Friends moving to Florida!

[Hilary]

Just heard today that a family from DDs' primary school are off next week to live in Florida! I haven't seen them for a few years, since our DDs and their DS left primary school, so now I'm wishing I'd kept in touch more!

When I asked the mutual friend who was telling me about the move, where in Florida they were heading, she said "Tampa, somewhere on the coast, down in the Keys" Hmm, that really pinned it down! LOL! I suppose what that means is "not Orlando".

They are keeping their house and business over here in case things don't work out, and have a house to go out to, plus a bike shop they've bought out there so that they have work (for the visa). I'm trying to get hold of their email address so that I can hear all the exciting news first hand.

 

[mandymouse]

Oh how wonderful for them, do you think they want any more friends ??? (like me !!!)

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Wow, that sounds exciting!!!

 

[Minniespal]

Very exciting

 

[squitty]

Sounds very nice, wish it was me

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi Hilary,
Your friends are so lucky. My friends and workmates find it difficult to understand my "obsession" with the USA until I explain that every time I vist there it feels like I'm "going home" I find it so frustrating that it is so difficult to get a visa to enable me to live and work there. I do keep checking out various businesses that are for sale but I would imagine that the pressure of ensuring the business is a success is very high as not only does your lively hood depend it but also your right to stay in the country too.
Oh well keep dreaming.

Mick.

 

[Miffy2003]

How lovely for them! Good luck to them in their new venture I say!

 

[Cyrano]

Hope the move works well for them

Reid

 

[Hilary]

Hi Hilary,
Your friends are so lucky. My friends and workmates find it difficult to understand my "obsession" with the USA until I explain that every time I vist there it feels like I'm "going home" I find it so frustrating that it is so difficult to get a visa to enable me to live and work there. I do keep checking out various businesses that are for sale but I would imagine that the pressure of ensuring the business is a success is very high as not only does your lively hood depend it but also your right to stay in the country too.
Oh well keep dreaming.

Mick.

Yes, it's easy to gloss over all the angst and red-tape that precedes a step like this, and to remember it's not just a case of thinking "that would be nice" and then doing it. Good luck with you plans, Mick, I hope you achieve your goals one day

 

[UKDEB]

If you manage to get in touch with them, I'd be interested to know a bit more about their business and how they went about getting a visa (did they employ agents, for example?). My understanding is that any business must cost a 'significant' amount (not specified, but largely considered to mean iro $500K) and, in addition, must employ a minimum of 10 (?) US Nationals. In other words, it can not simply be a lifestyle business providing means for just yourself and your family.

 

[BONZO]

How exciting!

I recently saw a freinds house up for sale and I thought they were moving so I asked them.

They were moving - to New Zealand!

Strangely they've not been before but the husband has already secured employment out there so they are off in the New Year.

 

[carolfoy]

Strangely they've not been before

They were moving - to New Zealand!

Very odd, I've done four immigrations this year for people going to New Zealand and not one of them had even visited before! all were just jacking it all in and going, such a gamble when you're not even a short plane hop home

 

[Lisash]

If you manage to get in touch with them, I'd be interested to know a bit more about their business and how they went about getting a visa (did they employ agents, for example?). My understanding is that any business must cost a 'significant' amount (not specified, but largely considered to mean iro $500K) and, in addition, must employ a minimum of 10 (?) US Nationals. In other words, it can not simply be a lifestyle business providing means for just yourself and your family.

Ooh doesn't it make you green with envy. We would go tonight if we could. A work colleague of mine moved over there last Christmas he bought into a business maintaining holiday villas in Orlando. I can't remember exact details but know he invested around $200k. This got him and his wife and 2 kids in on an 'E' visa which is good for around five years then can be renewed. The business doesn't employ any others as far as I am aware and I know none of his family are allowed to work other than in the business he has. He did employ a visa lawyer and it took an absolute age for everything to get sorted. He says it is incredibly hard work turning around the villas between holidaymakers but wouldn't come back for anything.

 

[KayleeUK]

What an exciting time for them

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Very odd, I've done four immigrations this year for people going to New Zealand and not one of them had even visited before! all were just jacking it all in and going, such a gamble when you're not even a short plane hop home

Totally understandable that people want to have a better life than is provided in this country. Flame me, it's my opinion and every time I visit some other country (and I've been around ) it's just so depressing coming home here . . . . filthy toilets at Gatwick/Heathrow, unhelpful and disinterested service people, ridiculous amounts of money for terrible food (and this is all just in the airports) - what on earth to other nationalities think when they arrive in this country?!

Hilary, I am envious of your friends, who wouldn't be to think they were setting up over in Florida. It's something our family looked into some years ago but decided it was not the right move at the right time.

I do remember, however, friends querying why we would want to move to America. After all, they said: think of all the crime ("think of the risks for our daughter") - I just have to read the papers or put the news on over here to see horrific stories. Medical insurance would cost a fortune - it's gonna happen over here sooner or later. Two weeks ago I spent Sunday afternoon in Casualty with my DH - he's torn a calf muscle playing football. Our casualty department is only open from 9 am - 9 pm, the nearest one if you inconveniently need one is 21 miles away in Southampton. Sunday afternoon = one of the busiest days in A&E; it was also the New Forest Half and full Marathons, so doubly busy with injuries from that. There was ONE doctor and ONE nurse on duty that day. They were run ragged and the doctor (not a local boy) apologised profusely for the delay. Hardly your fault I said.

Oops, stepping off soapbox now.

I'd move my family to a better life any day.

 

[paulh]

Hi Hilary,
Your friends are so lucky. My friends and workmates find it difficult to understand my "obsession" with the USA until I explain that every time I vist there it feels like I'm "going home" I find it so frustrating that it is so difficult to get a visa to enable me to live and work there. I do keep checking out various businesses that are for sale but I would imagine that the pressure of ensuring the business is a success is very high as not only does your lively hood depend it but also your right to stay in the country too.
Oh well keep dreaming.

Mick.

why dont you apply to the lottery sysem for a green card
Paulh

 

[Frances999]

How wonderful to live so close to the magic! I wish them lots of success with their new venture.

why dont you apply to the lottery sysem for a green card
Paulh

As far as I am aware, if you were born in the UK then you are not eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery Programme.