coral11680

Hi,

I'm living in the UK after living in the states for 8+ years. I met my husband and went to live in the USa with him in 1999. We got married in 2000 and have 2 children together aged 7 and 4.
To cut a very long story short my husband worked for verizon in NJ for 13 years but due to medical problems couldn't do his job function and decided to take a buy out while he could. That was March 2007. He had to have a hip replacement at age 32 in September 2007 and possibly will need the other hip done. I missed my family and we decided it would be a now or never thing to come here and try it out. We got here April this year. My hubby is better medically but not perfect but would like a job with a similar role he had in the US telephone cabling/ technician. Applied to multiple places but no luck so far.(he has a spouse visa so has rights to work here). He had a interview with sky tv and passed but waiting to hear if they have positions in our area. (8 weeks later no joy) I'm really nervous and worried as our savings are almost gone! I miss the US but not NJ in particular even though my in-laws are there!

My hubby has a brother in the Atlanta area and I've been there once in 2000. I was just thinking that if we need to return to the US as it might be easier for my hubby to get a job there. I've been reading posts on here and a lot of people say Alpharetta and marietta are nice and affordable. One reason I would not want to return to NJ is it was too expensive there.
Anyone in these areas think it would be a good place to live with to young kids? This is just an idea we are playing with but I do feel that within a year we will ant to head back stateside I prefer it there!

Thanks for any info and reading my long winded post!!

Louise

mellybrown

Hey,

what kinds of things are you looking for?? I live here but have no kids so I prob wont be actually that much help

hobbes79

What's your US status?

I'm assuming at least greencard, but did you get citizenship?

If not citizenship, did you get a re-entry permit?

simongb

Could you try somewhere else in the UK?

pippermint

California has great schools and has become very affordable. I also have 4 and 7 yr old kids. Where we live near Sacramento has a lot of jobs and things to do for kids. It's not for everybody but you might want to just check it out.

Bob

Indeed...hope citizenship was gotten, as it looks like LPR was abandoned unless the re-entry permit was gotten, but that doesn't guarantee things either.

what about poking around other parts of the EU?

The_English_Bride

Where in Essex are you? Some parts are better than others! Can your husband commute? Some parts of Essex are not far from London, so maybe he could commute. That's what I used to do - worked out a lot better for me than looking for a job locally.

coral11680

Thanks for all the replies!

Yes I am a US citizen! Sorry I didn't mention that! I purposely got my citizenship so I could return there if I decided to.

Well I suppose I could try other parts of the UK or EU but know and love the USA!

((Where in Essex are you? Some parts are better than others! Can your husband commute? Some parts of Essex are not far from London, so maybe he could commute. That's what I used to do - worked out a lot better for me than looking for a job locally.))
I'm in South Ockendon and my husband has been applying for jobs in London aswell.

California sounds good but so much further from London and in laws in NJ.

Mellybrown, how do you like it there? what are the pros and cons?

md95065

As with most things, it all depends on exactly where you are and what your expectations are.

Despite the decline in real-estate prices I would hesitate before making such a sweeping statement as "California ... has become very affordable", and not everyone would agree with you about the schools (although, once again, it depends on exactly where you are)

Ezequiel

Atlanta is a wonderful place to live, i'm in Midtown Atlanta, great weather to, compare with NJ.

Alpharetta will be a good place for you and your family to live, it's a beautiful place and has great school, the only downside that i see, is that the traffic HORRIBLE :curse:.

I hope you love to drive if you move here

mellybrown

hmmm well ive not been here that long, and I dont know what it was like where you lived before - but my god is it HOT..and humid - thats probably the only thing i really hate. You have to drive everywhere (seems pretty US universal tho!!) The houses are nice - I think there is a pretty high unemployment rate in atlanta at the mo tho - nobody has any money with all this expensive gas!!!! Theres plenty to see and do - just depends what kind of stuff you like!

RoadWarriorFromLP

Given your descriptions of your husband's health issues, I would consider your situation carefully before committing yourself to returning. At the very least, one of you will need to have a job in order to provide for his health care. Just something to think about...

JAJ

It would also be a good idea for husband to get his British citizenship before he leaves the U.K.

coral11680

Yes that is something to keep in mind. My husband would need to have a job secure before we would move there.

Thanks for the replies like I said so far it's just an idea we are considering!

I miss the hot weather over there it is so misserable here lately! Just one reason I miss the States also.

coral11680

Yes my husband is going to see a orthopeadic specialist this Saturday and hopefully evaluate his condition. He would need a job there before we would move back. Thanks for the advice it is appreciated!