things dreams are made of....
 

I've always dreamed of living in the USA. I'm a 35yr old single girl with a degree in Zoology and I own my own house. I currently manage a busy, 3 branch veterinary clinic. I've registered for the green card lottery 2011 and am constantly scanning the internet looking at different states and USA job search sites.
I have, until recently, always thought that the US was just a dream but I really want to make that a reality.
I guess what I'm doing on here is looking for advice on where to start. Does and donts - anything really including recommendations for which states to look at. I'm an outdoorsy, horsy girl so I guess I'd be interested in horse country and I prefer the sun to the snow.
All feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

many thanks.

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Hi Sarah and welcome. :) Here's a good place to start. Reading through these links will help you learn how you could qualify to move aside from the lottery. Good luck!

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

and

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski_Simplified

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Thanks so much for prompt reply. 1st link not working but the 2nd link was really useful. :thumbup:

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Try this for the first one.

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\Thank you:thumbup:

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Zoology, horses, sun: has to be in or around KY, I would say...

Here is a big don't, which should be obvious, but seems to be overlooked a lot. Never, ever lie to anyone about anything in order to gain entry to the US, even as a visitor. It can lead to a lifetime ban. Not implying that you would, but the consequences can be irreversible in some cases, even for small white lies. Many people trying to get to the US don't seem to be aware of the potential adverse consequences, so it never hurts to call it out early on.

BTW, what is your nationality and birthplace? You know that most UK-born people are ineligible for the DV (NI is the exception).

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Join an online international dating service. That's how one of the Real Housewives of NYC met her English hubs.

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

If you want the sun and horses then Northern California would be your best bet, we have the 2nd largest horse population in the US and hundreds upon hundreds of ranchs.

I live 5mins from this place http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakdale,_California and its nothing but horses and ranches all the way up to Yosemite National Park, which might be worth looking into ie a National Park employee, or working on an actual ranch ;)

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Hi Sara,

Are you look for a lot of warmth and sun year round or just during the summer and such?

I have some family who lives in Texas and my mom is actually from Texas. It is quite warm there year round and the state of Texas is very well known for having a lot of horses and farms. And Texans are generally very polite and lovely people.

Best of luck to you :thumbsup:

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

match.com

Seriously :)

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The OP certainly sounds like she is phenomenally eligible...

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Would never lie especially for something as important as immigration. As for on line dating lol!!! Have been looking at Oklahoma??? Any thoughts anyone??? Will have a look at Texas, California and I think KY is Kentucky. I'm from Northern Ireland so am eligible for DV. Thanks for feedback!! keep it coming!!:thumbsup:

Sarah

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

I'm actually an American and I am currently in the process of trying to move to somewhere in Scandinavia for college and know how difficult it can be trying to move to another country. I'm sure stating that my mom is from Texas gave my nationality away :)

But anyway. If you have any more questions pertaining to America. Feel free to ask me, i'll do my best to help answer them as best I can.

Here is to hoping your dreams come true :thumbsup:

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Thanks Millionall, I may just take you up on that. I dont know much about Scandinavia but if I can help you in any way feel free to ask :D
Sarah

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Texas and California will be the warmest states on your to look up list. But Kentucky has more varied seasons and snow in the winter.

Kentucky is home of the U.S. Kentucky Derby, the largest annual horse race. Even though they call it the U.S. Kentucky Derby it seems more British to me. All of the ladies wear big fancy hats like I have seen your royal family wear while watching polo. It's pretty neat watching the Derby on T.V.

California is a very expensive place to live and has one of the worst economies out of all of the U.S. States. I would recommend avoiding the major cities. Because they have a big gang problem in certain parts of Cali. Many people consider California to be it's own country because it is supposedly weird. I currently live in Colorado. It seems that all of the people wanting to escape California are moving to Colorado. But some people really love it there. So it all comes down to personal taste and what you are looking for.

Colorado has a pretty big horse culture as well. We have the beautiful Rocky Mountains in our state. Up in the mountains their are tons of farms with horses and really pretty views. However we sometimes get really cold weather in the winter time but it is not cold every single day all through out winter. In Colorado we have a favorite saying that says "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change". During the winter season. One day you might be wearing a coat and the next day you might be running around in a t-shirt. It is very weird!

I have heard that there is a shortage of veterinarian professionals willing to work with farm animals in America. So if you are interested in working with farm animals then you should have an easier time finding a job during the bad economy than someone else with a different career path regardless of what state you choose. Also there is a veterinarian school in Fort Collins, Colorado that is regarded as one of the best veterinarian schools in the entire country.

Just some things to think about :)

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Thank you Sarah :D

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I know I'm probably gonna look ridiculously stupid but what is OP? I've seen it a few times now and cant think what it is?????:confused:

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I'm not actually a vet but definitely great info to think about...want to try to avoid snowy weather if I can...have had a life time of cold grey weather and its one of the reasons I want to relocate.:thumbup:

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Original Poster, in other words you started the thread :)

Oh and welcome to BE

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Just wanted to say Hi to a fellow NI'lander. Lots of useful advice and information on here so you've picked a great place to start.

Definitely advise reading as much around the wiki's as you can as they will help you get a handle of what may or may not be possible with regard to the move.

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

As a Louisville, Kentucky native, I couldn't help but laugh! Seriously, you think the Derby (as we call it around here) is British?! You've obviously never seen the party in the infield on Derby Day. Yes, there is the Millionaire's Row where you find all the posh women in hats and dresses, but there are far, far more 'normal' folks that are there partying and getting trashed.:rofl:

Sarah, if you are looking for a thoroughbred horse country, then KY is a great place to live, as long as you would enjoy living in a small town USA and all that comes with that. We (my Brit hubby & I) have lived in quite a few small KY towns, and while we loved the scenary we just couldn't stand living there. We get all four seasons, extreme heat and fairly extreme cold (we've been colder than the UK the past few weeks). We don't get a lot of snow, but we get enough of it.:thumbdown: If you want more a ranch lifestyle then the Texas or California suggestions may be better for you.

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Sarah, I lived in Oklahoma for two years and loved it there, (I'm Brit hubby US) lived in Texas and hated it there. It's not something that anyone else can tell you really, we can give you our personal experience of a particular State, but you really have to live there yourself before you can 'know it'.

I haven't met many other people that would want to move to OK, but I would go back there in a heartbeat, different opinion from mine on Texas too, from most people I talk too.

Nothing wrong in asking people about the 'better' States to live in, we all have opinions, but that's all they are 'our' opinions. Do lots of research and read all the old threads on here about moving to the US (1,000's of them,lol.) Good luck with the DV or which ever way you chose to get here ;)

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Nice to see you ol' girl.....and Boo is looking spiffy as usual :wub:

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Note: Original Poster OP is NOT to be confused with the regular here called Optimus Prime, who is also sometimes referred to as OP.

You have been warned...

;)

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Thanx Poppy, I think (ol girl? LOL) Yeah, first day without all the Christmas visitors...very quiet. Was mostly a good Holiday really wish our Son could have stayed longer though.

This is my Sis and my boys ;)

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

I realise that no one can tell me where to aim for state wise but other peoples perspectives are really useful especially on things like climate, demographics, culture and experiences.
Thanks everyone so much for all your advice so far. I cant believe how great this site is and how helpful everyone has been!!!!!

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Nor can I! Usually, we rip folks a new one... ;)

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I live 15 minutes north of Kentucky where if you were to use the abbreviation UK everyone would assume you meant the University of Kentucky. They're rabid fans of the sports teams to say the least. :)

There's rivalry between many bordering states and in Ohio we like to tease Kentuckians about not owning shoes, marrying their cousins, etc. (all in good fun) but it's a beautiful state with nice people and is certainly horse country! If you didn't want a very small town you could target Lexington or Louisville to have the best of both.

Glad you're enjoying BE. There are several Americans on the site (myself included) as well as British Expats so between the lot of us we should have you covered. :)

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Damn right!


That's what we do to folks in West Virgnina!


Sheila and I would move to Lexington in a heartbeat if the job situation improved any!

Ian

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Bleh! As a Louisvillian that moved to Lexington for a period of time, I can honestly say I hated Lex. But that doesn't help the OP, so I'll keep other comments to meself. :D

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Sorry Sarah, I wasn't trying to put you off asking the questions, just saying that other peoples perspectives are a great tool for gathering info, but in the end you won't really know if a place suits 'you' until you live there yourself;)

I just posted for some info on SC myself today as hubby has been offered a job there, I am like you, just looking for info, but I know that I won't know anything really until we actually get there :)

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Congrats on job offer, you very very lucky people, if you need an assistant please let me know;). No putting me off!!! I really really appreciate your comments and imput ...thank you!!!! Saw your info on SC on my other feed....great minds think alike :lol:

Re: things dreams are made of....
 

Thanx, still waiting on confirmation, but hubby thinks it's a done deal:unsure:
Now my Son hates us, he was hoping he could go back to CO for his senior year, poor kid, he has been dragged around by us throughout his school years. At least once he is in college he can be independant and chose his own path :blink:

Good luck to you too, hope you can work out your move without too many obstacles ;)