Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

We have been trying for a year now and no matter which way we turn we come to a dead end. Im sick of it, im 38 with wife and two daughters and have wanted to live there since i was 9.
I have worked as a painter and decorator for 20 years for my father, and im not affraid of hard work. It annoys me that anyone can come to the UK but where i want to go i can't. We even have friends over there but they got there becouse they had a lot of money, and that seems to be the key factor. Its not fair that you can only live there if you have money. We will have money from the sale of our house, but it seems to me you need in excess of £200,000. There must be a way, you never all went out there with all that money surely. We want resinency as we are sure we want to live there, and dont want to have to renew visas every year or so to find out that one year they might turn us down, and all is lost and we have to return to the UK with nothing. All help greatly appriciated, thank you, Rick.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

You need to read this article. If you don't fit into one of the categories there, it's not going to happen.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

Most of the ways are listed in this article: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

Money, Family or Work. Those are your main options.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

Not just anyone can come to the UK. You might think that but it's not the case.

Most people got here because they found someone who was willing to sponsor them, either a family member/spouse or an employer. In the case of those of us who wanted to live here since we were kids, we made career choices that would help us do that, either working for an employer with offices here and getting a transfer, or training for a job that is in high demand here.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

What jobs are in demand? i have read that thread just now, thank you all.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

Difference is that the USA isn't part of the EU and can have whatever laws they like. You are perfectly able to go to other EU countries or even places like Canada or Australia with a lot more ease. Realistically your only real ways you could do it are with a lot of money, but that doesn't give you residency or marry an American which isn't an option. Even with a greencard they can turf you out whenever they want, citizenship is the only way to avoid that and even then it's still not impossible. The big question you want to ask yourself is why do you want to live in Florida or even in the US? Chances are the reasons you have don't really match up to the reality of what it will be like on a day to day basis. That's not to say that there is no point in coming here, just a lot of the reasons people give are not actually going to happen.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

What make you think Florida is the perfect place for you ...

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

Plenty of jobs in demand. You can make a fine living as painter and decorator - it's just that you won't be allowed to live or work here. For skill-based visas in English speaking countries, your options (since you presumably don't fit into the US niches) are: OZ/NZ/CANADA.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

To get a visa, generally high skill ones (doctors, scientists, specialist engineers, that type of deal), degrees are a must in most cases and a lot of experience. If anyone does it that way you basically don't choose where to live, the company that is willing and able to sponsor your visa will tell you where you will live.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

If there is one thing I know about yanks, is that they have no time for whiners.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

T'ain't true, and the US isn't alone in restricting who can immigrate. Maybe moving somewhere a bit better in the UK could help? Tough though.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

A good formal education with at least a bachelors degree would help too. Please read US based news media (CNN, New York Times, etc.) to get a feel for the economy, jobs, and cost of living. It ain't all wine and roses. Living in a country is not much like holidaying there.

Just read threads about (the cost and quality of) healthcare and finding schools for children in the USA forum and you'll get a feel for the realities of living in the USA.

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

It may sound daft, but you may want to look to your daughters at this point. I don't know how old they are, but if they are in a position to study or work in a field that has hopes to transfer to the US, they could EVENTUALLY get greencards (possibly) and then EVENTUALLY become US citizens... they could then EVENTUALLY sponsor you and bring you all over to the US. They of course need to be on board with the plan.

But worst case scenario, you'll be stuck in the UK with professional daughters that have degrees... there are worst things in life :D

Without a degree and a professional background in high demand, you're going to be out of luck. And it's unlikely these are things you will have the inclination or funds to gain at 38.

PS. I'm being horribly sexist and haven't asked what your wife does - a possible hope?

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

Europe is right outside your back door.
Most Americans won't ever leave their country and have only a passing understanding of the world in general.
Imagine what that does to a place's culture and way of life?

Europe. :thumbsup:

Re: Is it really that hard to get to Florida to live
 

lol I agree.

Rick, what happened to Benalmadena?