David_Ascher

Hi there

We are retired UK citizens who live permanently in South Africa at present. We would like to move lock, stock and barrel to USA. We are totally self-sufficient with ample funds to last us the rest of our lives. Any suggestions? Cheers

Noorah101

Hi and Welcome to BE.

Read this Wiki Guide, then come on back if any of the visas look like they might apply to you.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

Rene

Nokoman

Hi, One bit of advice I can offer is it's an excellent time to buy property. Things are starting to move now. Prices look to be on the move. There are some fantastic deals in South Florida.

Noorah101

Further to what Nokoman says, my advice is don't buy any property until you have your visa in hand. There's nothing worse than owning property that you can't live in.

Rene

sir_eccles

How healthy are you?

Nokoman

True enough Noorah. I was partly going on what the OP said.
We are totally self-sufficient with ample funds

If there is a boatload of money property could be a great investment.

Jerseygirl

The problem is if you have health problems that boatload of money will dwindle fast.

David_Ascher...you need to check out how much healthcare insurance will cost and exactly what it will cover and what your out of pocket contributions will be.

Nokoman

So true. Healthcare and it's cost is a serious concern for anyone thinking about a move to the states.

David_Ascher

There are no tangible health probs. Touch of arthritis here and there. Nothing serious. We are currently paying the equivalent of US$500 per month for medications and hospital insurance plan. It is not a problem to find that sort of money.

Advice on buying or not buying property is welcome but isn't the issue. The issue is, how do we legally enter the USA to live given the circumstances known. Cheers, David

Jerseygirl

More so for retirees...as they are more likely to need medical care and meds...especially as the years go by.

christmasoompa

See post no. 2.

Once you've read that link and figured out which visa you're eligible for, you can then ask more questions about it.

Good luck.

Noorah101

Hopefully it won't be a problem to double or triple that figure.

Did you take a look at the link I posted?

Rene

Nokoman

I don't mean to pour cold water on any dream, but healthcare would be a huge problem. If you are regular age retirees I have my doubts if you could get insurance? I could be wrong but the insurance companies would look at you are a high risk. If you had any preexisting conditions they will be either be excluded or made prohibitively expensive. If you some .....forget about it.

Sorry if I'm sounding totally negative, but this is the reality of the USA health system.

ian-mstm

I suggest you budget 4x that amount for coverage in the US.


On the assumption that you don't qualify for either a family-based visa or employment-based visa, the only way to make this happen is through investment. Basically, you'd be buying a green card... likely close to $500,000. There are only so many ways to get what you want... so read the link Rene provided.

Ian

Duncan Roberts

That's kind of funny. I pay almost that per month into a health savings account to pay my deductible of insurance negotiated prices before the insurance coverage actually kicks in. That doesn't include the premium which in itself is massively subsidized by my employer which would not be the case if you were not employed. I would suggest that before you seriously entertain the idea of looking into the one or two possible (and expensive) options that may be open to you that you start to realistically look at the costs involved with living here because I'm guessing the reality is not even close to what you think it is.