New to the board

[MicheleUS & JohnUK 0]

Thanks Rebecca!

[Fatty 0]

It's not really an offical playgroup as such. We're just a bunch of mums and dads with young kids we are/intend to homeschool. We get together at the Ballerup Community center and have a chat while the kids play with toys and socialise with each other.

2-3 weeks sounds better. Thanks for the info. I was wondering if Scotland would be faster. I think they process it at Stirling?

We'll be moving to Maine initially. It's right at the very North of Maine and it's awesome there. Wild Moose wandering past the window while you're eating dinner round the table etc. Very beautiful. Very snowy though.

And eventually settling, hopefully, in Iowa.

I can't wait to get started. I especially can't wait to be close to my brother again. He moved across there in August 2000 and I miss him so badly. He's been here every year to visit, but it'll be great to not have to say goodbye to him anymore.

You said you found someone who filed in July and has an interview in October?! That's awesome. Very encouraging. Where did you see that?

[meauxna 15]

hi there UKers!

Just jumping in to let you know that a DCF/locally filed I-130 case should take a *total* of 3-4 months from petition-->visa in the UK. Don't wait too long to pack!

Tip: we shipped bulky/heavy things by regular post---investigate 'book rate' or 'printed materials' for sending books on the slow (cheap) boat.

Best wishes & happy travels!

[MicheleUS & JohnUK 0]

meauxna,

If I have to get a container anyway, think it's still worth sending books on a slow boat?

Michele

[meauxna 15]

meauxna,

If I have to get a container anyway, think it's still worth sending books on a slow boat?

Michele

Nope, if you're going to containerize, send bloody rocks if you like---container charges are by volume, not weight. But, think long and hard about the container cost, which isn't so much just for the sea part, but the land shipping can be the killer.

We live on the West Coast, so we would've had to ship it overland across the whole country--it just did not come up to 'worth it' for us after we really really thought about our 'stuff' (and to be fair, I already had a house full of 'stuff' here).

We were going to bring the motorcycle, some big art, the down sofa.. and then we just had to sit down and set out what was worth it to us. Barring furniture, you may find other ways to send your goodies (air frieght isn't even all that bad--we use it from Nepal sometimes for business, and even for heavy but small things from Indonesia).

If you can find a freight expediter that works with individuals, you can container share (don't have to book the whole box), but again, the overland frieght can be scary.

Since you guys are into freecycle, do be sure to check out craigslist as well. They're up & running in the UK, tho I don't know about the quality, but it is a great way to hit the ground running on this side of the move too. I just rented to an ex-expat guy I found there--he and his Japanese wife had just moved to the US & he was glad that I understand the lack of US credit history etc.

[globetrotter 0]

check out www.excessbaggage.com as well for shipping. You definately want tofile through the direct consular route - read up on that through the guides link at the top of this page.

Good luck!!

Maggie