Does any dv winner have second thoughts...

[Boiler 45,516]

Maybe that's why it's so easier for you since you were a kid and you got used to.

It's not easy at all for me.

I work from home in the US, just saying it is common in the UK and Europe.

If you do not want to do it then do not.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

The only places I went besides Astoria is Long Island, Forest Hills, Harlem and Manhattan. The only ones I liked are LI and FH.

But still there was something I didn't like about the way of life that seems so foreign to me.

Of course I mean something else.

Well, there are some people that dress in some crazy fashion, or doing something particularly out of the ordinary.

I may have overacted by saying the train is full, but there are still some of them there.

Maybe I am not used to such a foreign culture, maybe it's my fault who knows or I am too emotionally attached to my home country that everything seems so negative to me.

Actually I absolutely hated going to the subway and waiting so long to go to work or go out for a walk.

Too much wasted time.

Uh, OK. "crazy fashion", huh? You do know that NYC is one of the global fashion and creativity hubs?

Yes, I can understand it seems foreign to you. I'm guessing your town in Greece would seem pretty foreign to a native New Yorker as well. That's the point about emigration. Things are foreign.

My family live in Forest Hills. It's a nice part of Queens, but I wouldn't live in Queens either, even in Forest Hills, even in a house rather than an apartment there. I grew up somewhere with houses and big yards and I'm living in a town like that now. Just about no-one has fences and the kids all play together and the schools are good and the commutes aren't bad, and the climate is mild but we all get to go skiing in Tahoe on the weekends in winter.... I'm sure many New Yorkers would consider it boring, but we love it. It's all about finding what you're actually looking for. And yes it was foreign at first, but after a year or two it becomes pretty normal.

[Delirium 114]

I don't have a problem working 8 hours. I have a problem adding two more hours on my daily struggle in commute to get to work and return home. That's what I wrote.

Well, I don't think that many hard working people in the US get rewarded at the end of the day.

Especially if you take into account the above chart I posted.

Anyway, I just try to see things objectively and don't fall for the american hype when clearly the US is a country with serious issues.

Work for everyone? Sure, there's plenty of that in the US. But from what I saw from my visit, you have to be in a constant struggle and stress to pay the mortgage and bills for life with not much savings aside.

I'll probably return to the US and I hope I have a better experience and take back all the negative things I said, I'm sure about that.

Greece has plenty of it's own issues....more than plenty actually.

Every country does for that matter, there's no Utopian country.

Everything aside, you picked one of the most expensive places in the U.S to live. Probably not the smartest move to make as a new immigrant :/ There are plenty of places in the U.S where you don't have to put in countless hours to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. You need to have more knowledge of the country and be practical about your expectations. This is a country where you need to make your own way, barely anyone will hand anything to you because there's someone out there who is more than willing to work twice as hard. Willing being the underlying word here.

I'm not trying to be abrasive, but I think you need to have a different expectation when it comes to the United States.

Edited May 4, 2016 by Delirium

[Lisbeth 3]

I don't know you but I am shocked about this.

I would recommend you to start thinking and analyse your live, your decisions, etc.

Ask to yourself, why did you apply in the first place? just because your family or because you really wanted to experience a new life style?

I strongly believe that whoever will join you in your life path, will be without any drama and a lot of stress situation, if it is like that, he/she is not the right person. So yes! I would say PLEASE watch out (and be careful) those kind of hospital visit due to stress of being abandoned. If she is not emotionally strong and you are not either, it is better to run away and work in your innerself and there is not other better way to do it but miles and miles away.

In live we need to be rational, emotional of course! but as long as that does not affect you in your personal goals to reach and please stop your fears, may be you are hiding your fear behind her and you do not know if she will be there for long.

I would suggest to active your visa, then make a plan and see how the things flow.

Cheers.

Lis

[Alex Ve 5]

Greece has plenty of it's own issues....more than plenty actually.

Every country does for that matter, there's no Utopian country.

Everything aside, you picked one of the most expensive places in the U.S to live. Probably not the smartest move to make as a new immigrant :/ There are plenty of places in the U.S where you don't have to put in countless hours to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. You need to have more knowledge of the country and be practical about your expectations. This is a country where you need to make your own way, barely anyone will hand anything to you because there's someone out there who is more than willing to work twice as hard. Willing being the underlying word here.

I'm not trying to be abrasive, but I think you need to have a different expectation when it comes to the United States.

Thank you for your post.

NY was my only choice in the beginning at least cause that's where all of my family members are residing and can guide me and help me to settle and find a job. I wish I could live in less crowded places with more natural surroundings and little to no nightlife at all. Right now, I returned back from Greece about a month ago and I started a business from home and do some occasional jobs that I can find. I also started an intern job just so I can get more experience as a graphic designer in the US market.

Fortunately I rented a place with a fellow greek roommate for a relatively low price, compared to the high cost renting prices in NY. We'll see how it goes.

I don't know you but I am shocked about this.

I would recommend you to start thinking and analyse your live, your decisions, etc.

Ask to yourself, why did you apply in the first place? just because your family or because you really wanted to experience a new life style?

I strongly believe that whoever will join you in your life path, will be without any drama and a lot of stress situation, if it is like that, he/she is not the right person. So yes! I would say PLEASE watch out (and be careful) those kind of hospital visit due to stress of being abandoned. If she is not emotionally strong and you are not either, it is better to run away and work in your innerself and there is not other better way to do it but miles and miles away.

In live we need to be rational, emotional of course! but as long as that does not affect you in your personal goals to reach and please stop your fears, may be you are hiding your fear behind her and you do not know if she will be there for long.

I would suggest to active your visa, then make a plan and see how the things flow.

Cheers.

Lis

Well, I applied cause I wasn't in a good point at that time in my life. I didn't have a steady job, didn't have any relationship plus I didn't think I would be a winner, (I had applied twice before that time and was rejected) so I thought I had no chance of winning with so many applications.

But as the time went by and before I learn that I was selected for further processing, my life took another turn, I started getting really good with my career and meet a person whom I had the time of my life. Even after I leaned that I got selected, I still didn't pay much attention cause I didn't think that I would make it on time for an interview or get approved for a visa as the chances are so slim and the months went by and didn't receive an appointment letter until june or july 2015 and I had applied on october 2013.

"I strongly believe that whoever will join you in your life path, will be without any drama and a lot of stress situation, if it is like that, he/she is not the right person"

This is so true...That's what I've been thinking all this time and wish there wasn't any of this drama and stress.

I activated my visa already, issued my SN and then got back to greece for a couple of months. Now I returned in NY and try to figure out how I will proceed with my life from now on.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Good luck, Alex. Hope the US works out better for you this time...and that you find yourself (relatively) stress free soon!

[Alex Ve 5]

Good luck, Alex. Hope the US works out better for you this time...and that you find yourself (relatively) stress free soon!

Thank you. I am indeed less stressed this time. We'll see how it goes.