Topic: A question for our members overseas.

[Caaveman82]

I am wondering if anyone knows how hard or not hard it is to immigrate overseas.

I love my country, but I cannot stay here any more.

Our country is like a man that never grew up. Like that spoiled kid you see in the store that has never been told no. I can't take the bull #$%* anymore. I am taking my daughter and her mom and we are leaving.

I need to start some sort of process and try to find some kind of job and living space and figure out how naturalization works.

Any information would be much appreciated.

[myhondas]

cave.....no matter how bad you think it is in this country, (no cliche here) it don't get better than this. Check out the ratio of people trying to get in (legally....don't even count the illegals) to the people who try to move out. Dude...if it really is getting under your skin, take a break and move to Wyoming, Montana, or Utah. There are people out there that the govt doesn't even know about. You can get lost real easy and actually make a good living. more people out there are NOT paying taxes that any other place in the country. If you talk to people that live in other country's a very large % of them would love to move here. there are exceptions, like France and Monte Carlo, Sweden, to name a few. but even those will admit to liking our country alot. So chill and like Dorthy in oz.....it's in your own backyard.....there's no place like home.


ray

[alltherightpills]

The State Department's website has some information available, but you will likely need to find the equivalent department for whatever country you are looking at immigrating to.  I would imagine that the State Dept has info for people who want to emigrate, but nothing jumped out at me when I quickly scanned their website.

I might contact them to find out how to do it.  Working overseas isn't terribly difficult, but becoming a citizen of another country probably is.  I would also ask if it's possible to become a dual citizen, because somewhere down the road you might regret giving up your US citizenship.  Just something to think about.

[my78k]

I hear the cost of living in Afghanistan is real affordable 

Dude you gotta be a little more specific with your claims or we will think you are following the trend of threatening to leave the forums or something but just on a grander scale 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Just move to one of the US possessions. Too bad they let Palau go or I might've stayed and just worked on one of the dive boats as a dive master.

[BeSeeingYou]

Check out this monthly magazine  http://www.escapefromamerica.com/  In many places you will need a fair bit of cash or security assets to prove that you can support yourself at a certain level.  It will be a lot easier if you have a few hundred thousand backing you up, if you only have 10 grand it will be much harder.  It seems the more developed the country the more you will need.  Few places want you showing up and living on the dole.  That may not be your intention but that's what the officials have to guard against. Having training or a skill that is in demand in your host country helps quite a bit.   In some cases  knowing some one in your host country as a sponsor will help or be required. There are tens of thousands of Americans doing this so there is plenty of info on the net and books in the library about living overseas.  Having a small business idea is another way.  Not to long ago I read about a couple form the U.S. who moved to Montevideo in Uruguay and opened up a string of coffee shops which were just starting to become popular there.  Right idea with the right timing.  Research what skills are in demand and tough it out for a few more years getting those skills would be another option.

I have some friends who have made a career out of teaching overseas.  They generally spend two years in each location and come back to the U.S. each summer.  They just left for 1 year in Bangkok.  The most interesting and well rounded people I have ever known.   They have opened my eyes to the fact that there are many great places to live besides the U.S.

The one thing you have to avoid is the idea that if you are unhappy here with the situation moving some where else will solve it.  You will find that in someways things will be better and in some ways it will be worse.  The only thing for sure is that it will be different and you will need to be open minded and adaptable.  It has to be about more than just being burned out about where you are at now.

[myhondas]

The one thing you have to avoid is the idea that if you are unhappy here with the situation moving some where else will solve it.  You will find that in someways things will be better and in some ways it will be worse.  The only thing for sure is that it will be different and you will need to be open minded and adaptable.  It has to be about more than just being burned out about where you are at now.

+10
well put.

[Retro Rocket]

Try Australia Cavee, lots of ex pats here you can ride all year round and the BABES, oh your married......oh so am i......
Like srust said....

The one thing you have to avoid is the idea that if you are unhappy here with the situation moving some where else will solve it.  You will find that in someways things will be better and in some ways it will be worse.  The only thing for sure is that it will be different and you will need to be open minded and adaptable.  It has to be about more than just being burned out about where you are at now.

Mick

[rhos1355]

Forget Europe. It's full of beaurocracy, rules and regulations and super PC. Wanna swop? I'll move to the States and you can come here.
Seriously, man, before upping sticks and commiting yourself to something that very well might not solve your problems, think about it for a very LONG time.
My only other suggestion is to join the Peace Corps. They do some good work around the world and live very rudimentary lives. After spending a couple of years living in a mud hut in the southern highlands of Tanzania with no running water or electricity, you'll be glad you're American and can just hop on a 'plane and go back home.

[750goes]

Stay away from Australia and our Sheilas.......bloody uppity yanks...

On a serious note........stay home.....go on a long holiday......chill...

ride.........ride........ride.........

then get hammered...................

 

[Buber]

How old is your kid? I was thinking at some stage to move (I had all set up on Tortola, BVI), but then, there would be no schools for my kids. I mean, schools that have the same or better level that they have here.
Other thing -culture and language - maybe you can cope with it, maybe you wife can, but what about a kid begin uprooted like that? of course, if you are thinking about english-speaking countries, then some of the culture is there, but then on the other hand.. look at Jamaica

And -as said above - grass is not greener on the other side. It still need to be mowed, like at home....

[Caaveman82]

cave.....no matter how bad you think it is in this country, (no cliche here) it don't get better than this. Check out the ratio of people trying to get in (legally....don't even count the illegals) to the people who try to move out. Dude...if it really is getting under your skin, take a break and move to Wyoming, Montana, or Utah. There are people out there that the govt doesn't even know about. You can get lost real easy and actually make a good living. more people out there are NOT paying taxes that any other place in the country. If you talk to people that live in other country's a very large % of them would love to move here. there are exceptions, like France and Monte Carlo, Sweden, to name a few. but even those will admit to liking our country alot. So chill and like Dorthy in oz.....it's in your own backyard.....there's no place like home.


ray

I don't want to get off the grid or cheat the system. Like I said I love my country but I have lost hope. This is not a split decision. I have been to Europe. I have done quite a bit of traveling. This has been a long time coming.

The State Department's website has some information available, but you will likely need to find the equivalent department for whatever country you are looking at immigrating to.  I would imagine that the State Dept has info for people who want to emigrate, but nothing jumped out at me when I quickly scanned their website.

I might contact them to find out how to do it.  Working overseas isn't terribly difficult, but becoming a citizen of another country probably is.  I would also ask if it's possible to become a dual citizen, because somewhere down the road you might regret giving up your US citizenship.  Just something to think about.

That is a good idea actually, thank you Pills.

I hear the cost of living in Afghanistan is real affordable  

Dude you gotta be a little more specific with your claims or we will think you are following the trend of threatening to leave the forums or something but just on a grander scale  

Things I've seen. Things I have experienced in this country. The overall attitude of our society. I'm just done with it.

Check out this monthly magazine  http://www.escapefromamerica.com/  In many places you will need a fair bit of cash or security assets to prove that you can support yourself at a certain level.  It will be a lot easier if you have a few hundred thousand backing you up, if you only have 10 grand it will be much harder.  It seems the more developed the country the more you will need.  Few places want you showing up and living on the dole.  That may not be your intention but that's what the officials have to guard against. Having training or a skill that is in demand in your host country helps quite a bit.   In some cases  knowing some one in your host country as a sponsor will help or be required. There are tens of thousands of Americans doing this so there is plenty of info on the net and books in the library about living overseas.  Having a small business idea is another way.  Not to long ago I read about a couple form the U.S. who moved to Montevideo in Uruguay and opened up a string of coffee shops which were just starting to become popular there.  Right idea with the right timing.  Research what skills are in demand and tough it out for a few more years getting those skills would be another option.

I have some friends who have made a career out of teaching overseas.  They generally spend two years in each location and come back to the U.S. each summer.  They just left for 1 year in Bangkok.  The most interesting and well rounded people I have ever known.   They have opened my eyes to the fact that there are many great places to live besides the U.S.

The one thing you have to avoid is the idea that if you are unhappy here with the situation moving some where else will solve it.  You will find that in someways things will be better and in some ways it will be worse.  The only thing for sure is that it will be different and you will need to be open minded and adaptable.  It has to be about more than just being burned out about where you are at now.

That was some good info, thank you. I am going to be graduating college in the next year or so with a degree in Construction Management. I am sure it wouldn't translate to much overseas but I'm sure it could open a couple doors for me.

Try Australia Cavee, lots of ex pats here you can ride all year round and the BABES, oh your married......oh so am i......
Like srust said....

The one thing you have to avoid is the idea that if you are unhappy here with the situation moving some where else will solve it.  You will find that in someways things will be better and in some ways it will be worse.  The only thing for sure is that it will be different and you will need to be open minded and adaptable.  It has to be about more than just being burned out about where you are at now.

Mick

Oh no Mick I am not actually married. My daughter's mom and I have been split for a long time. I would not leave my daughter behind though and I know she wouldn't let me just take her with me so we have been talking about moving in together till we can both get on our feet. I've been to Australia, it was great but it's not really what I am looking for.

Forget Europe. It's full of beaurocracy, rules and regulations and super PC. Wanna swop? I'll move to the States and you can come here.
Seriously, man, before upping sticks and commiting yourself to something that very well might not solve your problems, think about it for a very LONG time.
My only other suggestion is to join the Peace Corps. They do some good work around the world and live very rudimentary lives. After spending a couple of years living in a mud hut in the southern highlands of Tanzania with no running water or electricity, you'll be glad you're American and can just hop on a 'plane and go back home.

Well I never tried that, though I did sleep out of a truck for a year in a combat zone when I was in the Marine Corps. I know how to rough it. I am glad to be an American, but there is a lot more at stake here.

How old is your kid? I was thinking at some stage to move (I had all set up on Tortola, BVI), but then, there would be no schools for my kids. I mean, schools that have the same or better level that they have here.
Other thing -culture and language - maybe you can cope with it, maybe you wife can, but what about a kid begin uprooted like that? of course, if you are thinking about english-speaking countries, then some of the culture is there, but then on the other hand.. look at Jamaica

And -as said above - grass is not greener on the other side. It still need to be mowed, like at home....

Well my daughter will be 4 this December. She speaks French, Spanish, English and some German. I have been spending mucho dollars to get her the best private day care money can buy. She makes new friends very easily and she has the traveling bug. I think the culture shock would be less for her than it would be for her mom and I. I still remember bits and pieces of my French and Spanish, I can start brushing up.






I know enough to know that I will not be able to pack a bag and leave. There is a lot of preperation to be done. I will do it. I just need to find out as much as I can so I can not only make an informed decision but also be prepared, which as I said I know will take a while.

[demon78]

Cavey I basically did what you want to do, when I got out of the RCAF I said there has got to be something better than this and moved to the states which was different than Canada at the time. It was an interesting experience it was not the same bs that I'd been going through in the true north, it was new bs, there was some cultural shock to me and the people I met, but I got a decent job and was doing Ok and was improving myself with new tech training and educational up grading, so I was making a decent life for myself, but the thing that really got to me that there was no seasons in So California so that and a couple of other things and I moved back and Canada or I changed enough that I could get along with her, yes there were still the same #$%*s and the attitudes of the Gov but the people were progressing and it was enough. Have I ever wanted to move back to the states for a while, but not for the last 20-25 years.
I guess the gist of this long winded ramble is by all means go to some other country, get a job and embrace all they have to offer but don't cut yourself off from your old country you may find as I did, that it or you change enough over time that you can cope. If trying new countries think about the True North Strong and Free it's almost the same as the states but different.
Bill the demon.

[ChrisR]

Caaveman - what is it that you are looking for in a country and what don't you like about where you are?  With a degree in construction management and some experience you would probably be able to move to another English speaking country like Canada, Oz or New Zealand although the recession has caused a decline in demand for construction based workers. The government websites of these countries are very informative about immigration procedures ( a points scheme normally operates based on qualifications, work experience, etc).
Britain might be an option as you then have the fantastic diversity and cultural depth of European life on your doorstep. But this isn't every everyones' cup of tea.
Maybe you are looking for something more exotic and culturally different but having lived in countries where English is not the first language I can tell you how hard it is not to feel isolated, although having a young child goes a long way to help integration (the kids normally cope well and take it in their stride when they are young).
But the USA is a big and diverse too, perhaps theres a place in the USA you would feel comfortable in. As myhondas has said there's no place like home and it's surprising how you miss it when it's gone.
While your daughter is pre-school age perhaps you could spend a year or so travelling and looking around. You can try things out without burning your bridges.
Good luck.

[Spanner 1]

I didn't know what it was like to be Irish out in the world until I moved here 20 years ago. I had no idea how the Irish were perceived in the USA until I actually lived here. People will try to explain or try to give you an idea of what it is like moving away from your homeland, but until you do it.......!!      I have lots to say on this subject but here's the kicker for any immigrant,  it seems we gave up the right to criticize this country by moving here because if we do we risk the ever present slew of folks ready to tell us 'to go the f**k back where you came from then.' This, by the way, is a one way rule....Americans living in Europe would not be subject to such treatment and would be invited to criticize the gov. e.t.c. !!! A major difference that is the result of propaganda, IMHO.

[razor02097]

This country would have to get really f**king bad before I am ready to leave.  The American citizen has it really well off when compaired to many other places.  From our top notch hospitals to the rights we are given there is nowhere else in the world you will have so much freedom of choice.  Yeah there are problems but every country has problems.

If you are giving up on America then I wish you the best.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I didn't know what it was like to be Irish out in the world until I moved here 20 years ago. I had no idea how the Irish were perceived in the USA until I actually lived here. People will try to explain or try to give you an idea of what it is like moving away from your homeland, but until you do it.......!!      I have lots to say on this subject but here's the kicker for any immigrant,  it seems we gave up the right to criticize this country by moving here because if we do we risk the ever present slew of folks ready to tell us 'to go the f**k back where you came from then.' This, by the way, is a one way rule....Americans living in Europe would not be subject to such treatment and would be invited to criticize the gov. e.t.c. !!! A major difference that is the result of propaganda, IMHO.

Criticize it all you want if you pay taxes, the day when you can't criticize the government and the people in the country you reside in is a sad day indeed.

I dunno Razor, there are a lotta rules in this country, you can be a lot more free in other places with less rules.
You just have to have the right people on your side in those types of places ($$$).

[rhos1355]

...............there are a lotta rules in this country, you can be a lot more free in other places with less rules.....................

I don't know Dukie, I've lived and worked in about 5 different countries, and have come to the conclusion that Europe takes the cake when it comes to rules and regulations. In Holland there were guys inspecting your rubbish bin before they picked it up for disposal, any 'wrong' stuff in the wrong bin; they wouldn't empty and you got a warning letter. Once a year a guy from the local municipality would go from door to door ringing the bell insistently and knocking loudly on the door to arouse any dog you might 'be hiding'! why? He was the dog tax collector!!!
In Italy you cannot hand over your ownership documents when you sell your car to another person without doing it via a notary!! Takes 5 days to clear and is fecken expensive!! A normal salaried man on the street has 187+ taxes to contend with each year. There's even a refrigerator tax! But it's more costly to collect than what the government gains from it!! Crazy! Everytime you f*ck up with your tax returns or something? Fines start dropping through your letterbox.
UK is still by far the most liberal country in EU (even tho' the labour gov is doing it's utmost to change that) but it's going PC mad.
You still have a lot to be thankfull for in the US of A. Don't knock it.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Don't worry, I definitely wasn't talking about Europe, everybody's a soup nazi (govt.) over there.

[razor02097]

Dog tax?!  WTF 

What about fuel costs over there... I know that is another thing we enjoy here is cheaper gas, diesal, heating oil, etc.

[Caaveman82]

From our top notch hospitals to the rights we are given there is nowhere else in the world you will have so much freedom of choice.

For one thing we are ranked like 30 something in the world for health care quality. Number two, if you are in debt up to your ears because of a system the government has devised, you hardly enjoy any freedom of choice now do you?

Here are the top five reasons I want to leave...

#1.) People. I HAVE been to Europe and many Pacific countries. They are all much nicer and more decent people than in the U.S. Say what you will but a socialist health care program says a lot about a countrie's intent to help his fellow man. So does privitizing health care. I want to experience an actual community of we and not I. The greed and corruption... I know, I know, greed and corruption are every where. Well it seems to be a way of life here in America. If you can't profit from it it's not worth doing. God forbid you just help some one out of the kindness of your heart.

#2.) Crime. I have done some research and crime is less in Europe than it is in America, almost 100% hands down no argument. In a country with the highest rate of child molestation, it's not a place I want my daughter to grow up. Plus I feel like growing up some in another country would enable her to see what else is out there and hopefully make her a little more well rounded of an individual.

#3.) Adventure. I just need a large change in my life. I feel like a new start is the way to go. When I say a new start I do not mean a new start in a different town or state because once you've seen a handful of the major cities in America you can pretty much draw a conclusion about the rest of them. I've been to Minneapolis, Manhatten, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Austin, and Chicago. Suburb life is just not for me. I need the city.

#4.) Economy. I know this is a sensative subject but I feel like I could do better some where else. I won't get into the particulars because I don't want to turn this into a political thread. I would rather have some one go through my trash to make sure I am recycling properly, because that is in everyone's best interest any way, then pay the government to put a wire tap on my phone unconstitutionally because I once said that I wish Bush would die, so obviously I am a terrorist.

#5.) Career. I know for a fact I couldn't stay away from America forever, maybe I could but it's doubtful. It seems to me that most high end CEO's have all, at some point in their career, worked overseas. So it would be worth the expierence alone plus it'll look great on a resume.

There are more reasons than that but those are the main ones. I just feel it is something I need to do.

Thank you to those of you who have provided me with info it was right on the mark for what I was looking for.

[rhos1355]

For the last 18 months we've been paying £42/month gas bill (there's only 2 of us) then £30 every 2 months for unmetered water,
electricity is between £25 -30/month.
Foodwise we spend £60 - 80 a week.
Diesel is now £1.02/litre (I think that over 60% of that is tax!)
Road Tax; Bike = £66/year, cars = £180/year each car (we have 2). Our neighbour pays £400 a year road for his Mitsubishi Shogun!!
Car Insurance for both cars is £400/year.
My missus works part time on slightly above min wages £11,000/year gross. Her tax band is 21%!
Effing crazy but thank feck we don't live in countries like denmark or sweden; 40-60% tax rates on your salary!!
I could go on for ever, but I feel I need a stiff drink right now

[Caaveman82]

For the last 18 months we've been paying £42/month gas bill (there's only 2 of us) then £30 every 2 months for unmetered water,
electricity is between £25 -30/month.
Foodwise we spend £60 - 80 a week.
Diesel is now £1.02/litre (I think that over 60% of that is tax!)
Road Tax; Bike = £66/year, cars = £180/year each car (we have 2). Our neighbour pays £400 a year road for his Mitsubishi Shogun!!
Car Insurance for both cars is £400/year.
My missus works part time on slightly above min wages £11,000/year gross. Her tax band is 21%!
Effing crazy but thank feck we don't live in countries like denmark or sweden; 40-60% tax rates on your salary!!
I could go on for ever, but I feel I need a stiff drink right now

Here is the thing that appeals to me about your high taxes....

I would have health care for the first time in my life...

Tax the eff out of me as long as it is for the right #$%*, don't tax me to fund some bull crap war founded on false pretenses.

[razor02097]

Great... you get healthcare and a waiting list

[rhos1355]

I'm afraid he's right, Caave.