Did you make the Right Move Moving to the US ?

[Anastassia 0]

What an interesting subject !!!

My husband would never make the money he is making here in Poland I think.... Not that nobody there makes so much ... but he is having a very hard time learning Polish.....

I am having a hard time finding a job. I get an impression that people look down on me here because I am from Eastern Europe... I have all the office skills one can ask for and a good experience as an Office Manager in very well known international companies of American and British origin, speak 4 languages fluently, but when I apply for jobs, nobody even invites me for an interview

My father in law asked me recently if I would consider working in a liquor store .... so I guess this is where I belong according to local people .....

Health insurance is a pain in our household too. In Poland it's also free and not that bad once you get used to how yucky the hospitals are

I have been here for 7 months and still believe it was the right move... balancing all the pro's and contra

's for now ...

Time will show if it was really.

Ana

[tmacneill 0]

My wife and I are actually having a rather big problem "adjusting" to the U.S.

Our lawyer calls MY problem, reverse culture-shock (after living in the UK for over two years.)

Everyone has been speaking about their "standard of living" on this thread.

To be honest, Fiona and I were doing much better back in the UK. Of course, I'm unemployed at the 'mo, and Fiona CAN'T work here yet. But I don't know.

It's easier to "live" in Britain... No one over here is hiring me! I have a Masters, and I'm either "over-qualified" or NOT qualified for every position I've tried for!

Gah!

We're actually both looking for work on both sides of the pond, so... Who knows... I may not be here much longer!

(And that's after spending un-told amounts of money to get Fiona's status sorted.)

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I'm adjusting to returning after 10 years in the UK. I came back because someone decided to pay me about 50% more to do a job I really love (and certain family members won't be around for much longer), so money and standard of living certainly haven't fallen. I'm not sure which country works out to be less expensive, I think Americans kind of kid themselves when they talk about universal/nationalised healthcare meaning "high taxes" -- it seems like a false economy. When I add my taxes, with the cost of my healthcare premium/co-pays here in the US, I take home LESS as a percentage of my total gross income than in the UK (though I am making more money).

And as I've said a few times before, Southern Cali ain't that much cheaper than London, though you generally do get more for your money.

Main thing I question is giving up 5 weeks vacation entitlement............I'm not going to lie on my deathbed wishing I spent more time at work

[gaijin 0]

I'm the USC and I'm also adjusting to life back here in the US after living for 6 years in Japan. It hasn't been easy-I've definately experienced reverse culture shock and often wonder why I came back. The first 6 months were the worst. I had a great job in Japan-well paid, lots of vacation time, and the opportunity to travel in Asia. Here, while I managed to find a job in my field, I make 50% less than what I made in Japan, but I do have pretty good health care. My husband also makes alot less here-good thing we saved alot while we were both in Japan-otherwise we would never be able to afford to live here or save anything here.

[tmacneill 0]

What I'm actually asking is:

If my standard of living was better in the UK, and with a lack of a job over here in the US being a serious problem...

Would it be better for us to actually move BACK to the UK?

I know... This is a strange questions, especially since we've already applied for basically everything over here to get her a visa...

But people in this thread (and most others on visa-journey) seem to be having "some sort" of life in the US, that is better or just different than they had before... Whilst my wife and I seem to be really suffering over here in the US.

I don't know... Forgive my whinging.

-- T

[miranda 0]

The people I work with here in the US are sooooooooooooooooo much nicer than anyone I ever worked with in the UK. The attitude is better, my friends are nicer, the food is better, the weather is better, opportunities are greater and nothing can hold me back! woooo!

I agree about the weather and the food, relatively (what can be worse than pudding and acid rain? Just kidding please...) But for the rest, I'm not so sure. Brits may be colder than their Americans cousins, but not necessarily less friendly after all. At least if they like you, they mean it.

How long have you been living here?

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I've heard that a lot, and while I lov Britain, I wasn't always sure. People here do smile to your face and all that stuff, but that's a difference in culture etiquette. We're taught if you don't have anything nice to say (smile), don't say it at all. I know I feel that way. I may not like you, but I'm not going to be rude about it. I don't think Brits are that different. But that's just my individual experience.