The American Obsession...
#31
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: London
Posts: 39
Re: The American Obsession...
Alot of you guys seem to focus on the negatives and dare I say it, sound slightly homesick. There are many positives to USA.
For me Canada is too cold and Australia too sparse. Vancouver may tempt me, but I would like to visit it first. My trip to Australia next year may change my opinion of that country and I qualify for 3 different visas there, 2 permanent and 1 temporary.
Besides, doesn't every Irish man have an emigration gene?
For me Canada is too cold and Australia too sparse. Vancouver may tempt me, but I would like to visit it first. My trip to Australia next year may change my opinion of that country and I qualify for 3 different visas there, 2 permanent and 1 temporary.
Besides, doesn't every Irish man have an emigration gene?
#32
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: The American Obsession...
I lived on the East Coast for a year when I was 18, and I can safely say that the US was not in my master plan for where I wanted to live when I grew up.
At Uni in the UK, our whole house used to watch Neighbours and Home and Away and Australia definitely featured in places we wanted to go and live. The USA never entered anyone's head.
Now 3 out of 4 of us actually live in the US. Go figure!
At Uni in the UK, our whole house used to watch Neighbours and Home and Away and Australia definitely featured in places we wanted to go and live. The USA never entered anyone's head.
Now 3 out of 4 of us actually live in the US. Go figure!
In terms of location we're 8 timezones away from my parents and 9 timezones in the opposite direction away from my wife's parents.
#33
Re: The American Obsession...
EDIT: And when I live in America my pickles will come in bucket sized jars.
#34
Re: The American Obsession...
Canada and the US are different countries, you can't really equate the two although people try to (I mean I knew a lot of people spoke French and they were more left-leaning). I thought this to some extent before I moved to Canada but it is culturally, legally and in many other ways a very different place. I would say the gap is definitely larger than it is between say, GB and Ireland. Even France and Germany share various similarities because of the EU that the US and Canada do not.
Even if you go into an American chainstore there are differences. You think aha, I'll go into a Burger King. Prices are twice what they are in the US, they sell poutine, they use the InterAC system for payments, currency is different, the staff are more likely to be Indian or Filipino than they are in the US where they are often latino, etc.
I'd say a Burger King in the UK has less differences, frankly.
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: The American Obsession...
I am genuinely interested in this subject...
I've been a "viewer" of this form since the early summer, an avid viewer and member/poster since September 2012.
I am fascinated with the number of people who post with their obsession with moving to the US, sometimes particularly NYC or another specific city but alot of the time the entire country of the US.
Although I do like US culture (and North American - US-Canadian culture in general), my main reason for moving is my better half who I met through work here in the UK is American. It's fantastic I have the opportunity to live and work in the US and I am grateful for it but I wouldn't be moving if it wasn't for her.
So, why the obsession? Especially when Canada offers many of the same "benefits" of living in the United States and is much easier for British nationals to visit (especially those under 30 who can achieve an IEC visa).
I've been a "viewer" of this form since the early summer, an avid viewer and member/poster since September 2012.
I am fascinated with the number of people who post with their obsession with moving to the US, sometimes particularly NYC or another specific city but alot of the time the entire country of the US.
Although I do like US culture (and North American - US-Canadian culture in general), my main reason for moving is my better half who I met through work here in the UK is American. It's fantastic I have the opportunity to live and work in the US and I am grateful for it but I wouldn't be moving if it wasn't for her.
So, why the obsession? Especially when Canada offers many of the same "benefits" of living in the United States and is much easier for British nationals to visit (especially those under 30 who can achieve an IEC visa).
#37
Re: The American Obsession...
Depending on the time of year, my wife is 11 or 12 time zones away from her mother. The reason for her obsession? "There's not enough room for two queens in the castle."
Regards, JEff
Regards, JEff
#38
Re: The American Obsession...
As opposed to...
http://media.al.com/wire/photo/alaba...40c3d165cd.jpg
http://www.onejourneyatatime.com/sit.../09us23008.jpg
Anyone can pull out nice or horrid photo's about all parts of the US, doesn't change peoples perceptions and stereotypes of the place without actually knowing anything about it.
It's why the majority of threads of hopeful wishing of moving to the US consists of Orlando, NYC, San Fran or LA and very little of any where else unless there's a job or family to move to.
http://media.al.com/wire/photo/alaba...40c3d165cd.jpg
http://www.onejourneyatatime.com/sit.../09us23008.jpg
Anyone can pull out nice or horrid photo's about all parts of the US, doesn't change peoples perceptions and stereotypes of the place without actually knowing anything about it.
It's why the majority of threads of hopeful wishing of moving to the US consists of Orlando, NYC, San Fran or LA and very little of any where else unless there's a job or family to move to.
#40
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
#41
Re: The American Obsession...
The American obsession is an interesting thing. I see many people here enthusiastic about moving to the US. I too was once that way but have the benefit of experience. The US is not a bad place overall. Frankly, the people here can be very friendly especially IMHO when you get away from the big cities NY, LA, SF. But the two countries UK and USA are very different. I think many people come here not recognizing any differences or ambivalent to them at first.
The difference between coming to the US because you have to (third world, nowhere else to go, your country has just blown itself apart) and being a volunteer from a modern western European state cannot be underestimated. It has always fascinated me that the statistical studies generally show most Western European's return to their countries of origin about 10 years after emigrating to the US. Sounds about right to me, because once you weigh up, or wise up, to the differences and start comparing you were likely better off in your original country.
All kinds of things are different here: Benefits, workplace attitudes, laws and rules. At will employment is no joke to the vast majority of US citizens who in a safe place would confess that they know that their employer's know this and use it to exact more work, as a proverbial 'Sword of Damocles' over the employees head. As every employer in the US knows employees, especially those with families, need healthcare. And healthcare is the one thing that cannot just be procured in the US v's Europe where its generally free at point of service. Consequently, employees become 'slaves' to the job. There is no throwing caution to the wind, hedonistic acts such as 'I'll quit tomorrow' for most people here, as quite simply they cannot afford to both medically and monetarily.
For the newbies trying to come over I know this does not register but once you become ingrained in the lifestyle here you realize that what you had was likely quite a lot more than what you have. Perhaps its all a matter of timing and perspective?
Ultimately, its choice. I am always amazed at the number of people wanting to come here and the equally large number (like myself) trying to get back. I really would trade tomorrow if it were possible to do so.
The difference between coming to the US because you have to (third world, nowhere else to go, your country has just blown itself apart) and being a volunteer from a modern western European state cannot be underestimated. It has always fascinated me that the statistical studies generally show most Western European's return to their countries of origin about 10 years after emigrating to the US. Sounds about right to me, because once you weigh up, or wise up, to the differences and start comparing you were likely better off in your original country.
All kinds of things are different here: Benefits, workplace attitudes, laws and rules. At will employment is no joke to the vast majority of US citizens who in a safe place would confess that they know that their employer's know this and use it to exact more work, as a proverbial 'Sword of Damocles' over the employees head. As every employer in the US knows employees, especially those with families, need healthcare. And healthcare is the one thing that cannot just be procured in the US v's Europe where its generally free at point of service. Consequently, employees become 'slaves' to the job. There is no throwing caution to the wind, hedonistic acts such as 'I'll quit tomorrow' for most people here, as quite simply they cannot afford to both medically and monetarily.
For the newbies trying to come over I know this does not register but once you become ingrained in the lifestyle here you realize that what you had was likely quite a lot more than what you have. Perhaps its all a matter of timing and perspective?
Ultimately, its choice. I am always amazed at the number of people wanting to come here and the equally large number (like myself) trying to get back. I really would trade tomorrow if it were possible to do so.
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: The American Obsession...
Y'know that Vancouver is also in Washington state, right? Probably one of the few, if not only, train rides in the world where one can catch a direct train between two identically-named cities.
#44
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,554
Re: The American Obsession...
Even if you go into an American chainstore there are differences. You think aha, I'll go into a Burger King. Prices are twice what they are in the US, they sell poutine, they use the InterAC system for payments, currency is different, the staff are more likely to be Indian or Filipino than they are in the US where they are often latino, etc.
I'd say a Burger King in the UK has less differences, frankly.
I'd say a Burger King in the UK has less differences, frankly.
#45
Re: The American Obsession...
Why the obsession?(for Brits anyway) My guess, in some cases is that, since apparently so many people do emigrate to US, once one looks into it and finds that it is not actually possible for "just anyone" to come, there is an element of indignation.
"What do you mean, of course I must qualify for one of the visas, just tell me which one, I am British don't you know."
And inter EU migration is essentially unrestricted, so why would anywhere else be different.
"What do you mean, of course I must qualify for one of the visas, just tell me which one, I am British don't you know."
And inter EU migration is essentially unrestricted, so why would anywhere else be different.