Topic: Becoming an expat?

[JeffSTL]

Hmm, maybe when you live in foreign country for - 17 years now - you will understand that.

Btw- I meant absolutely no sarcasm in my question and I hope it wasn't taken that way. It was sincere. I understand that our political philosophies are vastly different, but there is much more to life than politics. Just because I don't agree with your opinion of Ronnie Reagan doesn't mean I will discount all of your opinions.

[flatlander]

Thanks for your perspective. I'd imagine being from a country in the EU it is much easier to move around. I don't know that I'd be very welcome in any of those places. A work visa might be difficult to obtain.

well you have the US to move around in.
i do have an EU passport and my girlfriend has both an EU and US one which is very lucky. if we were to move to the US we'd have to get married

in your case, if you want to move to the EU, the most painless way would be to find an employer first who then would arrange the work visa. for them it's not a difficult thing to do. or find a US employer who dispatches you there, like a company that has facilities in both places?

i'm not sure now how long a tourist visa is valid for but a it may also work to just come here and stay for the duration that's allowed and use the time to look for work, making sure potential employers understand that they'd need to get a work visa for you. if they really want you they'll do it. actual manufacturing skills are scarce, at least here in western europe so it's not unusual to hire a foreigner. but this approach has, of course, the risk that your visa can expire before you find a job.

[vfourfreak]

A work visa might be difficult to obtain.

Not necessarily. There are a few Americans working as teachers in the school I work in. It's really all about having a skill that's in demand, or having already secured a job.

From firsthand experience, the best advice I can offer is to be sure all embarking on the adventure are signed up to the plan, that means your partner, kids whoever is going to relocate with you. Research well in advance and visit your chosen country / region a few times, ideally at different times of the year. Leave the rosetinted glasses at home. Be critical, examine it from all angles. Consider strongly how much (or not) you depend on your "support network" at home, and ask can you do without it, or at least having it at a distance. If another language is involved (Français par example) get a good grounding in it before you leave. Lastly, and probably of some importance, see if you can try it out for a couple of years without burning all your bridges at home . . . just in case . .

OH, and check your position with regard to medical cover !!!

PM me if you want to know my joys and sorrows 10 years on, there is an abundance of both. BUT ....... I am glad I did it. (Still miss a pint of Guinness beside a roaring fire on a wet cold night in the Gravedigger's pub)

Kev

[flatlander]

sound advice there, kev.
what you say is true even with regards to the guinness which just doesn't taste the same here as it did in ireland.

[70CB750]

sound advice there, kev.
what you say is true even with regards to the guinness which just doesn't taste the same here as it did in ireland.

I say, Czech beer never tastes the same outside the country.

[JeffSTL]

A work visa might be difficult to obtain.

Not necessarily. There are a few Americans working as teachers in the school I work in. It's really all about having a skill that's in demand, or having already secured a job.

From firsthand experience, the best advice I can offer is to be sure all embarking on the adventure are signed up to the plan, that means your partner, kids whoever is going to relocate with you. Research well in advance and visit your chosen country / region a few times, ideally at different times of the year. Leave the rosetinted glasses at home. Be critical, examine it from all angles. Consider strongly how much (or not) you depend on your "support network" at home, and ask can you do without it, or at least having it at a distance. If another language is involved (Français par example) get a good grounding in it before you leave. Lastly, and probably of some importance, see if you can try it out for a couple of years without burning all your bridges at home . . . just in case . .

OH, and check your position with regard to medical cover !!!

PM me if you want to know my joys and sorrows 10 years on, there is an abundance of both. BUT ....... I am glad I did it. (Still miss a pint of Guinness beside a roaring fire on a wet cold night in the Gravedigger's pub)

Kev

Hey Kev,

Point well taken about everybody being on board. Our son has wanted to move to France since he took a foreign language class in elementary school. He just finished his first of four years of French in high school. We both come from small families of meager means. I've made it since I was 18 with zero support, so I think I'd be ok.

By "medical cover" do you mean whether or not a country covers someone on a work visa?  If so, while it wouldn't be good, I am coming from the country that has about the worst medical coverage to begin with. For example, a friend had a brain aneurism and now has trouble even remembering his kids names. Needless to say, he isn't capable of working any longer and at 39 years old have lost their home because of medical expenses.  It's been over a year now since he was signed up for disability and they have yet to receive a penny. They are totally dependent on charity to stay alive. I not sure people understand just how desperate it can be here in the states.

I drink my Guinness at a local Irish pub. McGurk's. An Irish friend told me it's the closest he has had to a real Irish Guinness. At $7 per imperial pint it can make for an expensive night at the pub.  I think I could survive on Guinness anywhere. I'm sure there are plenty of things I'd miss about home, though.

[vfourfreak]

I remember well medical cover in the USA from my days living in Texas.

What I mean with respect to Europe is, although the medical coverage is vastly better, you may not be covered from day 1. Check it out however, and if that is the case, have a little contingency plan. Just in case.

Regarding your skills, anyone who is handy with their hands is needed everywhere. And a good job well done is valued most places. Maybe not in Albania, but that's probably not on your list.

Kev

[JeffSTL]

I hadn't considered Albania, but you never know.

It seems "a good job well done" is valued less every year here in the states. Labor doesn't really have a seat at the table anymore.

[dave500]

if you don't come to Australia your an idiot!ill pour you a beer and show you around.

[vfourfreak]

if you don't come to Australia your an idiot!ill pour you a beer and show you around.

Sounds like a good option to me ! Just learn the language first !

Kev

[Duke McDukiedook]

if you don't come to Australia your an idiot!ill pour you a beer and show you around.

Don't listen to Dave!! They call him RuffieDave for good reason!

[Vicman]

I've been a CNC machinist for 20 years. I program, setup and operate 11 axis Swiss screw machines.

Take a look at Asheville, NC. The deep south is a country of its own here in the mountains. 
I'm always looking for someone with swiss machine skills.

[JeffSTL]

I've been a CNC machinist for 20 years. I program, setup and operate 11 axis Swiss screw machines.

Take a look at Asheville, NC. The deep south is a country of its own here in the mountains. 
I'm always looking for someone with swiss machine skills.

My wife actually lived in Asheville for a few years and she loves it. She'd probably pack my bags for me My best friend lived there for a couple years. I've been many times and it is beautiful. Not sure I could handle living in the south and being so far from a big city. Do you run a shop?

[BobbyR]

A work visa might be difficult to obtain.

Not necessarily. There are a few Americans working as teachers in the school I work in. It's really all about having a skill that's in demand, or having already secured a job.

From firsthand experience, the best advice I can offer is to be sure all embarking on the adventure are signed up to the plan, that means your partner, kids whoever is going to relocate with you. Research well in advance and visit your chosen country / region a few times, ideally at different times of the year. Leave the rosetinted glasses at home. Be critical, examine it from all angles. Consider strongly how much (or not) you depend on your "support network" at home, and ask can you do without it, or at least having it at a distance. If another language is involved (Français par example) get a good grounding in it before you leave. Lastly, and probably of some importance, see if you can try it out for a couple of years without burning all your bridges at home . . . just in case . .

OH, and check your position with regard to medical cover !!!

PM me if you want to know my joys and sorrows 10 years on, there is an abundance of both. BUT ....... I am glad I did it. (Still miss a pint of Guinness beside a roaring fire on a wet cold night in the Gravedigger's pub)

Kev

I think this is the best advice you have gotten. I and the wife have considered moving as we are nearing retirement. 

We have been advised by those who have done this to spend as much time in a place as you can. It is one thing to visit a place and to live there. People I know have done that and found their ideal place is not so ideal on a day to day basis.

I understand your desire to "go somewhere" the problem is if you get it wrong it is hard to correct and I know for a fact you cannot run your life backwards.

I am not discouraging you at all, I am only advising caution.

 

[JeffSTL]

if you don't come to Australia your an idiot!ill pour you a beer and show you around.

This is probably true. Can you point me in the direction of a good Australian beer so I can acclimate myself. None of that Foster's piss.

[Retro Rocket]

if you don't come to Australia your an idiot!ill pour you a beer and show you around.

This is probably true. Can you point me in the direction of a good Australian beer so I can acclimate myself. None of that Foster's piss.

As far as i'm concerned, Fosters is a laxative, only thing its good for is taking the lumps out of your poop   

[bikerbart]

Vancouver B.C. is an awesome place. IF you can afford it. Expensive like NYC and SF. gas , food, all pricey. It took me almost 2 yrs of filling out all the paperwork , but I was lucky as my wife is Canadian which made it almost a guarantee I would get a landed immigrant status. I am new here so my experience is limited. You need a million dollars just to buy a house that would probably need to be torn down. Crazy. Thank you Rich Chinese for buying up the city. just sayin.

[faux fiddy]

Cheap real estate over here in Detroit and they could use a few 'good' people   

That really is a shame to see.

My friends moved to New Zealand after having a pot charge in Oklahoma. I think he's only been back once since, and he's been there over 15 years now.

They screen the immigrants well, it helped that he was a computer science engineer that had seagate trade secrets.

[bikerbart]

quite a shame. I keep telling my wife we should buy one of those buildings in detroit, just to prevent them from tearing them down.

[trueblue]

My wife is a Pom, she originally came to Australia on a 457 work visa.  Essentially you need to be a skilled worker, and have someone to sponsor you.  The definition of a skilled worker is very broad, they let in pretty much anyone above a labourer.  There are companies set up that help find work for immigrants.  The only thing is once they sponsor you, you are stuck working for them until you can become a permanent resident, which can take up to 8 years from memory. 

[dave500]

the casino here has 457 cleaners,all the full time and casuals got shafted to less and less shifts.

[Retro Rocket]

the casino here has 457 cleaners,all the full time and casuals got shafted to less and less shifts.

Thats a fcuking disgrace...

[dave500]

its contracted out,the 457s get all the hours now.

[BobbyR]

Welcome to 21st Century business practices.

[Retro Rocket]

Welcome to 21st Century business practices.

Doesn't mean we have to like them Bobby...