Moving to USA

maemaesmummy

caevans wrote: »

I suppose its the unknown element that scares me. We would be giving up relatively decent jobs, though perhaps could take a career break? Would keep our house here and rent in US.
I can't help thinking I keep thinking of obstacles and that keeps putting us off making the move and perhaps that's a sign I don't think it's right for us. Argh!!! My hyper critical parents mean I overanalyse everything!!! (They are taking the blame today aren't they!)

You must do what is right for you..we are moving to the USA and last week I got the "well if your dad dies before me I will just kill myself" this from my 75 year old mother in front of my 6 year old son :eek: made me want to jump on the plane there and then lol

lostinrates

caevans wrote: »

We have started the process of trying to get a US passport for our eldest daughter, perhaps if that was a success it would put us in a better position for applying for a visa for me anyway? At the very least it would give my daughter options when she is older. Obviously if successful, we would then apply for youngest. The passport might also help us to introduce the idea of emigration to my parents.......!!!!

Having a child with a us passport doesn't help much. (More than one of these in my family) but a spouse does. Tbh I think these are worth applying for for your children anyway as they give Them options regardless of what decisions you and your husband make in the future.

maemaesmummy

The green card for a spouse does take time and is expensive so I would start the ball rolling ASAP....get a good....no great attorney

kacie

maemaesmummy wrote: »

The green card for a spouse does take time and is expensive so I would start the ball rolling ASAP....get a good....no great attorney

It does take time, around a year, but there's no need to use an attorney, you can do it all yourself. I'm about to start the process for a K1 fiancee visa, and we are doing it all ourselves. Look at http://britishexpats.com/ for advice from others doing it

maemaesmummy

We aren't that lucky I'm afraid I just know my friends who have gone that way found the attorney route was quicker than DIY.

I use a different forum as it is more specialized than the expats one,

mrcow

maemaesmummy wrote: »

You must do what is right for you..we are moving to the USA and last week I got the "well if your dad dies before me I will just kill myself" this from my 75 year old mother in front of my 6 year old son :eek: made me want to jump on the plane there and then lol

My response to that would have been, "Well that's you all sorted then. I would have probably worried about you otherwise."

maemaesmummy

mrcow wrote: »

My response to that would have been, "Well that's you all sorted then. I would have probably worried about you otherwise."

I wish I had been that quick :mad: been kicking myself all week

alleycat`

caevans wrote: »

I believe most jobs come with healthcare which includes healthcare for all the family. It would have to be an absolute prerequisite before moving there

Far from the truth, or it used to be.
My OH is from the US and never had health insurance with any form of employment.

I'm not sure what difference "obamacare" has made but historically in "good" jobs you got cover for the employee and then preferential rates for Spouse and dependents up to a certain age.

There is also a "co-pay" aspect of US health care that you need to read up on.

Quite often there is a not "insubstantial" part you have to pay like an excess for car insurance here.

Also there are other little gotchas like an Ambulance will cost you money too.
I think it was around $500 when my FIL needed to be taken to hospital.

O and "dental" is quite often seperate too.

On the plus side:-

Quite a lot of the things are tax deductable.

Also you have to factor in what you pay in NI here to see if the offset makes a difference.

caevans

Thanks everyone it's great to get advice from all you smart people :-)
Sometimes it's difficult to see the wood from the trees and I was feeling like things were getting on top of me a bit and we were being so indecisive. So, will speak to husband tonight and see what he thinks to this plan:
1.Apply for daughters passport - forms are ready to go.
2.Look at husbands prospects of working in US and whether the pay is better than here (I am pretty sure it is), and work out if, even with the money towards healthcare insurance we would be better off.
3.Work out whether I have qualifications to do a job similar to my current healthcare job, but which I don't need a masters for. And the amount of jobs in my potential area.
4. Establish how I would apply for a green card. We are going to use a US solicitor for daughters passport so could go to them for advice. Am sure the MIL knows, but if we asked her she would be harassing us to get the ball rolling ASAP!
5. Set a plan - maybe as much as 3 years? - to move to USA? Oh, on that note, once a green card is issued are you expected to move right away?

Maemaesmummy - can you please let me know which forum you use?
Thanks Kacie - I will take a look at that forum too.
Also, did your partners family act as affidavit (Is that the right word for sponsor?!)
Thanks again and sorry for the questions.
My shoulders feel a little lighter tonight :-)

bagpussbear

What are your husband's parents like? could there be any risk of swapping one set of obsessional parents with another?