Ok, I want to live there!

[london75]

So we're home, 2 weeks this time and while I wanted to move out there last time when we stayed for only 10 days, I'm adamant my future is in Florida as is my entire family.

We're under no disillusion that it's not the same when you have to work for a living but I've always loved a challenge and I love my job. I'd be happy to do it in America and think I've probably got a lot to offer in British quality and thoroughness.

So, being an IT Project Manager, what do I need to do to get a sniff of a position over there, preferably Orlando as family set their hearts on living in Celebration but love driving over there so a commute of up to 90 minutes is fine by me as it's what I frequently do here.

I've seen various web sites that want money for access to job positions valid for visaa, or with employers prepared to offer to overseas individuals but to be honest I'm not that naive and doubt they actually deliver what they say they will.


So I'm looking for advice from anyone who made the jump across the pond and how they did it. I'm prepared for the fact it'll take years and to be honest that's fine with us as we'd quite like to have another child and for whatever crazy reason, I'd like them to have a British passport. Any tips, useful agencies etc, I'm fine spending money if there are personal recommendations.

Thanks in advance for any help.

The Button family (All miserable back at home)

 

[castanea1985]

Hi,
We have had the same sentiments as yourselves for years, but please look into it carefully. Unless you have a job to go to out there you will probably have to go down the E2 visa route, where you will have to buy a business for $150K +.
Please, don't rush into anything, because we have known people who have lost an awful lot by moving out there (and having to come home).
All that said, if you are still keen on making the move, I am a member of a forum which is for expats living/working in Florida.
If you want the link, PM me.
Tracy

 

[Pooster]

Living and working in Florida is something that appeals to me, though there would be a huge difference beetween working and living full time out there, compared to a holiday.

What are the restrictions on moving out there , should you have a job to go into?

 

[castanea1985]

Living and working in Florida is something that appeals to me, though there would be a huge difference beetween working and living full time out there, compared to a holiday.

What are the restrictions on moving out there , should you have a job to go into?

There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:
(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience.

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries
The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt.

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years…

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime

No restrictions, as long as you have the relevent visa.
Hope this helps
Tracy

 

[selmuir]

Listen but if you stayed near WDW it woulent be as exiting as flying across the world would it

 

[london75]

Listen but if you stayed near WDW it woulent be as exiting as flying across the world would it

Picture it though, I'm a florida resident, I have a discounted annual pass, my wife and I are a bit bored this evening.

...Shall we just pop over to watch the fireworks and have a hot dog from Caseys Corner before returning to my air conditioned home to relax by the pool.

Or shall I stay here, struggling to find a 4 bed home close enough to work that isn't next to a pub and doesn't have students living next door and where there isn't a regular pile of vomit, urine and broken glass at the corner of my street.

Where my postie gets to my house before 5pm and does actually try to knock rather than just chucking my post in the bin.

Where if I walk in a shop I'm treated with respect (even if it's false) rather than being ignored or scorned. Where my hard work is rewarded and intelligence and diligence are praised rather than mocked.

No I've pretty much made my mind up, just have no idea how to get there! These posts are helping though, thank you all.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I know everyone's experience is different, so I can only speak from my own experience (or should I say that of my family) - my father moved to Florida (using way 5 of the above - buying a business) and it is a very long, stressful and difficult process.

One thing I really would recommend you bear in mind is the hospital and medical insurance system over there, should you ever need to use it. My Dad was in a very sad situation where he developed cancer (and after a number of years sadly passed away) - but his experience of having to deal with bills resulting in thousands of dollars and subsequent insurance claims to cover them, when he should have instead been able to focus on his health - has truly put me off the idea of ever moving there myself.

I love the US and always dreamed of living there one day myself - but I now know it isn't for me. Holidays are still perfect - I'm just not sure everyday life can ever live up to that!!

Having said that - mine is just one story and everyone is different - wishing you all the best with whatever you decide!!

 

[wayneg]

I think the only one I have a chance of is #6 with the $1m.
Although we love Orlando I am not sure about moving there.
Here I have my own business thats easy to run and can close 8-9 weeks a year for holidays, look forward to every minute we have in the States.
DW & DS would be off tomorrow if I said yes but I am not so adventurous, I like the easy life we have now.

 

[AlanUK]

Good luck to you if it's what you really want

I love being in Florida and WDW but I just don't think it would have the same magic living and working over there.

 

[crabbie1]

Something my DH and I are thinking about after we have qualified as nurses.Not immediatley and not particularly florida.We have joined a medical discussion board and a nurse that used to live here in the midlands answered us saying she loved it and it was the best thing she ever did.It took her 2 years to sort it out and found work very easily.She lives in davenport,florida.Follow your dream but be very careful when sorting out your visa as there are a lot of conmen out there.Look into all aspects

 

[catherine]

FYI Even if your child is born in the US they can still have a British passport. Both my DD's have a British passport and an American passport.

I can't speak about FL because I never lived there. I spent 10 years living in CA and we could move back anytime that we choose to. I have to say that going there on holiday and actually living there are poles apart for all the negative things that you wrote about living in the UK I could give you just as many living in the US.

As amystevekai&bump mentioned her dad's medical experiences. I saw several older people having to sell their homes to pay for their medical expenses. I also know people who work really hard and have a decent income, yet cannot afford medical insurance.

I hope that if you really want to move to FL that things work out well for you and your family!

 

[richtomas]

good luck to you crab{i would love to do it}london sums it up for me,its pity this country doesnt have the same rules of america on getting in and living {with out getting any benefit, house and health service}sorry for that ,rant over

 

[Joanne UK]

I would qualify under #7. Just out of interest as it's not something I've ever thought about doing but would this also enable my DH and DD's to move over there too or would they have to apply separately?

 

[london75]

Thanks for the replies, I know it's not going to be easy and it's not a bed of roses over there but at least hard work seems to be rewarded and you have the right to protect yourself and your family. I pay health insurance already so although it'll probably be more, I'm prepared for that sort of thing.

We're only early 30s at the moment but I doubt either of us could retrain to be on the skills list so I think it'll have to be the business route and as Wayneg said, the $1m is probably the best option. Been thinking about setting up in business for a while so will have to give it even more thought.

Good luck everyone.

EDIT: I'm not saying we've got anywhere near $1m by the way lol, it just seems the best option, must get building a business and maybe go contracting for a while to rake some money in.

 

[Shane]

Or win the lottery, thats one of my goals

Goodluck though, let us now what you decide to do

 

[Shane]

Or win the lottery, thats one of my goals

Goodluck though, let us now what you decide to do

 

[T16GEM]

This is something that we have thought about so so many times when we have got back from FL, I have friends that live there and they got their through a transfer with the company that Andy works for, he actually works at Sandford airport. I know that they have had their ups and downs with it and at one point after 9/11 it was a real worry as to whether the wife would be let back into the US after visiting her family in the UK.

I wouldn't rush into anything and as others have said its poles apart from going on vacation. I hear what you are saying about the state of some areas of the UK but I think everywhere has it's problems.

 

[afcgirl]

I am American but I want to move to Florida too! I am sick of suffering in cold weather (Chicago-area) half the year when I could be living in warm Florida near the ocean and of course WDW! I say go for it!

As for American insurance, yes you must pay for insurance but our taxes are lower so you can use some of that savings for insurance payments. Also, if you get HMO insurance it pays for EVERYTHING as long as you use doctors in the network.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
This all sounds so familiar. We would move to the USA today if it were possible. We have friends in Florida and they got in due to her nursing qualifications he now has a mangers job at MGM and recently they became US citizens. He said despite the hard work (80 hours+ per week sometimes) the quality of life is far better than the UK and has no regrets about leaving. We find it so frustrating that we see so many jobs advertised in Orlando but we can't take them. We have even chatted with hotel staff and shop owners and they say they find it almost impossible to fill the positions and would welcome us if it were legal. I was looking through Rosen Hotels website today (Quality Inn, Shingle Creek etc.) and they have 116 full and part time positions. Sadly there's hardly a day goes by when we don't wish we could leave this country but unless we get those elusive 6 numbers we are stuck. Just as a side note we found it interesting that a lot of US citizens (actually 100% of the ones we have spoken to) don't realise that we are not allowed to just turn up and work in the US. Indeed we shared a table with a couple from Chicago at Epcot once and got chatting about how we would like to live in the US and she was so shocked at the rules she said she was going to write a letter of complaint to the President!!

Mick.

 

[wayneg]

(80 hours+ per week sometimes) :

I complain working 42 a week, but not as much as DW complains working 16 hours a week
It has to depend on your background, how much you enjoy you job etc.
We have an easy life, love our jobs, lovely house (incl gardner, hate that job) great neighbours, 8-9 weeks holiday a year and more money than we will be able to spend in our lifetime(hopefully).
If you are not satisfied with what you have the temptation to move and change things must always be there.