dc koop

Shows your age mate but no disrespect intended

Pulaski

I think, objectively speaking, the UK has been in decline compared to the rest of the world for about 100 years.

The UK went into WW1 with the world's largest navy and combined with what was then the worlds largest empire, the UK could control or influence most of the world's trade. In respect of where the UK is now, it looks like Germany won in 1918.

vikingsail

Agree. I also read the GF is a Britex supporter, nothing wrong with that, but indicative in my opinion that reluctance and moving to the US is not something she really wants to do. We Brits who hold the UK near and dear to our hearts have a hard time in the US, always comparing etc etc, just read this website!
I would move on. Short term pain but if either one of you compromise it will be hard to live with your decision over the years, I know this to be true

dc koop

Well Britain lost an Empire . The United States for decades after WW2 controlled and influenced most of the world's trade but that's not the case now. Neither does it today have the influence in foreign affairs that it once had. I think change is often confused with decline. In the case of Britain I well remember the years following WW2. Looking at what Britain is today compared to Britain 1945 thru 1960 it could hardly be described as being in a state of decline. It's just changed. If it remains in the EU it potentially has a major role to play in deciding the future course of the EU and it's relations with the rest of the world.

dc koop

I've been here just over 40 years, taken root, raised a family. Britain will always be a part of me also i'm the only Limey in the family. My grandkids love my accent. I've had no regrets about my decision, in short made a good life for myself. As for crime? Never happened unless you count the theft of a rear view mirror in 1976.

We did get the rental car stolen while in France in 1980 and an attempt made to steal my wife's shoulder bag while on the Paris Metro same trip.

Pulaski

It will have a major influence on the direction of the EU whether it stays or leaves!

dc koop

True. Obama had a comment on Britain and the EU, it's effect on the US should it leave. No use Britexit voters brushing his words aside. They should be listened to

Pulaski

Nine months from now Obama's opinion will be even less relevant than it is today.

dc koop

True again but Obama's departure wont change what the possible outcome could be if Britain left the EU. A Britain outside the EU might just be left at the side of the road as the US moves on building up trade, economic agreements and many others with a huge powerful bloc as the EU. Where, therefore for Britain ? Have any of the Brexit leaders as yet put forward a viable and realistic alternative plan and strategy for Britain's future outside of Europe ? Or are they just pandering to feelings of nationalism and long held indifference/apathy towards Europe.

Revival of the old Commonwealth ties and trade deals? The Commonwealth countries have already moved on. Australia is a serious trading partner with China, India likewise, Canada now does more trade across the border with the US and Mexico than with anywhere else.



Times have changed.

NiHao

I wonder if it's the permanence of the move that puts her off? She might be happy to live in the US for a few years but you sound as if you are thinking of this being a permanent move?

Perhaps you could approach it from a 5 , 10, 15 year plan showing where, when and how the exit plan would be in that time span if she finds she misses Europe.

I think the biggest selling point of the US to a lot of Brits is how much cheaper housing tends to be. Is that something that would be significant to her?

Do you plan to have children together? That can be when an expat will really want to return to their home country, particularly when the children get to school age. Could that be something that makes her want to stay in the UK?

I've been here 20 years, would have liked to return home to the UK about 10 years in but couldn't make it happen. I like loads of things about the US it's a good place to live but I prefer the UK and the US makes me aware of how European my POV is even after all this time. My Republican voting friends think I'm more or less a communist while my UK friends think of me as "a little bit left leaning"

Guns - poverty will mean close proximity and a daily part of life in the US, if you can afford to live in a nice area then the guns are much more in the background, but they are there and people do die because they are there.

Medical Insurance - if you can afford good coverage and don't go getting any expensive health issues then it's no problem. If you do then yeah it can be life changingly expensive.

She might find she loves it here but I think in general it tends not to go that great when one half of a couple has to try to "persuade" the other to move. How do you feel about putting down roots in the UK instead? Is it just the job offer that makes you want to move home or do you miss the US? Could you imagine settling in the UK or do you think it would never be home for you?

Matt Sabre

Or pick a country that excites you both. Australia perhaps.

Dorothy

Great advice! Where has the OP said that he ir his girlfriend a) want to live in Australia and b).qualify for a visa to do so?

yankabroad

Good point maybe the permanent thing is what bothers her. I'll ask her instead of talking about it on an online forum

We actually don't live in the UK. While the people there are great, the weather and COL with the low salaries in IT was just tough for me. I made less than half of what I made in the USA and everything outside of London was still more expensive than what I was used to. I did love the vacation time though, the fact that I could just take some cheap airline for a few days was fantastic.

Matt Sabre

Hello, how are you?

I'm sorry my post angered you. I'll try to do better next time.

Hiro11

I've lived here 44 years and never seen a gun other than those on a cop's belt. Obviously, peoples' experiences vary.