craiga20uk

Hi there, me and my girlfriend (28 & 25) are seriously considering moving to America. I am a fully qualified gas fitter, and have worked in the industry for 7 years, does anyone know what kind of heating systems they have in the United States? or does anyone from the UK work in this industry? I don't really know where to start looking. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Craig

christmasoompa

I tink you'll need to go back to Plans A or B (Oz or Canada)! Sorry to say, but being a gas fitter won't get you to the US.

Unless you have another option you haven't mentioned i.e. a close USC relative or a million quid down the back of the sofa? Or your gf has specialist skills?

Have a read of this for info on your visa options.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski's_Ways:_How_to_Live_and_Work_in_the_USA


Good luck.

craiga20uk

What about in Canada then??lol, I just want to get out of the UK.

christmasoompa

Yes, Canada's an option. I thought you'd discounted it because you didn't want to retrain or take the Red Seal exams? But have a re-read of your previous threads in the Canada forum as you've been given lots of good info already.

And if you do want to go over on an IEC, then with respect you need to hurry up and make a decision! Looks like you've left it to the last minute as you've only got one shot at a visa before you turn 30? So do apply as soon as the program opens in Dec/Jan if you definitely want to go.

Pop back to the Canada forums for any questions re: moving there.

Is Oz no longer an option either?

Bob

Short answer: No.

Real question, why? What do you hope to achieve by leaving the UK? Gain by moving abroad?

Rest of the EU is the simple answer, if you rather not move around the UK. Cheaper too.

craiga20uk

Bob, in response to your post. I want to achieve a better way of life, I find whenever I have visited the USA and Canada the people to be much friendlier, and more welcoming. The UK is a horrible place to live right now, and can't wait to leave. If I move abroad, and it doesn't work out, at least I can say that i've given it a go.

christmasoompa

It's really not. I've lived in both, and although I love Canada, it doesn't have anything to offer that the UK can't. Granted, I live in a lovely part of the UK, but why not move within the country if you hate where you live now? It would save you tens of thousands, and be a hell of a lot easier.

As is often said on the Canada forum, it's always far better to move for the love of a country, rather than the perceived negatives of the one you've left behind - the same problems are everywhere unfortunately.

I'd also suggest you read the Moving Back to the UK to see why many choose to return from Canada (or Oz, or the US). You might be surprised to see that an oft quoted reason for not settling in Canada is that the friendliness is very superficial and it's hard to make friends!

Good luck with your decision.

RICH

Nothing wrong with trying for something else. Just be aware that other countries are not necessarily crying out for immigrants. There are multiple hoops to go through, wherever you may try for.

craiga20uk

Shame other countries aren't quite as welcoming as the UK huh?? I'd have no problem then.

christmasoompa

It's just as hard for a Canadian or American to move to the UK as it is for you to move there. Only those from within the EU can move freely to the UK, but of course that works both ways and you could also move to any country within the EU without needing a visa.

The irony of a would be immigrant complaining about immigrants never fails to amuse me!

Bob

Same shit, different bucket, when you're not in holiday mode.

It's great you want to try something different, but the reasons have to better than "UK shit" response, because you'll find the same problems else where and often made much worse by not understanding how it works any more.

You've got the whole of the EU to look at and language is not a barrier to a large chunk of it, so have a look.

Rete

You have all of Europe to choose found.

Nutmegger

That's exactly what Americans who have visited as tourists say about the UK!

Bluegrass Lass

You think the UK is that welcoming? Then I guess you have no idea just how difficult it is now for UK citizens to bring over their foreign spouses, due to recent immigration law changes.

My uncle is a plumber, and he has also gone through the training to do gas fitting as well (to be honest, I'm not sure what its called). I know he does commercial installations of gas lines for hospitals and power plants, as well as normal plumbing for commercial and sometimes residential installations. There was quite a long period of time he went unemployed because of lack of construction jobs. I know he's been regularly employed all of this year, which has been a big change from the last several years. To be honest, I don't think they are suffering with a lack of trained gas fitters.

It might be worth talking to some unions in the areas you are considering, to see what the job prospects are like. Keep in mind that there are plenty of areas in the US where natural gas isn't used all that much, so pipe fitters wouldn't be needed as much (unless I misunderstand everything that gas fitters are trained for).

Whether you qualify for a visa to move here, is a whole other kettle of fish. We almost moved back to the UK because we are unhappy with a lot of things here in the US, but we realized that many of those problems could be resolved by moving elsewhere w/in the US - which is our current goal. Moving overseas because you hate it where you currently are isn't going to make you happy..it will just make you poorer.

Sally Redux

You want to 'give it a go' but have no clue about how immigration works even in your own country, nor the most basic information on heating systems in the chosen destination.

Pure Eastenders Syndrome.