Advantages of US Citizenship?
#16
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
What has been your experience?
We love it, summer weather is great, lots to do, more expendable income.
Are you glad you moved?
Yes
What is your experience with medical?
It pi$$es me off royally (the bureaucracy) thank the stars we haven't had to use it much.
And, the general cost of living?
About the same as UK but more bang for your buck
Employment? (We're both IT professionals)
Hubby was a UK - US transfer in O&G service sector (long time employee of same company) I am avoiding going back to work like it's the black death
Of course we miss family and friends, some food things but in general we are pretty settled and happy.
We love it, summer weather is great, lots to do, more expendable income.
Are you glad you moved?
Yes
What is your experience with medical?
It pi$$es me off royally (the bureaucracy) thank the stars we haven't had to use it much.
And, the general cost of living?
About the same as UK but more bang for your buck
Employment? (We're both IT professionals)
Hubby was a UK - US transfer in O&G service sector (long time employee of same company) I am avoiding going back to work like it's the black death
Of course we miss family and friends, some food things but in general we are pretty settled and happy.
#17
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
I've been gone for 10 years! A LOT has changed in that time... I'm just asking for people's opinion of the CURRENT situation. Nothing more, nothing less.
So far, all I've received is bitchy comments.... Sorry I asked...
Moderator, please remove mu userID
So far, all I've received is bitchy comments.... Sorry I asked...
Moderator, please remove mu userID
#18
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
A conversation about what? You're an American, are you looking to have a conversation about whether you want to renounce your U.S. citizenship, or whether your spouse should plan to obtain U.S. citizenship?
The wiki article mentioned covers many of the issues. Also this thread:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=824194
Anything specific you have in mind?
The wiki article mentioned covers many of the issues. Also this thread:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=824194
Anything specific you have in mind?
If that's it, check the BE Wiki on Advantages/Disadvantages of USC as well as the thread JAJ links above. Have your wife read both through and make a decision....
I think the upshot of both the BE Wiki and that thread are: If you have family living in the USA, or if you ever expect to live there yourself = yes, get USC. If not = USC can be more trouble than it's worth.
Last edited by WEBlue; Mar 15th 2014 at 7:28 pm.
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Seal Rock, Oregon
Posts: 842
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
On the other hand I find a lot of the attitudes in the US, especially on the right wing, a little hard to take. I know people here who work 60+ hours a week doing 3 jobs who barely make enough to pay for rent and food who are told it's their fault because they "don't work hard enough."
One of my neighbours was diagnosed with lung cancer (she doesn't smoke) for the 3rd time. She's already lost her house and all her savings from the costs of the last course of treatment. Now, not only does she have to worry about a potentially terminal disease, but how her family (hubby and 4 kids) are going to live.
To be honest, I'm probably making more money than I would in the UK, I live in a nice, big house and have $80,000+ worth of cars on the driveway. Does it make me happy though? I'd much rather not have to worry about losing it all if I (or my wife) falls ill or if my job disappears with no notice one day. Yes, it's a wonderful country to see, but not if you only have 10 vacation days (that also count for sick days) to use.
Some of this stuff doesn't matter at all to some people. As long as they are happy and comfortable, they're fine, and good for them. It's just not for me though.
#20
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
72 degrees without a cloud in the sky here
San Fran less than an hour away.
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
The procedure is to send a message to admin asking to close your account.
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 417
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
If you are unhappy in the UK you have to find out why, because changing location may not influence what is making you unhappy.
I love the USA. But I also loved living in England, Scotland and Germany. How you enjoy a place depends on YOU. As an example, I enjoyed climbing and playing Rugby in Europe, but when i moved to the USA i started and enjoy surfing and running.
There is great feeling of space in the USA. I feel the UK is very, very small now.
You need medical insurance over here. But you need that in other countries as well. The UK is a bit of an anomaly.
Everything in the west in a little more expensive these days - people are not comparing apples with apples in that regard. The basics for the western lifestyle ultimately depends on oil price, and that has been high for nearly ten years. So you cannot compare food prices in the UK 10 years ago with prices now in the USA. The Economist uses an interesting method for comparing prices, and this comparison shows things are mostly the same depending on exchange rate.
I love the USA. But I also loved living in England, Scotland and Germany. How you enjoy a place depends on YOU. As an example, I enjoyed climbing and playing Rugby in Europe, but when i moved to the USA i started and enjoy surfing and running.
There is great feeling of space in the USA. I feel the UK is very, very small now.
You need medical insurance over here. But you need that in other countries as well. The UK is a bit of an anomaly.
Everything in the west in a little more expensive these days - people are not comparing apples with apples in that regard. The basics for the western lifestyle ultimately depends on oil price, and that has been high for nearly ten years. So you cannot compare food prices in the UK 10 years ago with prices now in the USA. The Economist uses an interesting method for comparing prices, and this comparison shows things are mostly the same depending on exchange rate.
#23
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
A vocal number here are more than ready to head home to Blighty. You might want to listen to them because there's a chance your wife would react the same way to American life.
On the other hand, some here quite like their "American" lives and have no plans to leave, as evidenced by this recent thread:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=820830
#24
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
Also.
It's not a question and answer session here.
It's more of a bunch of mates with conflicting personal opinions having an animated discussion down the pub.
(However you also have interlopers declaring "facts" when they're nothing of the sort.)
It's not a question and answer session here.
It's more of a bunch of mates with conflicting personal opinions having an animated discussion down the pub.
(However you also have interlopers declaring "facts" when they're nothing of the sort.)
Last edited by Hotscot; Mar 16th 2014 at 1:00 am.
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Seal Rock, Oregon
Posts: 842
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
For anyone coming to the US with any sort of condition that needs treatment, it is an important consideration.
Last edited by cluedweasel; Mar 16th 2014 at 12:58 am.
#26
Account Closed
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,570
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
I suggest jumping in your hot hatch and taking a ride back to a land where everyone thinks there should be no horse called jack and that every horse should cross the finish line at the same time
And where your government is charging you 70% tax on petrol which is why you find a hatch so acceptable in the first place
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I'm living my dream at the moment thanks, so nitpick at American all you want. I see an individual with a similar attitude called Piers Morgan that got fired recently ....
Last edited by Uncle_Bob; Mar 16th 2014 at 4:41 am.
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
Hi Folks,
Well, I've been asked a very interesting question by my spouse.... "What are the advantages of having a blue passport?" And, to be honest, I was stumped for answers....
Basically, I'm the American with dual nationality with UK. I've been in the UK for nearly 10 years. We don't like living here. However, we have a house in France that we can retire to in 5 years.
With the expense of the actual move, shipping of the dogs, selling the UK house, etc. and with the potential of medical coverage (my spouse is insulin-dependent diabetic) I'm not sure of what the medical coverage is like in America since I've been gone for so long.
So, I would love to hear from folks here of their opinions. What has been your experience? Are you glad you moved? What is your experience with medical? And, the general cost of living? Employment? (We're both IT professionals) We would like to return to New England (MA, CT, RI).
Thanks in advance!
Richard
Well, I've been asked a very interesting question by my spouse.... "What are the advantages of having a blue passport?" And, to be honest, I was stumped for answers....
Basically, I'm the American with dual nationality with UK. I've been in the UK for nearly 10 years. We don't like living here. However, we have a house in France that we can retire to in 5 years.
With the expense of the actual move, shipping of the dogs, selling the UK house, etc. and with the potential of medical coverage (my spouse is insulin-dependent diabetic) I'm not sure of what the medical coverage is like in America since I've been gone for so long.
So, I would love to hear from folks here of their opinions. What has been your experience? Are you glad you moved? What is your experience with medical? And, the general cost of living? Employment? (We're both IT professionals) We would like to return to New England (MA, CT, RI).
Thanks in advance!
Richard
People have told you their opinions good or bad, bitchy or not, what exactly do you want to hear?
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Advantages of US Citizenship?
Oh really and i thought the earth was flat
I suggest jumping in your hot hatch and taking a ride back to a land where everyone thinks there should be no horse called jack and that every horse should cross the finish line at the same time
And where your government is charging you 70% tax on petrol which is why you find a hatch so acceptable in the first place
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I'm living my dream at the moment thanks, so nitpick at American all you want. I see an individual with a similar attitude called Piers Morgan that got fired recently ....
I suggest jumping in your hot hatch and taking a ride back to a land where everyone thinks there should be no horse called jack and that every horse should cross the finish line at the same time
And where your government is charging you 70% tax on petrol which is why you find a hatch so acceptable in the first place
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I'm living my dream at the moment thanks, so nitpick at American all you want. I see an individual with a similar attitude called Piers Morgan that got fired recently ....