Chasing the American Dream....

[twostep]

Originally Posted by sllewnomis

Wow, that's a big rant!

I totally get what you are saying. Here in the UK, the education system isn't much better, and yes we have a National Health Service, but very often it would be better to pay private and get it done quicker and more successfully.

As for Australia, I did a little research and was very surprised about the amount of unemployed, the cost of living and general bills like groceries are astronomical. So you may get more dollar for your hard work, but then groceries, gas, rent/mortgage bills, child care costs and public transport all cost a fortune, so from my point of view it's kinda even stevens?

Doesn't the fees and living costs vary from state to state in US? Last nights average gas price in Florida was $1.28 a gallon, according to bestgasprice.com, 5 times cheaper than the UK.

I understand what you have shared, but to me you seem like you have had a rough ride, and I don't believe you speak the the majority of aliens in States.

Thank you for your comment, miss omy

There is no such thing as gas $1.28/gallon:>) Florida Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in Florida

[sllewnomis]

Thanks twostep, got my wires crossed with other state prices and conversion to £ etc. still, at $3.40 approx, considerably cheaper than ours. We are currently paying around £1.35 A LITRE -- a gallon is approx 4.5 litres!!! Disgusting. And around £1.15 of that is tax, as usual.

[Gourockian]

What Twostep and others are telling you is fact. Actually living here, instead of just spending 2 or 3 weeks on holiday, is a lot different and a lot harder.

We came to Florida from Scotland over 15 years ago as Permanent Resident Aliens, after having had a few holidays here. I was fortunate in that my mother was a US citizen and was thus able to apply for a visa and Green card. One thing that we found is that our credit rating starts off at the bottom which makes it hard to get a mortgage, buy a car or get any type of loan at a decent rate.

I managed to pick up a job but I can assure you that my UK certifications were meaningless. (I had been a BT engineer for 26 years). In Florida, HVAC jobs are usually filled by local guys with relevant air conditioning experience and these jobs are not all that secure. (My wife worked in an A/C company's office for 11 years and saw a lot of these guys come and go).

Unemployment in Florida is a lot higher than the official rate due to the fact that when a person's unemployment benefit runs out, they are no longer registered as unemployed. Even if you were able to find a job, the chances are that you would not earn enough to live out the dream you have for your family. Florida pay rates are generally way below other states although having no state income tax helps to offset that.

Finally, gas at $1.28? I don't know what you were looking at (your link did not seem to work) but the current prices here are around $3.20- $3.40 per gallon for regular grade. It's still cheaper than UK prices but don't forget the US gallon is 4/5 of a UK gallon, which translates to less miles per gallon.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by sllewnomis

Thanks twostep, got my wires crossed with other state prices and conversion to £ etc. still, at $3.40 approx, considerably cheaper than ours. We are currently paying around £1.35 A LITRE -- a gallon is approx 4.5 litres!!! Disgusting. And around £1.15 of that is tax, as usual.

You have to consider the different distances and the general lack of public transportation. I live in a metro area and the nearest grocery store is 10 miles one way.

[sllewnomis]

Gourockian,

I got my gas prices muddled up. I apologise. Yea, $3.30 is about right, but I don't know about Scotland, but we don't deal in gallons anymore. All our fuel is in litres. An American gallon is approx. x4.5 more than a UK litre. So, $3.30 for a gallon, exchanged to uk £ = £2.13. Take that and divide between 4.5, = 53p. So roughly you guys state side are paying 53p for a litre of petrol, in £'s. We are paying nearly 3 times that, at around £1.34 a litre.

And yea on the job front, the more I research and look at websites etc I can see the job situation is pants, but I'm a hopeful guy, I have faith and I believe we will see our desires come to fruition one day.

Thanks for your post

[Gourockian]

Originally Posted by sllewnomis

Gourockian,

I got my gas prices muddled up. I apologise. Yea, $3.30 is about right, but I don't know about Scotland, but we don't deal in gallons anymore. All our fuel is in litres. An American gallon is approx. x4.5 more than a UK litre. So, $3.30 for a gallon, exchanged to uk £ = £2.13. Take that and divide between 4.5, = 53p. So roughly you guys state side are paying 53p for a litre of petrol, in £'s. We are paying nearly 3 times that, at around £1.34 a litre.

And yea on the job front, the more I research and look at websites etc I can see the job situation is pants, but I'm a hopeful guy, I have faith and I believe we will see our desires come to fruition one day.

Thanks for your post

No, I should be apologising for not noticing your earlier post about your mix-up and also for forgetting that gas is sold in the UK by the litre. There's no denying that gas is far cheaper here but insurance is a killer. I'm currently paying around $175 a month for the equivalent of Full Comprehensive cover for a small pickup truck and a 7-seater people carrier. That's with no accidents or penalties of any kind. If I was new to the country, it would be higher still (credit rating again) so it's just one more thing to take into consideration.

However, I certainly hope that one day, somehow, you will be able to fulfill your dream and at least see for yourself if this is what you really want. Some ex-pats settle in well and have no desire to go back home while others get homesick and return. Then there are those who go back to blighty, change their minds and return stateside. When we were originally house hunting here, we met a couple from England who had gone back twice, returned twice and were selling up to go back again for good. I don't know if their marriage ever survived!

Anyway, Simon

good luck for the future,

Alistair

[miss omy]

Originally Posted by sllewnomis

Wow, that's a big rant!

I totally get what you are saying. Here in the UK, the education system isn't much better, and yes we have a National Health Service, but very often it would be better to pay private and get it done quicker and more successfully.

As for Australia, I did a little research and was very surprised about the amount of unemployed, the cost of living and general bills like groceries are astronomical. So you may get more dollar for your hard work, but then groceries, gas, rent/mortgage bills, child care costs and public transport all cost a fortune, so from my point of view it's kinda even stevens?

Doesn't the fees and living costs vary from state to state in US? Last nights average gas price in Florida was $1.28 a gallon, according to bestgasprice.com, 5 times cheaper than the UK.

I understand what you have shared, but to me you seem like you have had a rough ride, and I don't believe you speak the the majority of aliens in States.

Thank you for your comment, miss omy

um - not too sure where you're getting your info on unemployment rates?

from our treasurer:

''At 5.1 per cent, Australia's unemployment rate remains one of the lowest in the developed world, well below the United States and less than half that in Europe,'' Mr Swan said.
''Australia's outstanding economic record stands in stark contrast to many developed economies, which are struggling to grow and suffering from high unemployment levels.''


Read more: Rise in full-time jobs helps to push up dollar

Rise in full-time jobs helps to push up dollar

people do complain about the cost of living- yes we as a standard have a higher minimum-median wage. However, the QUALITY of the consumables are much higher than in the US.

i.e. The US still allows feeding of animals to other animals (aka how mad cows disease started), this practice is banned in other westernized countries.
My husband has a laptop from ASUS purchased in australia- and I have one purchased in the states- they're like chalk and cheese- even though they are from the same company, the quality of manufacturing is different.
if you want products of equivalent quality in the states to those in australia- you'll pay for them $$$, there is just a lot of cheap low-quality, fast-consuming crap here

Yes Australia has high-ish taxes on consumables- fuel, energy, water. But if you're not a glutton, you won't pay that much for these. We tax the rich- so yes, if you're driving around in a giant SUV, gussling fuel, powering a 5 bedroom house and having 3 showers a day- you'll pay for it.


However, given the quality of life- I find it is a fair deal.

No I don't speak the experience of the majority of aliens- however of over 50 post doctoral scientists that I've known who move to the states- (we're all aliens)- the only ones who go back to their home countries? Australians.

The french, germans, indians, korean etc... all try to stay here.

oh and remember- the housing home loan rates- in the states- yes, they are definitely cheaper. however, you'll have zero credit rating here. it take a few years to build it. Credit rating is a BIG deal in the states- in australia- not so much. We actually acknowledge that you've have financial responsibilities prior to your current life in a new country.

I'm still shocked that your credit card interest rate here is based on your credit rating (in australia- everyone regardless of their rating, gets the same interest rate roughly. In the states- if you have a low or bad credit rating- bam, it's set at 20 ish percent.
So there is no hope for people trying to correct their credit ratings- ie young teens getting bad ratings from banks giving them credit cards at college. That's with you for 7 years.

If it is that bad and your and your spouse are loosing money left and right - why are you spending four miserable years of your life here?

and to answer this- such is the life of a NON AMERICAN academic scientist.
Science is a global field- we have to make connections in our field- and my field so happens to be in the states- yes there are "hubs" of my field in Europe, but the bulk of it is here.

We are encouraged to do our post doctoral studies in either europe or the US, then we transition home back to australia where we continue to build our field with in australia- keeping contact with our US counterparts.

it's complicated.

However, US scientists experience the opposite. They're told never to leave america- or they'll have trouble getting back into the system. It's a shame- Americans would do well with a bit of global exposure.

I've enjoyed my time here- would I stay- no. Nice place to visit though.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by miss omy

and to answer this- such is the life of a NON AMERICAN academic scientist.
Science is a global field- we have to make connections in our field- and my field so happens to be in the states- yes there are "hubs" of my field in Europe, but the bulk of it is here.

We are encouraged to do our post doctoral studies in either europe or the US, then we transition home back to australia where we continue to build our field with in australia- keeping contact with our US counterparts.

it's complicated.

However, US scientists experience the opposite. They're told never to leave america- or they'll have trouble getting back into the system. It's a shame- Americans would do well with a bit of global exposure.

I've enjoyed my time here- would I stay- no. Nice place to visit though.

You got what you wanted - a couple of years of very specialized education which you will utilize elsewhere. It is not complicated:>) Our not so little one has been all over Europe/Asia to settle down in research niche field as ivy faculty.
My personal experience shows some hard times (which all newly weds should go through) and none of the problems you are pointing out. But - I always preach to research things before stepping into the puddle.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

sllewnomis,

America makes it almost impossible for ordinary, hard-working foreigners to come here to live and work. Any doofus with a close relative to sponsor him is welcome to become a citizen. Honest people with education and skills - forget it.!

Were you to bother you would find that it takes an immediate family member and can take 10+ years.

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

We came here on an E2 visa - you buy or start a small business and can keep renewing the visa as long as the business is viable. The E2 does not currently lead to green cards, but we're working on changing that ().!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

The children of E2 investors 'age-out' at 21 and must leave or get their own visa (like an F-1 student visa). However, you are so young that you won't have to worry about that for along time.!

This is known to E2 investors up front.

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

It's unlikely, at your age, that you could find $150,000+ to invest, but it's a possibility to consider down the road.!

Would you please explain how a UK certified plumber will successfully start a business in the US and feed a family with two young kids on 150k?

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

For now, I would advise you to take a serious look at Canada. They are changing their immigration laws almost as I type and are looking to attract skilled people and will be offering some attractive packages with plenty of support.!

Shutting down immigration offices in embassies in Europe is part of this?

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

I would add that America is a tough place to relocate to - low wages, high insurance no recognition of foreign education or qualifications, you have to start with NO credit score, regardless of how you have managed financially elsewhere. I was 51 when I came here after taking early retirement from my 20-year career in the prison service, and I couldn't even get a cell phone contract!

All of this is a known factor to anyone who bothers to do minimal research. I do not know what job qualifications "20 years UK prison service" entail.

[EVHB]

Originally Posted by sllewnomis

a gallon is approx 4.5 litres!!!

1 US gallon = 3.78541178 litres

Originally Posted by TyldesleyGirl

For now, I would advise you to take a serious look at Canada. They are changing their immigration laws almost as I type and are looking to attract skilled people and will be offering some attractive packages with plenty of support.

Seriously? Why didn't they give it to us than? We are Federal Skilled Workers, but didn't receive any package at all. Neither did we receive support. Oh yes, you can take workshops for free once you are here: English, French, how to write a resume, how to do the job interview, how to use social media to find a job. But I wouldn't call that "plenty of support"...
Canadian Government is shutting down that Skilled Worker route more and more every year: thousands of occupations qualified before 2009, than it became less than 40 in 2009, and than only 29 occupations in 2010, a cap on the total and than in 2011 they reduced the cap again). Now, the list is CLOSED untul July, and we will have to wait and see what will be on the list.
Oh, and because of the backlog, they are refusing people who were in process since before 2008 or so, so almost 300.000 applicants don't get their so longed for visa, but they pay them back the fees they already payed to government, and they will not be further processed!
And another thing: they had a visa possibility that was similar to the American E2, but also that route is closed since 1 or 2 years. No idea when the federal government will open that possibility again.
yeah, Canada, so easy to get in!