Originally Posted by vikingsail

Hello LostinJax. Sorry to hear about your situation. Divorce is bad enough let alone from a lawyer Sounds like you are feeling down but with those degrees you mention I think you should be fine - especially if teaching is your thing. Remember this is the land where you have to find a way around something and there usually is - I wouldn't be put off by one community college telling me I couldn't teach.....I think the thinking here is just as prone as anywhere else to be parochial! I am sure if you investigated further those degrees could work for you

Also contacting 80 law firms might seem a lot but its really just a drop in the ocean. I think I would rework my resume and try again.

However, as others have said I think being poor and in need is infinitely better in the UK. The USA is no place to grow old or be in need (unless its truly temporary). I say get thee back to the UK.

You have the added satisfaction that if you have nothing to take (assets, eg, house etc) the future ex is going to be particularly confounded with you being back in the UK.

Oh and if your feeling down try Anthony: http://www.demellospirituality.com

Originally Posted by windsong

I think you underestimate your chances of finding work in the UK - seriously. There is a journalist on this forum who recently went back and had no trouble finding work. I forget his name but when I find it, I will post it here.

I also hope to return to teaching in the UK because I can run my business outside of normal working hours. You might find this thread helpful. You should be able to teach immediately in a further education college - and private schools, I believe.

Believe me, I felt the same way you do.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=790397

What part of the UK are you thinking of? (Hate ending a sentence like that )

Originally Posted by windsong

LostinJax, here is the thread where the journalist I mentioned posted. His ID is Tel8.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=791948

Originally Posted by LostinJax

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I am not sure where I am headed to in the UK. I have a friend in London but I think it would be too expensive for me to live there. I have another friend in Bristol. Perhaps somewhere between those two cities. Oxford could fit the bill. But I am from the North and don't know whether I would be suited to life in the South.

I am still researching possible locations along with a myriad of other things.

Originally Posted by robin1234

Hi LostinJax, I just read this thread and wanted to add my "Welcome to BE!" And also, my best wishes in your present tough situation and decision time. I'm 62, and just retired, and I agree with you, at our age it is pretty important to make the right move and the right decision.

One practicality; I assume that you have several years of NI contributions in the UK, but less than thirty years. (Just a guess based on your age combined with being in the US for a number of years.). Maybe you have twenty five years of credits for instance. So now would be a good time to go back to the UK, work up till retirement age and then you might have a full thirty years in the bag for the full State Pension. I take your point about aiming for professional work that fits your qualifications, but any work in the UK would get you those NI contributions..

Do they still have cramming, college prep etc., in England? What about ESL? I believe that is a huge field in the UK. Just another thought.

Originally Posted by larrabee

He's a she!

Originally Posted by robin1234

Hi LostinJax, I just read this thread and wanted to add my "Welcome to BE!" And also, my best wishes in your present tough situation and decision time. I'm 62, and just retired, and I agree with you, at our age it is pretty important to make the right move and the right decision.

One practicality; I assume that you have several years of NI contributions in the UK, but less than thirty years. (Just a guess based on your age combined with being in the US for a number of years.). Maybe you have twenty five years of credits for instance. So now would be a good time to go back to the UK, work up till retirement age and then you might have a full thirty years in the bag for the full State Pension. I take your point about aiming for professional work that fits your qualifications, but any work in the UK would get you those NI contributions..

Do they still have cramming, college prep etc., in England? What about ESL? I believe that is a huge field in the UK. Just another thought.

Originally Posted by robin1234

Hi LostinJax, I just read this thread and wanted to add my "Welcome to BE!" And also, my best wishes in your present tough situation and decision time. I'm 62, and just retired, and I agree with you, at our age it is pretty important to make the right move and the right decision.

One practicality; I assume that you have several years of NI contributions in the UK, but less than thirty years. (Just a guess based on your age combined with being in the US for a number of years.). Maybe you have twenty five years of credits for instance. So now would be a good time to go back to the UK, work up till retirement age and then you might have a full thirty years in the bag for the full State Pension. I take your point about aiming for professional work that fits your qualifications, but any work in the UK would get you those NI contributions..

Do they still have cramming, college prep etc., in England? What about ESL? I believe that is a huge field in the UK. Just another thought.

Originally Posted by windsong

LostinJax, here is the thread where the journalist I mentioned posted. His ID is Tel8.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=791948

Originally Posted by windsong

Oops!! I looked at "jax" at the end of the ID and wrongly assumed the name was Jack.

Originally Posted by LostinJax

Thanks for the welcome. Yes I do have NI contributions but I am several years short of the 30-year mark. Hopefully, I can make up the number in the years ahead, although I have the feeling that I will be adopting the American work-till-you-drop mentality if I want to keep a modest standard of living.

Originally Posted by windsong

I don't mind continuing to work, especially if I have a business of my own. It is very new but I am willing to give it a try and see what happens. I feel stress every day just trying to get through my days in the USA. Just don't like the place. At least in the UK, I can enjoy the nature and countryside around me, the small villages, etc. At least there I will have somewhat a life whereas I have absolutely none here.

Originally Posted by LostinJax

I feel the same. I am looking forward to seeing the British countryside again and getting in touch will friends I have kept in contact with.

I spoke to someone last night and they said I should give America one last shot. I think I have run out of bullets.

Originally Posted by LostinJax

I feel the same. I am looking forward to seeing the British countryside again and getting in touch will friends I have kept in contact with.

I spoke to someone last night and they said I should give America one last shot. I think I have run out of bullets.