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-   -   Is it worth moving to the US? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/worth-moving-us-862071/)

fromuk Jul 19th 2015 1:30 pm

Is it worth moving to the US?
 
Hi

I was chatting with my brother and the topic of moving to the USA came up, so I thought I'll go figure it out.

I am fed up of the socialist + nanny state that the UK is becoming and personal freedom is getting narrower. It's not all gloomy yet, but the way things are progressing in the UK, it won't be long before it becomes too much.

I am also fed up of paying extremely high taxes and narrow roads and traffic jams even on the motorways! In contrast from 2005-2010, traffic outside of London never used to be problem, but now things are so different that I am for the first time considering moving to the USA.

I run a successful property business in the UK and earn well so I won't be deciding anything anytime soon but it's certainly an avenue I wish to explore. I am relatively young (27) and I am not sure if moving to the USA would be a good move?

Also, which city/state would be good to move to?

I met up with an American acquaint a little while ago in the UK and they think apart from food quality, USA was better in all other aspects but then I assume them to be biased regardless.

Any other pointers would be of much help!

kimilseung Jul 19th 2015 1:38 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by fromuk (Post 11703201)
.....I am fed up of the socialist + nanny state.....
.....which city/state would be good to move to?.....

Oh you will fit right in. For you, not the PNW or North East

Steve_ Jul 19th 2015 1:40 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 
Very subjective because L.A. for example has appalling traffic as well.

But anyway if you're in property management then you're probably looking at E-2 treaty investor. I.e. buy a few properties and then manage them. It has to be a "significant investment" and cannot be a "subsistence" job (i.e. it must benefit the US economy e.g. you're going to hire people).

At the age of 27 though I'm not sure your finances would be up to it.

But I agree with you on the general point about the traffic...

Rental business in the US requires very careful research, for example Austin has a decent demand for rentals at the moment but Texas has really high property taxes.

Alternatively, marry an American. :lol:

Jerseygirl Jul 19th 2015 1:53 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 
Oh dear. :blink: If you think your freedoms are curtailed in the UK...rethink the US.

Most Americans are brainwashed from birth into thinking the US is the bestest country in the world, has the bestest everything etc...

fromuk Jul 19th 2015 1:53 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by kimilseung (Post 11703208)
Oh you will fit right in. For you, not the PNW or North East

Hi, what is PNW?


Originally Posted by Steve_ (Post 11703209)
Very subjective because L.A. for example has appalling traffic as well.

But anyway if you're in property management then you're probably looking at E-2 treaty investor. I.e. buy a few properties and then manage them. It has to be a "significant investment" and cannot be a "subsistence" job (i.e. it must benefit the US economy e.g. you're going to hire people).

At the age of 27 though I'm not sure your finances would be up to it.

But I agree with you on the general point about the traffic...

Rental business in the US requires very careful research, for example Austin has a decent demand for rentals at the moment but Texas has really high property taxes.

Alternatively, marry an American. :lol:

Thank you for the information. Marrying is a little too much lol

I run a property buying and property investment firm in the UK, money is not an issue as I have wealthy parents plus substantial savings.

I need to put more research into that visa category, I have basics of the US property market as I have dealt with a lot of investors in the UK who lost money in the Detroit scam, where basically they were sold $500 houses for £10,000 each with the promise of 30% or so rental return but I think you can imagine the rest...

That being said, what is the definition of "significant investment"? You see I am of Indian origin, and I am not sure what is generally the behavior of local Americans towards anything non-American.

Are there any special things I need to check? Such as taxes?

What about medical insurance?

fromuk Jul 19th 2015 1:59 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 11703216)
Oh dear. :blink: If you think your freedoms are curtailed in the UK...rethink the US.

Most Americans are brainwashed from birth into thinking the US is the bestest country in the world, has the bestest everything etc...

Right! So in the UK we have central Govt and we have Councils.

Generally a lot of councils are very anti-business and don't even get me started on local Rates! No surprises UK high street is Gambling + Charity and Kebab shops..

How does it work in the USA?

kimilseung Jul 19th 2015 2:03 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by fromuk (Post 11703217)
Hi, what is PNW?

Pacific Northwest. The NW and NE of the USA are riddled with pinkos.

Noorah101 Jul 19th 2015 2:07 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 
PNW = Pacific North West.

Read the article in our Wiki called Pulaski's Ways, and see which visa would apply to you, if any.

Heck, if you have that much money, do the $500K investment and it buys you a green card.

Rene

fromuk Jul 19th 2015 2:24 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by Noorah101 (Post 11703223)
PNW = Pacific North West.

Read the article in our Wiki called Pulaski's Ways, and see which visa would apply to you, if any.

Heck, if you have that much money, do the $500K investment and it buys you a green card.

Rene

Ok, this is not getting interesting...

I've found

Pulaski's Ways

So either $150k which is <£100k
or $1m with $500k (£340k) invested upfront* to obtain a condition green card. Would I still be freely be able to return to the UK if required? And would I be able to bring my parents with me? I don't have a spouse so they would be the only people I need to look after.

*More research needed to understand this better.

And this inforgraphic

username.exe Jul 19th 2015 2:57 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 
There are lots of places in the US that don't have traffic and the other things that you find annoying.

That said, once you start living here you might realise you miss some of the positives from home that can't be replaced.

It's a trade off. For some, they prefer it here - others move, tolerate the negatives or return to the UK.

So far I like it here, and am glad to have made the move.

scrubbedexpat099 Jul 19th 2015 3:20 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 
I thought property management was similar to pool maintenance when it came to E2s?

On a more practical not difficult to find a good. Curry, though I did a mean Jalfraz yesterdayi if I say so myslef. Decent Roti's is hard to find.

markonline1 Jul 19th 2015 3:27 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 11703216)
Most Americans are brainwashed from birth into thinking the US is the bestest country in the world, has the bestest everything etc...

Most definitely this! I love it here, but the notion that America has more freedoms than other countries simply isn't true. When Americans go on about their freedoms, basically what they are saying is they are allowed to keep assault rifle's at home.

scrubbedexpat099 Jul 19th 2015 3:36 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by markonline1 (Post 11703250)
Most definitely this! I love it here, but the notion that America has more freedoms than other countries simply isn't true. When Americans go on about their freedoms, basically what they are saying is they are allowed to keep assault rifle's at home.

Really?

You would need to be a SOT FFL holder.

sir_eccles Jul 19th 2015 3:37 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 
The grass is greener.

Also you don't seem to know what socialist means.

Jerseygirl Jul 19th 2015 3:46 pm

Re: Is it worth moving to the US?
 

Originally Posted by fromuk (Post 11703219)
Right! So in the UK we have central Govt and we have Councils.

Generally a lot of councils are very anti-business and don't even get me started on local Rates! No surprises UK high street is Gambling + Charity and Kebab shops..

How does it work in the USA?

You are joking right? Replace charity and gambling shops for shops that sells guns. After all the US constitution says it's my god given right to bear arms. Don't get me started about the god society...God bless America and all that.

The US is no better or worse than the UK...it's just different. Or as we say here on BE...same sh*t...different bucket. ;)


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