Has anyone here emigrated to USA? Question for those born in USA

[Truth_Faith13]

Just wondering as many of you live in the states, if anyone has emigrated from another country to the USA (specifically from the UK)?

We are no way near this being a serious discussion yet, but my husband and I are both “interested” so just putting feelers out.

If you were born in the USA, what do you like about it (or the state where you live) and what don’t you like?

Any comparisons to UK would be great both good and bad.

Thanks

 

[Xantippe]

Just wondering as many of you live in the states, if anyone has emigrated from another country to the USA (specifically from the UK)?

We are no way near this being a serious discussion yet, but my husband and I are both “interested” so just putting feelers out.

If you were born in the USA, what do you like about it (or the state where you live) and what don’t you like?

Any comparisons to UK would be great both good and bad.

Thanks

My husband is an emigre. He never wants to move, but he hates moving. We are both very contented in Texas–he’s an actual foreign foreigner and I’m from WA, so it’s a bit exotic for both of us.

There’s a big thread on Texas here if you do a search.

There’s a TV show called Fixer Upper on HGTV that shows a similar area–it’s a little bit idealized, but still informative of the sort of life that is possible for normal people.

 

[pianistclare]

Hubs moved here from Ireland 5 years ago.
He misses home, all the free healthcare, products we can’t find here, things like that.

We live in the Southeast, would LOVE to live in the Southwest. (where my people have been from since 1565.

 

[Entwhistler]

One thing I can tell you is that people will automatically love you for your British accent. You will automatically be thought of as a person will serious thoughts and a high intelligence. Ridiculous as that might be, I think Americans still feel a little guilty about that whole '76 business.

People in the United States are still rather conservative. More so I believe than the UK. This can be seen most clearly in the South where, even though it is mostly Protestant, there is a lot of push back to gay marriage, abortion, euthanasia and the like.

 

[zamyrabyrd]

Hubs moved here from Ireland 5 years ago.
He misses home, all the free healthcare, products we can’t find here, things like that.
We live in the Southeast, would LOVE to live in the Southwest. (where my people have been from since 1565.

How interesting, especially about the 1565. Is socialized medicine all that great? Maybe it works in a smaller country but the US is too large, I believe for that.

 

[pianistclare]

How interesting, especially about the 1565. Is socialized medicine all that great? Maybe it works in a smaller country but the US is too large, I believe for that.

I agree, it would never work here, but in Ireland, they love it, and it works well.
His father received excellent healthcare well into his 90’s and never paid a dime.
Good nurses, time in rehab centers from time to time, various procedures.

Our people are from Spain. Joe calls me his “tiny Conquistador”. LOL
The American Southwest is a lot more relaxed than the South and a haven for artists.

 

[allenr74]

Definitely pray about it.

We moved from New York City to North Carolina 5 years ago. We’ve met some nice people and made some good friends so far. We’ve also had our tribulations.

My wife and I discerned the move for over 2 years. I have no doubt that our prayers and discernment guided us to our parish, which is terrific!

I’ve never been to the UK but I know people that call London home. I would imagine New York City and London are similar.

The thing, historically, about the USA is that each state was almost like a different country. That, however, has been less of a case starting in the early 20th century.

In my opinion, the freedom that so many of us US natives like to boast about is not what it used to be and the USA is slowly morphing into a European social democracy. It’s not the federal republic it was intended to be.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

This may be slightly off topic.

But, there is a new television program: “Aerial America”

smithsonianchannel.com/shows/aerial-america/701

You may be able to view it on-line.

Each program focuses on one state.

And done from aerial video photography.

Each state is different … almost like a separate country … intended to be that way by the founding fathers.

We find it very interesting.

 

[Xantippe]

Also, if your job situation is good, it’s likely you’ll be very happy.

But if it’s bad, nothing else will matter.

My husband is passionate about his job and likes his colleagues and it makes a big difference. Before we decided to move to TX, he visited and I also visited separately and investigated schools, church and neighborhoods. Having a great job, a good school for the kids, good parishes, and a convenient neighborhood that we like has made everything tolerable–despite such issues as ridiculously large cockroaches, allergy issues and very high summer temperatures.

City Data can be a good source of info, or at least it used to be.

 

[svid2]

Pax Christi!

I’ve lived in the Midwest and I’ve lived in the East. The Midwest is more polite, with a better economy.

The U.S. gets more and more secular, materialistic and rude all the time. Probably most of western civilization is like that.

Sigh.

God bless.

 

[pensmama87]

I live in Western Pennsylvania. A family in our neighborhood moved here last year from the UK (the wife was originally from here, husband is British). They love it (as they should, because it’s an awesome place to live ), and while they were looking at a couple other areas they kept coming back to PA because the cost of living was much lower and it’s not nearly as crowded as other metro areas. The wife has told me several times how much she missed the friendliness.

One thing is that they kept a lot of their stuff, and it was sent here via ship, and a lot of the furniture got beat up pretty badly. If I had been in their shoes I would have sold everything I could and given the rest away, and just started over.

 

[Winter_Warlock_1]

My wife – migrated from the Philippines. We met and live in Los Angeles CA. We are just a mile away from the Ocean so no real city life. Weather is great if you like sunny and warm every day – even during the winter. But you have to deal with the crowds / traffic / and the high cost of living. I grew up on the East Coast and miss the 4 seasons. And the quite life. When we retire in about 17 – 18 years we plan on moving back East.

The best advice I can give is to think about what you are looking for, then do searches on areas that match what you are looking for. Once you have a state or states picked look at the environment that you like, city / country / suburbs. Everyone has different views on the areas they live.

For me, I lived on the East Coast / in the South / and now on the West Coast of the US. And I prefer the East.

Best of luck, and may God guide you in your decision.

Winter

 

[adamhovey1988]

One thing I can tell you is that people will automatically love you for your British accent. You will automatically be thought of as a person will serious thoughts and a high intelligence. Ridiculous as that might be, I think Americans still feel a little guilty about that whole '76 business.

People in the United States are still rather conservative. More so I believe than the UK. This can be seen most clearly in the South where, even though it is mostly Protestant, there is a lot of push back to gay marriage, abortion, euthanasia and the like.

Saying British accent is like saying American accent, it’s a little too vague, since Britain and America have a bunch of different accents. Just a pet peeve. Anyway, to the OP, I have not, but some of my mother’s relatives went to Mexico from the United States, and many of them were born there. My great aunt is in here 70s I think, and she has been there since she was 17, she never got a Mexican citizenship, but she has a Mexico City accent and speaks fluent Spanish. She likes it because she’s been there so long, but she thinks it’s become very dangerous.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Just wondering as many of you live in the states, if anyone has emigrated from another country to the USA (specifically from the UK)?

We are no way near this being a serious discussion yet, but my husband and I are both “interested” so just putting feelers out.

If you were born in the USA, what do you like about it (or the state where you live) and what don’t you like?

Any comparisons to UK would be great both good and bad.

Thanks

I have known quite a few emigrants from Western Europe come here and miss their homeland - actually go back. On the other hand, some flourish here.

There is a real difference in culture, social dynamics. Europe has a much more developed sense of community, shared culture, history, identity. The US is much more hands off, people tend to keep to themselves, their families. Connections are often superficial. More competitive, dare I say cold. There is also kind of a nasty culture war - left secular ideological political correctness vs right red state Trump-esque conservatism, mainly in rural areas, certain regions of the US. General lack of intellectualism, sense of history, culture. Hollywood, business/work/making money, pop culture, sports, fashion are all a vast vast majority of people know or care about. It can be incredibly boring and alienating if you don’t really love modern American culture (or lack thereof).

If you and your husband have a strong secure home life and want to get a chance at economic prosperity, you might really like it. More space, land, freedom, openness. Physically the US is stunning - if you are active and like to explore mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans. You could definitely work hard, succeed, get property, make a good life, all on your own terms.

I had a acquanitance from Britain who worked at Microsoft but went back to England (Devon) because he missed it. I have seen this over and over, not just UK - Italy, France, Germany. I know another couple from France (Microsoft again) who live here and have a great house - but they miss France. They go back frequently but like it here. On the fence I would say.

You might consider Canada. It is still North America, but also much closer to the UK in terms of culture, values. Vancouver is a fantastic city, also Toronto, Montreal. Brits and Europeans feel much more at home in Canada. I have seen Europeans in the US take to visiting Canada regularly to ‘feel at home.’ You can visit the US from there, no problem.

Take my comments with a grain of salt - I have always wanted to live in Europe. The UK seems warmer, more human, healthier culture, values, slower in pace. (ditto Europe) I will tell you this - this article would NEVER appear in the US major media:

telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/26/boris-johnsons-cat-evicted-from-number-10-after-sneaking-in-when/

UK 1 US 0


Though I suspect I am looking at Europe through rose-colored glasses. Modernity is everywhere. The UK seems to me also to have changed (for the worse) in the last ten years or so. When I am there, I feel like it is crowded and small - the UK is the size of two or three states, with many more people in a much smaller land area. Other than that, I am fine. I miss the trees, mountains, land, ocean, openness that I grew up with. That is about it.

To sum up, it just depends on how “American” you are, what your values are. I have known foreigners who are more “American” than I am. They love it here; they come from all over the world. I do live here after all - and am doing just fine for all my fussing.

 

[pensmama87]

I have known quite a few emigrants from Western Europe come here and miss their homeland - actually go back. On the other hand, some flourish here.

There is a real difference in culture, social dynamics. Europe has a much more developed sense of community, shared culture, history, identity. The US is much more hands off, people tend to keep to themselves, their families. Connections are often superficial. More competitive, dare I say cold. There is also kind of a nasty culture war - left secular ideological political correctness vs right red state Trump-esque conservatism, mainly in rural areas, certain regions of the US. General lack of intellectualism, sense of history, culture. Hollywood, business/work/making money, pop culture, sports, fashion are all a vast vast majority of people know or care about. It can be incredibly boring and alienating if you don’t really love modern American culture (or lack thereof).

If you and your husband have a strong secure home life and want to get a chance at economic prosperity, you might really like it. More space, land, freedom, openness. Physically the US is stunning - if you are active and like to explore mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans. You could definitely work hard, succeed, get property, make a good life, all on your own terms.

I had a acquanitance from Britain who worked at Microsoft but went back to England (Devon) because he missed it. I have seen this over and over, not just UK - Italy, France, Germany. I know another couple from France (Microsoft again) who live here and have a great house - but they miss France. They go back frequently but like it here. On the fence I would say.

You might consider Canada. It is still North America, but also much closer to the UK in terms of culture, values. Vancouver is a fantastic city, also Toronto, Montreal. Brits and Europeans feel much more at home in Canada. I have seen Europeans in the US take to visiting Canada regularly to ‘feel at home.’ You can visit the US from there, no problem.

Take my comments with a grain of salt - I have always wanted to live in Europe. The UK seems warmer, more human, healthier culture, values, slower in pace. (ditto Europe) I will tell you this - this article would NEVER appear in the US major media:

telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/26/boris-johnsons-cat-evicted-from-number-10-after-sneaking-in-when/

UK 1 US 0


Though I suspect I am looking at Europe through rose-colored glasses. Modernity is everywhere. The UK seems to me also to have changed (for the worse) in the last ten years or so. When I am there, I feel like it is crowded and small - the UK is the size of two or three states, with many more people in a much smaller land area. Other than that, I am fine. I miss the trees, mountains, land, ocean, openness that I grew up with. That is about it.

To sum up, it just depends on how “American” you are, what your values are. I have known foreigners who are more “American” than I am. They love it here; they come from all over the world. I do live here after all - and am doing just fine for all my fussing.

Just curious - have you always lived in the Pacific Northwest? What you say about “coldness” matches my experiences visiting family there, but doesn’t feel at all like other places I lived (though I’m not particularly fond of New England, either.)

I have heard from a lot of Europeans and Brits that the US is way warmer than home, though admittedly they were coming from northern cultures that are well known to be reserved, to put it mildly.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Just curious - have you always lived in the Pacific Northwest? What you say about “coldness” matches my experiences visiting family there, but doesn’t feel at all like other places I lived (though I’m not particularly fond of New England, either.)

I have heard from a lot of Europeans and Brits that the US is way warmer than home, though admittedly they were coming from northern cultures that are well known to be reserved, to put it mildly.

I have been here a number of years now - and yes I do think the PNW is very “Scandinavian” in temperament. This is a very common observation about this area - and I think a valid one. I notice when I go to New York City or Boston for example (even Chicago) that people are much more spontaneous, open with each other. (though I agree with you on the rest of New England being a bit chilly) I guess that maybe the East Coast, South, Midwest perhaps are “warmer.” But I stand by my point that the UK and Europe are “warmer” in a more authentic way. Could just be personal perception. Many say the Brits are cold, unfriendly. I have actually never really understood that. I don’t see it. They are quiet, not cold. I think Americans come off as more loud, spontaneous, but often it is just superficial, no real connection is made. Again, just personal taste. But these are viewpoints that are commonly expressed.

 

[Gertabelle]

The US is enormous, and much of it is sparsely populated. You could have a wide range of choices for climate, cost of living, and lifestyle.

The US is a nation of immigrants, so our shared culture tends to revolve around the media.

I live in Colorado, a mile above sea level, in the Denver area. Even here, the metro area offers a variety of mini-cultures if you will. Finding the place where you feel at home can be a challenge even for us “natives.”

God bless you in your discernment.

(and if Donal Trump is elected president, perhaps you’d like to do house-swap for the next four years? Give the US a trial run? )

 

[Xantippe]

The US is enormous, and much of it is sparsely populated. You could have a wide range of choices for climate, cost of living, and lifestyle.

The US is a nation of immigrants, so our shared culture tends to revolve around the media.

I live in Colorado, a mile above sea level, in the Denver area. Even here, the metro area offers a variety of mini-cultures if you will. Finding the place where you feel at home can be a challenge even for us “natives.”

God bless you in your discernment.

(and if Donal Trump is elected president, perhaps you’d like to do house-swap for the next four years? Give the US a trial run? )

Funny!

Or whoever is elected, come to think of it.

You can find a lot of different local cultures in the US–brash-and-in-your-face Northeasterners, quiet Midwesterners, fun flashy Texans, outdoorsy Northwesterners, whatever it is that Portlanders are nowadays–whatever you want.

And of course country is different from city is different from suburbs in each area.

 

[boldlygo]

The US is enormous, and much of it is sparsely populated. You could have a wide range of choices for climate, cost of living, and lifestyle.

The US is a nation of immigrants, so our shared culture tends to revolve around the media.

I live in Colorado, a mile above sea level, in the Denver area. Even here, the metro area offers a variety of mini-cultures if you will. Finding the place where you feel at home can be a challenge even for us “natives.”

God bless you in your discernment.
**
(and if Donal Trump is elected president, perhaps you’d like to do house-swap** for the next four years? Give the US a trial run? )

I’d make the same deal if Hillary is elected…and there might not be anything left of this country for me to come back to…

I live in northeast Ohio, about 40 miles south of Cleveland…semi-rural…four legitimate seasons…awesome parish…good schools…we love it here…

 

[Viki63]

If you were born in the USA, what do you like about it (or the state where you live) and what don’t you like?

Pros: history of independence, freedom to live wherever and however you want, economic opportunity, beautiful scenery in many areas.

Cons: be prepared to spend $10,000/year on healthcare if you have any health conditions or injuries, even with insurance. The healthcare situation is very controversial – Canada’s system works better, here in the US many people declare bankruptcy for reasons of health care.
Rudeness is becoming more prevalent. Of course there are many good people, especially in churches.
Race relations are strained right now, though people of good will on both sides are working to ease them.

.