Survey: Its recession, should I move to US or let fiance move to PHILS with me?

[gil-n-joy 1]

Just want a survey of opinions here... I'm currently in my K1 visa journey and just waiting for medical results and then interview in a few weeks..

QUESTION: How wise would it be to give up my job here in the Philippines and relocate to US during this time of recession?

I know people over there are losing jobs while over here I am assured of my tenure.

I am a civil engineer working for one of the govt agencies in the Phils in the line of water resources infrastructure development. Do you think I can get a decent job in the US?

My fiance is in Phoenix, AZ. He works as an indoor sales representative for an industrial motor company. Right now we are very open to the idea of just him moving over here to the Phils after getting married, get a business, and when things are better in US or if decides he likes it better over there, transfer back to the US with me using DCF visa application.

I hope I get different perspectives.. Thanks so much.. Gilbert, my fiance is saying Hi too..

Edited March 8, 2009 by giL & joy

[Niels Bohr 72]

Well, civil engineerings in the US are archaic profession. However, because of the new stimulus package for transportation infrastructures, they are coming out of their cave. There will be massive job growth for them.

[geezer 1]

Its usually good advice not to quit your old job before you find a new one. The job market is very bad in the USA almost across the board and is likely to stay bad for some time to come. Its likely that you living standard will also decline as civil engineering pays less than some of the other engineering diciplines. Also you may have fewer opportunities to find a job in the field here because you are a woman..even though discrimination is illegal it becomes more pronounced in a down job market

Living in the Philippines is not for everybody. I love living in the PI and go as often as possible for as long as possible but for other American's not so much..

In your situation I'd seriously consider having him move there, he could see how he likes it there and you could apply for jobs in the USA.

Edited March 8, 2009 by geezer

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It's a tough call. If I knew the economy was going to tank the way it did, I would have cashed out and gone to the Philippines. I have a friend who did that last year, and he is glad he did. His wife and kids are pissed, but they are getting over it. A lot depends on your and his finacial condition, as well as health and other issues. If you can afford it, then by all means, enjoy life in the Philippines. Mabuhay! If the economy turns back up, I will seriously consider that option for my wife and me.

[DEDixon 39]

You are near the beginning of the process so you have to get here and then get a green card so you are able to work legally. By the time you are able to work legally, people will likely be on their way back to work.

And don't forget doctors in the RP come to the US to be nurses so depending on your background, you might not quality for the same job here as you are doing in the RP. You might need to go to school again and get some job specific certifications before you are able to get a civil engineering job here. You need to do an honest assessment of your education and qualifications and research what employers are asking of job candidates.

[adiiann 163]

Just want a survey of opinions here... I'm currently in my K1 visa journey and just waiting for medical results and then interview in a few weeks..

QUESTION: How wise would it be to give up my job here in the Philippines and relocate to US during this time of recession?

I know people over there are losing jobs while over here I am assured of my tenure.

I am a civil engineer working for one of the govt agencies in the Phils in the line of water resources infrastructure development. Do you think I can get a decent job in the US?

My fiance is in Phoenix, AZ. He works as an indoor sales representative for an industrial motor company. Right now we are very open to the idea of just him moving over here to the Phils after getting married, get a business, and when things are better in US or if decides he likes it better over there, transfer back to the US with me using DCF visa application.

I hope I get different perspectives.. Thanks so much.. Gilbert, my fiance is saying Hi too..

For financial and health wise for me and fiance, it would be wise if I will be the one relocate than him. First, my fiance have health problem that is not suitable here in the Philippines and his medication is much cheaper in US. Second, my fiance is an electronics engineer, and he couldn't find a good job like what he have right now, here in the Philippines. I am afraid he will get frustrated here because he couldn't push through his hobby of designing circuits, and make a living out of it. Although, if he will relocate here, I can support him with my earnings. It's so hard for me to give up my job here, I am an engineer, working as energy trader and I am earning pretty good enough. But I am worried for my fiance's health more than anything.

I prepared already myself that what I am used here in the Philippines (spa every weekend, shopping every pay day, dining out most of the time, going out with my friends during Friday night), will not be the same when I get in US.

What I can say, maybe better weigh the advantages of your decisions, for both of you.

Edited March 9, 2009 by adiiann

[Mike's Lucy 14]

I' m worried the same thing. I'm an engineering grad and working in Japan, my visa is until 2011 and after 2011 I can file for a permanent residence visa. I am now in the Philippines to gather things that I will be needing for the interview. Just worried that I can't work right away. I want to help my future husband and plus the fact that I want to send money to my family. Good thing that my fiance's work is stable (he works in a university).

Just praying that this economic crisis will be over soon.

[tallcoolone 102]

If you can make it over in PI, and live a life that is comfortable to both of you, then I would stay in PI.

[gil-n-joy 1]

thanks so much everybody for taking time to share ur opinions.. i am still undecided about everything. this is indeed a hard decision... but what happens in the next few weeks will tell what we will be pursuing..

cheers to everyone!

[tallcoolone 102]

Don't belive this Recession talk you keep hearing from the media

Only parts of the US are in recession

Other parts are going strong

[gil-n-joy 1]

Don't belive this Recession talk you keep hearing from the media

Only parts of the US are in recession

Other parts are going strong

really? as far as I know also the health and education sectors are not affected.. so I am also considering finding a career in teaching.. I'm not into hard-core engineering too (like designing and construction).. My line of work is more on government policies, planning, and I have had teaching experiences.. So I was thinking I might be able to break through the industry even if it's recession.. My fiance meanwhile welcomes the idea of transferring to the Phils so we dont really have problems on either options.. Maybe the bottom line is where there is more opportunity to to find financial freedom.

[britbird 4]

Don't belive this Recession talk you keep hearing from the media

Only parts of the US are in recession

Other parts are going strong

really? as far as I know also the health and education sectors are not affected.. so I am also considering finding a career in teaching.. I'm not into hard-core engineering too (like designing and construction).. My line of work is more on government policies, planning, and I have had teaching experiences.. So I was thinking I might be able to break through the industry even if it's recession.. My fiance meanwhile welcomes the idea of transferring to the Phils so we dont really have problems on either options.. Maybe the bottom line is where there is more opportunity to to find financial freedom.

That's a tricky one...most of the universities have seen their endowments fall by a large amount. Many are not giving pay raises this year and are cutting hiring.

I'm not sure what the situation is at high schools etc. though some states have hiring freezes there also because their budgets are so out of whack.

One thing you could do while you are waiting on your immigration stuff is to apply to have your current qualifications evaluated...this might give you some idea of what you can convert them to in the US.

[L179 1]

Don't belive this Recession talk you keep hearing from the media

Only parts of the US are in recession

Other parts are going strong

really? as far as I know also the health and education sectors are not affected.. so I am also considering finding a career in teaching.. I'm not into hard-core engineering too (like designing and construction).. My line of work is more on government policies, planning, and I have had teaching experiences.. So I was thinking I might be able to break through the industry even if it's recession.. My fiance meanwhile welcomes the idea of transferring to the Phils so we dont really have problems on either options.. Maybe the bottom line is where there is more opportunity to to find financial freedom.

That's a tricky one...most of the universities have seen their endowments fall by a large amount. Many are not giving pay raises this year and are cutting hiring.

I'm not sure what the situation is at high schools etc. though some states have hiring freezes there also because their budgets are so out of whack.

One thing you could do while you are waiting on your immigration stuff is to apply to have your current qualifications evaluated...this might give you some idea of what you can convert them to in the US.

My hubby and I have been debating the same situation, but what I told him is that we will start at base one no matter when! If we move now, we might not find a decent job to our experience however, an odd job that should make ends meet. If not, as a green card holder, he can always go to school there and some education to enhance his skills and get certified with American standards. Secondly, if we continue to live in our home country, then when and if there is a job opportunity open in the USA, how will he know about it? and how will he make it there? A good job will not wait for someone? So why not move there and struggle today along with the rest of the country so we can at least get use to living there while the economy stabilizes as well as get exposed in the job market. so we have decided to move to the US...as far as luxuries go, we decided we can survive on bread and butter till things look good for us!

[almaty 19]

most of america job market is effect by the recession..unless you are a drug dealer..

[gil-n-joy 1]

Don't belive this Recession talk you keep hearing from the media

Only parts of the US are in recession

Other parts are going strong

really? as far as I know also the health and education sectors are not affected.. so I am also considering finding a career in teaching.. I'm not into hard-core engineering too (like designing and construction).. My line of work is more on government policies, planning, and I have had teaching experiences.. So I was thinking I might be able to break through the industry even if it's recession.. My fiance meanwhile welcomes the idea of transferring to the Phils so we dont really have problems on either options.. Maybe the bottom line is where there is more opportunity to to find financial freedom.

That's a tricky one...most of the universities have seen their endowments fall by a large amount. Many are not giving pay raises this year and are cutting hiring.

I'm not sure what the situation is at high schools etc. though some states have hiring freezes there also because their budgets are so out of whack.

One thing you could do while you are waiting on your immigration stuff is to apply to have your current qualifications evaluated...this might give you some idea of what you can convert them to in the US.

My hubby and I have been debating the same situation, but what I told him is that we will start at base one no matter when! If we move now, we might not find a decent job to our experience however, an odd job that should make ends meet. If not, as a green card holder, he can always go to school there and some education to enhance his skills and get certified with American standards. Secondly, if we continue to live in our home country, then when and if there is a job opportunity open in the USA, how will he know about it? and how will he make it there? A good job will not wait for someone? So why not move there and struggle today along with the rest of the country so we can at least get use to living there while the economy stabilizes as well as get exposed in the job market. so we have decided to move to the US...as far as luxuries go, we decided we can survive on bread and butter till things look good for us!

That's a good point. Until the recession subsides I was also thinking of earning more credentials which would be very useful when the market is open again.