I am a freelancer, how can I move to the USA?

[chnst 6]

ok, ok I see. I didn't mean to start "anything".

well it looks like the green-card lottery would be her only option then. What are the chances of winning it? does anyone know?

[GiGii 4]

I don't know, but seems kind of odd to me, to have someone with an established business pushing sooo bad to want to be in the US. If you have a business, can take it everywhere with you, Florida is essentially the same weather as most of Italy, are you after only the super friendship of Americans?

As someone already mentioned, our economy sucks, our dollar devalued, our gas skyrocketed, I mean its like heaven here j/k.

Sarcasm aside, no green card or visa is transferable. To be honest, I think you are wasting your time with an immigration attorney, unless you have an employer lined up to get your husband perhaps on one (and you to accompany). But then its the employer that files the paperwork, not you.

[daphne2109 0]

Dear Stefania, as most of the people mentioned already this is a website based on family visas, and the journey to get the visa in order to come here, and also once you are here, takes you alot of energies and time of yours. It's a very stressing process, and I believe that only if you love your soulmate so bad you can go through all this journey. It hasn't been easy for any of us, and thank God there is this website so at least any of us doesn't feel alone, all of us are in the same boat.

Although I always loved US, I used to spend sometimes here to study or on vacation, as Italian, after 2 years living here, I must say that there are not so many special things about USA.

I've been realizing for example that the medical situation if you are in Europe or in Canada is much better. Here in USA, if you don't have a good job, or you lose your job, it is sucks, because you are not covered by ANY medical insurance. That means that if you don't have enough money it's worse than over there, the gas price is getting bad every day, the living cost is not better than Europe, so I really don't understand what's so special about USA lately.

I know Florida very very well, because I lived there for 1 year, long time ago, and I do understand what you mean. The weather is nice, but there are some other places down there very pretty, where they do speak english, so if you love so much the weather in Florida, why don't you try to move to Bermuda, Cayman Islands or Bahamas? The weather is still good over there, and it's probably easier to live there since it's not US territory.

I don't get it, I'm so sorry, why if you love US, you don't try to go to NYC, where you might have the opportunity, instead of wanting so bad to move just where the weather is so nice?

The only reason I'm here is because of my husband who is also my soulmate, my best friend and everything for me, but if it wasn't for him I would have been in Italy at this time. Maybe you love US because you have spent sometimes here, and you love the life style. I used to believe that way too. And although I do still love US, I don't see in it a big deal. Italy is so pretty too, and I miss it so much, every day, especially the food. Only when you are away from something or someone you start appreciate it, instead of criticizing it or hating it.

I wish you good luck,

[Gemmie 142]

Many people I know have visited the US and said that they would like to live there... I'm wondering if they're only seeing the fantasy side of it. Nice weather, big houses, friendly people... they don't have to experience the medical insurance, the bad weather, poor economy, everything so commercialised, no vacation time, etc. It's not like it is in the movies all the time. I would sooner move somewhere else in Europe where the pressure is a lot lower and my family will be raised in comfort.

I also find it amusing when they say things like "I would move over in a heartbeat if I didn't have X in the UK"... I just think to myself "no you wouldn't, because you don't realise how difficult it is!" There's not even a visa available to them if they don't have family there or don't have a decent skilled job to transfer, which is all of them. Even my boss wants to move to the US, he's a qualified chef and has been manager for years... there's not really anything he can do to move though because it would mean getting an employer to sponsor him and his family for a work permit... and that just has little chance of happening!

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

[The thread starter has spent years building her own business, which she can continue with wherever she lives. But she couldn't continue with it if she had to take a full-time job other than her current work to live in the US. Therefore, working for the UN isn't a viable option for her.

Thank you, Vanee,

You could not have explained it any better!!!

Stefania

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

I don't know, but seems kind of odd to me, to have someone with an established business pushing sooo bad to want to be in the US. If you have a business, can take it everywhere with you, Florida is essentially the same weather as most of Italy, are you after only the super friendship of Americans?

NO, IT'S NOT!!! I live in northern Italy and we have basically two seasons: very hot (but it only lasts a couple of months) or very cold. We used to have spring and fall but those temperatures are becoming rarer and rarer.

And by the way, do you think that the nice weather is the only reason why I want to move to the US, and especially Florida? That would be ridicolous... As I have already said, it's the lifestyle and the mindset - I feel much closer to you than to Italians.

As someone already mentioned, our economy sucks, our dollar devalued, our gas skyrocketed, I mean its like heaven here j/k.

Sure, that's all I have heard in the three weeks that I have just spent in the US. But guess what? I work for European companies and I gain in EUROS. Does that tell you something?

Oh, and last but not least, gas in Italy costs twice as much as in the US. We pay approx. 1.5 Euros per litre. Not to mention energy and gas prices, and food and basically EVERYTHING else.

Stefania

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

Many people I know have visited the US and said that they would like to live there... I'm wondering if they're only seeing the fantasy side of it.

I don't know about the others, but this does not apply to me. I have lived one whole year in the US as an exchange student a few years ago, and I never - NEVER, not for a single split second - missed "bella Italia".

I am not as naive as some of you may think. This could be the most important decision in my life and I am not taking it lightly. I'll keep on trying to find ways to move. After all, should I realize that I made a mistake, I will still be an Italian citizen and I could move back whenever I want to.

Stefania

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

[Dear Stefania, as most of the people mentioned already this is a website based on family visas...]

Yes Daphne,

I know and I apologize for posting my message here. I was googling here and there in search of a place where people could help me and I found this forum, but I didn't immediately realize that it was one based on family visas... That was a mistake I made but, at the same time, I am not minding "chatting" with you all and I thank you for the time you are taking to read and take part in this thread.

[Although I always loved US, I used to spend sometimes here to study or on vacation, as Italian, after 2 years living here, I must say that there are not so many special things about USA.]

Well, we all have different opinions and this is the way it's supposed to be, otherwise the world would be so boring!

[i've been realizing for example that the medical situation if you are in Europe or in Canada is much better. Here in USA, if you don't have a good job, or you lose your job, it is sucks, because you are not covered by ANY medical insurance.]

This way people will think that healthcare in Italy is free. It's everything BUT free! I pay 23% (yes, you read it right) of my income to INPS (National Health Insurance) and that is A LOT OF MONEY!!! And what for? Many hospitals are dirty, some treat you for things you don't have and don't treat you for the issues you do have, some surgeons "forget" surgical tools in your body after surgery, and on and on and on. Of course, not everything is bad but my point is: I DO pay for my healthcare! Plus, I could afford to pay for a medical insurance in the US, I make enough money for that and so much more.

As for losing jobs in the US, I read just a few days ago (on Time Magazine) that unemployment in the US is barely 5.7%, which is nothing compared to Europe. And during my recent trip to the US I saw so many "Now hiring" signs everywhere... I think being unemployed in the US is just an excuse. You may not immediately get the same job level that you just lost, but in the meantime, as you keep on looking, you can still do something else to keep paying your bills. Here in Italy, if you happen to lose your job when you are, say, over 40, that's it, forget about getting another one - you are too "old" and young, inexperienced people cost much less.

[...the gas price is getting bad every day, the living cost is not better than Europe, so I really don't understand what's so special about USA lately.]

Again, we pay double the price for gas as you guys pay. Please do not complain! And the cost of living is MUCH better (i.e. cheaper) than in Europe or, at least, in Italy. I have made careful comparisons, I am not making anything up, and I know several people who know both situations very well who agree with me.

[i know Florida very very well, because I lived there for 1 year, long time ago, and I do understand what you mean. The weather is nice, but there are some other places down there very pretty, where they do speak english...]

I don't get this. If you are referring to the fact that lots of Spanish is spoken in the Miami area, well it's not like that everywhere. The town where I want to move is Melbourne, on the Space Coast, in Central Florida, where ONLY English is spoken and signs in the stores are not bilingual like in Miami...

[i wish you good luck, ]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Stefania

[Gemmie 142]

As for losing jobs in the US, I read just a few days ago (on Time Magazine) that unemployment in the US is barely 5.7%, which is nothing compared to Europe. And during my recent trip to the US I saw so many "Now hiring" signs everywhere... I think being unemployed in the US is just an excuse. You may not immediately get the same job level that you just lost, but in the meantime, as you keep on looking, you can still do something else to keep paying your bills

There's the naivety I speak of.

Just an excuse? Have you seen the thread in this forum about immigrants and even US citizens struggling to find jobs?

My fiancee (American) has been looking for a stable full-time job for about 2 years. He's a college graduate and works freelance and/or partime based on the experience he has. Everywhere that claims to be hiring (those signs that you're seeing) are much much stricter now than they were in the past... the most recent job he went for, he had to wait through 2 months of interviews and applications and decision-making. And you're lucky if you get a call back! Because the US is in a depression, people are being let go and employers are very careful about who and when they hire.

I wish you luck in finding a way to the US, though I don't know what else to tell you.

[chnst 6]

I The town where I want to move is Melbourne, on the Space Coast, in Central Florida, where ONLY English is spoken and signs in the stores are not bilingual like in Miami...

[HighwayStar 0]

Guys, as an Italian who can't wait to leave here, I can tell you Stefania is not lying. Italy has a chronic unemployment problem, and things have got worse and worse over they years. Our salaries are amongst the lowest in Europe, and once you have a job, it's like being in jail - if you leave it, you won't be able to find another. With rare exceptions, people can spend even 2 years looking for a job, even with a college degree (which in Italy is not really worth a lot). We are having a recession too, and prices are skyrocketing (btw, gas costs almost three times as much here, and cars are much more expensive - one of the reasons why I don't drive).

Anyway, unlike Stefania, I have no 'illusions' about the US - through my fiancé, my visits and, of course, other people's experiences, I have got quite a clear idea of what to expect. In the past, whenever I thought about leaving Italy, I thought about another European country. I lived in Finland for almost 6 years, and I missed Italy only during the first two or three months. Then I met Michael, and this is when I started considering a move to the US. The reason why I am moving is that it would be very difficult for him to find a job there, especially with his not speaking Italian, and he has to pay child support to three kids.

On a side note, though, I'd NEVER want to move to Florida. I am a cold weather person, believe it or not.... Anyway, even if I am aware of the US's shortcomings (and I think that this visa process should be proof enough for anyone), I am willing to give them a try, and to have them become my new home. Italy is a beautiful country indeed, but life here is not what it used to be, and at any rate I've never felt particularly at home there... It does happen that another country may be more compatible with someone's personality. That said, we should all be aware that NO place is perfect, and that idealising a country may be dangerous, because it exposes us to disappointment.

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

Dear HighwayStar,

You have made some excellent points and I am all the more happier because you are Italian and you can testify that what I have been trying to say is true. Actually, so much more could be added but it would take ages to write everything about Italy's situation!

[Anyway, unlike Stefania, I have no 'illusions' about the US - through my fiancé, my visits and, of course, other people's experiences, I have got quite a clear idea of what to expect.]

Well, I would not speak about "illusions". I know what to expect, too, and I don't mind. I have already said that I know both strong and weak sides of the US, and that I am aware that there is no heaven on earth. Actually, I could go even further by saying that there are certain things about the US that I don't like AT ALL, not to mention certain attitudes and behaviours of a few categories of people (but I will NOT go into detail here). Nevertheless, I fell in love with this country and its greatness (in all senses) when I was a teenager, well before going to live there for one whole year, and this love has never decreased in all these years. On the contrary, the more I go and spend time there, and the more I see myself living there and NOT living here.

Another thing that I love is that America is so green! This color is everywhere (OK, less in New Mexico or in that area of the US...), with public parks and gardens, ponds, squirrels and ducks... Even sidewalks have green in them. As a nature lover, I just love this. And I miss it here so much.

[it does happen that another country may be more compatible with someone's personality.]

Yes, that's exactly right.

[That said, we should all be aware that NO place is perfect, and that idealising a country may be dangerous, because it exposes us to disappointment.]

Absolutely right, too. This is not my case, though, as explained above.

You all have a great week-end!

Stefania

[vanee 13]

Another thing that I love is that America is so green! This color is everywhere (OK, less in New Mexico or in that area of the US...), with public parks and gardens, ponds, squirrels and ducks... Even sidewalks have green in them. As a nature lover, I just love this. And I miss it here so much.

If the US doesn't work out for you, I think you would love the West Coast, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands area of British Columbia, Canada. It has lots of nature, it doesn't get very cold in the winter, and it isn't far to travel to the US whenever you want to visit. And Canada has some advantages of its own.

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

Another thing that I love is that America is so green! This color is everywhere (OK, less in New Mexico or in that area of the US...), with public parks and gardens, ponds, squirrels and ducks... Even sidewalks have green in them. As a nature lover, I just love this. And I miss it here so much.

If the US doesn't work out for you, I think you would love the West Coast, Vancouver Island, and Gulf Islands area of British Columbia, Canada. It has lots of nature, it doesn't get very cold in the winter, and it isn't far to travel to the US whenever you want to visit. And Canada has some advantages of its own.

Thank you Vanee,

I am sure that Canada - all of it - is a beautiful country and its natural landscapes are simply majestic! However, I have heard that immigrating there is as difficult as in the US, though! But in any case, I'd rather live in a place that's hot 12 months a year! For some of you this may sound crazy, but I just love the sun, brightness and clear skies, what can I do?

Ciao!

Stefania

[AlHayatZween 2]

What about Transperfect Translations?

They may hire international staff... i realize you already have a client base, but perhaps you could incorporate working for them as well... And they would probably give you insurance, which is imperative because health insurance costs for the self-employed (freelancers) are extremely high... (i know 'cuz i was one until recently...)

Google them. i believe they have offices in major cities across the US.