hello
Dec 16th 2007, 9:08 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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!
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!
Dec 16th 2007, 9:11 pm
#2
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: 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!
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!
If you've been out of the US for 10 years, you will have lost your GC...
In any case....... Arkansas............... are you nuts...
Dec 16th 2007, 9:17 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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!
Still not sure about Arkansas but want somewhere warm, cheap, historic and safe!
Dec 16th 2007, 9:19 pm
#4
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: hello
Talk to a lawyer if you do not believe me.
Dec 16th 2007, 9:24 pm
#5
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: hello
Elvira's right, unless you became a citizen, you could be construed as having given up your choice to reside here.
Dec 16th 2007, 9:28 pm
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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.
Dec 16th 2007, 9:30 pm
#7
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
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
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
Dec 16th 2007, 9:32 pm
#8
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
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."
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."
Dec 16th 2007, 10:02 pm
#9
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 15,917
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 
Warm, Cheap, Historic and Safe this is a wind up right !!
Warm, Cheap, Historic and Safe this is a wind up right !!
Last edited by Poppy girl; Dec 16th 2007 at 10:37 pm.
Dec 16th 2007, 10:28 pm
#10
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,401
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.
Dec 16th 2007, 10:52 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Posts: 3,770
Re: 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!
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!
Edit: Oops......welcome to the Madhouse, by the way.
Jim.
Last edited by Scouse Express; Dec 16th 2007 at 10:58 pm.
Dec 16th 2007, 10:56 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: hello
I've heard good things about Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Good luck with your green card.
Good luck with your green card.
Dec 16th 2007, 11:49 pm
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 317
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?
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?
Dec 16th 2007, 11:49 pm
#14
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
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.
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.
Dec 17th 2007, 12:39 am
#15
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,401
Re: hello
Also have you been filing US taxes and since your wife is a Yank, has she?