased since I left? I would be bringing over a decent sum, so would have my house paid off, but how much are the little day to day expenses? Is it still cheaper to live than the UK or has the gap dissapeared? Thanks for your help! :thumbup:

Re: hello
 

WTF do you mean immigration is not a problem?

If you've been out of the US for 10 years, you will have lost your GC...

In any case....... Arkansas............... are you nuts... :blink:

Re: hello
 

I've not checked, but when I lived in the US, I got updated the card so It would last for good. Btw my wife is American.
Still not sure about Arkansas but want somewhere warm, cheap, historic and safe!

Re: hello
 

No GC lasts 'for good' unless you remain a PR.

Talk to a lawyer if you do not believe me.

Re: hello
 

Elvira's right, unless you became a citizen, you could be construed as having given up your choice to reside here.

Re: hello
 

Agh! It would be a mare going through all that nonsense again. Thanks for the info, I guess I'll have to look out my paperwork.

Re: hello
 

You really don't have a green card anymore. You've abandoned it (even though you didn't really). Going overseas (i.e. NOT a resident of the USA) for a year or more pretty much constitutes abandonment, UNLESS you have taken some precautions to keep it alive. Filing US taxes, maintaining a US residence, bank accounts, expenses, or filing a special form with the embassy saying you are gone for only a bit but will be back.

That's not to say you can't get another Green Card (warning: the prices went up about 3x last Summer) but you run the very real risk of being denied entry with your current GC.

Do some searches on 'Green Card Abandonment' and you'll learn a lot more.

As for Arkansas...umm...that's a bit of an adjustment, even from Pennsylvania. But if you are up for it give it a try.

Good luck

Re: hello
 

Well as long as you haven't bought any tickets yet, etc, you can see where you stand.

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, my DH (a Brit) was 1 month away from moving here when we found out he just couldn't do that without a visa ahead of time. The Immigration folks here locally had told us he could "just come on over, and adjust status." :blink:

Re: hello
 

Alright I will ask as we are all thinking the same what the heck is there in Akanasas that we don't know about is it the Mrs's family!! can't imagine any other reason then that :eek:
Warm, Cheap, Historic and Safe this is a wind up right !!

Re: hello
 

It's your nightmare, dear. Have wifey-poo refile for your green card with the US Consulate in London when you are ready to return. A PR has to maintain their residency in the US while outside of it and can only be outside of it for two years IF they have applied for a re-entry permit before leaving.

Figure on spending a nice chunk of money, honey for your shiny new non-green green card.

Re: hello
 

If you want to live in the Ozarks I would choose Branson, MO, over Eureka Springs. There's more to do and see and you can do the Springs as a day trip, if you really have to.

Edit: Oops......welcome to the Madhouse, by the way.

Jim.

Re: hello
 

I've heard good things about Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Good luck with your green card.

Re: hello
 

Welcome to BE :)

DCF ain't so bad at least, not cheap....but the boonies, that's a brave choice...low cost of living and that's about the only plus surely? What about work?

Re: hello
 

Just to make sure you're 100% clear on this:

It doesn't matter what expiry date your Green Card has on it.

The paperwork can tell you that the Green Card is valid until the year 9999, but you still don't have Permanent Resident status anymore, since you ceased by be permanently resident in the US.

It sucks, but the clue is in the name. You can't be Permanently Resident in the US and reside in some other country. It just doesn't work like that.

Good luck with getting it sorted out.

Re: hello
 

Also have you been filing US taxes and since your wife is a Yank, has she?