My US husband and I will be moving to the USA next year or in 2009, immigration process permitting. We currently live in Dublin city and while I have been to various parts of the US on holidays and been to see him when he still lived there before we got married, I have never lived in the USA (well, 3 months in Santa Monica, CA as a student but that is a very unusual place...). We are currently thinking of Colorado Springs (husband is from the South, but I don't do well in sweltering heat, so most of the South is out), but haven't decided yet. Basically, looking for a not-big-city, not-totally-remote place which isn't too hot and, of course, has good employment prospects (he's in computers, I am in callcenter/ event management).

I would love to read the experiences of other Irish-American couples, suggestions on where to live etc.

Can't help you there I'm afraid as I live in the south and the swealtering heat! Although it's cooler today at only 24C, but for the past few weeks it's been anything up to 40C (with a feels like temp of 43C). But as with anything in life, you get used to it. Of course having the a/c on in the apartment and the car and the mall and everywhere else helps!!

On the job front, I work in computers also, but had a job lined up with an Irish company before I got here so I have no idea how easy or difficult it is to get a job with a US company. I guess the only thing is prior to moving to the US, send out your CV/resume to any positions in companies that look interesting that are located anywhere except the south and start networking via LinkinIn and FaceBook, and keep an eye on Craig's List.

Also bear in mind that while you won't have swealtering heat up north (at least not for too long), prepare to live under 50 foot of snow for 4 months and having to dig your car out every morning

hey ,

I think the city best for you is CHICAGO. It is the Convention capital of the world and all kinds of events do take place. It is a booming city with lots of good prospects in lots of fields..... In computers lots of IT companies have thier offices located in chicago.

Good luck with the move; I hope it’s smooth for you two!

From my experience job hunting after I first arrived with no US job experience and with not a lot of qualifications that US employers recognized plus the whole illegal immigration thing at the time. I found it quite difficult, no one gave me any interviews to start with, only a few even sent out thanks but no thanks post cards to my applications. My wife had even heavily Americanized my applications and my CV. In the end I did get a job doing general office work for the government . It wasn’t and isn’t quite what I wanted to do but it’s a very decent start at a half decent wedge. At least from here I can move forward and back into my field!!

You’re correct not to choose the South; we can’t wait to get out of Florida (see attached image) and into another more Northern State! The houses here are insanely expensive; too many old people who shouldn’t be driving, heat would drive anyone insane, massive insects most of which fly ! I couldn’t live without an A/C in this place.

See my time line for more info, feel free to ask questions if you have any!

Good Luck!

I read this just when we're thinking of moving from Charlotte to Florida!

Have you been to Sarasota Aiden...if so...your impressions?

I haven't been to Sarasota. I'm sure there are plenty of nice places in Florida if the budget allows. I think Florida is a excellent place to visit for a week or two but not to live. Thats just my opinion, you could very well love it here.. I think am more of a cold weather person. I sweat just thinking about going outside I'm just glad now that we're in autumn (fall) it's in the low 90's high 80's during the day!

i'll never forget when my new inlaws went outside for the first time at the GSO airport (having just flown from Limerick and nearby environs) - it was 8 or so in the evening and quite balmy to me and they were like, 'oh my god, it's so HOT!'

North Carolina is about as far south as I would inflict on someone from Ireland...

Lol! Yeah- I was in Phoenix in October once, and it was sooo nice and hot. Until I was told it was actually quite cold. Yeah....

We've pretty much decided on Colorado Springs I think, though we still have some time until we move.

We're gonna be in Wisconsin once we're done
Luckily the wedding will be during the summer
Don't think my all Dublin family will be able to deal with WI winters just yet.

Mmmm... not sure if I'll be able to deal with them...

Agh sure more excuses for some hot whiskey

@ Penguin_ie:

You will love Colorado Springs and everything around it!!! It is an amazing place and has so much to offer. Can't go wrong moving there.
I lived there for the last 18 months and had to move just recently and almost cried because I didn't want to leave and I hope I can move back soon.
Let me know if you have some questions about living there

True Story: I just finished a project a week ago and there was an Irish guy on the job. What was funny is how stereotypcially he was. His name was Shaun O'Leary, he stood about 165 cm, was thin, had bright red hair, and yes, sorry, looked just like the "Lucky Charms" leprechaun.

Now don't throw things at me!

It's getting quite cold here in Wis now. What part of the state will you be living in? We are in Southeastern Wis.

Go PACKERS!

Or something
Thats what they all keep shouting at the TV

Green Bay for me ... although I've made him promise 3 years max!
Til he gets his RN thingy
Then we're going somewhere thats not Green Bay

Where in Wisconsin are you? How you liking it? Where were you from in NI?

We met in DC and I've spent 5 summers there
I have a ridiculously idyllic image of it
Long sweaty summers
Good beer
Great resteraunts
Decentish public transport

But I've heard the J1 bubble bursts pretty quickly once the snow starts to fall!

Would love any tips you have for areas within Colorado Springs to move to (esp. with good primary schools, thinking ahead here). Also maybe recommendations for good estate agents (realtors I think they are called there)? We are considering buying a home there before we actually move, as investment and for DCF/ domicile purposes, so would need a firm we can trust to do most stuff while we are not there.

Yep.......Go Packers
We live south of Milwaukee, near Lake Geneva, if you've ever heard of there lol Winters are soooo cold and snowy compared to back home. Rest of the year the weather is good.
I'm from Antrim town, where in Ire are you at?

Here is what the locals always told me: If you take a look at a map of Colorado Springs you will see I-25 running right through the city. You want to make sure (if you move within the city limits) you live to the west of it, that is where all the good areas are at. Me personally, I loved the southwest, the more to the west you move (Broadmoor area), the more expensive the houses will be but there are some awesome areas there. Check out this website www.gazette.com it is the local newspaper with links to everything important like find a home, a job and things like that.
They also have two small towns right outside of the Springs, Fountain and Falcon, that were booming with new homes when I left. Fountain is closer but Falcon has the better homes.
My husband and me wanted to purchase a home right before we learned that we had to move (he is with the military) and I really liked this realtor: Paula Sue Heim http://www.heimrealty.com/index.html very professional and she's been in the business for a long time.
Can't really help you with the schools, don't have any kids yet.

*Waves hi*

Well my Fiance is currently in Clonard about to head back up to Dublin for his interview and medical. I am originally from FL and let me tell you, I might be 3rd generation from FL but even I can't stand the heat and humidity. I currently live in the Washington, DC metro area where he will be joining me soon as he is approved. The jobs are pretty good here and there are a lot of immigrants so it is a bit more accommodating. The surrounding area is kind of like the suburbs of Dublin or even London. It can be very expensive (not as bad as Dublin imho) here but the pay is pretty decent. It is a bit more conservative due to Federal Government.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU! Hope you find a wonderful place to live and the immigration experience to not be difficult.

-Dawn

I don't think I can do another summer in Florida. I mean I could do it but, I'd prefer not to do it! We're looking into finding a place maybe in WV along the border area and working in one cities in one of the neighboring states. We're kind of hoping to find affordable housing in WV and a half decent paying job in another! House prices in Florida where and still are really insane not to mention the insurance rates for property due to the 05 storms. We've seen property in WV almost being given away in comparison to FL! Now it's just a matter of finding a good location, job and getting out of the oven!

Good Luck to all those that are moving!