UK to Australia and now US?
Jan 7th 2020, 7:30 pm
#31
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
My brother lives in Charlotte (Pineville-Matthews area). It seems quite bland to me, so much suburban sprawl. Certainly a lot of middle-class wealth though. As noted above there are a ton of transplants from other parts of the US.
If you're of a centrist or progressive stripe and for instance can't stand Trump, you'd have to accept the fact a huge majority of rural and working class whites in the Southeast are enthusiastic Trump supporters. And among native Southerners, even educated middle class whites tend to consider political conservatism part of their identity. Though I suppose in semi-rural areas around Charlotte, you have a good many other types who endure long commutes in order to have the big house and yard.
If you're of a centrist or progressive stripe and for instance can't stand Trump, you'd have to accept the fact a huge majority of rural and working class whites in the Southeast are enthusiastic Trump supporters. And among native Southerners, even educated middle class whites tend to consider political conservatism part of their identity. Though I suppose in semi-rural areas around Charlotte, you have a good many other types who endure long commutes in order to have the big house and yard.
Jan 7th 2020, 7:44 pm
#32
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
Agreed very helpful information. Yes I would rent for a while. Re ViSA front I have read they have made some changes and early applications now start in March, not April.
Jan 7th 2020, 7:56 pm
#33
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
I spent most of my growing-up time in Florida and now I am in Australia.
Charlotte is a business city, kind of like an Atlanta Jr. It has a lot of millennial and Gen X professionals because of that, a lot of people from the northeast moved there with the downturn in manufacturing and the upturn in banking. It used to be back in the day the Americans had laws in place to prevent superbanks from forming as that was seen as a threat to the economy, it used to be a really big deal to open up a bank account in another state and often showing that you had done so was proof enough that you were resident in that state. That was all lifted in the 80s or 90s and a bank called NationsBank out of North Carolina led the early charge on acquiring other banks and became huge. They ended up merging with Bank of America (which was in San Francisco) but kept the Bank of America name and BoA left California and took up the Charlotte headquarters.
The Carolinas and Georgia are on an extended growth curve, the Raleigh-Durham area is a major university and technology area, Atlanta is a massive business city. Charlotte is not a place Americans tend to seek out but more they wind up there for employment. Nothing wrong with it so many stay.
Considering the relatively low odds of getting pulled out of the lottery, I would continue on a dual track and apply for Australian PR unless you are sure that an Australian future is not for you. I wouldn't just stay in a holding pattern pending whatever happens with the US.
The PR is taking a while now (about a year) and that's not counting a month or two or more of getting all your documents etc together so that you can apply in the first place. There has to be some way for people to pull their Super out if they are not PR anymore (ie their travel facility has expired), I used to see links on the ATOs web site all the time for that, saying "Don't leave your Super in Australia?"
I live regionally in Australia, my doctor is British and loves it. How would you do if you pulled out of Sydney and set up in a place like Orange, Katoomba, Warrnambool, Byron Bay or Toowoomba?
I am thinking, with the seeming low odds offered better to make back-up plans for Australia.
As you have seen plenty of expert advice on offer here if you follow through on Charlotte.
Charlotte is a business city, kind of like an Atlanta Jr. It has a lot of millennial and Gen X professionals because of that, a lot of people from the northeast moved there with the downturn in manufacturing and the upturn in banking. It used to be back in the day the Americans had laws in place to prevent superbanks from forming as that was seen as a threat to the economy, it used to be a really big deal to open up a bank account in another state and often showing that you had done so was proof enough that you were resident in that state. That was all lifted in the 80s or 90s and a bank called NationsBank out of North Carolina led the early charge on acquiring other banks and became huge. They ended up merging with Bank of America (which was in San Francisco) but kept the Bank of America name and BoA left California and took up the Charlotte headquarters.
The Carolinas and Georgia are on an extended growth curve, the Raleigh-Durham area is a major university and technology area, Atlanta is a massive business city. Charlotte is not a place Americans tend to seek out but more they wind up there for employment. Nothing wrong with it so many stay.
Considering the relatively low odds of getting pulled out of the lottery, I would continue on a dual track and apply for Australian PR unless you are sure that an Australian future is not for you. I wouldn't just stay in a holding pattern pending whatever happens with the US.
The PR is taking a while now (about a year) and that's not counting a month or two or more of getting all your documents etc together so that you can apply in the first place. There has to be some way for people to pull their Super out if they are not PR anymore (ie their travel facility has expired), I used to see links on the ATOs web site all the time for that, saying "Don't leave your Super in Australia?"
I live regionally in Australia, my doctor is British and loves it. How would you do if you pulled out of Sydney and set up in a place like Orange, Katoomba, Warrnambool, Byron Bay or Toowoomba?
I am thinking, with the seeming low odds offered better to make back-up plans for Australia.
As you have seen plenty of expert advice on offer here if you follow through on Charlotte.
My job means I have to be in Sydney otherwise I would have probably moved outside of Sydney. I do have to make a decision as my visa runs out in July 2020. If nothing is decided by then (I should really know if I get through H1-B) then I can of extend my temporary visa here for 4 more years (that’s what I am being told by employer).
as you can tell, it’s very unsettling because I would like to move to US, but odds are not in my favour (unless post brexit we get an E-3 visa). Therefore back up is UK or extend in australia. Both of these I could achieve and get organised after couple of months of negotiation
Jan 7th 2020, 8:03 pm
#35
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
Jan 7th 2020, 8:10 pm
#36
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
Jan 7th 2020, 8:18 pm
#37
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
My brother lives in Charlotte (Pineville-Matthews area). It seems quite bland to me, so much suburban sprawl. Certainly a lot of middle-class wealth though. As noted above there are a ton of transplants from other parts of the US.
If you're of a centrist or progressive stripe and for instance can't stand Trump, you'd have to accept the fact a huge majority of rural and working class whites in the Southeast are enthusiastic Trump supporters. And among native Southerners, even educated middle class whites tend to consider political conservatism part of their identity. Though I suppose in semi-rural areas around Charlotte, you have a good many other types who endure long commutes in order to have the big house and yard.
If you're of a centrist or progressive stripe and for instance can't stand Trump, you'd have to accept the fact a huge majority of rural and working class whites in the Southeast are enthusiastic Trump supporters. And among native Southerners, even educated middle class whites tend to consider political conservatism part of their identity. Though I suppose in semi-rural areas around Charlotte, you have a good many other types who endure long commutes in order to have the big house and yard.
Thanks for the insight.
Jan 7th 2020, 8:29 pm
#38
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Location: Oxfordshire - SoCal
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
Is moving back to UK not an option ? The thought of having to extend/change/apply visa in different foreign countries sound complicated and stressful...
But good luck!
But good luck!
Jan 7th 2020, 8:41 pm
#39
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
Yes UK is an option but it’s not my preferred option at this stage. If nothing happens in US it will likely be the UK rather than Australia
Jan 7th 2020, 11:06 pm
#41
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
Yes sorry E-4.
in any instance imagine how long this would take to get ratified?
in any instance imagine how long this would take to get ratified?
Jan 12th 2020, 12:53 am
#43
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
You've had lots of great advice, but I'll add that Lake Wylie is beautiful. Tega Cay SC is a great spot to be close to the lake.
Feb 18th 2020, 7:36 am
#44
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
HI everyone
Update. It seems like I will be able to proceed with an application under L1 visa instead of H1-B so my chances of being placed in Charlotte have increased.
Keep you all posted
if anyone is aware of any expat community pages on Facebook for Charlotte let me know.
Thanks
Update. It seems like I will be able to proceed with an application under L1 visa instead of H1-B so my chances of being placed in Charlotte have increased.
Keep you all posted
if anyone is aware of any expat community pages on Facebook for Charlotte let me know.
Thanks
Mar 1st 2020, 11:12 pm
#45
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Re: UK to Australia and now US?
I lived in NC for close to year and found it pleasant enough. Hard to know what constitutes pros and cons as everything is personal but here's my take:
Pros - The climate pleasant as it rarely gets too hot or cold, although the humidity makes it feel hotter than it really is. Nothing like Australia tho...The people are very polite and friendly. The economy is good as Charlotte is a major financial center and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle is a global tech hub. The cost of living is reasonable - certainly when compared to the northeast or west coast. You can own a nice house for what you would pay for a tiny studio apartment in Seattle. Lots of history with many towns that predate the revolution. Pretty hills in the western part of the state and nice beaches in the east. The pace of life is a little less fast paced than other parts of the country. Good air links to the UK with daily direct flights between London, Manchester, Charlotte,and Raleigh. Flight time is ~7 hours which makes a week long trip a doable proposition. If you are conservative then you will love the politics.
Cons - The Smokey Mountains and the beaches are a long way from the main cities. The rest of it is really bland. Just mono-culture forests, fields, sub-divisions, and sprawl with long commutes. If you are liberal you will hate the politics
Personally NC was a bit too dull for me but I can certainly see the appeal if you are looking for a place where your money will go further. Best of luck to you.
Pros - The climate pleasant as it rarely gets too hot or cold, although the humidity makes it feel hotter than it really is. Nothing like Australia tho...The people are very polite and friendly. The economy is good as Charlotte is a major financial center and the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle is a global tech hub. The cost of living is reasonable - certainly when compared to the northeast or west coast. You can own a nice house for what you would pay for a tiny studio apartment in Seattle. Lots of history with many towns that predate the revolution. Pretty hills in the western part of the state and nice beaches in the east. The pace of life is a little less fast paced than other parts of the country. Good air links to the UK with daily direct flights between London, Manchester, Charlotte,and Raleigh. Flight time is ~7 hours which makes a week long trip a doable proposition. If you are conservative then you will love the politics.
Cons - The Smokey Mountains and the beaches are a long way from the main cities. The rest of it is really bland. Just mono-culture forests, fields, sub-divisions, and sprawl with long commutes. If you are liberal you will hate the politics
Personally NC was a bit too dull for me but I can certainly see the appeal if you are looking for a place where your money will go further. Best of luck to you.