Possible opportunity to emigrate to Florida, thoughts?
Discussion
Odd post really, wife and I are 50-ish, no kids, 3 dogs.
Wife has a "wealthy" relative in Venice Florida, and we get to go there a couple of times a year and stay FOC. lovely place. When we first went we both said "I want to move here", however, reality sets in and that thought drifted away.
Our most recent visit - relative says "I want you to move over here, I'll speak to my attorney" not sure what the attorney would do but then she says "I'll buy you a house".
OK, didn't expect that - we discussed it and decided 25 years ago, or in 10 years maybe. But not at the moment.
Got home, don't know if its the weather or what, but the thoughts have returned.
I'm an accountant, but if I did go over there I think I would rather be a bookkeeper, looked at the salaries for bookkeepers and its not as far off what I get here for a Head of Finance role as I thought it would be!
Wife's company has a business in Georgia she might be able to transfer to.
For info we would probably inherit a house in a few years anyway so this wouldn't drive the move.
We are both typical UK people, a bit sheltered, homely types. Just buying a new house too.
I feel stupid asking, but this is a great potential opportunity isn't it?
Edit - havent really seriously looked into if its actually possible from a legal POV
Wife has a "wealthy" relative in Venice Florida, and we get to go there a couple of times a year and stay FOC. lovely place. When we first went we both said "I want to move here", however, reality sets in and that thought drifted away.
Our most recent visit - relative says "I want you to move over here, I'll speak to my attorney" not sure what the attorney would do but then she says "I'll buy you a house".
OK, didn't expect that - we discussed it and decided 25 years ago, or in 10 years maybe. But not at the moment.
Got home, don't know if its the weather or what, but the thoughts have returned.
I'm an accountant, but if I did go over there I think I would rather be a bookkeeper, looked at the salaries for bookkeepers and its not as far off what I get here for a Head of Finance role as I thought it would be!
Wife's company has a business in Georgia she might be able to transfer to.
For info we would probably inherit a house in a few years anyway so this wouldn't drive the move.
We are both typical UK people, a bit sheltered, homely types. Just buying a new house too.
I feel stupid asking, but this is a great potential opportunity isn't it?
Edit - havent really seriously looked into if its actually possible from a legal POV
Rent your UK house out whilst away and plan to go for a year, worst case you have a Florida holiday home you can visit a couple of times a year or sell or rent if it doesn't work. Best case you enjoy lovely climate, new experiences and enjoy your life a bit more than you do here. Sounds a very good opportunity.
Legally it might be costly but if money no issue then ….
The best and cheapest option is about 900,000 usd.
It was 500k but it’s gone up.
That’s with the discount too, without it’s 1,800,000 usd.
It’s a long process.
On the logistic side, remember FL can be a very hot and humid place to live, may to November it’s unrelenting sometimes.
There are loads of good and bad points though.
If I was in your situation and it was at no cost to myself then I would go for it.
Would I spend my own money on it, probably not.
Remember the US is likely to have a tough few years, any business you buy might struggle. That said you might be able to buy a business at a discount…
The best and cheapest option is about 900,000 usd.
It was 500k but it’s gone up.
That’s with the discount too, without it’s 1,800,000 usd.
It’s a long process.
On the logistic side, remember FL can be a very hot and humid place to live, may to November it’s unrelenting sometimes.
There are loads of good and bad points though.
If I was in your situation and it was at no cost to myself then I would go for it.
Would I spend my own money on it, probably not.
Remember the US is likely to have a tough few years, any business you buy might struggle. That said you might be able to buy a business at a discount…
I'm going to ask the obvious question, which is how will you get a Visa to let you work?
It's great having a house bought for you and your wife may be able to transfer, but how will you work?
If you're planning on buying a business and therefore 'buying' a visa, AIUI that is many hundreds of thousands of dollars?
It's great having a house bought for you and your wife may be able to transfer, but how will you work?
If you're planning on buying a business and therefore 'buying' a visa, AIUI that is many hundreds of thousands of dollars?
MOBB said:
I feel stupid asking, but this is a great potential opportunity isn't it?
Edit - havent really seriously looked into if its actually possible from a legal POV
Yes it is, however your following question is the big sticking point.Edit - havent really seriously looked into if its actually possible from a legal POV
My brother-in-law and his wife obtained their working VISA/Green Cards maybe about 20 years ago, they qualified as they both worked in healthcare for NHS here in transferrable roles that were in demand. Even so, the process was very long winded with many hoops to jump through.
I'd suggest looking at whether you qualify to be able to get permission to live and work there before thinking about anything else.
My wife and I have talked about it (she would potentially qualify due to profession) and the only things that put us off are healthcare and the small amount of holiday/vacation days you get in America.
Bill said:
Lack of kids makes it easier, but what about parents? What happens if/when they need looking after?
My main question is what's in it for the relative? Are they hoping you'll wipe their bum as they age??!?
I think its just that she is a bit lonely - she is 85, husband died 5 years ago, no kids. Loves having us over as we are awesome.My main question is what's in it for the relative? Are they hoping you'll wipe their bum as they age??!?
She did say she has no intention of us having to look after her if she becomes infirm etc, she intends to "take a pill when she starts to dribble" bless her.
Muzzer79 said:
I'm going to ask the obvious question, which is how will you get a Visa to let you work?
It's great having a house bought for you and your wife may be able to transfer, but how will you work?
If you're planning on buying a business and therefore 'buying' a visa, AIUI that is many hundreds of thousands of dollars?
In my fantasy world, as I'm an accountant that would qualify me, however I will of course look into this much further................It's great having a house bought for you and your wife may be able to transfer, but how will you work?
If you're planning on buying a business and therefore 'buying' a visa, AIUI that is many hundreds of thousands of dollars?
Bill said:
Lack of kids makes it easier, but what about parents? What happens if/when they need looking after?
My main question is what's in it for the relative? Are they hoping you'll wipe their bum as they age??!?
Wifes parents no longer with us, she has a brother and sister though. Sister has also been invited (house etc) but wouldnt commit due to kids/grandkids.My main question is what's in it for the relative? Are they hoping you'll wipe their bum as they age??!?
Havent spoken to mine in 10 years and doubt I ever will so not an issue.
Bum wipe, see earlier post :-)
MOBB said:
Muzzer79 said:
I'm going to ask the obvious question, which is how will you get a Visa to let you work?
It's great having a house bought for you and your wife may be able to transfer, but how will you work?
If you're planning on buying a business and therefore 'buying' a visa, AIUI that is many hundreds of thousands of dollars?
In my fantasy world, as I'm an accountant that would qualify me, however I will of course look into this much further................It's great having a house bought for you and your wife may be able to transfer, but how will you work?
If you're planning on buying a business and therefore 'buying' a visa, AIUI that is many hundreds of thousands of dollars?
Getting work residency in the US is notoriously very, very difficult without a lot of money or a company sponsor......
Business entry is going to be your main option. I.e buy a business.
I think if your relative is 85 she might be out of touch, without sounding harsh.
Your wife might qualify if work will sponsor her but it’s a 5 year process.
Look at the numbers I posted, it’s basically a million quid in FL.
I know 2 people who have done it, so it’s possible. One onLy just this year actually.
I had chance to go around 20 years ago. Visa approved, contract signed, apartment hunting… backed out at the last minute. Biggest regret of my life and I try not to have any!
Friends who went over on the same job are still there.
I think if your relative is 85 she might be out of touch, without sounding harsh.
Your wife might qualify if work will sponsor her but it’s a 5 year process.
Look at the numbers I posted, it’s basically a million quid in FL.
I know 2 people who have done it, so it’s possible. One onLy just this year actually.
I had chance to go around 20 years ago. Visa approved, contract signed, apartment hunting… backed out at the last minute. Biggest regret of my life and I try not to have any!
Friends who went over on the same job are still there.
Anything Florida related, Matt Harper on here is your man, properly clued up on pretty much everything involved with living there and a super nice chap to boot.
As folks said the visa is the hard bit but you only get to live once so if you can make it work do it. I live in New Jersey and was only saying to the wife this weekend, on a beautful Autumn walk how lucky we are to have seen a different part of the world, it really changes your perspective on things.
As folks said the visa is the hard bit but you only get to live once so if you can make it work do it. I live in New Jersey and was only saying to the wife this weekend, on a beautful Autumn walk how lucky we are to have seen a different part of the world, it really changes your perspective on things.
First up, remember, if you do it and dont like it you can just go back to England, but at least you tried, its not a one way prison sentence!
I have worked and lived in Australia, Slovakia, Switzerland and now live in the US (New York)
your time there will be , first 3 months, this is awesome, next 6 months, this is crap, the time after, will be what it will be to the end so you need to give it at least a year.
It was like that for all my relocations with the exception of New York, absolutely loved it form day 1 and never felt differently
That said, as Brit we like to moan and that doesn't go away, so often you will say how something is stupid, expensive and ridiculous, there is no utopia
With regard to gettign across, if you wife can get a L1 visa for her work by moving to Georgia, then you will qualify for a spouse L1 (or2 cant recall) and be able to work as you want anywhere.
L1 lasts (with renewals) about 7 years, during that time, once you are sure its settling material, apply for the green card, mine took just over a year form application.
Now happily Greencarded up, not sure on citizenship though, will think about that step..
In short, say yes to opportunity dont be too scared/worried. regrets are what you dont do, not what you do do, unless its drugs and tattoos ,
I have worked and lived in Australia, Slovakia, Switzerland and now live in the US (New York)
your time there will be , first 3 months, this is awesome, next 6 months, this is crap, the time after, will be what it will be to the end so you need to give it at least a year.
It was like that for all my relocations with the exception of New York, absolutely loved it form day 1 and never felt differently
That said, as Brit we like to moan and that doesn't go away, so often you will say how something is stupid, expensive and ridiculous, there is no utopia
With regard to gettign across, if you wife can get a L1 visa for her work by moving to Georgia, then you will qualify for a spouse L1 (or2 cant recall) and be able to work as you want anywhere.
L1 lasts (with renewals) about 7 years, during that time, once you are sure its settling material, apply for the green card, mine took just over a year form application.
Now happily Greencarded up, not sure on citizenship though, will think about that step..
In short, say yes to opportunity dont be too scared/worried. regrets are what you dont do, not what you do do, unless its drugs and tattoos ,
Edited by satans worm on Monday 24th October 13:57
One thing you might have to be aware of is that if you get a work visa, but then are made redundant/quit then you only have a very limited amount of time (30 days from memory) before you have to leave the country.
My sister had been working in the US for seven years and then the business closed and so she lost her work visa and would have had to return to the UK if she hadn't rapidly married her boyfriend
My sister had been working in the US for seven years and then the business closed and so she lost her work visa and would have had to return to the UK if she hadn't rapidly married her boyfriend
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