Sandra23

To any expat, What advice would you give to anyone considering a permanent move to the US? Pros / Cons? If you had the opportunity to go back, would you go or stay? Why?

another bloody yank

Well it's about time. It was starting to get boring in here.

dunroving

Seems like someone doesn't know if they are coming or going: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508541

Adnams

Its like that song "Should I stay or should I go now...?"

(Go, go, go, go)

meauxna

You've lived here for forty of your most formative years.. do you consider yourself an expat? Or an American? How would you answer the questions?

Sandra23

I have been here for many years. I have built a life here. If I were to go back I might feel I am more at home here than England. I still however miss England very much or, at least the wonderful memories I have. I still correspond with a childhood mate. If I would give anyone advice about a permanent move, I would advise an extended visit first. This is a great country full of opportunity, endless employment opportunities and thousands of colleges. I don't dislike this country. I have many good freinds here, I make good money, my two children were born and raised here. I am a naturalised citizen. I wouldn't however advise anyone to make a permanent move to the US unless they've done their research. If you already have a college education or plan to attend college here or if you have a trade that is in demand you have a better chance of establishing a good life for yourself here. The cons of moving here are the lack of a national heathcare system. Not all employers offer healthcare insurance and are not required to do so by law. Alot of people here work two jobs to make ends meet, myself included. Neither of my jobs provides health insurance. Even if they did, I would have a large monthly premium to pay. If I paid for my Own private insurance it would probably cost me atleast 45% of my pay. To give you a frightening example, I just payed $10,000.00 out of pocket for a series of necessary dental work and repair. I also have 2 years remaining on my college loans. A job I had 2 years ago Had what is considered very good health coverage cost me $240.00 a month. When I would visit a doctor, there is an additional $25.00 co-pay. Prescriptions were $15.00 co-pay. Specialists $25.00 co-pay. Get the picture? I have also watched my father go through 3 strokes, a heart attack and heart surgeory. He is retired and on a fixed income. One of his necessary medications costs over $200.00. Health insurance is a huge consideration when making a decision to move here. You need alot more wealth to live well in America than you may need in Europe. My father's last hospital stay cost him $100.00 per day as the portion not paid by his insurance. Everything here is available in abundance and is cheaper than England but there is a lifestyle trade-off. If I had a great job waiting for me, and were financially secure, if it were possible I would love to live in England again. But, just as I advise people who want to live here, I would still have to research what I would actually be going back to before making a final decision. Sorry for writing such a long article but, it really is a broard subject.

Sally Redux

I would say that's true of clothing and electronics, but not everything.

Sandra23

Of course not every single thing but, major things like real estate. I don't think anywhere can be cosidered cheap anymore. let's just say some places are more reasonable than others. Do you agree that the issue of healthcare costs are a huge factor to consider if you want to move state side?

Sandra23

So what's your opinion?

Sally Redux

Oh yes, definitely, and I don't think a lot of British people realize how very different it will be. I'm sorry to hear about your and your family's health difficulties.

Sandra23

It does feel like that sometimes. It's hard when you are taken away from what you know. I came here when I was very young. I have nothing but fond memories of growing up in England. I've been through rough times here and good times but my heart still has strong ties to England. Theres a quality of life there that I miss.

dunroving

You also said in your earlier post "I still however miss England very much or, at least the wonderful memories I have"

- how often have you been back to the UK and for how long? My own experience, having been here and there a fair bit is that (a) when you leave the UK, you tend to remember the best bits, and forget the really bad bits, and (b) the longer you are away from the UK, the harder it is to assimilate to living back there. At least that's been the case for me (having returned to the UK after living 24 years on the "other side").

A few months before I left to come back here, I was offered the possibility of taking 12 months' unpaid leave from my US employer. I can tell you without a doubt, if I'd done that, I would have been back to the US at the end of those 12 months. It's easy to get wrapped up in long ago happy memories and images of chocolate box Britain, whereas the harsh reality of actually settling back there is not always the same. For some folks, yes, it's exactly what they thought, their family and friends are still there, they settle straight back into their old routine, or into a new routine. All I'm saying is that the longer you've been away, the more important it is to not burn your bridges too quickly, take a long. hard look at the realities of moving back, take a prolonged visit there, whatever it takes to be really sure that the UK is where you will be happy.

NC Penguin

Don't close your UK current account and keep a UK issued credit card.

Bob

A lot of it would depend on where abouts in the UK your from or would like to live v where in the US you are, and what the job status is...

Xebedee

The stuff in red is just the human condition, surely.
But as for the rest:

Thats a damn good post, it all makes sense.
There is a lot of wisdom in those words, which is something which truly only comes from experience and doing.

Do you know this song?
It rattles around every now and then.

"I wanna go back
And do it all over again
But I can't go back I know
I wanna go back
Cause I'm feeling so much older
But I can't go back I know"