I have'nt posted for ages. Has anyone considered moving back to Engalnd? I've lived here for 15 years. Dad is widowed and getting frail, and I feel like being with him for longer than just the 2 week vacation every year. I have a 13 year old son. We would like to go back for a year or two. What would be my status for returning? I have a green card. Anyone done this or thinking of doing this. Everyone I've talked to thinks it's a great idea for my dad, but we will be shocked about the difference in standard of living. Living there is different than vacationing I suppose?
Jo
Hi Jo,
Can't answer any of your Green card questions I'm afraid, but we're going back (just me, hubby and one on the way). We've had enough, have finally realised that we're pretty unhappy here, miss our family, friends and way of life back in the UK and although our standard of living is much better here we'd rather be earning less and be happy.
We've only been here just over two years though as opposed to the 15 yrs of hard labour you've put in, and we are pretty apprehensive about how things will be for us when we get back so I can't imagine how weird it would be to go back after 15 yrs.
It's a big step, but if you really want to do it then you should go for it. I totally understand wanting to be with your Dad, I miss mine like mad and only getting 2 weeks a year with him is awful, especially as neither of us are great talkers so phone contact isn't much good to us!
We've only got 17 days left and we're really excited - Tesco's here we come!!
Jo, would it be just you and your son or is there a husband/partner too. If there is, are they american or british? It could make a difference.
smile
I would suggest that you take out US Citizenship before you think of returning.
If you decide to return in the future you will not have any problems.
On 2002-11-30 12:29, Keith wrote:
I would suggest that you take out US Citizenship before you think of returning.
If you decide to return in the future you will not have any problems.
I'm not qualified to advise you on this but IMO I think what Keith says is good advice. If you can take out citizenship, do so - and for your son also - it is the surest way of being able to return to the US if you choose to do so.
I've only just arrived in the US - but after 15 years you will find that the UK has changed a great deal and (this is always personal taste) you might not like it. Also your son might want to return to the US himself when he is older, and citizenship protects his right to do so.
Just my HO.
As a Green card holder you stand to lose it if you are out of the country for more than one year (even by one day). If that happens and you wanted to return you would have to begin the whole process all over again - and it won't be easy.
On 2002-11-30 11:29, marinerfan wrote:
I have'nt posted for ages. Has anyone considered moving back to Engalnd? I've lived here for 15 years. Dad is widowed and getting frail, and I feel like being with him for longer than just the 2 week vacation every year. I have a 13 year old son. We would like to go back for a year or two. What would be my status for returning? I have a green card. Anyone done this or thinking of doing this. Everyone I've talked to thinks it's a great idea for my dad, but we will be shocked about the difference in standard of living. Living there is different than vacationing I suppose?
Jo
We are planning on returning to the UK eventually - probably via a few years in either Belgium (hopefully) or Japan. I really cannot picture myself in the US long-term. Life just seems too short for that.
I don't know why you should worry about a difference in standard of living. It is really a case of swings and roundabouts, I believe. There really is a lot more to life than material possessions.
As a green card holder, you have one year out of the US - no questions asked. If you think you will be out for up to 2 years you need to secure a re-entry permit (I-131) before you leave the US. You can get a second re-entry permit but it is very hard to show strong-enough ties to the US when you are returning to your country of citizenship. If you are the spouse of a US citizen, it is just as easy to abandon you residency and start afresh with the visa process when you wish to return.
As others have said, it would probably be a good idea for you to apply for US citizenship before you leave (you'd have to return for the interview and swearing in).
I can only advise you from my perspective, and in no way a legal point of view, However I personally find the US a better place to live, Big Brother is everywhere in the UK, almost every traffic light has a camera, almost every main road has multiple speed cameras and they say you cannot go anywhere without appearing on several hundred surveilance cameras.
I do understand this happens in the USA also but to a far lesser extent, Taxes are higher in the UK and wages generally lower, Crime is at an all time high, I love England but I really have no desire to move back just yet, far too much repression, I am sorry to say but it seems as if the UK is becoming a police state more and more every week.
I do intend to eventually return but probably not until I retire, Like I said I do love my Country, I just feel much more liberated here right now than I would in the UK.
On 2002-12-01 01:16, TooMuch wrote:
Big Brother is everywhere in the UK, almost every traffic light has a camera, almost every main road has multiple speed cameras and they say you cannot go anywhere without appearing on several hundred surveilance cameras.
But at least they don't trace you via your SS number at every step!
:???:
Well you have a valid point, I suppose it`s the old cliche, six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Lets all move to Cuba or somewhere equal, then we will all be sorry! lol
Hi...l've only been in the US for 5 years,but the novelty of it wore off for me a long time ago,l'd love to go back home but l'm married to an American and she has kids here otherwise she'd move back home with me.As has already been said,the standard of living is better here for sure,but as someone else already said,l'd also rather be poorer but happier ! Definitely a good point about you going for citizenship though,l got mine 6 months ago,mainly for work reasons really and it only took about 9 months,might be worth doing if you can hang on for that long,then you can come and go unrestricted.Anyway good luck to you !
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by FLBrit59 on 2003-01-04 0843 ]</font>
i'm sure i read somewhere that you loose your green card if you are out of the country for more than 6 months and 1 day
not sure where i read that.. so check carefully as I'm not sure you can leave for 1 year ok
I dont ever intend to move back to Britain. The standard of living where I am is so so much better, and I can assure you, poorer wont equal happier, because it aint the money keeping me happy, its the quality of life. I couldnt stand another day of rain, pessimism, socialist pish, envy of the wealthier, or awful class consciousness and thats exactly why I moved away. The only way I will go back is if the US enforces the Draft (which we all have to sign up for when we apply to come here!) because as the saying goes, you cant shake hands with a clenched fist. I would happilly live somewhere else, maybe Aus/NZ, but I have a an urge to try out Alaska. They pay you to stay in Alaska!