Help needed! How do I up sticks and buy a house in the US?

mrak

Hey y'all,

I think I need the help of the clever folk on this board who've a better understanding on things like economics and the US housing market.

If the housing market is truly plummeting in the USA as the media seem to be, what's stopping disenfranchised UK residents like myself upping sticks and buying property in America? The rumours I've heard suggest that you get a lot more for your money out there anyway.. What are the barriers I face with this seemingly-straightforward plan?

Do I need to be a citizen to buy a house? Or a green card (whatever that is)? I'd consider settling there permanently if the standard of life I had was the same or better. Now Boris is mayor of London, I've one extra reason to jump ship.

mrak

Snooze

It's hard getting residency in the US. You need to have family already living out there (I think - correct me if I'm wrong) or you need to marry a resident. You can't just wander over there, plonk yourself down and buy a house.

Rob

pinkshoes

You'll need either a relative who lives there permanently to sponsor you, to marry an American (which might eventually get you a green card), or you need to find a job over there BEFORE you go, with the company willing to sponsor you. This might eventually lead to a green card, but requires a lot of paperwork, and I think this only applies to a professional or skilled worker, so you can't just take any old job.

If they can't sort a greencard through work within 6 months, I think you have to come back to the UK for a period of time, and get a new temporary visa. A friend of mine had to come back to the UK twice (as the company were finding it difficult getting him a green card), and on the 3rd time flying back, the temporary visa was refused and he ended up in a cell for a couple of days before being deported!

gingin_2

A real long shot but if you or your spouse are not British Citizens and are from a country that is eligible to enter the greencard lottery you can try that way. 50,000 Greencards are handed out each year in order to countries that have a smaller reate of immigration to the US, through what we believe to be a random lottery system. We have had a number of Kiwi and Aussie friends that have gained entry, however, we have tried twice and failed and it's a pain in the butt waiting and wondering. This might, of course, not apply to you at all!

http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/

There are other countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada (Canada perhaps not so rapidly) that seem to be following the same house price falls as the UK and US and are easier to gain entry to....

Rabiddog_2

Might be worth visiting and staying there for a length of time before burning your Bridges. All this twaddle about green cards is only if you want to stay there legally, millions of mexicans and South Americans live there for many years and eventually get residence when they have an amnesty. Remember, if the Front door doesn't open , you can always try at the Back..

gingin_2

Rabiddog wrote: »

Might be worth visiting and staying there for a length of time before burning your Bridges. All this twaddle about green cards is only if you want to stay there legally, millions of mexicans and South Americans live there for many years and eventually get residence when they have an amnesty. Remember, if the Front door doesn't open , you can always try at the Back..

So they fall and break a leg... how have they managed to get medical insurance?

They need to go back to the UK to visit a sick relative/sisters wedding/blah blah, how do they explain on their return why it took them 18 months to leave the country on a tourist visa?

They apply for a job....where are their papers?

Nomad25

I think mrsPbradley is the resident US MSE'r - hopefully she'll spot this and give you some tips.

fullerlee

I've just moved back to the UK after spending about 7 years over there. During that time I met my Wife, bought a house, and had a baby (well, my Wife did).
I initially went over on a work-sponsored visa (L1-B), once I got Married I got a spousal greencard. From what I've heard, L1-B is the easiest way in, and there are very long waiting lists for full greencards (my spousal one took about 6 months).
Of course, all Visa and embassy services have fairly steep fees attached.
As for buying a house, I bought whilst still on my Visa. They did take copies of my passport etc, but they were most interested in work history rather than residency.
Feel free to PM me if you have any Qs.
Lee

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: Try www.britishexpats.com for lots of info and advice available for immigration to the US, Canada, Australia, NZ etc.

HTH

Canucklehead

izzybusy23

mrak wrote: »

Hey y'all,

I think I need the help of the clever folk on this board who've a better understanding on things like economics and the US housing market.

If the housing market is truly plummeting in the USA as the media seem to be, what's stopping disenfranchised UK residents like myself upping sticks and buying property in America? The rumours I've heard suggest that you get a lot more for your money out there anyway.. What are the barriers I face with this seemingly-straightforward plan?

Do I need to be a citizen to buy a house? Or a green card (whatever that is)? I'd consider settling there permanently if the standard of life I had was the same or better. Now Boris is mayor of London, I've one extra reason to jump ship.

mrak

Believe me, the USA is not all it is cracked up to be. My folks live in Kentucky. Prior to that they lived in Ohio. There are no pubs, no 'clubs' as such and you have to drive everywhere, even to get a pint of milk. My folks live in a dry county (can you imagine that in the UK)?? My step sister works for a pharmacy and they keep her hours under 40 per week so she is NOT entitled to any benefits, annual leave, bank holidays etc, but they have a right to call her in on her day off if they are busy, then deduct those hours the following week... and all that for $8 an hour (£4). Disgraceful really. There would be a riot if that happened over here.

The food isn't anything like the UK. You would miss your traditional grub. Even KFC is completely different out there.

I stayed in the USA for 3 months when my folks lived in Ohio and I hated it. Couldn't go anywhere or do anything without having a car, the bugs and the tornado warnings were a nightmare and the yanks are so far up their own behinds its ridiculous.

I do not like the UK much, but I dislike the USA even more.

Ps: yes houses are falling at an alarming rate over there, but they have the same issues as here, food and fuel prices rising every week, plus there is all your health care insurance to pay for, plus you have to do your own taxes each year! Most yanks hold 2 or 3 different jobs due to the poor pay so work long hours... Not for me thanks, but good luck with your green card!!

fullerlee

izzybusy23 wrote: »

Believe me, the USA is not all it is cracked up to be. My folks live in Kentucky. Prior to that they lived in Ohio. There are no pubs, no 'clubs' as such and you have to drive everywhere, even to get a pint of milk. My folks live in a dry county (can you imagine that in the UK)?? My step sister works for a pharmacy and they keep her hours under 40 per week so she is NOT entitled to any benefits, annual leave, bank holidays etc, but they have a right to call her in on her day off if they are busy, then deduct those hours the following week... and all that for $8 an hour (£4). Disgraceful really. There would be a riot if that happened over here.

The food isn't anything like the UK. You would miss your traditional grub. Even KFC is completely different out there.

I stayed in the USA for 3 months when my folks lived in Ohio and I hated it. Couldn't go anywhere or do anything without having a car, the bugs and the tornado warnings were a nightmare and the yanks are so far up their own behinds its ridiculous.

I do not like the UK much, but I dislike the USA even more.

Ps: yes houses are falling at an alarming rate over there, but they have the same issues as here, food and fuel prices rising every week, plus there is all your health care insurance to pay for, plus you have to do your own taxes each year! Most yanks hold 2 or 3 different jobs due to the poor pay so work long hours... Not for me thanks, but good luck with your green card!!

Agree with most of that. My quality of life in the UK is so much better.