Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Jul 30th 2007, 5:38 pm
#76
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
The tax problems are that you will have to complete a US tax return, something you will have to do anyway as a GC holder. You most probably won't pay any additional tax -- there is a largish exempt portion followed by a dual taxation agreement. In fact in certain areas, there is less tax for citizens than permanent residents.
Jul 30th 2007, 5:46 pm
#77
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
One common reason for naturalizing is, surprisingly, the fact that you're going to leave -- since this is the only option that guarantees return should you change your mind. A search through this board will show that this is not uncommon -- several members are doing it at the moment. People who have naturalized have no visa problems. Those who've chucked their status either have to start again at the beginning or are SOL.
The tax problems are that you will have to complete a US tax return, something you will have to do anyway as a GC holder. You most probably won't pay any additional tax -- there is a largish exempt portion followed by a dual taxation agreement. In fact in certain areas, there is less tax for citizens than permanent residents.
The tax problems are that you will have to complete a US tax return, something you will have to do anyway as a GC holder. You most probably won't pay any additional tax -- there is a largish exempt portion followed by a dual taxation agreement. In fact in certain areas, there is less tax for citizens than permanent residents.
Jul 30th 2007, 5:50 pm
#78
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
Jul 30th 2007, 6:03 pm
#79
JCR
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: New York (Manhattan)
Posts: 13
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
[QUOTE=Englishmum;5125613]"it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2".
Very interesting indeed. I did call Cunard in New York when the QM2 was about to make her maiden voyage. I had started to think about going back at the time. I was quoted a price of $500 per cat, which I thought was very steep. I was subsequently told that Southampton was not set up for the veterinary entry procedures as was Heathrow. Things have probably changed but when the old quarantine procedures were abandoned, ports of entry for animals were limited to one or two for the entire UK. If I make a firm decision to go back next year, I shall reopen the line of enquiry -- thanks to you!
Very interesting indeed. I did call Cunard in New York when the QM2 was about to make her maiden voyage. I had started to think about going back at the time. I was quoted a price of $500 per cat, which I thought was very steep. I was subsequently told that Southampton was not set up for the veterinary entry procedures as was Heathrow. Things have probably changed but when the old quarantine procedures were abandoned, ports of entry for animals were limited to one or two for the entire UK. If I make a firm decision to go back next year, I shall reopen the line of enquiry -- thanks to you!
Jul 30th 2007, 6:40 pm
#80
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I certainly wouldn't want to be an old lady here in the US without family support, we will be returning to the UK for sure. I too have seen elderly people in the doctor's surgery and at the pharmacy who are confused and distressed about their health insurance or medicaid coverage.
You see old people getting together and socialising all time in the UK, all chatting at the bus stop, post office or the High Street, maybe going to bingo or taking a walk in the park. My mum loves getting out and about with her friends using her free bus and train pass which is valid all over the West Midlands. She's had two knee replacements on the NHS and says she 'feels like a new woman' and thought her op and post-operative care was outstanding.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
To the o/p; it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2. One lady (Calle - whom had spent almost all of her life in the US but longed to return to the UK where she's now extremely happy) used to post on the 'moving back to the UK forum'. She moved her family and pets over on the QM2 and it was much cheaper than flying them; she wrote a detailed account of the crossing. There are kennels on board and it's less stressful and they do have some great deals from time to time. I could dig up her posts if you would like to read some of them?
http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11
http://www.cunard.com/CruiseCalendar...v=Destinations
(I've just returned home a few hours ago from a cruise - wish I could get back onboard LOL!)
You see old people getting together and socialising all time in the UK, all chatting at the bus stop, post office or the High Street, maybe going to bingo or taking a walk in the park. My mum loves getting out and about with her friends using her free bus and train pass which is valid all over the West Midlands. She's had two knee replacements on the NHS and says she 'feels like a new woman' and thought her op and post-operative care was outstanding.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
To the o/p; it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2. One lady (Calle - whom had spent almost all of her life in the US but longed to return to the UK where she's now extremely happy) used to post on the 'moving back to the UK forum'. She moved her family and pets over on the QM2 and it was much cheaper than flying them; she wrote a detailed account of the crossing. There are kennels on board and it's less stressful and they do have some great deals from time to time. I could dig up her posts if you would like to read some of them?
http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11
http://www.cunard.com/CruiseCalendar...v=Destinations
(I've just returned home a few hours ago from a cruise - wish I could get back onboard LOL!)
Jul 30th 2007, 7:25 pm
#81
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Best bet is looking at the re-entry permit though.
Jul 30th 2007, 8:19 pm
#82
In the pink
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,324
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
I certainly wouldn't want to be an old lady here in the US without family support, we will be returning to the UK for sure. I too have seen elderly people in the doctor's surgery and at the pharmacy who are confused and distressed about their health insurance or medicaid coverage.
You see old people getting together and socialising all time in the UK, all chatting at the bus stop, post office or the High Street, maybe going to bingo or taking a walk in the park. My mum loves getting out and about with her friends using her free bus and train pass which is valid all over the West Midlands. She's had two knee replacements on the NHS and says she 'feels like a new woman' and thought her op and post-operative care was outstanding.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
To the o/p; it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2. One lady (Calle - whom had spent almost all of her life in the US but longed to return to the UK where she's now extremely happy) used to post on the 'moving back to the UK forum'. She moved her family and pets over on the QM2 and it was much cheaper than flying them; she wrote a detailed account of the crossing. There are kennels on board and it's less stressful and they do have some great deals from time to time. I could dig up her posts if you would like to read some of them?
http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11
http://www.cunard.com/CruiseCalendar...v=Destinations
(I've just returned home a few hours ago from a cruise - wish I could get back onboard LOL!)
You see old people getting together and socialising all time in the UK, all chatting at the bus stop, post office or the High Street, maybe going to bingo or taking a walk in the park. My mum loves getting out and about with her friends using her free bus and train pass which is valid all over the West Midlands. She's had two knee replacements on the NHS and says she 'feels like a new woman' and thought her op and post-operative care was outstanding.
I rarely see old people in the suburb where I live meeting up with other old people ad hoc - they just seem to drive their old Buicks to the supermarket (often with a paid carer) and I often wonder if they're lonely. My mum has noticed this on her visits to the States and wonders if old people spend most of their time cooped up indoors!?
To the o/p; it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2. One lady (Calle - whom had spent almost all of her life in the US but longed to return to the UK where she's now extremely happy) used to post on the 'moving back to the UK forum'. She moved her family and pets over on the QM2 and it was much cheaper than flying them; she wrote a detailed account of the crossing. There are kennels on board and it's less stressful and they do have some great deals from time to time. I could dig up her posts if you would like to read some of them?
http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Ca...=&ArticleID=11
http://www.cunard.com/CruiseCalendar...v=Destinations
(I've just returned home a few hours ago from a cruise - wish I could get back onboard LOL!)
just in case you know any old people in Millburn:
http://www.twp.millburn.nj.us/content/view/31/47/
my area has loads going on for seniors: day trips, overnight trips, water aerobics, free transportation, low-cost meals, yoga for seniors, aerobics for seniors, water aerobics, mall walking, bridge for beginners, dancing lessons, ceramics, pot luck picnics, etc. They seem to have a great time. Most areas in the USA have a parks and recreations dept, and they are charged with providing activities for all ages, including seniors, in their respective locations.
Jul 30th 2007, 10:09 pm
#83
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
[QUOTE=JCR;5125705]
I found the thread about Calle making her booking on the QM2 with her family and dogs. She didn't book far enough ahead and managed to get the last two cages so the cat flew later by plane. Yes, the dogs were $500....I think they may have been labradors so almost certainly cheaper for her to have them transported by ship than plane.
Do scroll down to #9 of the thread as she did check the DEFRA site and the QM2 is an approved carrier for taking pets into the UK:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310324
On this thread Calle stated on post #5 that cats go on the QM2 for $300:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344267
and here is Calle's post on the transatlantic crossing and her first thoughts on being back home in the UK (she actually left to live in the US when she was 5 years old and returned to the UK from Florida with her spouse, children and pets! She's made subsequent posts (which can be found via the advanced search if you wish to read them) and her family is very happily settled in England:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341555
(Does anyone have any idea how much it costs to transport cats to the UK by air? Just wondering how it compares with the $300 per cat on the QM2?)
I guess if the cats will go by ship, you would need to book far ahead to get 5 of them onboard on the same crossing!
"it might be worthwhile checking with Cunard about taking your cats over to the UK on the QM2".
Very interesting indeed. I did call Cunard in New York when the QM2 was about to make her maiden voyage. I had started to think about going back at the time. I was quoted a price of $500 per cat, which I thought was very steep. I was subsequently told that Southampton was not set up for the veterinary entry procedures as was Heathrow. Things have probably changed but when the old quarantine procedures were abandoned, ports of entry for animals were limited to one or two for the entire UK. If I make a firm decision to go back next year, I shall reopen the line of enquiry -- thanks to you!
Very interesting indeed. I did call Cunard in New York when the QM2 was about to make her maiden voyage. I had started to think about going back at the time. I was quoted a price of $500 per cat, which I thought was very steep. I was subsequently told that Southampton was not set up for the veterinary entry procedures as was Heathrow. Things have probably changed but when the old quarantine procedures were abandoned, ports of entry for animals were limited to one or two for the entire UK. If I make a firm decision to go back next year, I shall reopen the line of enquiry -- thanks to you!
Do scroll down to #9 of the thread as she did check the DEFRA site and the QM2 is an approved carrier for taking pets into the UK:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310324
On this thread Calle stated on post #5 that cats go on the QM2 for $300:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344267
and here is Calle's post on the transatlantic crossing and her first thoughts on being back home in the UK (she actually left to live in the US when she was 5 years old and returned to the UK from Florida with her spouse, children and pets! She's made subsequent posts (which can be found via the advanced search if you wish to read them) and her family is very happily settled in England:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341555
(Does anyone have any idea how much it costs to transport cats to the UK by air? Just wondering how it compares with the $300 per cat on the QM2?)
I guess if the cats will go by ship, you would need to book far ahead to get 5 of them onboard on the same crossing!
Jul 30th 2007, 10:44 pm
#84
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Contemplating return to the UK after 43 years away.
Hard to see how it's a "best bet" compared to naturalization.
