gaijin

Having trouble here replying to individual posts....sorry. Can you tell I don't post often.

As far as immigrants coming to the US-the people I know and work are refugees who had no choice but to come here and were resettled in Vermont. Many people DO move to cheaper parts of the country or to be with family members elsewhere.

It has nothing to do with money and education either. Both the UK and AUS have a generous welfare system yet nothing changes there either. I find the more money you hand out the less likely certain people are to get up and change. Whereas you would be amazed what people will do when they are starving to survive. Welfare is excellent for people who will use it to better their lives but is disastrous if someone becomes comfortable and doesn't bother to get off it.

Unfortunately what they usually do is kill and steal, nothing to be amazed about.

Correct

True, which is why Section 8 exists, right? To make rents affordable.

I hardly ever post here anymore, but this post has prompted me to log in and type. There seems to be a lot of misinformation and steretyping about those who receive Section 8 housing. Sure there can be abuse, but this program has also been the thing that has kept many families off the streets. I live in northern Vermont and work with a large number of recently arrived immigrants and refugees. Housing is scarce and expensive in our city-rents for 2 bedroom apartments often start at 1200 not including utilities and heat. Its a college town and there are plenty of students who have parents who pay their rent. People who have families and are working at a job that pays 10 dollars an hour can not pay these rents-in fact, in order to have a liveable wage for this city, as a single person, you need to be making at least 13.50 an hour. Many people I know who live in Section 8 apartments, or who have Section 8 vouchers ARE working-and working 2nd and 3rd shifts-and multiple jobs-but just can not afford housing and all the other bills. There is a 2 year waiting list here just to get a Section 8 voucher-and in the meantime, the working poor and lower middle class are getting squeezed even more. This program is a lifesaver for many-and gives them the breathing room to learn job skills, go to school, study English, get a better job and move up and move on.

And for those who afraid of "affordable housing" in their neighborhoods-affordable housing here is considered to be housing that has a selling price of 250,000. What a joke-who is that affortable to? Certainly not those making 10$ an hour-or even 12 or 15.

Anyway-just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth-the issue is much more complex and requires more than just sterotyping about poor people.

Hi James,

Could you also add us to the list? We mailed our application to the VSC on 12-17-07, received the NOA1 on 12-28-07, and had the biometrics appointment on 2-7-08. Thanks so much!!

My husband had his biometics appointment this morning in St. Albans, and just our luck, we got almost a foot of snow last night and this morning. The appointment was early-8:00-so we were up early too-ready for a slow, treacherous drive north to St. Albans. Nothing stops for immigration.

But, the drive wasn't too bad, it only took us an extra 20 minutes (we only live 30 minutes south of St. Albans). We were the only ones there, they had to wait for us to finish filling out the form, and we were in and out in 20 minutes.

Now we wait.

Good luck to all.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It sounds like we should include a couple of affadavits-so I better get moving. I will ask a good friend who came to our wedding, and will ask my parents. Thanks for helping me decide. I can't wait until all this is over....no more immigration for 10 years.

Hi all,

Just wondering how many people out there sent in the affadavits? Are they really optional as some information suggests? My husband's green card expires on January 25, 2008, so we are a little late in sending in our paperwork. I guess I'm just feeling lazy and don't feel like asking people to write a letter-I just want to send this thing in to the VSC in the next couple days.

Our other evidence is the title to our house with both our names on it, joint checking and savings accounts, health insurance cards with both our names on them, joint credit card, 2 years of joint tax returns, electric bill with both our names on it, some photos.

Alot of other things are in my name only, I'm the USC-like car and house insurance, the mortgage (husband had no credit history before), other utility bills, we both have separate 401ks.

Are we just asking for trouble if we don't send the affadavits, especially since we don't have that much time left?

Thanks for your advice.

Gaijin

I'm an English as a Second Language teacher. I taught in Japan for a long time, but now am back in Vermont and managed to find a job teaching ESL to recently arrived refugees and immigrants. It's really interesting and rewarding.

Hi,

We just bought a house, and were only able to finance it because we had over 20% as a down payment and I had a very good credit score (high 700's) My husband, the non-USC, had no credit history in the US and his income could not qualify on the mortgage-its all based on my income, and credit history. My job here doesn't pay very well, but because we bought a duplex and will be renting out the upper floor of our house, that rental income was counted in with my income, allowing us to be approved for a bigger loan, and buy the house we wanted. Luckily it all worked out, and we are now homeowners (and landlords!)

Congratulations on the house purchase!! I'm happy to hear everything is going well for you.

We also just bought a house-had the closing on Friday!! Its a little scary, but very exciting too-we've been thinking of how to renovate and what color for the walls. The previous owners used some very bright colors-lime green, lavender, light orange, royal blue....it actually looks better than you might think-but I want to get rid of the lavender in the kitchen, but I'm not sure what to change it to yet. I've seen some rooms painted in a reddish-orange color-it looks pretty good, but depends on the room I guess. I like sage greens too...well happy painting!!

I'm the USC and I'm also adjusting to life back here in the US after living for 6 years in Japan. It hasn't been easy-I've definately experienced reverse culture shock and often wonder why I came back. The first 6 months were the worst. I had a great job in Japan-well paid, lots of vacation time, and the opportunity to travel in Asia. Here, while I managed to find a job in my field, I make 50% less than what I made in Japan, but I do have pretty good health care. My husband also makes alot less here-good thing we saved alot while we were both in Japan-otherwise we would never be able to afford to live here or save anything here.