wuthering

This is a tough question to search on, as it seems like a rarity. Can anyone help?
I'm originally a US citizen, moved to UK, married a UK citizen and I followed all the rules to become a UK citizen, as well. After 10 years here, we want to spend about half the year in the US, half the UK.

We know we want to buy a home in the US because it's better financially. Our issue comes when we return to the UK. We can't afford to own a place here too, and we don't want to rent a new place every time we return. Holiday lets are an option, but it's a bit expensive and where we are (and therefore want to come back to) there are not a lot of choices (Tunbridge Wells, Kent).

Has anyone heard of what folks do in this situation? We know there are a lot of blocks on the way (immigration, work etc.), but we can do that. It's the housing that's causing the consternation. I'd love to hear any suggestions or places/sites/threads to look at. Thanks everyone.

Noorah101

I know you're only asking about housing here, and you say you've got the immigration issue solved. Does that mean he is of an age where he can easily get a B-2 visa in order to spend up to 6 months a year in the USA? Having a USC spouse works against him in this regard, because he will be perceived as having immigrant intent. Especially if he no longer has a UK residence to return to.

Rene

Rete

Since your spouse is not a US Citizen. they cannot live in the US for 1/2 a year. 90 days under the VWP if they are eligibile to use it is about it and then they have to leave, wait a while and then return for another 90 days.

Have you thought of getting your spouse an immediate relative visa to live and work in the US, and then 3 years down the line they would be eligible to natualize and that would one part of the problem solved. Note that even with the IR Visa and the subsequent green card he receives upon entry to the US, he still cannot live 1/2 a year there and 1/2 a year here without jepordizing his eligibility to naturalize.

robin1234

No two ways around it, owning two homes is always going to be expensive. Even if/when you own both outright, you have taxes, homeowner's insurance, condo fees or equivalent (if in a community) or out of pocket expenses for mowing, caretaking etc. (if a private house.)

Orangepants

What about HomeExchange.com? When I lived in Cayman, my neighbours who had an amazing house, did a 3 month swap with a family from China - worked out really well. House doesn't have to be amazing either - just somewhere people want to go and spend a few months or weeks.

WEBlue

Yes, I agree. Wasn't there a thread about this recently?

Aha, found it:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=750294

scrubbedexpat099

He needs to obtain US Citizenship.

Whilst that is happening earn or obtain loads of money. Looked it up, revoked in 2003.

penguinsix

The 6 and 6 option is frequently discussed on the board here, so you might want to look at some of the other threads for more information.

As a US citizen spending six months in the USA you may lose your right to the foreign income and foreign housing deductions on your US taxes. You know the thing that says the first $92,000 of foreign income is excluded from US taxes? This might be a problem, might not, but something you might want to consider.

You also really have to figure out how you are going to have health insurance in the US. You can take out some traveling policies (maybe) but some of those don't cover major illnesses or they do cover them for quite a high premium (too many options to speak clearly as to the specifics).