anadian Marrying American Citizen - What are our options?

[Yellowhead 12]

My boyfriend and I met over the summer last year in the USA. We know that we want to spend the rest of our lives together and intend on getting married very soon.

After we get married, we are hoping to applying for me to become a US Resident. We do not wish to go the K-1 route, because of the conditions placed on travel.

Some general information about our situation:

- not yet married, planning on marrying in the next 4-5 months

- He was born in the USA

- He is a student part-time and he works full time in retail management.

- I was born in Canada

- I am a student in Canada with government student loan debt.

- We currently live apart, but visit each other monthly. I have kept all documentation of this. We currently do not share any utility bills and do not have joint accounts as I am living in Canada. (Not sure if that is even possible because of us living in different countries).

- I wish to move to California when I finish college in June 2010. I want to work in the USA as soon as possible after I move.

- The closest US Embassy/Consulate to me is Vancouver, British Columbia.

Not sure if any more information is needed. If it is, let me know and I will indulge you I am seeking information about our options and what the cost/timeframe would be for each option. So far we have narrowed it down (in our opinions...) to the I-130 option - waiting for the whole thing to process, or doing the K-3 option. I would like to be able to travel home to visit family when I please.

Any information is appreciated.

Heather