Moving to Florida - Orlando Forums

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 20:07:45

We moved ahd a a wondeful time but we had to move back as we had problems with health insurance. If you are considering moving the following advice is good:

Whatever budget you dome up with double it.
If purchasing a business do not uinder any circumstances a hand over any money (not even a deposit) until your visa is granted.
Do strict due dilligence.
If yo have anyone with health issues, forget it, insurance is very expensive and pre existing conditions are near impossible to cover.
To have a reasonable standard of living and enjoy yourself, look for an income of no less than $100,000 (assuming yo are mortgaging out there). If yo have kids going to college, take furtehr advice it is not cheap.

quote:
Originally posted by Sueb
Hi,
I just wondered if anyone had any good stories about moving from Britain to Florida, and how they had made it work for them?

Its something my family and I would like to do, but everywhere we turn or look there just seems to be bad stories.

I look forward to your replies.

Thanks in advance.

Sue

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 20:53:11

We live on way under $100.000 and I think I have an above avenge standard of living for the USA....

We've had our ups and down...but for the most part we would never have had the life we have now in the UK...

Roger & Carolyn
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roger

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 20:55:54

I've only been here 6 weeks so hard to give a long term view. So far we are very happy but we did a lot of research before we came.

What I have found is that if you look at forums on the subject you tend to only hear the problems as that is often the reason those people are on the forum. What you must remember is that for every person with a problem there are probably many more people with no major problems.

I have met a lot of people (before coming over to live and lots since arriving). Nearly everyone I know here on visas are more than happy and would not go back unless their visa renewals are not approved.

A lot of it depends on the visa situation rather than general problems living here. We steered well clear of an visa type that meant investing any money (e.g. the E2 visa) as we tend to be of the opinion that most of the businesses up for sale are not as good as they first appear! A business owner here selling a geniune good company would usually rather sell to someone already here in a position to buy quickly rather than to someone buying to get a visa, where there can be many months lead time.

We were fortunate to get over here on an L1 initally since we have the UK based company that is continuing to run while I am over here. If you have a business in the UK that can function after you move to the USA then I'm sure this is best route. It is currently also easier to get a Green Card from an L1 visa compared to some other visas.

As many people have said before though, the cost of living here is higher than most people think, but if you have the money then I'm sure the way of life is better.

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 22:20:37

I was reffering to people moving over there now, you have been there for years and well settled. A mortgage and taxes on a half decent 4/5 bed home in Florida will be around $30 k a year. Dont forget new folks dont get the good mortgage rates as they have no credit.
Roger gives good advice, generally you will only here the bad stories as the contented and succsesful ones will not be just that. It is great place to run a business and if you work hard you will earn money. You really need your wits about you and not have to rely on others for help. If I could I would be back in flash, we have even talked about me going over on my own, but this is not really an option. I know one thing for sure, although it went wrong for us, we have no regrets other than having to leave fairly quickly and thus letting a few folks down in the process (beyond our control). Given time, there was so much more we could have done. We know a few who had to move back but this was always due to them messing up visa applications or trying to make it work while waiting for a visa. We know many more who are well settled and very content.

quote:
Originally posted by chrizzy100
We live on way under $100.000 and I think I have an above avenge standard of living for the USA....

We've had our ups and down...but for the most part we would never have had the life we have now in the UK...

Edited by - florida4sun on 24 Jun 2007 22:29:30

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 22:43:23

Well not really I have two homes and up until a few weeks ago two home loans...I use one house to pay off the other and then look around for a new house...so I always carry the same amount of loan as most people would if the just moved over..I have not only FL taxes and Ins but also MA ones as well...the only thing I may get cheaper being here so long is car Ins...and I get a rebate for good credit for home Ins in FL...

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 23:19:03

Ok I give up my experience was different yours. I still recommend a gross income of $100k if buying buy decent property and wanting enjoy yourself (3 or 4 decent vacations per year mooching around teh USA, nice cars etc etc). There is no point doing it without.

quote:
Originally posted by chrizzy100
Well not really I have two homes and up until a few weeks ago two home loans...I use one house to pay off the other and then look around for a new house...so I always carry the same amount of loan as most people would if the just moved over..I have not only FL taxes and Ins but also MA ones as well...the only thing I may get cheaper being here so long is car Ins...and I get a rebate for good credit for home Ins in FL...

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Posted - 24 Jun 2007 : 23:28:39

One bit of advice I would give anyone coming here on a visa where their kids can't work is start a college fund in the UK even if the thought of moving over is a long way in the future..you'll need the money for the kids in the UK anyway..plan in the amount you'll need for school fees before buying a big new house or SUV....if your kids can work let them work for their own college fee's...

Robert5988

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 10:01:35

I don't think many people aspiring to move to Florida appreciate the huge, and continuing, cost of adequate medical insurance.

Without adequate insurance, medical costs can financially cripple families.

anorak

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 10:19:41

My sister-in-law works a 21 hour a week job for very low pay just so she gets medical insurance for the family, not all jobs include it though, and of course not everyone can get an employed position.

esprit

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 12:57:11

I was there for going on four years and really enjoyed it. My teenage son also really took to the lifestyle, in general kids love it there and do well in their system. I had to leave due to legal technicalities with my visa but would like to go back but now have to apply from scratch. I know many people who are happy over there and do well and others who are not, reasons for unhappiness are missing family, becoming landlocked due to the huge delays and problems with visa issue in London and not being able to visit family and friends, business not panning out as thought and visa problems, visa problems, visa problems particularly with renewals. To be frank you have to run a business to renew a visa not to make a profit and that galls, especially when it doesnt work and you dont get renewed for some reason and you realise how much money you spent on offices you dont need and didnt want and staff you dont need and didnt want!! With a green card, I would have been as happy as Larry. But if you are going the E2 route, you have to realise that you may be there for the short term not the long term and enjoy it while you can and if it doesnt work out treat it as an experience. That is easier done without kids, with kids you are putting them into US education and teaching them to enjoy a lifestyle which you may not be able to sustain for them.

The cost of living certainly isnt cheap but the low income tax does level it out a little. I would say on $100,000 a year you could live very well, the embassy like to see $70,000 and you can live on that OK. The difficult bit is finding a business which is not only kosher but also that you will enjoy and will also carry you through a visa and renewals, now that isnt easy. If you have a job they need and can find sponsorship from an employer over there that is by far the best way to get in.

There are a lot of horrors stories on the forums. There are bad people about who will take all your money off you if you let them and people have lost their shirts and their life savings trying to buy into the dream. Do your research, avoid "schemes", use an immigration attorney who you have a number of references for, get two accountants to look at any business, dont use any professional who is associated with the broker for the business or the seller and only put any money into escrow with a respectable attorney and with all paperwork regarding refund if the visa isnt issued in place. And dont buy any business just because it is in Florida, if you wouldnt want to run it or it wouldnt be making enough money for the investment if it were in Skegness, then just because it is in Orlando doesnt make it any more feasable.

Julie

Edited by - esprit on 25 Jun 2007 13:22:01

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 13:50:24

quote:
Originally posted by Robert5988
I don't think many people aspiring to move to Florida appreciate the huge, and continuing, cost of adequate medical insurance.

Without adequate insurance, medical costs can financially cripple families.

Move to MA...everyone here has to have Healthcare this year...you can walk into any hospital and they have to see you and they can't make you pay up if you have no money....if you can't afford healthcare they fine you $1700 when you do your taxes..cheap as chips if you think about it...

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 14:01:50

How does this help those moving to Florida?

quote:
Move to MA...everyone here has to have Healthcare this year...you can walk into any hospital and they have to see you and they can't make you pay up if you have no money....if you can't afford healthcare they fine you $1700 when you do your taxes..cheap as chips if you think about it...

Edited by - florida4sun on 25 Jun 2007 14:02:28

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 14:44:14

quote:
Originally posted by florida4sun
Ok I give up my experience was different yours. I still recommend a gross income of $100k if buying buy decent property and wanting enjoy yourself (3 or 4 decent vacations per year mooching around teh USA, nice cars etc etc). There is no point doing it without.

quote:
Originally posted by chrizzy100
Well not really I have two homes and up until a few weeks ago two home loans...I use one house to pay off the other and then look around for a new house...so I always carry the same amount of loan as most people would if the just moved over..I have not only FL taxes and Ins but also MA ones as well...the only thing I may get cheaper being here so long is car Ins...and I get a rebate for good credit for home Ins in FL...

Well I have all those things...and like I say well under $100.000 a year..

I don't think we should give the idea that you'll end up living in a slum if you don't bring in a high wage...in FL that is untrue...the cost of living there is higher then a few years ago...and I'm one of the first to tell people to make sure they have min of $60k a year...so you can take those holidays and buy those cars ...if that kind of thing is important to you...to many it may not be top of their list...a lower wage than $100k can give you a fair to good standard of living ...I know it does to the many people I know living in FL right now...a lot being Brits new to the area...

I am taking it for granted that people are not stupid enough to make such a big move on a shoe string...which we kinda did...and I don't rec it much...but in 7 years we've done more than good...even if it did come with a lot of knocks...

Edited by - chrizzy100 on 25 Jun 2007 15:36:47

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 14:46:39

quote:
Originally posted by florida4sun
How does this help those moving to Florida?
quote:
Move to MA...everyone here has to have Healthcare this year...you can walk into any hospital and they have to see you and they can't make you pay up if you have no money....if you can't afford healthcare they fine you $1700 when you do your taxes..cheap as chips if you think about it...

It was not said to help people move to FL..it was in answer to something Robert said...

caroline

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 15:48:54

quote:
Originally posted by florida4sun
Ok I give up

LOL

I have no experience of living in Florida but just the mortgage, taxes, utilities etc on a 4 bed property + knowing how much it costs to buy groceries and eat out makes me think it's unlikely that I'd want to have an income of less than you're suggesting Martin - maybe it's different for people without kids or those that don't want to enjoy the finer things in life

- maybe you should cut back on those lovely Sosa cigars and the vintage champagne

Caroline & Dave
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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 16:18:07

But Caroline...I also own a 4 bed in FL...and one in MA...I eat out...go on about 5 holidays a year..own 2 cars..I have double every bill that most people have because I own 2 homes...we still have 2 kids at home plus a grandchild...and I even find money left over to buy groceries...and we do have an income less then $100k..by more than the odd few thousand..and I live full time in one of the more expensive place in the USA...maybe Sosa cigars and vintage champagne are well over priced..and you need that extra income to support the habit..

The more money the better...but you can live on less and not in a double wide and living on coupons...

Edited by - chrizzy100 on 25 Jun 2007 16:20:19

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 17:11:46

Getting back to Sue's question...there are a lot of bad stories out there..but many good ones...they just don't get to the forums...which mostly draw people with problems....people are happy in the USA for the most part..even on starvation wages..

If people had no worries about renewing their visa's...I think many more people would be very very happy here...

If your family really wants some helpful advice about moving I could IM you some sites about moving to the USA ...full of people who have moved here on all incomes and visa's...you can get a lot of good up to date info...

Its not good to be short of money in the USA...but don't be put off by the figures given...
If you are coming over on a visa like the E2 you could have extra expence...like trips back to the UK to renew...
whatever amount of money you think you'll need to move over double it...if you don't get that right you will need a bigger income...
Remember you'll have not credit rating so deposits are needed for a lot of things...

DON'T do this big move on a shoe string...I can't say this enough...
And DON'T let others put you off..just remember sometime you'll get told things you don't want to hear..don't take it to heart...in the end only you know what you and your family can do...

caroline

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Posted - 25 Jun 2007 : 21:18:44

quote:
Originally posted by chrizzy100
But Caroline...I also own a 4 bed in FL...and one in MA...I eat out...go on about 5 holidays a year..own 2 cars..I have double every bill that most people have because I own 2 homes...we still have 2 kids at home plus a grandchild...and I even find money left over to buy groceries...and we do have an income less then $100k..by more than the odd few thousand..and I live full time in one of the more expensive place in the USA...maybe Sosa cigars and vintage champagne are well over priced..and you need that extra income to support the habit..

The more money the better...but you can live on less and not in a double wide and living on coupons...

Well I take my hat off to you Chrizzy, I know for a fact my budgeting skills wouldn't allow me to do all the things you do on such a small amount - maybe you've got a money tree at the bottom of your garden

Caroline & Dave
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flyrr100

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Posted - 29 Jun 2007 : 18:35:46

I have to agree with Martin. To have a good quality of life here, assuming you have a mortgage, $100k is the minimum you'll need as an income. Health care, Insurance, taxes will all eat away at your stash. Two cars, with insurance, will take a large lump.
I earn $120k and my Amy makes around $50k. We save around $1000 a month for retirement. (Remember, no state pension here). Three kids means three college funds. (Want a scare, look into college fees in Florida) And still end up with little disposal income.
Chrizzy is correct though about looking further afield than Florida. The Carolinas are lovely. Even Texas has some cool seaside towns. And of course there's 'Out West!' Look into Northern California. Or even Oregon or Washington State.

Jeff & Amy Stephens