General Discussions

**Galaxian** · 10-15-2007, 06:57 AM

For a long time now I have had ambitions of emigrating from the UK, and now since I am 18 going onto 19 this December I would like to fulfil them in the next few years. However from what I've read this can be a rather difficult thing to do.

My main choice of country is the US because I have a Paypal account with a $xx,xxx sum in and because of the currency uncertainties with the dollar/pound sterling the value of my dollars in Paypal have gone down with my native pound, so transfering from Paypal Dollars to Pound Sterling in my bank would devalue the potential of what I have. Most of my clients are in the US and all the transactions are in USD. The business is not legally declared in the US but the server is also hosted in a datacenter over there.

What are the things I am going to have to do? What are the options? What are the costs? And what is life like over there? Which part do you recommend moving to? What are the house/apartment prices? (sale and renting)

Perhaps Canada would be another option. What's it like there?

Thank you =)

**NullPointer** · 10-15-2007, 01:22 PM

As far as housing goes it depends where you live. I'm getting screwed right now because I'm living in an apartment walking distance from my school (A university of 30,000 students) in southern california. I split the $2,100 a month with three other people. Where I'm from origionally however (central california) you can get an apartment for less than half that, probably bigger too.

I recommend Southern California, the cost of living is higher but the weather is great, there's beaches all around, always something to do, and lots of work.

**ewomack** · 10-15-2007, 01:43 PM

With the weak dollar and the housing slump over here, this would probably be a great time to immigrate. I know a number of people who have moved here from europe and they said it wasn't that big of a deal.

Gander at the US government's immigration page. You'll need to know a lot of that stuff.

**fastreplies** · 02:22 PM

Quote:

Perhaps Canada would be another option. What's it like there?

Canada is better than USA but to immigrate here you will be needing:
parka, galoshes and hockey equipment

fastreplies

**Galaxian** · 10-15-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NullPointer

As far as housing goes it depends where you live. I'm getting screwed right now because I'm living in an apartment walking distance from my school (A university of 30,000 students) in southern california. I split the $2,100 a month with three other people. Where I'm from origionally however (central california) you can get an apartment for less than half that, probably bigger too.

I recommend Southern California, the cost of living is higher but the weather is great, there's beaches all around, always something to do, and lots of work.

Thanks, that sounds great in the long run! I think when I first get there, unless I've seriously done well for myself, I'd go for cheapest first and keep that as a more longer term goal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewomack

With the weak dollar and the housing slump over here, this would probably be a great time to immigrate. I know a number of people who have moved here from europe and they said it wasn't that big of a deal.

Gander at the US government's immigration page. You'll need to know a lot of that stuff.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastreplies

Canada is better than USA but to immigrate here you will be needing:
parka, galoshes and hockey equipment

fastreplies

Parka? Galoshes? No idea what they are.

Hockey Equipment? No problem! Don't worry, I've seen South Park

However, can anyone give me any specifics? Like what are the options (visa wise) and what's the best method.

**CSS4Life** · 10-15-2007, 02:34 PM

I live in the UK too and I'd love to go to the USA for a while, whether for a short period (a few months) or a long period (several years).

I think if I went though, I'd stay away from the deeply conservative south - as a bit of a left wing guy, I don't think I'd be able to tolerate being with people with very strong right wing politics all day long for months!

**Galaxian** · 10-15-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whym

I live in the UK too and I'd love to go to the USA for a while, whether for a short period (a few months) or a long period (several years).

I think if I went though, I'd stay away from the deeply conservative south - as a bit of a left wing guy, I don't think I'd be able to tolerate being with people with very strong right wing politics all day long for months!

Nice. I'll go halves on a tenancy with you LOL

Yeah I'd also like to go, for example... 6 months.. get a 6 month tenancy contract on a place just to check living in the country out.. but not sure on procedures again..

**KML9870** · 10-15-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastreplies

Canada is better than USA but to immigrate here you will be needing:
parka, galoshes and hockey equipment

fastreplies

Now, now, you are doing what my father (who is native to Nova Scotia) says all of us south of your border do....stereotyping. He thinks all of the US thinks that everyone in Canada lives in nothing but Igloos (yes I do realize that is mpt correct in the Inuit language, but I've had a really long day and am being too lazy to look up the proper spelling) and Polar bears are everywhere, that it's always winter, etc, etc. The hockey equipment is mandatory - parka and galoshes are seasonal.

Personally, I like Western New York/Southern Ontario. The Canadian Dollar and the American Dollar are right about equal now and we have 4 beautiful seasons. There are benefits to being on either side of the border - Canada has health care for all citizens, the US does not. Canada has higher taxes than most of the US (although NY is the second highest taxed state in the US). The price of gas (petro) is sky high north of my border too. I can't speak to the cost of apartments in Ontario, but in WNY you can get a good sized (3 bedroom) apartment in a good neighborhood for under $600/month.

**fastreplies** · 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML9870

There are benefits to being on either side of the border - Canada has health care for all citizens, the US does not.

And lets not forget our “the most beautiful in the world summertime” all 12 hours of it.

fastreplies

**Galaxian** · 10-15-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML9870

Now, now, you are doing what my father (who is native to Nova Scotia) says all of us south of your border do....stereotyping. He thinks all of the US thinks that everyone in Canada lives in nothing but Igloos (yes I do realize that is mpt correct in the Inuit language, but I've had a really long day and am being too lazy to look up the proper spelling) and Polar bears are everywhere, that it's always winter, etc, etc. The hockey equipment is mandatory - parka and galoshes are seasonal.

Personally, I like Western New York/Southern Ontario. The Canadian Dollar and the American Dollar are right about equal now and we have 4 beautiful seasons. There are benefits to being on either side of the border - Canada has health care for all citizens, the US does not. Canada has higher taxes than most of the US (although NY is the second highest taxed state in the US). The price of gas (petro) is sky high north of my border too. I can't speak to the cost of apartments in Ontario, but in WNY you can get a good sized (3 bedroom) apartment in a good neighborhood for under $600/month.

Thank you for that information!

$600 for a 3 bedroomed apartment is crazy good! I pay £650 a month which is like $1100 for a furnished 2 bedroomed top floor apartment.

$600 is unfurnished right? Even so that's friggin' good!

**KML9870** · 10-15-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaxian

Thank you for that information!

$600 for a 3 bedroomed apartment is crazy good! I pay £650 a month which is like $1100 for a furnished 2 bedroomed top floor apartment.

$600 is unfurnished right? Even so that's friggin' good!

Yes, $600 is unfurnished and in the snobbiest of neighborhoods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastreplies

And lets not forget our “the most beautiful in the world summertime” all 12 hours of it.
fastreplies

Come on, I'm only across the river from Canada and our summer was gorgeous --- it ended last Thursday and we started autumn - which is stunningly beautiful - both sides of the river.

**fastreplies** · 10-15-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML9870

it ended last Thursday and we started autumn

Not in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Although, I must to admin this year he had almost 14 hour of summer

fastreplies

**ADAM Web Design** · 10-15-2007, 10:30 PM

Galaxian: I PMed you with regard to this question.