If you could would you emigrate to US?

[UKANGEL]

Good luck with your decision Catherine, its a very hard one!

This has been a fascinating discussion, as like many others Mark & I have often discussed moving to Florida and would love to do it. On the practical side though, for us, I think it would only happen if we won the lottery and could live out there on our fortune and not work!!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Catherine

I think you obviously have the ties and experience to make this move back to the US work and if I were in your position I'd go for it.

I'd have to say that whilst I wouldn't choose to live in the US I wish for a better life here for both my partner and I so that we could both spend more time in the States visiting all the many friends that we have made out there. I do love FL but realistically I wouldn't want to live there all the time - I quite like the idea of a home there and a home here and the money to be able to flit from one to another as we choose. So yup Mandy we're with you on that Lottery win

 

[#1MMFan]

Interesting points Vernon. One JDoc here ... hmm, like I've said before, I'm planning on moving to Canada in the next couple of years once I finish my general practitioner rotation here. Interestingly, we are fortunate that doctors in Canada seem to be able to get more annual leave, as much as we do over here. - so annual leave is dependent on your profession I guess. Of course, you are expected to work hard when you are on duty though.
The pay for junior doctors in the States is also not much better than over here, which I should add is pathetic. It is however, much better for specialists, as it is in Canada too.

I can't wait to move.

John

 

[Olaf]

You're right John, the amount of annual leave you get is heavily influenced by your position. Salaried workers normally get more, but it can vary considerably. You can also negotiate this when you're hired.

The other problem with leave is that they don't like you to take it all at once. My DH gets 30 days a year, but they prefer he take it in one-week increments. We're taking two weeks next month, but that is rare.

Our health care is terrific, just so long as you have insurance. I can call in the morning and have an appointment for that day or the next, but we have a good insurance program. Our program also includes free meds or a $5 dollar copay.

When you don't have insurance, you're at the mercy of the state. It depends on where you live, but most people without insurance generally end up at the Emergency Rooms of our big hospitals. Some states have large state funded hospitals. This is one of the reasons CA is going bankrupt. The courts have ordered the state to pay for the medical care of illegals and it's destroying their budget. Pregnant women come across the border to have their babies in the states (thereby making the babies US citizens), and sticking the tax payers with the bill. I went off topic a bit here, but it's huge problem.

 

[Bouncy]

I would love to move but like so many of you have said it is a big step and you have to weigh up the pros and cons.My mum would miss my children terribly,she is 76 and my girls stay with every weekend as she is only 10 minutes away.
We have friends in PA who have offered us land to build a house on and have given us lots of advice on schools etc,my kids are 6,10 and 14.The eldest didn't want to move a few years ago but now she does.My niece is currently inh Swiotzerland working and she loves it.She has told my eldest that when my DD leaves school that they could both go to the US for a few months to work and see how things and take it from there.

I think she'd come home after that but not to stay.We didn't think my niece would stay inj Switzerland on her own but shes been there 2 years now.

Good luck to you,I hope it all works out

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

YES!! without a flinch,YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!

Beth

 

[ravengirl]

I jumped at the chance to live here and have lived here for the past 12 years.
I was raised in Jersey City, moved to Clearwater fl, went to uni in San Diego, and then moved to ABERDEEN! (Scotland that is!)
I don't think I would ever move back to America, (except San Diego, I loved it there!) every time I visit my parents in Fl I am reminded that everything I knew has moved on and changed without me, it is too odd, I really do feel like a proper tourist when I visit!

 

[profdsny]

Raven, how do you think US house prices compare then from Bath to San Diego?

 

[catherine]

Thank you everybody for all your relpies and comments, I really appreciate you taking the time to offer your perspectives.

After lots of very serious discussions, we have decided that we are going to move to San Diego in 2005. My eldest DD has 2 years left at primary school and she would like to stay at her current school for her last 2 years. Even if we were not moving her circle of friends would be split up anyway, as they are all going to different high schools, so that makes it a bit easier for her to think about leaving. We decided that the best time to move would be during the school holidays. That will give us time to do the move and get settled in before my DD's have to start new schools.

We know it is going to be hard work and take lots of planning, but we feel a sense of relief now that we have made a decision. At least now we can come up with a plan and we have a date to work toward.

 

[JackSpratsMom]

Glad to see you have made a decision to move to the US.
I moved here in 1993 when I was 29yrs old. I came with a nursing agency, planned to stay 18 months...............and here I still am.
In terms of economics I am much better off here. I live in GA where the cost of living is relatively cheap. We are in the process of looking for a new house and can get a 4 bedroom ~2000sqft home for around $180,000. Something I could never afford in the UK on a nurses salary.
I bought a new car when I moved here, and am planning on getting a new minivan in a few months.
The climate is obviously much warmer than the UK (though probably about par with you right now with your heat wave!!)
Health care is good.....if you have the insurance (which even working for a hospital is expensive). I pay ~$250/month for health insurance, pay $15 for every doctor appointment, and $35 for a specialist. Most prescription are $10 for a month supply unless they are not covered by the insurance plan, then out of pocket expenses can be crippling. Many elderly people do not have coverage and unable to afford the medicines they need.
That said, I don't ever have to wait for medical treatment.
I don't have annual leave per se. My company gives me 8 hours of paid time off for every 80hours I work. Which only amounts to 17 days/yr, so I have to go without vacations in order to accrue a significant period of time off.
I don't get ANY extra pay for working holidays.

As I said, I have been here 10yrs now and have my US citizenship. I doubt I will return to the UK mainly because of the cost of living issues, although we miss family and friends of course.

Even living here however, we still have an idealistic view of places like Orlando (mostly I suppose because we have had just great vacations there), and have considered moving there. It is sometimes difficult to keep the memories of a good vacation separate from the logical reasoning of why we should or shouldn't relocate.

This certainly is the land of opportunity though and I would recommend to anyone to try it out if they have the chance.

Good luck with your decision.