Life decisions

[cherylc522 0]

Well this really doesn't have a specific topic, I guess I'm just looking for opinions, it has been a long time since I was on here looking for help with my immigration. I moved to Arizona in feb 2009 to marry my then fiance, we were married that same month. We divorced a year later due to his infidelity and abuse. I was able to adjust my status and received my 10 year greencard last year.

At this point I am just trying to decide whether to stay here in Arizona or move back to Ontario, I have no family here and nothing really keeping me other than I have a job and some assets but nothing that cant be sold, and of course the beautiful weather

I am not a huge fan of change, I am comfortable here and have my own life going but I do miss my family and it isn't easy to get back to see them often, I have only been to visit once in 4 years. My main issue is that I'm terrified to move back home and then realize that I made the wrong decision and want to be here in Arizona.

It is my understanding that if I move back to Canada for 6 months to a year that I will lose my greencard and would not be able to move back to Arizona.

I guess one thing I am curious about is what happens if I take the Naturalization test and get my US citizenship, am I then free to move between the 2 countries as I wish? is there any way to lose my US citizenship once i get it?

[indiana_sweetie 120]

I believe you can travel freely with the US passport.

[Anonymous456 1]

I would stay and acquire the US citizenship. That way, as you said, you are free to move between the two countries.. It maybe a little more complicated than that but that is the route I'd take.

[mtlguy 59]

Once you're a citizen, you're no longer bound by the residency constraint. you can move freely between both countries.

It boils down to where is the best place for you.

[cherylc522 0]

Once you're a citizen, you're no longer bound by the residency constraint. you can move freely between both countries.

It boils down to where is the best place for you.

This is what I thought, my only problem is then that I believe I have to wait until november of next year before I can apply, i have only been a resident since 11/10/09 my permanent resident card says.

[Andy and Pui 16]

This is what I thought, my only problem is then that I believe I have to wait until november of next year before I can apply, i have only been a resident since 11/10/09 my permanent resident card says.

You are correct since you are divorced. It is the 5 years from the date you became a permanent resident. Good luck with whatever decision you decide to make.

[NikLR 13,232]

One thing to remember as a US citizen you will be required to file US taxes every year, even if you never live in the USA again.

[cherylc522 0]

One thing to remember as a US citizen you will be required to file US taxes every year, even if you never live in the USA again.

yes thats true, thank you, I will remember that if I end up moving back. I think you all are right, I only have a year left before I can apply for citizenship so it is probably best to just wait that out and then I can go whereever I want

[Darnell 8,479]

Just hang on, endure the Arizonia-ness until you get your USCitizenship and USA passport,

then

your 'options' increase, for what you can do.

[canuckbos 10]

I'd stay put in Arizona, a simpler solution to missing your family is to make it a priority to fly home at least once a year. Figure out what the cost would be; divide by 12 and put that amount in a special account each month, so when you need to buy the ticket you empty out the account, go home and when you get back start over again.

I lived far away from my family all my life and have found that when I started these yearly visits it knocked down the homesickness by 90%.

It seems like you love your life and it's only missing your family that troubles you.

Have you ever really looked forward to seeing your family and then when you are there visiting them, sitting in their midst you say to yourself; "nothing has changed, it's still the same as always, why was I missing this?" Haha, it's happened to me several times and now after many years of experience I am much easier going then I used to be about missing them. I love them but I can handle the distances much better.

Arizona sounds much to nice to give up on. :-)

(PS Can you tell I don't like winter much? haha)

[cherylc522 0]

I'd stay put in Arizona, a simpler solution to missing your family is to make it a priority to fly home at least once a year. Figure out what the cost would be; divide by 12 and put that amount in a special account each month, so when you need to buy the ticket you empty out the account, go home and when you get back start over again.

I lived far away from my family all my life and have found that when I started these yearly visits it knocked down the homesickness by 90%.

It seems like you love your life and it's only missing your family that troubles you.

Have you ever really looked forward to seeing your family and then when you are there visiting them, sitting in their midst you say to yourself; "nothing has changed, it's still the same as always, why was I missing this?" Haha, it's happened to me several times and now after many years of experience I am much easier going then I used to be about missing them. I love them but I can handle the distances much better.

Arizona sounds much to nice to give up on. :-)

(PS Can you tell I don't like winter much? haha)

haha ya this was my thoughts too, I do like it here, there just isn't much holding me here other than liking the weather lol I am still thinking that I will move back but I don't plan on moving to the same city as my family because I am the same as you I don't want them around all the time, but I would like to be close enough to visit more often lol I figure if I wait and get my citizenship and decide I don't want to be in Canada anymore I can always move back down here, I'm young so I don't feel that moving a few times is really that big of a deal at this point to find out for sure where I want to be.

[Darnell 8,479]

'moving' is so much easier than 'immigrating' - it's great you'll have these great choices after receiving a USA passport.