Who is moving to the US now anyway?

[Pinball1921 4]

55K is poor? What? It's not rich but depending on where you live, it's not poverty. And I never went through metal detectors in school. The US is a big country and will have higher number of a lot of things. It doesn't mean it's dangerous or poor.

[SAT 9,609]

metal detectors cause kids to drop outta school?

[SAT 9,609]

and so....no one in Australia, Canada, some Asians countries, even south Americans countries make less than 55k a year? and is subject to violence and poverty? an ill education?

One must ask....is the queen of england immigrating to the USA? or is it more like........

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

(The New Colossus) It's really awe-inspiring when you read it at the foot of The Statue of Liberty......you should try it sometime...

[NikLR 13,220]

My other job in Canada was $27k a year. I was not poor. I rented, but I owned a car. I was able to afford food, and gifts for my daughter and husband on birthdays and xmas.

Skrew under 55K being in poverty.

[NikLR 13,220]

depends where you live obviously.

but hey... no one is making you stay

[Caryh 5,206]

metal detectors cause kids to drop outta school?

Oh sure, if they can't bring their gun, they're not going in.

[Caryh 5,206]

Well people, your points are noted and I understand those who left extreme hardship to move here. People have different measure of happiness in life and I still think some poor immigrants will try to cross the ocean heading to Spain tomorrow, chasing their "Spanish Dream".

People who live in well off countries such Australia, Canada, some Asians countries, even south Americans countries probably think twice before packing.

To christeen:

I understand your points but US is a giant ball of poverty ( half of US household earn less than $55000 a year), crime (almost 15,000 homicide in 2011 alone). In New York city, high school students have to go through metal detector every morning causing so many kids to drop out.

The world is not perfect people, and I guess I should be grateful of where I am. But thanks for your participation.

Estimated world GDP is $12,500. I'd say that $55,000 is a pretty damn good level, as its more than 4 times worldwide GDP.

The International Monetary Fund ranks the USA at number 6 in GDP per individual.

I'll say again, my wife came from a poor country and thought more than twice about coming, in fact she says she thought a million times before coming.

For someone who is coming here and bashing the USA, one has to wonder what kind of utopia you seem to think you live in? Is it Spain with its rank at 30 and $30,000 in GDP per capita?

Picking one location and making up stories how it causes drop out rates, to also give a fixed number without context or in relation to population, are disingenuous to honest debate at best. You can go to any country and pick out problem areas. But to extrapolate that problem to entire country is only deceiving yourself. Most Americans will never even see New York, let alone go to school there. Most Americans will never know someone who is murdered, let alone suffer that fate. 4.8 murders per 100,000 people, and a rate that has been steadily dropping. That less than 1 per 20,000 people, what do you think your chance is of even knowing someone who is murdered? Does it really get much better when its 1 in 40,000 or even 1 in 80,0000?

[SAT 9,609]

Spain unemployment rate is hovering around 25%

Hong Kong median income around 45k US. Price for 650 square foot flat in Kowloon, 1 million US....

Cary you take your wife to the Statue of Liberty !

[Caryh 5,206]

Spain unemployment rate is hovering around 25%

Hong Kong median income around 45k US. Price for 650 square foot flat in Kowloon, 1 million US....

Cary you take your wife to the Statue of Liberty !

I'm sure she'd love that, but her first trip will most likely be a visit back home to the Philippines. And she's not alone in that desire. I miss the place to, its been three years since I've been there. She's still working to establish permanent employment and earn vacation time. She's getting to the end of the 6 month temp to hire position and I expect she'll be hired. Last Monday when she was out for the first time, her boss sent an email to the team telling everyone they need to step it up because she'd be out that day, and she's a big producer for the team. There's only one other person in her department the boss will send out email like that for. If any of the others are out, its no big deal apparently.

[SAT 9,609]

Good for her. Maybe you can do like me. Split the trip in 2 legs

[Caryh 5,206]

Good for her. Maybe you can do like me. Split the trip in 2 legs

You kept it to the same continent though! I like to stay three weeks when I go. I think when I visit NY City for fun, it will be a visit of a few days on a road trip seeing a lot of the USA. Or at least the area between Minnesota and East Coast.

[SAT 9,609]

North America is in the same continent as the one you live in...

[Marilyn. 340]

my husband makes a little less then $55,000 a year and I don't consider us poor. We live about 40 minutes outside of Los Angeles.

We have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, two vehicles, various pieces of electronics and gadgets.. etc..

[Caryh 5,206]

North America is in the same continent as the one you live in...

Maybe so, but us Minnesotans don't like to admit it. Actually its a matter of time available for vacation and flight times. NY City to Manila is a good 6 hours longer. I did a flight that long once, and I swore to never do it again.

[Xanax 349]

I personally think $55,000 is not a lot to live on for 2+ people , but a lot of people disagree. It's all perspective.