Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
Mar 7th 2012, 2:35 pm
#46
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
My long term plan is to try and live part time in both countries. I have a 5 acre parcel in the redwoods which I intend to put a small cabin on , that should keep my expenses to a minimum in the U.S. I also plan to get a narrowboat in the UK , I've found a fairly cheap berth up in Manchester where I can keep it over the winter.
I estimate that my expenses should be under $1,000 dollars a month for both countries.
If I can get it together I would eventually like to get a small flat in the UK, but that takes more $$.
For now I will just keep working and saving.
So although I have yet to do it, I do believe it is possible.
I estimate that my expenses should be under $1,000 dollars a month for both countries.
If I can get it together I would eventually like to get a small flat in the UK, but that takes more $$.
For now I will just keep working and saving.
So although I have yet to do it, I do believe it is possible.
What about airfare?
I can't see how you can live on both sides of the Atlantic on $12K per year.
Mar 7th 2012, 2:36 pm
#47
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
My long term plan is to try and live part time in both countries. I have a 5 acre parcel in the redwoods which I intend to put a small cabin on , that should keep my expenses to a minimum in the U.S. I also plan to get a narrowboat in the UK , I've found a fairly cheap berth up in Manchester where I can keep it over the winter.
I estimate that my expenses should be under $1,000 dollars a month for both countries.
If I can get it together I would eventually like to get a small flat in the UK, but that takes more $$.
For now I will just keep working and saving.
So although I have yet to do it, I do believe it is possible.
I estimate that my expenses should be under $1,000 dollars a month for both countries.
If I can get it together I would eventually like to get a small flat in the UK, but that takes more $$.
For now I will just keep working and saving.
So although I have yet to do it, I do believe it is possible.
Rene
Mar 7th 2012, 2:47 pm
#48
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
"I estimate that my expenses should be under $1,000 dollars a month for both countries. "..... I read that statement as meaning, need to budget $12,000 per annum more per year than I would need were I just living in one place. Those expenses would be condo maintenance charges, additional property taxes, insurance, and at least one round trip airfare per year. And healthcare costs.
Mar 7th 2012, 2:50 pm
#49
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
"I estimate that my expenses should be under $1,000 dollars a month for both countries. "..... I read that statement as meaning, need to budget $12,000 per annum more per year than I would need were I just living in one place. Those expenses would be condo maintenance charges, additional property taxes, insurance, and at least one round trip airfare per year. And healthcare costs.
Rene
Mar 7th 2012, 2:52 pm
#50
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
But healthcare is a biggie and the likely reason I won't attempt this until I qualify for Medicare. So for me it will be Medicare in the US, NHS in the UK. The trick is being resident enough in the UK to be deemed habitually resident there and eligible for the NHS. I also accept that I will be filing both UK and US taxes. Finally, as I mentioned before, having US citizenship, the green card stuff is a non-issue for me.
Mar 7th 2012, 3:26 pm
#51
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
That's just for day to day expenses, I'm not including airfare, healthcare ect ... but I have that covered. The tax situation is another thing, but not insurmountable.
I am single, have a good income and some savings, so it may be easier for me more than others.
You have to dream anyway
I am single, have a good income and some savings, so it may be easier for me more than others.
You have to dream anyway
Mar 7th 2012, 3:27 pm
#52
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
Mar 7th 2012, 3:35 pm
#53
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
I think they meant housing costs?
But healthcare is a biggie and the likely reason I won't attempt this until I qualify for Medicare. So for me it will be Medicare in the US, NHS in the UK. The trick is being resident enough in the UK to be deemed habitually resident there and eligible for the NHS. I also accept that I will be filing both UK and US taxes. Finally, as I mentioned before, having US citizenship, the green card stuff is a non-issue for me.
But healthcare is a biggie and the likely reason I won't attempt this until I qualify for Medicare. So for me it will be Medicare in the US, NHS in the UK. The trick is being resident enough in the UK to be deemed habitually resident there and eligible for the NHS. I also accept that I will be filing both UK and US taxes. Finally, as I mentioned before, having US citizenship, the green card stuff is a non-issue for me.
As for Medicare, one would probably want to commit to paying for Medicare Part B (currently $1,200 per year) from the beginning, since there is a penalty if you don't take it at first but pick it up later, but other additional Medicare coverage (Part D, "Medigap", etc.) could be kept in abeyance until one knew that it was needed.
Mar 8th 2012, 1:59 pm
#54
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Location: East Anglia->New England
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
My long term plan is to try and live part time in both countries. I have a 5 acre parcel in the redwoods which I intend to put a small cabin on , that should keep my expenses to a minimum in the U.S. I also plan to get a narrowboat in the UK , I've found a fairly cheap berth up in Manchester where I can keep it over the winter. . . .
So although I have yet to do it, I do believe it is possible.
So although I have yet to do it, I do believe it is possible.
A narrowboat moored in England is hubby's dream too. I'm not sure it can be safely left empty for long periods of time, but he says people do. Also I worry about heating fuel costs, since we had a friend who owned a boat (in the south) & said it was very cold & damp any time of the year, even summer, without the heat on.
Mar 8th 2012, 2:50 pm
#55
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Location: Charlotte NC
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
Not allowed because it won't cover you in that situation.
Also remember when you live outside the US too long, you may be reset to year 0 to apply for naturalization so even if you finally settle permanently in the US, you may have to wait 5 years to apply for naturalization.
Everything would work out better if you waited until you became a USC before you tried living outside the US. If not, you would have to worry about abandonment and have to hire a very expensive lawyer if that was alleged with unsure results and you would likely be landlocked until a ruling was made which could take several years.
Also remember when you live outside the US too long, you may be reset to year 0 to apply for naturalization so even if you finally settle permanently in the US, you may have to wait 5 years to apply for naturalization.
Everything would work out better if you waited until you became a USC before you tried living outside the US. If not, you would have to worry about abandonment and have to hire a very expensive lawyer if that was alleged with unsure results and you would likely be landlocked until a ruling was made which could take several years.
Is it possible to surrender your Green card if you know that you're going to have to move back to the UK -eg to care for an elderly relative and then be allowed to reapply at a later date?
I guess I'm asking how "abandonment"affects any future applications.
Mar 8th 2012, 2:54 pm
#56
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
5 years after you obtained your GC. You can apply 3 months prior to the 5 years.
We always thought we would return to the UK for retirement because of healthcare. Fortunately my husband took early retirement...which includes the same healthcare package as he had when he was working.
Having multiple properties that are empty for months on end is a headache...it is also very expensive.
We always thought we would return to the UK for retirement because of healthcare. Fortunately my husband took early retirement...which includes the same healthcare package as he had when he was working.
Having multiple properties that are empty for months on end is a headache...it is also very expensive.
Mar 8th 2012, 3:00 pm
#57
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Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
Good point... this is another reason I favour the apartment approach, preferably in an area that attracts tourists.
Mar 8th 2012, 3:38 pm
#58
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Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 124
Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
When you leave a job, most people go on COBRA which is the same coverage as you had when he was working but you pay the group rate that the company pays. After 18 months, you lose COBRA and have to find individual plans on the open market. In 2014 the health care reform exchanges start and you then purchase insurance through that exchange and the price will be based on the price for a healthy person of your age and your income but will be subsidized by the government if your family income is less than 400% of the poverty level and will be paid 100% by the government if your family income is below 125% of the poverty level. The health care exchanges will be available to all US citizens and LPR's who do not have employer provided health insurance.
You can use the following calculator to determine the estimated cost of health insurance for you or your family in 2014. Unfortunately it only calculates the cost for an individual or a family of four based on your income and age but you can see what each costs and estimate the cost for a family of two.
http://healthreform.kff.org/SubsidyC...spx#calcParams
You can use the following calculator to determine the estimated cost of health insurance for you or your family in 2014. Unfortunately it only calculates the cost for an individual or a family of four based on your income and age but you can see what each costs and estimate the cost for a family of two.
http://healthreform.kff.org/SubsidyC...spx#calcParams
In general, full-time employees with employer coverage available that meets specified requirements are not eligible for premium subsidies, unless the employee would have to pay more than 9.5% of income for the employer-provided coverage
and won't give a result.
Does the part in red refer to premiums?
Our premiums are around 12% of income (that's basic without vision/dental) so what happens then?
Can you then go for the insurance via the exchange?
I notice that it says that legal immigrants who are barred from enrolling in medicaid for the first 5 years will be eligible for premium credits.
Mar 8th 2012, 3:51 pm
#59
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 124
Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
I mentioned before that the upkeep of more than one home is expensive. You will need transport in both places...you will also have to keep the UK house heated during the winter months unless you turn off the water and drain all pipes and the radiators. You will also need to run the AC in Texas when you are in the UK. If you have a condo you will be paying condo fees for the 6 months of the year you're in the UK. There is also upkeep of the garden/swimming pool etc. Then there is insurance...very difficult to insure empty properties in the UK...don't know about Texas. Getting car insurance in the UK is difficult if you're not a UK resident...remember if you want to live in the US for a big chunk of the year...you are a US resident.
You really need someone who will keep an eye on your property when you are not there...and that can get tiresome for that person very quickly.
You really need someone who will keep an eye on your property when you are not there...and that can get tiresome for that person very quickly.
I think it's 6 months?
You would need to be classed as resident in the UK to qualify for NHS healthcare.
Mar 8th 2012, 3:54 pm
#60
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Living half here, half in the UK .. does anyone do this?
Can you define abandonment in this context?
Is it possible to surrender your Green card if you know that you're going to have to move back to the UK -eg to care for an elderly relative and then be allowed to reapply at a later date?
I guess I'm asking how "abandonment"affects any future applications.
Is it possible to surrender your Green card if you know that you're going to have to move back to the UK -eg to care for an elderly relative and then be allowed to reapply at a later date?
I guess I'm asking how "abandonment"affects any future applications.