washsaint

Have now been over in VA for just over 6 months.....what a roller coaster ride to date. It has been quite a journey so far but things are settling down well and it now really feels like home. What has been fascinating is that despite a similar language just how different things are here - and how things are done.

Pros
Wife and kids love it - the wife is loving not having to work
Weather: even when it's cold, typically the sun is shining
Outdoors life - simply fantastic
Customer service
The space - the house and general area are so spacious
Cheaper utility bills (50% cheaper than we paid in the UK)
Shopping!
Eating out
Family oriented nature of the States

Cons
Cost of healthcare
Superficial nature of a lot of Americans
Distance from family
Backstabbing work colleagues
Banking system - stuck in the 70s!
Lack of credit history
Lack of country pubs! (although great place in Upperville, VA that is very similar except it is exceptionally pricey!(

We've applied for Green Cards some 3 months back so hope to turn this 3-year stint into something more permanent. Whether we would want to live out here for ever is a different story but, on the whole, really enjoying it right now.

Thanks

Bob

Glad it's going well for you guys!

tilz

Sounds good, glad you are enjoying it, I hope to move to CA in Sept this year just awaiting the i130 approval