What made you decide to bring your fiance/spouse/etc. to the U.S. instead of relocating to his/her native country?

[rebeccajo 14]

Well, the streets here aren't paved with gold but the North Peckham estate is one of the most soul-destroying places in Britain. I think living in a council house isn't as rosy as you are suggesting.

And yes, I agree. People in the UK can live as well as Americans. I know this because I've done it and I generally agree that things could be better there on the lower end of the salary scale, particularly because one doesn't have to worry so much about healthcare. But everyone's experience can be different depending on where in the country they are living and where in America they are comparing it to.

Oh well sure. You can get along a lot better on $15K a year where I live vs. New York City. Just like trying to do the same in London vs. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Anyway, my whole 'point' (if there was one) is that I really don't believe two poorly paid people (and that was the wording used) in the US can live better than one well paid person in the UK. I just don't believe that because I've seen how the truly 'poorly paid' live in the United States. No matter where in America they are. A couple of poorly paid people (who by my calculations would earn a maximum of $30K per year) would have a hard time making it in my town. Mind you, where I live there is no shame in living in a house trailer, or driving a ten year old car. Such an 'imaginary' couple would still have a hard time having anything extra beyond the groceries and gasoline.

That same couple couldn't even afford to take a breath in New York City.

And that was my only 'flabbergast' with the comment.

[Marilyn. 340]

well, we live in the LA area and we make about $30,000 a year... hubby makes 99% of that.... and we have excellent health insurance ...

we live in a nice big apartment, the neighborhood isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst either.. and the low rent kind of makes up for it... an apartment this size in another part of town probbaly would be 200 to 500 dollars more a month..

we also have two cars.. they aren't new .. they are both over 10 years old but both still work reasonable well...

we eat out a few times a week...

by no means to I feel that I am missing out on things.....

I doubt though that most people couldn't live like we do.... I try and save us money wherever I can and I don't mind buying my clothes from discounts stores etc....

[A & R 0]

I was born and raised in India, however been living here for over 10 years. Life in India is great however just too hectic, you never get peace and quiet like you do here. Everyday you have lot's of people that will come over to visit you and then expect to be fed and entertained. I like it here, you get "your space"

Money is always an added bonus.

I think that when we are retired I would love for us to go back, when you have time to entertain all day.

[rebeccajo 14]

well, we live in the LA area and we make about $30,000 a year... hubby makes 99% of that.... and we have excellent health insurance ...

we live in a nice big apartment, the neighborhood isn't the greatest but it isn't the worst either.. and the low rent kind of makes up for it... an apartment this size in another part of town probbaly would be 200 to 500 dollars more a month..

we also have two cars.. they aren't new .. they are both over 10 years old but both still work reasonable well...

we eat out a few times a week...

by no means to I feel that I am missing out on things.....

I doubt though that most people couldn't live like we do.... I try and save us money wherever I can and I don't mind buying my clothes from discounts stores etc....

That's the income from ONE person, Marilyn.

When two people work, certain expenses go up exponentially. Transportation of both of them to work; appropriate clothing for work; daycare (if there are children). There is usually less cooking done at home because of schedules, so food prices go up.

TWO people both going out to work each day earning a total of $30K between them would probably have less disposable income than you and your husband do.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Well, the streets here aren't paved with gold but the North Peckham estate is one of the most soul-destroying places in Britain. I think living in a council house isn't as rosy as you are suggesting.

And yes, I agree. People in the UK can live as well as Americans. I know this because I've done it and I generally agree that things could be better there on the lower end of the salary scale, particularly because one doesn't have to worry so much about healthcare. But everyone's experience can be different depending on where in the country they are living and where in America they are comparing it to.

Oh well sure. You can get along a lot better on $15K a year where I live vs. New York City. Just like trying to do the same in London vs. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Umm you mean Derry, right? Londonderry is a mistake someone made in the 1600's, but it was just a mix-up don't ya know.

[rebeccajo 14]

Well, the streets here aren't paved with gold but the North Peckham estate is one of the most soul-destroying places in Britain. I think living in a council house isn't as rosy as you are suggesting.

And yes, I agree. People in the UK can live as well as Americans. I know this because I've done it and I generally agree that things could be better there on the lower end of the salary scale, particularly because one doesn't have to worry so much about healthcare. But everyone's experience can be different depending on where in the country they are living and where in America they are comparing it to.

Oh well sure. You can get along a lot better on $15K a year where I live vs. New York City. Just like trying to do the same in London vs. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Umm you mean Derry, right? Londonderry is a mistake someone made in the 1600's, but it was just a mix-up don't ya know.

You mean Stroke City, don't you?

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

Well, the streets here aren't paved with gold but the North Peckham estate is one of the most soul-destroying places in Britain. I think living in a council house isn't as rosy as you are suggesting.

And yes, I agree. People in the UK can live as well as Americans. I know this because I've done it and I generally agree that things could be better there on the lower end of the salary scale, particularly because one doesn't have to worry so much about healthcare. But everyone's experience can be different depending on where in the country they are living and where in America they are comparing it to.

Oh well sure. You can get along a lot better on $15K a year where I live vs. New York City. Just like trying to do the same in London vs. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Umm you mean Derry, right? Londonderry is a mistake someone made in the 1600's, but it was just a mix-up don't ya know.

You mean Stroke City, don't you?

Nope, I mean Derry. I will also accept Doire (but then you'd REALLY be pi$ing off your husband)

[forever_green 0]

I'd rather drive a cab in New York City than go live in India.

Seriously? Understand work/financial aspect, but anything else? I am curious.

Life in India is much harder than here. Day to day stuff.

Okay. Because I find it that in Indonesia, some day to day stuff are actually easier if you have access to good paying job. Yes, I would rather drive a cab in US than drive a cab in Indonesia for sure.

Maybe Indonesia isn't as corrupt. I see India on those 'top 10 corrupt country' lists all the time (with Pakistan, various African countries), I don't recall seeing Indonesia on it.

Indonesia is the most corrupt if you ask me

Ahh, obviously you have not been to the Philippines......

[tom&tata 2]

I'd rather drive a cab in New York City than go live in India.

Seriously? Understand work/financial aspect, but anything else? I am curious.

Life in India is much harder than here. Day to day stuff.

Okay. Because I find it that in Indonesia, some day to day stuff are actually easier if you have access to good paying job. Yes, I would rather drive a cab in US than drive a cab in Indonesia for sure.

Maybe Indonesia isn't as corrupt. I see India on those 'top 10 corrupt country' lists all the time (with Pakistan, various African countries), I don't recall seeing Indonesia on it.

Indonesia is the most corrupt if you ask me

Ahh, obviously you have not been to the Philippines......

Only as visitor for 3 weeks. I am sure it is not that much different from Indonesia.

[rebeccajo 14]

Well, the streets here aren't paved with gold but the North Peckham estate is one of the most soul-destroying places in Britain. I think living in a council house isn't as rosy as you are suggesting.

And yes, I agree. People in the UK can live as well as Americans. I know this because I've done it and I generally agree that things could be better there on the lower end of the salary scale, particularly because one doesn't have to worry so much about healthcare. But everyone's experience can be different depending on where in the country they are living and where in America they are comparing it to.

Oh well sure. You can get along a lot better on $15K a year where I live vs. New York City. Just like trying to do the same in London vs. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Umm you mean Derry, right? Londonderry is a mistake someone made in the 1600's, but it was just a mix-up don't ya know.

You mean Stroke City, don't you?

Nope, I mean Derry. I will also accept Doire (but then you'd REALLY be pi$ing off your husband)

My husband doesn't care that much one way or the other. But in his growing up household, they did call her Londonderry.

[KikuyuLove 0]

In the near term, we decided that America has the best opportunities for her and I own several businesses here already. We do plan to explore moving to Kenya after 5 years when will have saved enough to build a house and base a business or two there (assuming the political and economic climate improves). Its very expensive to live a semi-western lifestyle in Kenya so I have to come up with a way to earn a good living there to make it work for us.

I saw a lot of opportunity there but the government is just too heavy handed on tariffs (100+%) and taxes to even consider getting my capital equipment (and household goods) into the country to setup shop or any other business. The markets are waiting to be created in the region for all types of products but of course income levels are generally low right now and that makes it more difficult to have a reasonable timeframe of recouping setup costs before we go broke. Perhaps we will just build vacation houses to support her uncle's safari business or something?

Edited February 19, 2009 by KikuyuLove

[GS4EVER 0]

I read that 90% of all accidents occur within 10 miles of home, so I wanted to get her away from there as soon as possible, si man.

Good one! lol For us, it's b/c my job in the US is more secure (as of now anyways- nobody knows what the future holds for us USCs in this economy ) than his and financially more settled here than there. I grew up in my husband's home country and the political situation was unstable throughout our chidlhood. The country endured 14 years of civil war and as a result the economy is shot. Always more opportunities here. No wonder most people want to immigrate to the US and fulfill their American Dream

[clairehair 0]

We did both! He lived in my country first and didn't like it and then we moved to the US. I am British.

[KitEEgirl 0]

I (the USC) have a good job here and own a home. My husband lived at home with his parents and the employment opportunities for me over in Germany, weren't great. I also don't speak the language and his degree is recognized here. Plus the cost of living in Germany is too high....

[o0pink0o 3]

I love Philippines and I believe that my husband loves the Philippines too but we both decided to just live here in the US because of his source of income. My husband is a nurse and he gets paid well here in the US compare to what he will get in the PH. Edited March 8, 2009 by o0pink0o