Why the US?

[MelandDavid 0]

My SO and I decided rather easily to reside in the U.S. because I have two children from a previous marriage and moving the children to a different country would be quite an adjustment to say the least. I already own a large home to house all of us and have amazing medical benefits through my employer. On the other hand, the job situation would likely be easier the other way around since I am an RN and can be a nurse just about anywhere. His job does not have the transfer option so we will have the not so fun task of finding a job here. But networking goes a long way! So I am already working that angle. We are also trying to figure out if he should sell his home in England or if we should keep it and rent it. We have many discussions about all of this and I had to laugh when I read OnyxandInari's comment regarding wildlife! That was one of the first things my SO brought up when visiting the deep south for the first time. He wanted to know the odds of being bitten by a brown recluse or encountering a snake when walking through the yard. I have never encountered either of the these things in the 8 years I have lived in this part of the country so it is not something I think about! But apparently the UK is devoid of such nuisances.

[stringged 1]

Our reasoning was, get US citizenship first, then have freedom to choose. We want to serve overseas in missions, but the US will be our homebase, sort of speak.

[Lisamarie 79]

My husband is in Morocco. The culture there is very different, although I loved it there. But for me, it wouldn't matter what country he was in because I have four adult children (including triplets) and we are very close. It would be very difficult for me to live that far from them and not be able to see them a few times a year, and talk to them almost daily. He has always told me it's my choice, so that is my first choice, to live here:)

Would anyone want to share why they picked having their fiance come to the US rather than emigrating from the US to your fiance's country; especially those of you from England/UK with it's National Health and benefits system. My fiance has been asking himself this question and I don't have any good answers. I thought maybe someone who went through it and made the decision might have some good advice for him. Thanks!

[nickbits 43]

Money/work was my main reason. However, I'm not sure if that's working out.

Was in the hospital for two weeks, didn't understand my insurance at the time and now might be looking at a 60k bill. If that actually happens I will regret moving here.

[MochiKamo 93]

My husband is in Morocco. The culture there is very different, although I loved it there. But for me, it wouldn't matter what country he was in because I have four adult children (including triplets) and we are very close. It would be very difficult for me to live that far from them and not be able to see them a few times a year, and talk to them almost daily. He has always told me it's my choice, so that is my first choice, to live here:)

At first I contemplated moving to Japan but I think life is much less hectic in the US compared to Japan.My company has branches in Japan so I could apply for those jobs but language is a barrier for me and even then I don't think I could survive in the Japanese corporate environment.

For some countries, it's a no-brainer and you can even see some posts here that allude to the fact that moving to the US is considered to be a big fringe benefit of the whole K1 thing. But someone from the UK or Canada, or France or Japan or Germany, it's not so easy.

We decided that she will not get US Citizenship as we plan to stay in Japan for extended periods in the future.

Edit: Make no mistake though. If for whatever reason she could not come here, I would move to Japan in a heartbeat!

Edited January 26, 2011 by Yagisama

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

My wife is much closer to her family (which is HUGE) than I am to my family, so you'd think that the logical choice would have been for me to move to her country. The kicker is that half of her huge family already LIVES in the US!

Even though my family isn't big, my mother and daughter both live with me, and depend on me for support, so moving to my wife's country would have been a last resort. My mother could, if needed, live with my sister or brother, and my daughter is old enough though not quite financially stable enough to live on her own.

This is ignoring the other factors, like huge difference in standard of living, system of government, quality of health care, etc. The people in her country are generally great, but life is pretty hard there.

[LewisandAlena 0]

Our decision was a combination of school, work, and family. I'm still in college, and transferring isn't an option because I'm on a scholarship from my university. Lewis is a plumber, and although some things are a little different here, everyone everywhere needs a plumber.

The family was the tough part. We both have very close families, but he's said that he always sort of felt like he'd move away. We've discussed living in England later on, which as others have said, is a lot easier to do than starting there and moving here later.

That, and what he considers to be 'good' tea. Even when I buy him British tea, he complains that the milk isn't right here.

I hear ya. Lewis says our "British tea" is weak. And now he's got my dad addicted to the "real stuff."

[Damian&Kelly 16]

We're very young and my parents were more willing to let us live with them until we get on our feet. Neither of us really had a good job or our own place so we could have moved either way. We decided we'd rather raise our kids, when we have them, in Europe but would like to be done with immigration by then. So we're here first so he can get US citizenship and then off to England eventually. Though the longer we're here, the happier he is to be here.

[Hicham♥Sara 15]

We are chosing the United States because 1) I have two children one of which is a type 1 Diabetic, and even though expensive ( like her 7000 Insulin pump) the care is far better here in the United States. More concerns for the children is that they do not speak Arabic, whereas Hicham's English is pretty good And schooling for them would be a huge financial issue in Morocco for English speaking schools. Just in case you didn't know the families of people who work in the Embasy or Consulate office, pay a LOT for their private education. It's incredible. Morocco is a beautiful country, and places like Tanger, are booming. But, I am in college as a music major, and want to continue my education at VCU. Hicham is very supportive of my education so it is important to him to help me make that happen. I am very close to my friends and family too. He is close to his family of course but I am far more emotional and sensitive than he is and it would affect me much more to move away. Although we have had the imaginary talk of what if we were millionaires what would we do? After I finished school and work as a teacher, summers in Morocco!! It is amazing there. So how awesome would that be?! I would love to create and decorate a Moroccan home.... in Morocco!! Anyways, Those are the big reasons.

[Justine+David 218]

hubby made ~$25,000 a year at a job he didn't really like without great prospects for a job he would like, I make $75k a year at a job I adore...no contest! We will probably live in the UK for a few years after we have kids, but just to see Europe and the kids to get to know the culture and the grandparents...

[Liam and Kara 6]

It made more sense for me to move from Scotland to USA, Fiancee had been over a few times visiting but did not like the wind and rain and i think the harshness of the people, it's more cuddly in the South lol.

I had a good job but was living with family, where as Fiancee had just moved into new home and had steady job working as a nurse so had no problems with healthcare as all family is encluded.

We have the same discussions, about differences in culture, words, candy, etc etc i must admit i did not realise how big the culture difference would be but i am getting used to it as is my wife with me lol.

even working here is soooo different. the experience continues....i also think the milk is weak here, i also miss my Scottish pride bread and real bacon.

Edited January 26, 2011 by Liam and Kara

[Silk53 1]

It came down to one thing for us. My children. One will be turning 18 in March, so was not as worried about him, but my daughter is is only 15 and needs support. If it wasn't for them, we would probably stay in China. On my one trip I loved it and can't wait until I get back. I felt welcomed and like I fit in even though I do not speak Mandarin, but am very slowly learning. It all came down to my children

[Mithmeoi 29]

Work mainly, I have a job here that'll require me to travel back and forth from state to state and I don't HAVE to learn another language to be able to work. The health care was way cheaper over there, I will admit, but I enjoy it more here for climate (I love mountains) and just attitude of people in general. My hubby does as well. Though he does miss Belgium for a few things we don't have here and his family, he finds there are more ups than downs here.

Edited January 26, 2011 by Mithmeoi

[Chavonia 4]

Interesting thread. I must say that I was waiting for the opportunity to move outside the US so I thought I found my ticket when I met my husband. When it came time to decide to end the distance between us, I would have been very happy to move to the Dominican Republic! Life is beautiful there and so are the people. The food is good and organic (not organic to them because it's just normal food). His family is great! I am cool with my family but I can live without them. I could get a good job too. However, it's hotter than the devil's spit down there! My husband is an intermediate level computer program who was dreadfully underpaid. Also, his country is still developing so the quality of some things (like only drinking water from bottled water) requires patience and acceptance. I really was ok with moving there but he convinced me it's better to start our future on dollars instead of pesos. That made since so we decided to start our lives here. However, I will get my residency in his country and we will eventually have a home there too! When/if we have children, it's important for us to have them experience both of their cultures so a lot of back and forth. We for sue want to retire there...at least that is the plan now.

[haruko83 1]

First, I have a HUGE family here in NY, whereas Elena has only a cousin and and aunt in Russia.

Second, the standard of living here is much higher.

Third, Elena speaks fluent English, whereas my Russian is worse than Tarzan's English.

Pretty much the same reasons than A1422, just change Russia for Chile