Who is moving to the US now anyway?

[Protocol417 161]

I personally think $55,000 is not a lot to live on for 2+ people , but a lot of people disagree. It's all perspective.

I agree, it's not a lot for two people. In my area (suburban Chicago), you can live on a combined income of $55K. Although you likely wouldn't be saving much for retirement, and god forbid you get sick, it's hardly poor.

That said, the grass is always greener on the other side. I think my SO was drawn by the big city (the cities in the UK, even London, just don't compare) and the (relatively) exciting community of which I'm a part. I didn't think I would enjoy living in northern England (was convinced of it), so we decided to live here. Then I went and stayed with him for a bit, and absolutely fell in love with the quaintness, beauty, and simplicity of it all.

One part of it was that I ended up having to go to A&E while I was visiting in London. After that, I felt so much safer in the UK than I do in the US. Even though I have insurance, being sick would still have a major financial impact for us.

So now, both of us want to live in the other's country ​

Our plan is to live in the US for a little bit, but we're certainly not staying here. Like you, we will probably move back in about five years. The social safety nets in the UK are a major reason for that decision.

[olsan3 8]

Being a Nigerian i can tell you that life is more balanced out in America..

The distance between the upper class and the lower class was insane..you could either be earning $100k+ a year or be on the "less than $1" There was literally no middle class at a point.

The middle class is currently growing at 7% a year and people are still scrambling to get out.

At the end of the day, everyone would probably move back to their home countries.. but that day is not today.

[Xanax 349]

Being a Nigerian i can tell you that life is more balanced out in America..

The distance between the upper class and the lower class was insane..you could either be earning $100k+ a year or be on the "less than $1" There was literally no middle class at a point.

The middle class is currently growing at 7% a year and people are still scrambling to get out.

At the end of the day, everyone would probably move back to their home countries.. but that day is not today.

Yes, we do have to admit the US is much better than some other countries re: socioeconomic divide.

[camden 20]

Interesting discussion.

[LucidSofia 59]

I would have moved to the U.S at some point even if I hadn't met my husband.

For my field, the jobs pay more in the U.S, at the same time as you have less taxes to pay, and everything is cheaper!! I compared salaries in the U.S to Spain and Great Britain and the differences are pretty big.

[SAT 9,609]

Reasons in pictures.....

Edited August 31, 2013 by SteveAndTiff

[SAT 9,609]

[olsan3 8]

Interesting discussion.

Indeed.

[Ozz777 23]

Well people, your points are noted and I understand those who left extreme hardship to move here. People have different measure of happiness in life and I still think some poor immigrants will try to cross the ocean heading to Spain tomorrow, chasing their "Spanish Dream".

People who live in well off countries such Australia, Canada, some Asians countries, even south Americans countries probably think twice before packing.

To christeen:

I understand your points but US is a giant ball of poverty ( half of US household earn less than $55000 a year), crime (almost 15,000 homicide in 2011 alone). In New York city, high school students have to go through metal detector every morning causing so many kids to drop out.

The world is not perfect people, and I guess I should be grateful of where I am. But thanks for your participation.

Who is asking anyone to move to the US? All immigrants are more than welcome to stay in their home country, or immigrate to somewhere else they like better. America is definitely on the decline as a great nation, and it isn't for everyone, but after having lived in both Canada and Australia, it's still the best choice for me and my family. USA USA USA USA!

[Ozz777 23]

My other job in Canada was $27k a year. I was not poor. I rented, but I owned a car. I was able to afford food, and gifts for my daughter and husband on birthdays and xmas.

Skrew under 55K being in poverty.

If you made 27k here in Australia, you'd definitely be well below the poverty line. In fact, the official poverty line for a family of five here is over 50k/yr. For a couple, it is nearly 35k/yr. Australia is a good, safe country, but it is definitely not for the poor.

[Rose13 30]

I moved here to be with my husband. I enjoyed a slightly higher standard of living in Canada but the USA has its advantages, lower prices, easier to open and start a business etc.

[Novembro 1,763]

"Who is moving to the US now anyway?"

UH I DUNNO EVERYONE WHO HAS APPLIED FOR A VISA THAT POSTS HERE? LOL I DUNNO.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I moved here for love... for my children AND my husband. Moving to the U.S. meant I don't have to work full-time any more and have my kids in daycare both before and after school. It means having my own home that we can afford without having to both work full-time. It means that when my kids get off the school bus at the end of the day, I'm the one greeting them instead of picking them up from daycare at 6:00 and still fighting more traffic to get home.

Because of my age and how long I've contributed to it I will still be able to collect my Canadian Pension when I hit the right age.

Moving to the U.S. means being able to have more for less. Canada is very expensive.

It also means that my children will be able to have dual-citizenship and study/work in either country when they're older.

There are things about the U.S. that I don't like. There are things about Canada that I don't like. I am lucky to have had a choice because both are amazing places to live compared to many, if not most, places in this world.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I understand your points but US is a giant ball of poverty ( half of US household earn less than $55000 a year), crime (almost 15,000 homicide in 2011 alone). In New York city, high school students have to go through metal detector every morning causing so many kids to drop out.

Kids drop out because they can't get their weapons & drugs thru the security checkpoints. No loss there.

And 15,000 homicides in the US? So what? 14,748 in 2012. But what is the percentage? Do you want to quote THAT statistic? I will.... 4.8% Compared to Honduras at 91%, or Jamaica at 40.9%, or Mexico at 23%, or Montserrat at 19% (only 1 homicide, BTW). Point is, statistics can paint whatever tale you wish to paint.

I'm not saying the US is the best country out there. But I AM saying it's a great country, a great place to live, with plenty of diversity, if one gets out of their home city & state and see the country a bit. I know I am proud to have served her for over 20 years, and fully understand why it's one of the top 25 places that folks want to move to.

That being said, I have enjoyed many years outside of the US, also. So much to see out there...

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Oops, those rates above were not spoda be percentages, but rates per 100k. So 4.8% is really 4.8 per 100k, or .0048%. Ditto the rest.