| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? 11:02 - Jul 12 with 7224 views | TractorBoyOlly |
A few words of wisdom appreciated on emigrating/moving abroad would be appreciated by fellow TWTDers please.
I'm in my mid-20s and wife is 30 and we moved from South to North earlier in the year. Things haven't quite worked out and we can't get settled so we've thought about moving abroad to the US/Canada/Aus/NZ. The US would be our preference as we've been there before and it suits our lifestyle. I'm a Town Planner and she works in facilities. What are the chances for us and where should we start looking?
Cheers |  |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:00 - Jul 12 with 2660 views | fabian_illness |
We got everything sorted to move out to Australia when the last recession bit hard in 2007.
We used an agent recommended by friends that had done the same thing a couple of years beforehand.
Spent a fair bit getting it all done and the Mrs got cold feet.
In hindsight I should have just gone anyway and left her behind!
Still wish I’d gone. |  | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:32 - Jul 12 with 2643 views | IPS_wich |
Moved to Perth almost six years ago. Very few regrets, the biggest being leaving it until I was 39. Means my parents are now quite old and in poor health - which makes being the other side of the world hard.
The lifestyle is just so so much better than the uk and a great place to raise our kids.
However, I was (am) a highest rate tax payer and was fully sponsored by my employer...first for a two year temp visa and then a perm visa...so we’ve never had visa issues and our relocation was all expenses paid.
My wife had moved all around the uk before we moved and never settled - but within a few months we knew this was our long term place to settle.
Things I miss about the uk:
- family
- long summer evenings (sunset is 7:15pm in summer)
- proper chip shop chips
- erm...nope that’s about it
I’d say go for it...even if it’s just for 2-3 years | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:39 - Jul 12 with 2629 views | TractorBoyOlly |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:32 - Jul 12 by IPS_wich |
Moved to Perth almost six years ago. Very few regrets, the biggest being leaving it until I was 39. Means my parents are now quite old and in poor health - which makes being the other side of the world hard.
The lifestyle is just so so much better than the uk and a great place to raise our kids.
However, I was (am) a highest rate tax payer and was fully sponsored by my employer...first for a two year temp visa and then a perm visa...so we’ve never had visa issues and our relocation was all expenses paid.
My wife had moved all around the uk before we moved and never settled - but within a few months we knew this was our long term place to settle.
Things I miss about the uk:
- family
- long summer evenings (sunset is 7:15pm in summer)
- proper chip shop chips
- erm...nope that’s about it
I’d say go for it...even if it’s just for 2-3 years |
Sounds like the kind of route we'd be looking to take, can deal with the family aspect as we moved North to be closer to in-laws but they are always abroad anyway. I would probably see my family about as much as I do in the UK.
Summer evenings is an interesting one although I presume leave entitlements are fairly generous? | |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:50 - Jul 12 with 2609 views | PrideOfTheEast |
Why does the US suit your lifestyle? | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:58 - Jul 12 with 2598 views | NorthLondonBlue2 |
By all means, move to another country but I do question whether having itchy feet alone is a good reason to do it.
I moved to the States some years ago and loved it. However, I found that, despite feeling immediately 'at home' and having a great network of new-found friends, the pull of family back in the UK never went away and I eventually moved back to the UK. I was very sad to leave when I did, but equally very happy to be back home.
Also, bear in mind that unless you and your partner get jobs, there is a dreadful imbalance when one party gets work, the other doesn't and will likely be very miserable. The same applies if the jobs you do get work out for one, but not the other.
Otherwise - good luck! | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 15:14 - Jul 12 with 2581 views | TractorBoyOlly |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:58 - Jul 12 by NorthLondonBlue2 |
By all means, move to another country but I do question whether having itchy feet alone is a good reason to do it.
I moved to the States some years ago and loved it. However, I found that, despite feeling immediately 'at home' and having a great network of new-found friends, the pull of family back in the UK never went away and I eventually moved back to the UK. I was very sad to leave when I did, but equally very happy to be back home.
Also, bear in mind that unless you and your partner get jobs, there is a dreadful imbalance when one party gets work, the other doesn't and will likely be very miserable. The same applies if the jobs you do get work out for one, but not the other.
Otherwise - good luck! |
It's not just about having itchy feet, it's about wanting to broaden our horizons and really take opportunity that life has given us.
I understand what you say about happiness and it has to be right for both of us definitely. | |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 15:47 - Jul 12 with 2565 views | BigManBlue |
Hi mate, can't specifically advise you on any of the places you're looking at but I'd say that it's definitely worth doing, even if it's just for a couple of years.
I moved abroad when I was still single so I only had to worry about picking somewhere that suited me, but I'm sure there's somewhere you'll both enjoy. Best of luck! |  |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 15:59 - Jul 12 with 2544 views | SpruceMoose |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 11:17 - Jul 12 by TractorBoyOlly |
I see that the US are pretty harsh on Annual Leave, 10/12 days seems to be the norm. Isn't it pretty much impossible anyway unless you've got an employer that will sponsor you? |
US probably won't be an option for you going by what you've said you both do for work I'm afraid. Even then an employment visa isn't a reliable or definite path to permanent residency.
If you wanted to live here for a few years and then return to the UK a student visa is probably your best and most expensive option. |  |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 16:13 - Jul 12 with 2526 views | SpruceMoose |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 13:03 - Jul 12 by ElephantintheRoom |
I worked in the USA for 5 years and loved it - but you'll struggle to emigrate there under the current 'America first' jingoistic crackdown. Brits are I believe the second highest illegal immigrants after Canadians. I based myself in North Carolina which is a fabulous place to live if you like the outdoors lifestyle and don't mind the occasional hurricane. Canada is as dull as dishwater to live in and Aus is a tad hot in most areas but my brother lives in Tasmania which is wonderful. NZ is best avoided. Have you considered going to a more advanced and tolerant country than the UK a little closer to home? Scandanavia or France for example - all the benefits of being in the 21st century without being on the other side of the world. |
Brits the second highest? That's wrong I'm afraid.
47% of illegal immigrants to the US are Mexican, 4.9 million. Following that you have countries like El Salvador, Guatemala etc. Desperate people from desperate countries are the people who tend to take up undocumented residency, not people from developed western countries.
If the UK was sending folk here and millions of them were committing visa fraud in then the VWP would most likely be under threat. There's a reason why it's incredibly hard to even get a B2 visitors visa if you're Ghanaian, or Mexican or even Ukrainen. You're high risk.
I actually just read the rest of your post. It's all a bit silly. [Post edited 12 Jul 2019 16:31]
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"Imagine being a heterosexual white male in Britain at this moment. How bad is that. Everything you say is racist, everything you say is homophobic. The Woke community have really f****d this country." | | Poll: | Selectamod |
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| Lollers on 16:23 - Jul 12 with 2515 views | Dyland |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 13:03 - Jul 12 by ElephantintheRoom |
I worked in the USA for 5 years and loved it - but you'll struggle to emigrate there under the current 'America first' jingoistic crackdown. Brits are I believe the second highest illegal immigrants after Canadians. I based myself in North Carolina which is a fabulous place to live if you like the outdoors lifestyle and don't mind the occasional hurricane. Canada is as dull as dishwater to live in and Aus is a tad hot in most areas but my brother lives in Tasmania which is wonderful. NZ is best avoided. Have you considered going to a more advanced and tolerant country than the UK a little closer to home? Scandanavia or France for example - all the benefits of being in the 21st century without being on the other side of the world. |
Your aren't half a swivel eyed prejudiced old goat, innit. Keep up the good work :) |  |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 16:39 - Jul 12 with 2497 views | TIB |
I know a few folk who have gone to Canada and have loved it as flights easier enough to get back home fairly quickly. I'm half Yank and would recommend New England region (Maine, New Hampshire etc) as a nice part of States. You've got the coast, inland with mountains / wilderness and then the likes of Boston and New York not far if you want a city vibe / weekender. |  |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 19:18 - Jul 12 with 2446 views | Ace_High1 |
Have looked into Australia a lot myself but would need to be sponsored which I have found hard to find a company willing to do that for the type of role I have.
Having holidayed out there a few times, the lifestyle is so much better than the UK. The weather really makes it for me and if I could sort s job out I would be on the first plane over! |  | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 19:39 - Jul 12 with 2424 views | SE1blue |
I emigrated to Toronto in January.
Canada is one of the friendliest countries I’ve ever lived in and they welcome immigrants with open arms (once you have a visa). You’ll need to speak to an immigration specialist to suss our your likelihood of getting a visa. My wife is Canadian so mine was easy but still took a year to process.
As a teacher I’m struggling to find that kind of work but I’ve taken the attitude that I’ll do anything as long as it is enjoyable and covers the bills.
The summer here is phenomenal compared to U.K. but the winters are so harsh. Like Game of Thrones harsh. I’m glad we arrived in snow as it prepared me straight away for what’s coming around again later this year.
As someone else has commented, this is a huge thing to do and don’t underestimate how much of a change in your life it is. I miss my family and friends every single day and that hurts with parents in their 80s. You have to give yourself time to adjust and acclimatise. It’s not a holiday, it’s real life and some days will utterly suck and others will rock. The ones that suck are doubly hard when you are far from home. But there are so many positive stuff to it too - I feel alive again. [Post edited 12 Jul 2019 19:45]
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 22:33 - Jul 12 with 2379 views | unstableblue |
I have different friends who have emigrated to live in New York, LA, Sydney and Adelaide. Luckily through I get to see then I nce or twice a year.
The lifestyle is really streets ahead of East Anglia and those cities put a lot of London to shame. BUT, and it’s a big but, all of them seem to crave the humour and culture and people found in the UK.
And if you ignore the hideous rise of small minded Brexiteer little Englanders, you can make England in some ways as exciting as these foreign climbs. Glastonbury, open water swimming down the Dedham Vale, walks on Shingle Street beach, sailing down the Deben, Suffolk Pubs, nights out in Clerkenwell, and of course Mediterranean holidays 3 hrs away!
In short I’m not sure deep down how happy emigrating has made my friends.
And of course / and most importantly / we have Portman Road!!! [Post edited 12 Jul 2019 22:35]
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 00:26 - Jul 13 with 2356 views | Tillz9 |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:32 - Jul 12 by IPS_wich |
Moved to Perth almost six years ago. Very few regrets, the biggest being leaving it until I was 39. Means my parents are now quite old and in poor health - which makes being the other side of the world hard.
The lifestyle is just so so much better than the uk and a great place to raise our kids.
However, I was (am) a highest rate tax payer and was fully sponsored by my employer...first for a two year temp visa and then a perm visa...so we’ve never had visa issues and our relocation was all expenses paid.
My wife had moved all around the uk before we moved and never settled - but within a few months we knew this was our long term place to settle.
Things I miss about the uk:
- family
- long summer evenings (sunset is 7:15pm in summer)
- proper chip shop chips
- erm...nope that’s about it
I’d say go for it...even if it’s just for 2-3 years |
Proper chip shop and a proper curry house
Also Saturday afternoon down the pub then going to Town games and super Sunday on Sky | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 01:40 - Jul 13 with 2334 views | yorkshire |
As has been said - unless you have a company that will sponsor you or a skill that is deemed important then you are unlikely to get a work permit for the US . You could go the student visa route but wouldn’t be allowed to work and only other alternative is to set up a company but I believe you need to invest something like $150,000
We came out her to the US as my wife is a scientist and therefore was sponsored - even though the University paid for her we still spent about $20,000 to get Green Cards - and it was a lot of paperwork and hard work
We were in North Carolina and are now in Florida - weather is great in both places and people aren’t too bad. Country is very polarized right now due to political climate and I also didn’t realize just how racist people are out here. Food is awful on the whole - too much corn starch and sugar - so you will pine for proper food
My sister moved to Aus a couple of years ago and that was apparently a lot easier - she was a teacher so had the points needed - they settled in queensland and love it
What I would say is think long and hard about it - and if you commit then you need to get through the first six months as they are the hardest | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 01:47 - Jul 13 with 2332 views | SpruceMoose |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 01:40 - Jul 13 by yorkshire |
As has been said - unless you have a company that will sponsor you or a skill that is deemed important then you are unlikely to get a work permit for the US . You could go the student visa route but wouldn’t be allowed to work and only other alternative is to set up a company but I believe you need to invest something like $150,000
We came out her to the US as my wife is a scientist and therefore was sponsored - even though the University paid for her we still spent about $20,000 to get Green Cards - and it was a lot of paperwork and hard work
We were in North Carolina and are now in Florida - weather is great in both places and people aren’t too bad. Country is very polarized right now due to political climate and I also didn’t realize just how racist people are out here. Food is awful on the whole - too much corn starch and sugar - so you will pine for proper food
My sister moved to Aus a couple of years ago and that was apparently a lot easier - she was a teacher so had the points needed - they settled in queensland and love it
What I would say is think long and hard about it - and if you commit then you need to get through the first six months as they are the hardest |
How's the fresh food down there in Florida? Up here in NY the fresh food in supermarkets is far below the standard you'd find in the UK sadly. | |
| Pronouns: He/Him/His.
"Imagine being a heterosexual white male in Britain at this moment. How bad is that. Everything you say is racist, everything you say is homophobic. The Woke community have really f****d this country." | | Poll: | Selectamod |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 03:06 - Jul 13 with 2310 views | connorscontract |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 13:17 - Jul 12 by ElephantintheRoom |
My sister lives in Vancouver - its a great place to visit but like New Zealand is fast becoming a Chinese state and the costs are eye-watering and it rains more than the amazon. Anywhere east of the rockies is bitingly cold for half the year, hot and humid in summer and a long way from anywhere - plus the food is dreadful. But they have plenty of space for newcomers that's for sure. Thought about Alaska? |
I came within a whisker of emigrating to Canada about a month ago. I had planned for 18 months, and we were due to move to somewhere where friends had moved 4 years ago.
It was primarily scuppered by illness to my parents this end.
However, based on my friend's experience, the following is vital:
If moving as a couple will both of you be able to work, and both enter at a similar or better level than in UK, with opportunity for progression? If the move is good for only one of you, careerwise, then that is a recipe for misery.
What is the weather like? As mentioned in the post I am replying to, Canada is great, but the weather isn't (mostly). As a minimum I would say that somebody emigrating to the big cities of Canada needs an appreciation and enjoyment of participating in winter sports (skiing, skating).
However, subsequent research has uncovered THE diamond of weather averages in Canada:
Kamloops, British Columbia. It rains loads in Vancouver (as mentioned above) and it is freezing in Calgary and Edmonton for six months of the year, and in Toronto and Montreal etc for four. But only for two in Kamloops. And then pretty much every single month at least equals or beats London, on average. And it doesn't rain much, either.
If you and your partner can get a good job in Kamloops, take them! | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 13:24 - Jul 13 with 2293 views | yorkshire |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 01:47 - Jul 13 by SpruceMoose |
How's the fresh food down there in Florida? Up here in NY the fresh food in supermarkets is far below the standard you'd find in the UK sadly. |
‘fresh food’ in the Supermarkets is pretty dire - we tend to use Publix (sort of a Sainsburys) for the weekly stuff and the fruit and veg barely lasts a day or two
There are a few farmers markets about that we use from time to time but overall I find the quality and the price of food out here to be pretty bad. Meat is also very expensive and I am not sure it is even the same quality as you get in the UK
It was actually one of the things that surprised us when we moved over - we took a hit in salary thinking cost of living would go down and it didn’t
Also - that reminds me - another issue with the US is Healthcare - unless you have an employer with good coverage then you can be paying out a few hundred dollars per person per month for that | | | |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 14:53 - Jul 13 with 2278 views | SpruceMoose |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 13:24 - Jul 13 by yorkshire |
‘fresh food’ in the Supermarkets is pretty dire - we tend to use Publix (sort of a Sainsburys) for the weekly stuff and the fruit and veg barely lasts a day or two
There are a few farmers markets about that we use from time to time but overall I find the quality and the price of food out here to be pretty bad. Meat is also very expensive and I am not sure it is even the same quality as you get in the UK
It was actually one of the things that surprised us when we moved over - we took a hit in salary thinking cost of living would go down and it didn’t
Also - that reminds me - another issue with the US is Healthcare - unless you have an employer with good coverage then you can be paying out a few hundred dollars per person per month for that |
You're right to mention the medical. Even with insurance the deductibles can be crippling. The US is a wonderful place to live if you're well off. If you're not you get treated like it's your fault and everything is a struggle. | |
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"Imagine being a heterosexual white male in Britain at this moment. How bad is that. Everything you say is racist, everything you say is homophobic. The Woke community have really f****d this country." | | Poll: | Selectamod |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 15:38 - Jul 13 with 2258 views | artsbossbeard |
Hi Tommy. |  |
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| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 20:18 - Jul 13 with 2193 views | TractorBoyOlly |
| Emigrating abroad, anyone done it or thought about it? on 01:47 - Jul 13 by SpruceMoose |
How's the fresh food down there in Florida? Up here in NY the fresh food in supermarkets is far below the standard you'd find in the UK sadly. |
Having lived in Florida for a couple of months as a student I know that I craved fruit and veg. The Walmarts were just wall to wall freezers of crap, i'm sure there must be a way around it but I think after all the advice given I'm warming to Canada or Aus | |
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