Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Oct 31st 2013, 1:02 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Hi all,
This is my first post and I'm sure I'll wind up a lot of you regulars by asking questions that you've heard hundreds of times before! I have had a read through the forum, I promise
A bit about me:
I've been living in Southampton, England all my life (I'm now 24) and for the last 3 years I have worked for a software company that is based in Fort Lauderdale. I visit the headquarters in FL once a year and every time I go I fall in love with the place and I'm starting to think that I'd like to experience what it would be like to actually live there.
Now I'm not really looking for visa advice (that would be jumping the gun a bit) but more experiences from other Brits who have lived or still live in Fort Lauderdale and any advice that goes with it. What's it like going from living in Britain your whole life to living in Florida?
I have a house in Southampton so I'd probably look to rent that out (the rent would cover the mortgage and give me a little extra a month) and then rent a place in Fort Lauderdale to begin with. My salary is approximately £45k - can I live alone, comfortably on this?
Sorry for being rather vague but I will really appreciate any kind of advice and input.
Thank you.
This is my first post and I'm sure I'll wind up a lot of you regulars by asking questions that you've heard hundreds of times before! I have had a read through the forum, I promise
A bit about me:
I've been living in Southampton, England all my life (I'm now 24) and for the last 3 years I have worked for a software company that is based in Fort Lauderdale. I visit the headquarters in FL once a year and every time I go I fall in love with the place and I'm starting to think that I'd like to experience what it would be like to actually live there.
Now I'm not really looking for visa advice (that would be jumping the gun a bit) but more experiences from other Brits who have lived or still live in Fort Lauderdale and any advice that goes with it. What's it like going from living in Britain your whole life to living in Florida?
I have a house in Southampton so I'd probably look to rent that out (the rent would cover the mortgage and give me a little extra a month) and then rent a place in Fort Lauderdale to begin with. My salary is approximately £45k - can I live alone, comfortably on this?
Sorry for being rather vague but I will really appreciate any kind of advice and input.
Thank you.
Last edited by SecondRow; Oct 31st 2013 at 1:48 pm.
Oct 31st 2013, 1:30 pm
#2
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,025
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
See, I'd say that researching what it's like to live somewhere before knowing if you're eligible for a visa is 'jumping the gun', not the other way around!
Most people simply don't qualify for a US visa, so I'd suggest you make that the first thing to research. What do you do?
Most people simply don't qualify for a US visa, so I'd suggest you make that the first thing to research. What do you do?
Oct 31st 2013, 1:36 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Valid point, I appreciate the reply. My reasoning was that I can find out whether I'm eligible for a visa through the appropriate government channels - I can't ask them what it's actually like to live there though.
I'm currently a QA & Compliance Lead which I think would fall under skilled workers and professionals and from what I've read so far, because my employer is American they can petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration on my behalf. I know this is a bridge that will need crossing but for now I'm just genuinely interested to read about the experiences of others but any visa advice is appreciated also.
I'm currently a QA & Compliance Lead which I think would fall under skilled workers and professionals and from what I've read so far, because my employer is American they can petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration on my behalf. I know this is a bridge that will need crossing but for now I'm just genuinely interested to read about the experiences of others but any visa advice is appreciated also.
Last edited by SecondRow; Oct 31st 2013 at 1:47 pm.
Oct 31st 2013, 1:44 pm
#4
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
If I don't do this someone else will be along shortly to say it. "VISA" is the trademark of a well known credit card company. What you will need is a "visa".
Go take a look in the US section of the Wikis tab above, and check the two Pulaski wikis about getting a visa to live and work in the US. If you've worked for the company for at least one year of the last three, it is usually fairly easy to get a transfer on an L1 visa, IF your employer is inclined to go to the effort and expense of petitioning for a visa for you.
Go take a look in the US section of the Wikis tab above, and check the two Pulaski wikis about getting a visa to live and work in the US. If you've worked for the company for at least one year of the last three, it is usually fairly easy to get a transfer on an L1 visa, IF your employer is inclined to go to the effort and expense of petitioning for a visa for you.
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 31st 2013 at 1:52 pm.
Oct 31st 2013, 1:47 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Roger!
Oct 31st 2013, 3:57 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Would your Employer entertain moving you?
Is there a Lady in the Florida office who thinks your accent is cute?
Is there a Lady in the Florida office who thinks your accent is cute?
Oct 31st 2013, 3:59 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
I believe they would. I mentioned it to the CFO a while ago and he seemed receptive but I'd obviously have to have a proper chat.
Oct 31st 2013, 4:42 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 551
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
There is a huge difference from visiting once a year to living down here, that's for sure. Sure, you like the coast, the warm weather and the way everyone fawns over your accent, but all that soon loses it's lustre.
The fact of the matter is Florida is built on a giant swamp. It's hot, sticky, and wet during six/seven months of the year. Seriously, you haven't seen rain like a tropical downpour. Your electricity bills will sky rocket during the summer, as your AC will permanently be running.
In the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area you will be inundated with tourists which will make traffic a nightmare. Even with the AC in your car, there's nothing quite like the frustration of sitting in gridlock while you sweat out your body's entire water supply.
The cost of home and car insurance is high because of a) potential hurricanes/flood damage/sinkholes and b) awful/uninsured drivers. Walking anywhere is almost out of the question as shops or places of interest are almost always a good 20 minute car trip away. You will have giant spiders invading your house as well as the threat from snakes and the occasional gator (never bothered me personally, but I know of at least two Maltese terriers who got swallowed whole).
Saying all that, there is a very big British Ex-Pat community in Florida and the people make you feel extremely welcome. Some of the seafood is really excellent (if you know where to go) and there's plenty to do. The nightlife in the south of the state is well known for it's liveliness.
If 'er indoors wasn't a Floridian there's no way I would move here, but some people really take to it. My best advice would be to come for an extended visit if at all possible. The heat and humidity wears me down every year, not going to lie.
The fact of the matter is Florida is built on a giant swamp. It's hot, sticky, and wet during six/seven months of the year. Seriously, you haven't seen rain like a tropical downpour. Your electricity bills will sky rocket during the summer, as your AC will permanently be running.
In the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area you will be inundated with tourists which will make traffic a nightmare. Even with the AC in your car, there's nothing quite like the frustration of sitting in gridlock while you sweat out your body's entire water supply.
The cost of home and car insurance is high because of a) potential hurricanes/flood damage/sinkholes and b) awful/uninsured drivers. Walking anywhere is almost out of the question as shops or places of interest are almost always a good 20 minute car trip away. You will have giant spiders invading your house as well as the threat from snakes and the occasional gator (never bothered me personally, but I know of at least two Maltese terriers who got swallowed whole).
Saying all that, there is a very big British Ex-Pat community in Florida and the people make you feel extremely welcome. Some of the seafood is really excellent (if you know where to go) and there's plenty to do. The nightlife in the south of the state is well known for it's liveliness.
If 'er indoors wasn't a Floridian there's no way I would move here, but some people really take to it. My best advice would be to come for an extended visit if at all possible. The heat and humidity wears me down every year, not going to lie.
Oct 31st 2013, 4:44 pm
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
It must be a nightmare keeping your ruff crisp 
Nov 7th 2013, 7:01 am
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
There is a huge difference from visiting once a year to living down here, that's for sure. Sure, you like the coast, the warm weather and the way everyone fawns over your accent, but all that soon loses it's lustre.
The fact of the matter is Florida is built on a giant swamp. It's hot, sticky, and wet during six/seven months of the year. Seriously, you haven't seen rain like a tropical downpour. Your electricity bills will sky rocket during the summer, as your AC will permanently be running.
In the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area you will be inundated with tourists which will make traffic a nightmare. Even with the AC in your car, there's nothing quite like the frustration of sitting in gridlock while you sweat out your body's entire water supply.
The cost of home and car insurance is high because of a) potential hurricanes/flood damage/sinkholes and b) awful/uninsured drivers. Walking anywhere is almost out of the question as shops or places of interest are almost always a good 20 minute car trip away. You will have giant spiders invading your house as well as the threat from snakes and the occasional gator (never bothered me personally, but I know of at least two Maltese terriers who got swallowed whole).
Saying all that, there is a very big British Ex-Pat community in Florida and the people make you feel extremely welcome. Some of the seafood is really excellent (if you know where to go) and there's plenty to do. The nightlife in the south of the state is well known for it's liveliness.
If 'er indoors wasn't a Floridian there's no way I would move here, but some people really take to it. My best advice would be to come for an extended visit if at all possible. The heat and humidity wears me down every year, not going to lie.
The fact of the matter is Florida is built on a giant swamp. It's hot, sticky, and wet during six/seven months of the year. Seriously, you haven't seen rain like a tropical downpour. Your electricity bills will sky rocket during the summer, as your AC will permanently be running.
In the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area you will be inundated with tourists which will make traffic a nightmare. Even with the AC in your car, there's nothing quite like the frustration of sitting in gridlock while you sweat out your body's entire water supply.
The cost of home and car insurance is high because of a) potential hurricanes/flood damage/sinkholes and b) awful/uninsured drivers. Walking anywhere is almost out of the question as shops or places of interest are almost always a good 20 minute car trip away. You will have giant spiders invading your house as well as the threat from snakes and the occasional gator (never bothered me personally, but I know of at least two Maltese terriers who got swallowed whole).
Saying all that, there is a very big British Ex-Pat community in Florida and the people make you feel extremely welcome. Some of the seafood is really excellent (if you know where to go) and there's plenty to do. The nightlife in the south of the state is well known for it's liveliness.
If 'er indoors wasn't a Floridian there's no way I would move here, but some people really take to it. My best advice would be to come for an extended visit if at all possible. The heat and humidity wears me down every year, not going to lie.
Thanks for the reply, this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. I may speak to my manager about the feasibility of doing maybe three months out there and see how that goes to begin with. The main issue would be paying for my house in the UK and rent in the US for those months but I'll work something out. Thanks!
Nov 7th 2013, 9:17 am
#12
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,025
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Would your company really be prepared to go through all the paperwork/hassle and spend $5k+ on a visa for you just to work for 3 months or so? That would be very unusual.
Nov 7th 2013, 9:25 am
#13
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 45
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
I would imagine not. Can you not get a temporary visa or is it just as complicated to get? My UK line manager spends a lot of time over there throughout the year, just in smaller chunks. He's there for two weeks as of Tuesday but is actually off today so I'll ask him when he's back in.
Nov 7th 2013, 12:49 pm
#14
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
Sounds like he goes over on the VWP, what does he do over there?
If he works (as in, does the normal work of the company - not training), and is on the VWP, he's breaking the law.
If he works (as in, does the normal work of the company - not training), and is on the VWP, he's breaking the law.
Nov 7th 2013, 12:52 pm
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Any British living in Fort Lauderdale?
And will not be the only one.
L and H's are temproary visa's theoretically, I know plenty of people who have had then for temporary visits. Mainly L's now I think of it.
L and H's are temproary visa's theoretically, I know plenty of people who have had then for temporary visits. Mainly L's now I think of it.
