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jeszy

Where should we live?

By jeszy in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

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jeszy Explorer

jeszy   38

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Hungary
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Hi everyone, 

 

We are in a special situation since we live on the Island of Guam and planning on moving to somewhere cheaper to live in the mainland. This tiny island feels really isolated. Our diplomas are in the IT and Accounting field and hopefully we can find a job quite fast anywhere with those qualifications. We are looking to buy a house rather than renting so we are looking for for some affordable options (ideally below $150k). Definitely somewhere near by a bigger city. Please help to find a nice place for us since this country is huge and frankly we don't even know where to start looking.

 

What do you think is a good, safe, affordable place to live in the mainland?

Should I worry about anything if I would move somewhere as a green card holder?

 

Thank you for your opinions!

Daniel

 

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onek Proficient

onek   306

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4 hours ago, jeszy said:

Hi everyone, 

 

We are in a special situation since we live on the Island of Guam and planning on moving to somewhere cheaper to live in the mainland. This tiny island feels really isolated. Our diplomas are in the IT and Accounting field and hopefully we can find a job quite fast anywhere with those qualifications. We are looking to buy a house rather than renting so we are looking for for some affordable options (ideally below $150k). Definitely somewhere near by a bigger city. Please help to find a nice place for us since this country is huge and frankly we don't even know where to start looking.

 

What do you think is a good, safe, affordable place to live in the mainland?

Should I worry about anything if I would move somewhere as a green card holder?

 

Thank you for your opinions!

Daniel

 

It all depends on where you end up finding a job and how much salary are you getting. In major cities, you have more chances of finding a job and they pay more, but cost of living is more expensive which means expensive house. With coronavirus and record number of unemployment, my focus would definitely be finding a job first regardless of where you find it instead of focusing on an area where your options would be limited.

04/21/20: IR-5 Submitted Online 

04/21/20: NOA1 Issued online

04/27/20: NOA1 Received via postal mail from Texas Service Center

04/27/20: Touched

04/28/20: Case Transferred to California Service Center

05/14/20: Touched 

05/15/20: Touched 

07/01/20: Touched

07/06/20: Touched 

07/06/20: RFE Issued (not available online)

07/16/20: RFE Received in Mail

07/20/20: DNA Done in USA

08/09/20: RFE Partial Response Submitted Online

08/26/20: RFE Partial Response Submitted via mail

09/01/20: Touched

10/28/21: DNA test results Received by USCIS

11/12/21: NOA2

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Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   43,386

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
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I would imagine with that price point many States would be ineligible, certainly Colorado would.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   39,152

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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Average home price by state:

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/average-home-prices-in-every-state-washington-dc-2019-6

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

August 7, 2022: Wife filed N-400 Online under 5 year rule.

November 10, 2022: Received "Interview is scheduled" letter.

December 12, 2022:  Received email from Dallas office informing me (spouse) to be there for combo interview.

December 14, 2022: Combo Interview for I-751 and N-400 Conducted.

January 26, 2023: Wife's Oath Ceremony completed at the Plano Event Center, Plano, Texas!!!😁

February 6, 2023: Wife's Passport Application submitted in Dallas, Texas.

March 21, 2023:   Wife's Passport Delivered!!!!

May 15, 2023 (about):  Naturalization Certificate returned from Passport agency!!

 

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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NikLR Grand Master

NikLR   13,220

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
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Posted (edited)

As mentioned you can certainly buy a cheaper home, but chances of having a good job there may be slim.  In the Denver metro area i think you can buy a small appt or a mobile home for that price in some questionable neighbourhoods. But some places may have larger apartments for that or even detached houses.  Find the area, look for jobs, see if you can afford.

 

After 4 years my husband was happy to move from Guam but he does miss the weather and golfing. 

Edited by NikLR

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,004

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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Posted

Look around Texas.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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SalishSea Grand Master

SalishSea   16,737

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: New Zealand
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That price for a house rules out the entire West Coast.  Depending on your IT background, you may be able to land a job with a substantial salary though.  My son had multiple 6-figure job offers after graduating with a CS degree in 2018.  I am not sure, going forward, how COVID will impact the industry.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Letspaintcookies Experienced

Letspaintcookies   2,198

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Germany
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Gulf Coast Mississippi. Weather similar to Guam, cheap houses, awesome food and almost no jobs. Wait the last one is not a pro 😉

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Lil bear Experienced

Lil bear   3,831

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
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37 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

Gulf Coast Mississippi. Weather similar to Guam, cheap houses, awesome food and almost no jobs. Wait the last one is not a pro 😉

3 out of 4 counts though ? Right ??

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Just Paul Veteran

Just Paul   4,591

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
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Posted

Get an RV.  A nice RV.  Then you can go anywhere.

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

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Letspaintcookies Experienced

Letspaintcookies   2,198

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Germany
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15 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

3 out of 4 counts though ? Right ??

Absolutely 😂 it's all about priorities

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,004

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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Posted
1 hour ago, Lil bear said:

3 out of 4 counts though ? Right ??

Unless 4 out of 3 people are bad at math, and we're at least one of them.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Lil bear Experienced

Lil bear   3,831

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
 Timeline
Posted
15 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Unless 4 out of 3 people are bad at math, and we're at least one of them.

And I’m supposed to trust you to calculate the discount on my POTS order !! 😱

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,004

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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Posted

You still get the full 0.0000001% off, LB ma'am!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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