moving to Florida ....still (well trying anyway)

[imported_n/a]

[quote]Originally posted by andybliss
Sorry GBCHELLE , But how long has it been since you left ?????
not sure you would want to come back too quickly, unless theres family involved.
shame they dont do a swap scheme where we could swap houses and jobs ect !
Andy.

Hi ANDY
Arrived in the go old USA in 95.Guess i know what your about to say as we try to get back every year.I see the changes and its always different on holiday.Maybe the perfect job would be 6 months winter in florida and the summer on the uk.

[Nicjmc]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Hi there all,
Ok, I can see that the question has been asked a few times but my family and i are looking to move to the orlando area from the uk asap, we are tired and fed up with uk life and need to get ourselves to "the land of the free"
I am a 39 year old retail manager with tons of retail and direct sales experience, my wife is 36 and my kids are 3 and 11, looking thru the imigration details it looks like my only hope of entry is via sponsership from a us company but what i do can't really be considered as rocket science and could certainly be done by countless americans so where does that leave me ?
Any help would be truly apreciated even if it is "dont do it" lol
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
Andy.
[/quote]




Hi Andy
we had the same idea as you so my husband did some research on US companies that had a record of sponsoring Uk citizens.He then applied to several of these companies,got a job,12 months later enquired about a sponsorship and 3 months later with one son and 2 dogs we moved out here.2 years later we received our green cards.The company paid all of our moving expenses plus the fees for the green card.He is trained as an accountant with the appropriate qualifications but has no degree.I never thought anything of this process until coming across this site a few months ago and realizing how hard it is for many people to get into the US if ever at all.I am in NO way saying that any of the advice is incorrect,but I know for a fact that had I read this site first,our big idea would have been knocked on the head in 10 minutes flat and we would probably still be living in sunny old Luton so although I am so grateful I found this site in time for our recent villa purchase in Florida,I am doubly grateful I didn`t come across it a few years back[msneek]

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nicjmc
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
Hi there all,
Ok, I can see that the question has been asked a few times but my family and i are looking to move to the orlando area from the uk asap, we are tired and fed up with uk life and need to get ourselves to "the land of the free"
I am a 39 year old retail manager with tons of retail and direct sales experience, my wife is 36 and my kids are 3 and 11, looking thru the imigration details it looks like my only hope of entry is via sponsership from a us company but what i do can't really be considered as rocket science and could certainly be done by countless americans so where does that leave me ?
Any help would be truly apreciated even if it is "dont do it" lol
Thanks in advance for your help and advise
Andy.
[/quote]




Hi Andy
we had the same idea as you so my husband did some research on US companies that had a record of sponsoring Uk citizens.He then applied to several of these companies,got a job,12 months later enquired about a sponsorship and 3 months later with one son and 2 dogs we moved out here.2 years later we received our green cards.The company paid all of our moving expenses plus the fees for the green card.He is trained as an accountant with the appropriate qualifications but has no degree.I never thought anything of this process until coming across this site a few months ago and realizing how hard it is for many people to get into the US if ever at all.I am in NO way saying that any of the advice is incorrect,but I know for a fact that had I read this site first,our big idea would have been knocked on the head in 10 minutes flat and we would probably still be living in sunny old Luton so although I am so grateful I found this site in time for our recent villa purchase in Florida,I am doubly grateful I didn`t come across it a few years back[msneek]
[/quote]

I think we all say that sometimes someone gets lucky.....I know we did.....but the sad fact is.....not a lot of people get that lucky...my husband has no degree....and he never got his job offer because he worked for the same company in the UK....we had people telling us for years we'd never get here......if someone real wants to come to the USA....they will try everything before giving up...nothing anyone says to them on this forum will put them off if they really wants to move over.......I spent an hour or so talking to Andy....trying to think of ways to give help and info.....and leads.....he took the time to look me up elsewhere....which to me means his heart and soul is really into this.....I for one will not make it sound like its an easy road......its not.....it would be heartbreaking to people if we made it seem very easy.....and for them to find out the hard way that its not....its best they know its hard ...because I'm sure they will carry on looking if they truly want it bad enough no matter how gray a picture we paint.......[msnsmile][msnsmile]

[Nicjmc]

Chrizzy,I have to disagree.As I said previously,had I read this forum I would have thought it an impossibility to move to the states and therefore would not have taken the matter any further.I`m not disagreeing that the process may be more difficult for other people,but what I`m trying to say is that from our point of view it was possible and also for the approx 100 other Uk couples/families that were sponsored by the same firm over the 3 years that my husband worked for them.

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nicjmc
Chrizzy,I have to disagree.As I said previously,had I read this forum I would have thought it an impossibility to move to the states and therefore would not have taken the matter any further.I`m not disagreeing that the process may be more difficult for other people,but what I`m trying to say is that from our point of view it was possible and also for the approx 100 other Uk couples/families that were sponsored by the same firm over the 3 years that my husband worked for them.
[/quote]

But you have to remember Andy is in retail...now first off...could he get a job in England with your husbands company with his retail background...a job that would lead to a sponsership for the USA....??.. if not ...what shops in England have shops in the USA that will sponser him if he wants to take the same route you did.....then the next step is getting a job with that company... in his local area...he may not want to move his kids out of school to many times.....then will this job offer lead to a move to the States....if so...does he have the talents needed to get the USA job offer.....the ball keep rolling on if and buts....because it was an easy road for us....I don't want to give people the idea its going to be easy for everyone....not everyone is in the right job......right company....right city....what works for one person....may not work for others..and I see what you're saying about giving hope..I do try to put in a hopeful note....never say never.....

[andybliss]

hi nicjmc and thanks for your encoragement, while i value all of the advise that is coming in to this post i think it is important to see a light at the end of the tunnel, some hope that what you want to do more than anything at this time has a chance of sucsess.
equaly as important are the facts of how when if ect... overall a balance is acheived which gives hope whilst planting you firmly in reality.
Keep em coming boys and girls, as well as getting good advise and encoragement, ............. i enjoy this forum lark !
Andy

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andybliss
hi nicjmc and thanks for your encoragement, while i value all of the advise that is coming in to this post i think it is important to see a light at the end of the tunnel, some hope that what you want to do more than anything at this time has a chance of sucsess.
equaly as important are the facts of how when if ect... overall a balance is acheived which gives hope whilst planting you firmly in reality.
Keep em coming boys and girls, as well as getting good advise and encoragement, ............. i enjoy this forum lark !
Andy
[/quote]

I remember being told by some kind person how easier it would be for us to move to Canada at one time......after year of trying to get there it was very upsetting having to drop the idea.......we were told we'd never get to the USA...and here we are.......but.......my husband has a job thats in great demand most of the time.......that makes a great difference......its a pity we don't have more people here that made it after trying for a long time...with only a little hope...their input would be very welcome.......

[andybliss]

Hi All,
I have another question, from some people i have spoken to they say that once you have been in the country for 5 years you can apply to become an american citizen, surely that would then make you a part of the usa and afford you the same rights to work ect as us nationals?
Andy

[esprit]

You can apply for citizenship five years after getting a green card not five years after enetering the US. It can take four years to get the green card.

Getting a job with a UK company specifically because they have a record of sending people to the US and then being one of those selected a shrt time later, well yes some people are lucky. No one on here is telling people it is impossible to get here, I did it and am here, what we are saying is it isnt easy and it isnt. Especially for those without specialist skills. Not everyone can get a job with the sort fo company you mention, not everyone is in requuired occupation. I would say Andy could go and work with UK WalMart but with little chance of beinh transferred out to run a WalMart here because to be frabk they have enough WalMart managers of their own.

Andy, living here is a lot more difficult than it looks. Land of the free it isnt, they are strangled with bureaucracy here to the extent that you sometimes feel you are banging your head against a brick wall and want to scream. It is a standing joke here that you cannot go to the toilet without a license!! The expense of things like car insurance and health insurance are things you are unprepared for. I do think it is a healthier environment for kids, as Chrizzy said. Mine has settled down and totally enjoyed his experience of high school.
Be prepared though for the long hours and short holidays ( where did Easter go? I didnt see any Easter, everyone was at work me included). There is no safety net here which makes you feel exposed. Seeing very old people working in supermarkets or propped up in toll booths is common. But you can afford a decent house here and the sunshine is nice. I didnt have a sniffle all winter this year.

[andybliss]

Also, i've heard a lot about no being able to transfer your credit rating from uk to usa and having to start again, for me this is one of the appeals as i have some indescresions i wish to leave behind, how would i go about building a new rating in the states, would it be a good idea to open a bank acc b4 i go there and maybe take out an american credit card ?
Your help and advise would be welcomed as usual,
Thanks.
Andy