Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Hi all,
I in the very early stages of a possible move to Lakeland from the UK. We have a 17 year old who will be finishing school next August and starting University in the UK. We also have 2 x 6 year old girls and have been looking at elementary schools in Lakeland for them.
We have started the process of buying a business in the area and believe that we could have a great life, as well as fulfilling my wifes dream of owning the business.
Any help with the area would be great, such as schools etc, but also where to live. We visited an elementary school last week (Wendell Watson), when there and it is a lot different from the UK, but not in the negative.
We have looked at property in the Bridgewater area and liked, but are worried that there may be areas declining due to the economic climate, so have taken on board what has been stated here a lot.....rent!!
Any help from expats or people who may know the area would be appreciated.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Zoe ... the owner of this site lives in lakeland on an E-2
http://www.e2visareform.org/e2visare...g/Welcome.html

very approachable person

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Ray,
Thanks so much for the info, I will certainly get in touch.:thumbup:

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

for 4 years

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Sorry, I am not sure what you are asking? If you mean that it may be only for 4 years then I have to disagree as we believe that we can extend evrytime that the visa expires or we wouldn't even try.

We do have friends that took the same course of action (and business) that in their 5th year and thriving.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

17 plus 4 = 21.

But assuming the 17 year old is going their own way, not a prob.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

then you have no business looking for a visa.

research.

ask questions.

if it's all about you then I am cool with that.
so long as you're prepared to be separated from your kids............ so long as YOU live in Florida right.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

But what about all the other businesses that aren't thriving, and who have been unable to renew?

The question for people who enquire about E-2's on this forum is always 'do you have children' and I can see why. Seems madness to me, to uproot kids and move with no guarantee of being able to stay permanently, but I guess it depends on the business. Fingers crossed for you.

:)

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Thanks Boiler and yes he is going his own way. We will miss him a lot but he will make a good man.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Manc,
I said in my first sentence that we are in the 'very early' stages. Our son would have been leaving home next year anyway as he is off to Uni, and may even be going to Holland in order to achieve that.
We are in the very early stages, looking for advice, hence our request here and I already believe that Zoe, mentioned earlier is a good source. i would hope that others here would also be that. My job in the UK is bad, they are carrying out regular 'voluntary redundancies' and my wife is looking for a new challange for her job, so if we are going to ever move abroad then that may be now. I have lived abroad from birth to I was 18 years and then spent 22 years in the Navy, so I have my eyes wide open.
I appreciate your advice to research and ask questions, and that is where you guys and gals can help.
Any advice appreciated. :thumbsup:

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Oh dear. I watched a UK TV program about Brits in Florida over the weekend...one particular family had bought a business and moved out there...it wasn't good. The wife and daughter had to go back to the UK to renew their E2 visa...it was declined. So they are in the UK and the husband and son are in Florida trying to keep their business afloat. Another was a couple who had moved because his wife was a nurse...she found out she had cancer...then her husband fell down the stairs. The healthcare costs have wiped them out and they can't sell their house to move back to the UK.

Of course there are happy endings too.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

city-data.com if probably the best place to ask about a particular area if you want to know about the quality of schools and cost of living...

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Also www.greatschools.org :thumbsup:

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Polk County is generally a bit backwards, run-down and in-bred. Highest per capita teenage pregnancy, meth abuse, DUI and child abuse in the state.
Lakeland is in no-man's-land. Bartow and Winter Haven are plain horrible.

Re: Possible E2 move to Lakeland, Florida
 

Bob and Lisa, many thanks for the information.

Awesome Welles, That for the update but it seems that different people have different attitudes as I have some saying good, and some saying bad things. This will be a tough decision.