Why USA and not UK?

[ginger1981 0]

Although I am closer to my family in the UK, we made the decision to live in the US mainly due to my husband's work. I was also so tired of watching the UK go "to the dogs" with all the immigration problems, taxes, and left wing spineless government that would have me support all the freeloaders and leeches.

Haha so you decided to move to the US which has... immigration problems, unemployment problems, is going into a recession and is in the middle of a political debate where it looks like we're screwed whatever happens....

Seriously though, I was kind of sick of all that stuff in the UK too, but remember that the US is certainly not without its problems.

I was thinking the same thing too! The price of gasoline causes no worry and six weeks vacation...where do you live in the US, because it sounds like you moved to some paradise I'm not aware existed!

Though I'm more worried about getting shot at than anything. I think it was a weekend or two ago there were seven shootings on one Saturday night!

[britty 1]

Although I am closer to my family in the UK, we made the decision to live in the US mainly due to my husband's work. I was also so tired of watching the UK go "to the dogs" with all the immigration problems, taxes, and left wing spineless government that would have me support all the freeloaders and leeches.

Haha so you decided to move to the US which has... immigration problems, unemployment problems, is going into a recession and is in the middle of a political debate where it looks like we're screwed whatever happens....

Seriously though, I was kind of sick of all that stuff in the UK too, but remember that the US is certainly not without its problems.

I was thinking the same thing too! The price of gasoline causes no worry and six weeks vacation...where do you live in the US, because it sounds like you moved to some paradise I'm not aware existed!

Though I'm more worried about getting shot at than anything. I think it was a weekend or two ago there were seven shootings on one Saturday night!

The price of gas is still a heck of a lot lower than the UK so Im still not complaining on that one. I lucked out with my employer and the six weeks paid vacation, non contributory comprehensive blue cross blue shield healthcare, and the ability to work from home !! Because the US is sooooo big, immigration, certainly where I live in VA, is not so noticeable as they aren't running out of space yet like the UK. If someone tries to shoot me Im shooting back !! I like the fact that defending yourself isnt a crime here. And today is 75 degrees and sunny !

[no name 1]

Although I am closer to my family in the UK, we made the decision to live in the US mainly due to my husband's work. I was also so tired of watching the UK go "to the dogs" with all the immigration problems, taxes, and left wing spineless government that would have me support all the freeloaders and leeches.

Haha so you decided to move to the US which has... immigration problems, unemployment problems, is going into a recession and is in the middle of a political debate where it looks like we're screwed whatever happens....

Seriously though, I was kind of sick of all that stuff in the UK too, but remember that the US is certainly not without its problems.

I was thinking the same thing too! The price of gasoline causes no worry and six weeks vacation...where do you live in the US, because it sounds like you moved to some paradise I'm not aware existed!

Though I'm more worried about getting shot at than anything. I think it was a weekend or two ago there were seven shootings on one Saturday night!

Do you know how many shootings occur in a US city per year? Worth a look.

America is not all sunshine & SUVs & rainbows.

[ginger1981 0]

Although I am closer to my family in the UK, we made the decision to live in the US mainly due to my husband's work. I was also so tired of watching the UK go "to the dogs" with all the immigration problems, taxes, and left wing spineless government that would have me support all the freeloaders and leeches.

Haha so you decided to move to the US which has... immigration problems, unemployment problems, is going into a recession and is in the middle of a political debate where it looks like we're screwed whatever happens....

Seriously though, I was kind of sick of all that stuff in the UK too, but remember that the US is certainly not without its problems.

I was thinking the same thing too! The price of gasoline causes no worry and six weeks vacation...where do you live in the US, because it sounds like you moved to some paradise I'm not aware existed!

Though I'm more worried about getting shot at than anything. I think it was a weekend or two ago there were seven shootings on one Saturday night!

The price of gas is still a heck of a lot lower than the UK so Im still not complaining on that one. I lucked out with my employer and the six weeks paid vacation, non contributory comprehensive blue cross blue shield healthcare, and the ability to work from home !! Because the US is sooooo big, immigration, certainly where I live in VA, is not so noticeable as they aren't running out of space yet like the UK. If someone tries to shoot me Im shooting back !! I like the fact that defending yourself isnt a crime here. And today is 75 degrees and sunny !

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

I find it interesting...I guess in VA there must not be as much of influx of immigrants? My neighborhood in Chicago some knowledge of Spanish is essential...most of the signs are in Spanish, and quite a few of the people don't speak a whole lot of English. That is even true for the town I grew up in back in rural Nebraska.

Though to be honest I do like living with so many ethnic options. I wouldn't want to live in a totally whitebread place anymore.

[britty 1]

Although I am closer to my family in the UK, we made the decision to live in the US mainly due to my husband's work. I was also so tired of watching the UK go "to the dogs" with all the immigration problems, taxes, and left wing spineless government that would have me support all the freeloaders and leeches.

Haha so you decided to move to the US which has... immigration problems, unemployment problems, is going into a recession and is in the middle of a political debate where it looks like we're screwed whatever happens....

Seriously though, I was kind of sick of all that stuff in the UK too, but remember that the US is certainly not without its problems.

I was thinking the same thing too! The price of gasoline causes no worry and six weeks vacation...where do you live in the US, because it sounds like you moved to some paradise I'm not aware existed!

Though I'm more worried about getting shot at than anything. I think it was a weekend or two ago there were seven shootings on one Saturday night!

The price of gas is still a heck of a lot lower than the UK so Im still not complaining on that one. I lucked out with my employer and the six weeks paid vacation, non contributory comprehensive blue cross blue shield healthcare, and the ability to work from home !! Because the US is sooooo big, immigration, certainly where I live in VA, is not so noticeable as they aren't running out of space yet like the UK. If someone tries to shoot me Im shooting back !! I like the fact that defending yourself isnt a crime here. And today is 75 degrees and sunny !

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

I find it interesting...I guess in VA there must not be as much of influx of immigrants? My neighborhood in Chicago some knowledge of Spanish is essential...most of the signs are in Spanish, and quite a few of the people don't speak a whole lot of English. That is even true for the town I grew up in back in rural Nebraska.

Though to be honest I do like living with so many ethnic options. I wouldn't want to live in a totally whitebread place anymore.

I think where I live in Northern VA, 10 minutes over the bridge to DC, house prices are a bit on the silly side so immigrants probably go to the less expensive areas to find affordable housing. There are lot of parks and open spaces here so you get the impression that its not overcrowded, although it has a high resident rate for government and military. Our crime rate is lower than that of DC and I suspect that is in part due to the fact that firearm possession is legal here, so criminals dont want to take the risk.

[ginger1981 0]

Although I am closer to my family in the UK, we made the decision to live in the US mainly due to my husband's work. I was also so tired of watching the UK go "to the dogs" with all the immigration problems, taxes, and left wing spineless government that would have me support all the freeloaders and leeches.

Haha so you decided to move to the US which has... immigration problems, unemployment problems, is going into a recession and is in the middle of a political debate where it looks like we're screwed whatever happens....

Seriously though, I was kind of sick of all that stuff in the UK too, but remember that the US is certainly not without its problems.

I was thinking the same thing too! The price of gasoline causes no worry and six weeks vacation...where do you live in the US, because it sounds like you moved to some paradise I'm not aware existed!

Though I'm more worried about getting shot at than anything. I think it was a weekend or two ago there were seven shootings on one Saturday night!

The price of gas is still a heck of a lot lower than the UK so Im still not complaining on that one. I lucked out with my employer and the six weeks paid vacation, non contributory comprehensive blue cross blue shield healthcare, and the ability to work from home !! Because the US is sooooo big, immigration, certainly where I live in VA, is not so noticeable as they aren't running out of space yet like the UK. If someone tries to shoot me Im shooting back !! I like the fact that defending yourself isnt a crime here. And today is 75 degrees and sunny !

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

I find it interesting...I guess in VA there must not be as much of influx of immigrants? My neighborhood in Chicago some knowledge of Spanish is essential...most of the signs are in Spanish, and quite a few of the people don't speak a whole lot of English. That is even true for the town I grew up in back in rural Nebraska.

Though to be honest I do like living with so many ethnic options. I wouldn't want to live in a totally whitebread place anymore.

I think where I live in Northern VA, 10 minutes over the bridge to DC, house prices are a bit on the silly side so immigrants probably go to the less expensive areas to find affordable housing. There are lot of parks and open spaces here so you get the impression that its not overcrowded, although it has a high resident rate for government and military. Our crime rate is lower than that of DC and I suspect that is in part due to the fact that firearm possession is legal here, so criminals dont want to take the risk.

I wouldn't be so sure on the firearm possession part being a deterrent. It doesn't seem to work in Chicago, nor Nebraska though I can't speak for other parts of the country. Most places that I have seen it seems to be socio-economically related where you see the most gun violence...on the Northside of Chicago is affluent and considerably safer and has much less gun crime than some of the Southside neighborhoods that are impoverished.

My great-uncle lives in Reston, and though I haven't been out to visit I understand it is quite nice out there :-). I've never been to DC myself and I hope to get out there at some point.

[MBJ 0]

/me *gets up on soap box*

Reasons for leaving this tiny little hell hole well...

1) The youth of today.

2) The Youth of today

3) The sheer cost of living *try buying a house*

4) Claustrophobia

5) General Apathy of the folks around me to be content with their lives

6) People using *its to far* as an excuse not to come visit when they can drive...

Reasons for wanting to live in the US

1) My Love is there

2) My New Family is there

3) The cost of Living $ for £ you ge alot more for your money. Nicer too

4) Outside of cities subburbs even you have a sense of space

5) The Whole "Lets just do it attitude" ( i work for a US firm and they all have it..)

6) Im not in the UK.

Be aware these are personal views and not to be trolled. You cant shoot a man down for answering honestly. On the trips ive been to the states. Ive deliberatly NOT done the Tourist thing I've tried hard to keep my time with BMJ as real and family orientated as possible ,yes we've been to the cinema, which couple doesnt. Yes weve been to a resteraunt, again which couple doesnt. but weve just done the day to day living stuff. Heck weve even done the family trip to disney (man what a blast). My current view of life in the states is as true as I can have made it. I have no delusions of the grass is greener ! Im expecting it to be tough. but its wher I want to be so its where I shall be.

By hook or by crook.

[BMJ 0]

For (Xaos) Mark and I he is all for moving here. He is looking at the whole land and housing thing here. I however would almost rather move there as would my oldest daughter. My younger two are not as thrilled with living in the UK because they do not want to have to wear uniforms to school (I love that idea)

Some drawbacks though I have found is that I have talked to a few people who have young children in the UK and they are not allowed to video record their kids performaces. Why the heck not???

I like the idea that guns are not legal there.

Before working in the IT field Mark was a security guard in Southampton HMV. He really hated it after a while and was really dismayed at the rising rate of crime and how the criminals kept getting younger and younger.

One of the main reasons I wanted us to move to the UK was so that Mark could still have his life. Not that he wont here, it is just that he has a lot of friends in the UK and as a single working and going to school mom I havent had much time for friends. It would be nice to become a part of Mark's world and be able to hang out with his friends. Another reason is I am fasinated with different lifestyles and cultures. I also think it would be an amazing experience for me and the kids to live in another country without having to worry overly much about language barriers.

One of the drawbacks of us moving there is I am almost finished with my AA then I will be heading on to my BA then it is off to Montessori training so I can become a Montessori teacher. While I might be able to continue going to school in the UK, I do not think I would be able to get any funding and I am sure it would cost an arm and a leg.

So there are good points to move and good points to stay. I am just worried because of the money exchange rate, that unless we are doing really really well for ourselves, it would be hard to move back to the UK, should we ever choose to. However, if we go now, since he already has a job there and everything it would be easier and then after we lived there a while if we wanted to move to the USA then we would be coming over with a lot more money.

Another thing that would bother me is if we moved over there soon, then all the kids would go, and if we waited a few years I would feel bad for leaving some of the kids behind (the oldest two are 17 and 16 currently).

For the moment we will try to get Mark over here, maybe I will feel better about staying here when we have saved enough money for a downpayment and can buy a house. Either way would be ok for me. I am not overly close to my family so that isnt an issue. But thinking of how close England is to everything (other countries) seems wonderfully exciting. Maybe I have a bit of gypsy blood in me, or its my love of travel, but I would be 100% ok if we moved to the UK

Edited May 23, 2008 by BMJ

[Laura+Tom 2]

I'm moving to USA as my partner is in the US Air Force. I can't imagine staying in the UK whilst he's over there. Plus I have no future here. I still live with my parents and can't afford to move out, my job isn't really going anyway, I have a Forensics degree I can't use. I could go on lol.

[milwaukeegirl 0]

As the USC I lived in England for 2 years with my husband right after our wedding. As a painter and decorator he made really good money. More in 1 week than I made in a month in retail! My dream would have been to work in a British library, but I would have had to take numerous classes and go through extensive training. I wanted out of my inlaws house pronto- so I took a job in retail. I could not believe that I would only receive a paycheck once a month! The same day that our rent was due? We lived in Letchworth and paid 550 pounds a month. My husband was getting less and less jobs painting, so we knew that we needed to move to America. We just couldn't afford England. I wanted my own house, and I knew that was possible in America. Also my family is financially more supportive than his.

I'm thankful that I lived in England for 2 years because I was able to take frequent holidays to Italy, Cyprus, and Spain. I saw so much of England too. I really love how companies give their employees so much holiday. But really, if we had continued to live in England, we wouldn't be able to afford holidays anyway. The cost of living is just insane in my opinion. I mean really, a television tax? You've got to be kidding!!

[The Red Baron 0]

Cost of living is a huge factor for us, not that it helps living in Plymouth salaries arent comparable to cost of living due to the high rents because of tourism dont even think about trying to get on the rpoperty ladder its crazy.

Being able to potentially afford a starter house is a huge draw we would love to have our own place.

Someone said about there mum crying all the time. We recently found out that Joni's mum has been crying for the best part of the teo years we have been gone and is very unhappy without her around. Her family need her more than my family need me. Im one of four and Joni is one of two so we need to support them.

Also just general silly things weather different foods tall buildings pancakes for breakfast free refills . and like milwaukeegirl said less tax

[ginger1981 0]

Not that there aren't any in the US, but it seems to me the UK has a lot of ridiculous laws that seem to be almost overprotective of the citizenary.

For example, Nicky's uncle couldn't believe some of the clunker cars on the road. I guess there are certain standards for vehicles in the UK and if they don't meet them you have to junk it? Man, if that were true I think only 1 of the cars I've ever outright bought would have been ok enough to not junk right off!

That is just my opinion...I sometimes wish the US had a few more safety laws on the books but to me it seems the UK goes overboard in that way.

[Wuozopo 4,285]

I mean really, a television tax? You've got to be kidding!!

The television 'tax' is in fact a licence fee. Without kicking off a big debate, it actually pays for NON commercial televison (and radio). The British Broadcasting Corporation, aka the BBC, aka Aunty Beeb.

I think that actually may be one of the things I will really miss.

[Laura+Tom 2]

Not that there aren't any in the US, but it seems to me the UK has a lot of ridiculous laws that seem to be almost overprotective of the citizenary.

For example, Nicky's uncle couldn't believe some of the clunker cars on the road. I guess there are certain standards for vehicles in the UK and if they don't meet them you have to junk it? Man, if that were true I think only 1 of the cars I've ever outright bought would have been ok enough to not junk right off!

That is just my opinion...I sometimes wish the US had a few more safety laws on the books but to me it seems the UK goes overboard in that way.

You're talking about an MOT test. In my opinion they are essential for the safety of drivers, passenger and anyone else around. My first car was declared a danger to drive it at the MOT test I took it to. Shook me a bit to think I'd been driving it for 8 months in that state.

I mean really, a television tax? You've got to be kidding!!

The television 'tax' is in fact a licence fee. Without kicking off a big debate, it actually pays for NON commercial televison (and radio). The British Broadcasting Corporation, aka the BBC, aka Aunty Beeb.

I think that actually may be one of the things I will really miss.

I'll miss Cadbury's chocolate, custard creams, hob nobs, yorkshire pudding, the BBC, Radio 1 to name a few!

[psiprez 3]

WHAT I HAVE IN THE US:

1. residential custody of my two young kids

2. an ex who would never let me take the kids out of the country

2. a four-bedroom house full of all the furniture and housewares we could ever need

3. my mom and dad, and brother, who help out in any way they can

4. a crappy job

WHAT HE HAS IN THE UK:

1. no children or exes

2. a one-bedroom flat

3. both parents deceased, no siblings

4. a great job

So except for the job thing, it's a no brainer for us.