Off to the states... am i mad?
 

Hello.

Recently left the Army and have been fortunate enough to get a job in Pittsburgh. It's a big company and they have people to help me with visas, permits and all the other guff, both in the UK office and over there so that's sorted.

I'm single and the wage is better than anything i'd ever get over here (especially at the moment).

So, am i nuts to go?

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

You are nuts for asking. No ties to the UK in the form of wife and kids, from a career thats used to being away from the UK for extended periods.

Get yourself over here and join the party... Pittsburgh can be a bit dodgy but you should be able to find a nice area to live and be comfy...

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

I'd say go for it!! There are too many "what if's" in this lifetime and what's the worst that could happen..... you might find you don't like it. What kind of visa would you be coming over on??

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

First, Welcome!
You'll find all sorts here on BE.

Second - are you mad for asking?!

Do it - if you do, and you don't like it, at least you know.

Don't do it and you'll always wonder... what if...?

You will have a ton of questions - many will be the standard ones, so check out the wiki http://britishexpats.com/wiki/

When you get in to more specific questions, here's where you ask them!

A good starting point is to find out which visa they will bring you over on...

Expect things to be a roller coaster - it's a different ride for everybody, but still a ride!

Cheers

Harry

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

If you have to ask perhaps you shouldn't as you really don't appear to be very enthusastic about living in the US.

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

According to the Economist (in 2011), Pittsburg's the best American city to live in!



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11053...#ixzz1oLwxRKsq

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

The 'Burgh is a GREAT CITY. Lots to do, lots of interesting people, and you get great outdoor activity due to the 4 seasons.

If someone is doing all the work for you to go live there, why are you hesitant?

In other words, Pittsburgh is a great fine city (to the other poster, don't ALL cities and towns have 'dodgy' parts?) and affordable. Maybe the one who isn't sure is YOU? So explore you first! The city is great.

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

...and you get the best football team thrown in - AND Primanti Brothers. What more could you want????

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

Hello.
@ HarryTheSpider
After a few hours at the US Embassy in London last Friday with a representative of the company i am to be issued a Green Card.

@Rete
As to enthusiasm i am very enthusiastic. I'm also cautious, hence asking this question on here, insight from people with experience always struck me as an intelligent move.

Thankyou for the encouragement. :)

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

They must have used an EB classification (EB1 or EB2) to get you the green card. I suspect you must have at least a Masters degree as well as some specialized skill with experience in order get that accomplished. Most people with degrees don't qualify to go that route but instead get employed in the US via a company transfer visa (L1) or are hired on a specialist visa (H1-B) and then try to convert that to a green card as EB3 classification if they want to remain in the US indefinitely. I supposed they could have also got you an EB1 or EB2 classification if you were a professional athlete or famous movie star but that doesn't sound like something you would be doing in the army.

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

Sorry this is nothing to do with what you're asking but I have to know, is there a reason your user name doesn't have a 't' after 'bar'?

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

Location is a bit meh, but could be worse....but whatever, go for it.

If the company is sorting you out a Greencard, you've got nothing really to lose.

The wiki is a good starting point, especially on relocation packages, to build up some stability if nothing else.

And with the greencard, you can always bugger off else where if you don't like the company or location.

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

If you are excited, single, no ties, good opportunity. then you would be mad not to take it.

I wondered that too. I was also thinking that if the OP did not like the states on arrival, then he could just re-design it.

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

You know it is the Great Bard's birthday this weekend?

I hope you all know where your towels are at...

To the OP, you can always hitch to the US for less than $30 Altarian a day... Just make sure you don't get a pain in your diodes all down the left side...

Re: Off to the states... am i mad?
 

Froody.