Immigration and Sacrifices...

[Dwarf_Ogress 0]

Well, he's not here yet, but the only thing I can imagine that I'll be giving up is closet space, and half (maybe less than half) the drawers in the dresser.

What else am I giving up? Lonely nights in bed alone. Valentine's Day alone. Holidays alone. Lonely evenings on the couch watching tv alone... Yeah, I think I'm ready to give it AALLLLLL up!!

I couldn't have said it better!

I can;t really speak for Veronica..But I can guess on somethings..

She gives up:

Friends.. and family being close

Her students she teaches english to..

In her smal town She is known as being a good teacher..

and I'm sure there is more...

What I give up..

Mainly nothing... I gave up months being alone..so that I can spend a lifetime with her...

Money... I'm sure dating would of cost me as much.. in one way or another..for the two years we talked..

What we both gain...

No more lonely nights..

No more watching TV alone...

No more shopping alone..

Eating alone...

sleeping alone..

Making decisions alone..

Finally being with the right person...that makes each others life complete..

Whats it all worth... It's Priceless..

So I guess the bottom line is this... What we gave up..isnt really the question that matters...It's what we gained..that will stay with us forever..

Well said! Almost brought tears to my eyes!

[Emancipation 2]

Well now.. Interesting thread... I know that my US Hubby has said over and over again to me "my intention is to make what you are coming to better than what you are leaving behind". I know that he means that with all his heart.

I know most of what I gave up I would give up again. As we were leaving Canada, I was thinking about some of those things (my family, my friends, my car, my work), and it came to me:

I could have all this (fill in the blanks here - friends, family, car, work), or I could have love, true love that will last years and years. I won't grow old alone, I won't have to make big scary decisions alone, I won't have to eat alone, I won't have to be "excluded" from "couples things" ever again. Yeah.. sorry.. I'd do it again in a heart beat. No questions asked.

[vvill 0]

I moved to northern VA / DC area from Sydney, Australia.

I gave up seeing my close friends, some other friends and some of my close family (altho I have to say I'd already moved to the UK for 18 months before I moved here, and we didn't live together in the UK) The other notable things were all the social, political and cultural differences. Some things were better there, some are better here. The weather and natural scenery are two big things I miss. Also I don't like the crazy traffic / car / workaholic culture here, the food isn't that great, and this is an expensive part of the USA as well. I'm also working in the first permanent full time job I've had in 4 years complete with 10 days vacation leave per year (previously I contracted and made more $ and took more holidays). Health care (and maybe credit history) was the only pro to working full-time.

But I gained the benefit of living with my wife in a new life of our own. (I also gain in-laws altho that is a mixed bag ). Other things include access to a cheaper and much larger consumer market for just any goods (save Tim Tams, etc.), greater proximity to travel to some places I've never been (e.g. eastern coast of America, parts of Europe, the Caribbean, etc) and a much greater ability to see bands tour and new cinema releases. And better cable TV for your $. In short, being in the USA = hedonistic pleasures.

Edited February 23, 2007 by vvill

[misa 2]

Not there yet but...

- friends

- job (pays well, but I don't care for it)

- familiarity of my surroundings

- convenience of being able to get everything I need with 15 minutes walk from my home

- independence (I don't drive and public transportation sucks there so I'll have to rely on him to take me places. I've never had to rely on people before.)

- government health care

Is it worth it? It'd better be!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I find it hard that most of my American friends think I must be so much better off having moved to the US... I can not get them to understand that other than being alone my life was better in the UK... I was paid more, had more vacation time, paid sick days, cheaper housing, Free health care, good benefits if I was long term sick or unemployed, more free time, my family and friends I have known all my life.. and the feeling of being safe in my little world...

Dont get me wrong I like it here and it is now my home but did I gain or lose by moving to the US? America is not as great as the Americans think...

Kez

[misa 2]

I find it hard that most of my American friends think I must be so much better off having moved to the US... I can not get them to understand that other than being alone my life was better in the UK... I was paid more, had more vacation time, paid sick days, cheaper housing, Free health care, good benefits if I was long term sick or unemployed, more free time, my family and friends I have known all my life.. and the feeling of being safe in my little world...

It's funny you mention that because even with the exchange rate, I'll never get a job in the U.S. that pays me as much money as I make now (along with 20 days paid vacation a year and unlimited sick days).

[isleta521 5]

" Only 14 per cent of Americans have passports, thus many of them are ignorant of other cultures/countries. "

Many Americans are ignorant regardless if they have passports or not , and not just Americans either.

My wife came from a very poor area. And if I croaked tomorrow. She would be on the next plane out cause she had all her friends and family their. Not only that, she said if she dies first that she wishes me to take her body back to her hometown. Something I hope I never have to deal with - but thats another thread.

Edited February 23, 2007 by isleta521

[flutter95 4]

I didn't really give up too much, just family and some friends.

Although I miss them, I have always been a loner and didn't see them often and I am in contact with them.

I miss things about the uk, but I'm glad for all the things I do get in America. That having said, I miss so much of the stuff I had in the UK.

I do certainly miss "free" healthcare. I know its not totally free but when you have no money and aren't allowed public help, it makes you miss the NHS

[Autumnchik 6]

I find it hard that most of my American friends think I must be so much better off having moved to the US... I can not get them to understand that other than being alone my life was better in the UK... I was paid more, had more vacation time, paid sick days, cheaper housing, Free health care, good benefits if I was long term sick or unemployed, more free time, my family and friends I have known all my life.. and the feeling of being safe in my little world...

It's funny you mention that because even with the exchange rate, I'll never get a job in the U.S. that pays me as much money as I make now (along with 20 days paid vacation a year and unlimited sick days).

You know, I was just talking to my husband about this tonight. I am the USC ... I was reading job ads in the paper and what they typically pay for his type of work ... MUCH less than what he was paid back in Vancouver and with no healthcare benefits. Granted, we live in a rural area and cost of living is lower, but he was shocked at the salaries.

[misa 2]

I think my husband choked on his coffee when I first told him how much money I made here...

[estochick 0]

I liked what somebody on this thread said about people thinking that people immigrate to "escape" their country which may be poorer. Hmm...I'm sure some do that, but you can't generalize only because some do it

I would have done it regardless where I would have had to move. I could have had difficulty moving to Russia...cuz we sorta just 15 years ago got our independence...but I would even consider doing that.

So, sacrifice...

Family and friends..that's the biggy.

Makes me teary-eyed to think my Mom-Dad won't be able to see their grandkids ...just anytime they want to...to pop in and have fun with them. But then again....they may come here for longer periods in the future. We'll see. I can't wait to have them over and spoil them here

BUT I AM coming into an absolutely ADORABLE family over here. They receive me as their own daughter...soo grateful.

Friends. Ouch. People and life really is...um... different where I come from. They say Estonians are reserved and not very affectionate (which comes from the former communist government and the way we were raised due to that, but is changing now), but I tell you, if you've managed to make an Estonian your friend - you've made a friend for life. I have a very close circle of friends ..and it's not small...and not being able to see them IS tremendous sacrifice. Also, in my country, you can feel free to be very spontaneous with your friends...pop over any time...stay over until 2 am in the morning.... yep, even with marrieds'! If they really are your close friends, people really enjoy that Pace of life is so different here. Which is fine...just need to get used to it

I feel like in the US generally people very polite and nice...but find it difficult to make close friends with people...relationships seem shallow. Most of it is due to pace of life I think.

Okay...following are not really "sacrifices"..lol...but this is what's different in my country:

- 4 weeks of paid vacation..heheh.yep.

- you get PAID to have kids from federal and local government: for a year after your baby is born you get paid your average salary AND your employer MUST keep your job for you for 3 stinkin' years and you get to be stay-at-home-mom for 3 years

That's all that really comes to mind.

But honestly...nothing seems like sacrifice when I am in my baby's arms I'm truly blessed

[MarkTexas 3]

I can;t really speak for Veronica..But I can guess on somethings..

She gives up:

Friends.. and family being close

Her students she teaches english to..

In her smal town She is known as being a good teacher..

and I'm sure there is more...

What I give up..

Mainly nothing... I gave up months being alone..so that I can spend a lifetime with her...

Money... I'm sure dating would of cost me as much.. in one way or another..for the two years we talked..

What we both gain...

No more lonely nights..

No more watching TV alone...

No more shopping alone..

Eating alone...

sleeping alone..

Making decisions alone..

Finally being with the right person...that makes each others life complete..

Whats it all worth... It's Priceless..

So I guess the bottom line is this... What we gave up..isnt really the question that matters...It's what we gained..that will stay with us forever..

You GOT THAT RIGHT!

Personally I gave up on all that and ALOT more,......and yanno what?.......................

Its the best thing I ever did!