What about the Tampa Bay area

[Barbizonette]

Hi everybody !
I'm kind of a special "animal" on this forum ; I'm a US citizen, but lived almost all of my like in France, close to Paris, and now in Burgundy, not far from Lyon.
I actually lived in the States for 1 year in Phoenix, AZ, then 2and1/2 years in Orlando, FL, while I studied. Well actually I worked, and took night classes ... Finally finished my degree in Paris in 1994.
Anyway, my boy friend (French), my 2 daughters and I are fed up with France and thinking about moving "back" to the US.
We have to figure out how (coming with a K visa, entering with a B visa then marrying in the US ...), then where, to do what, to live how .... so many questions ...
I was wondering if any of you could give me some "insider's" information on the Tampa Bay area : cost of life, nice neighborhoods (girls are 7 and 13), ease to find employement, cost of a simple monthly shopping bill for 4, stuff like that ... Is it realistic to move with the entire familly ? Is is hard to start a business (graphic / web design) ?

Open to all kinds of info !
Thanks in advance ... and let me know if I can do anything for YOU !

Chris & co.

[Grumpy]

Hi and Welcome

Thanks for joining, it is really nice that a USC has joined and will get to learn what the immigration system is like for many of us Ailens


Florida has its good and bad points like most places. The weather is a big plus and does wonders for the aches and pains, for us oldies anyway

I do miss the changing seasons though, spring , summer, autumn and winter that I am used to

What sort of line of work is your boyfriend in? or yourself? this may make a difference to where you choose to live.

Will you have to sponser your husband financially? I am not sure for the best way for your boyfriend to come to the states but I can tell you that on a
B visa he cannot work or earn money in the USA.

This is a visitors visa or business visa. If he enters on business then he can only get paid from his foreign company.

Once you are married he will need to apply for work autho and get approval before he works and a soc sec number

[Susie]

Hi and :welcome:

Great to have you on board

How did you hear about our site?

The nicest area (IMHO) on the gulf coast is Sarasota. The homes are very expensive though and a waterway lot with home on Longboat key could be one million upwards.

Tampa area itself is very busy and if this is what you like then it is the place for you. I prefer to be near enough to get to town but far enough away of all the hussle and bustle

dcass and other on the forum live in that area and an sure they could give more information about adverage price homes and areas.

Just a thought, when you come over to the USA, rent a home for a month in the Tampa area and if you cannot find a job, rent in Sarasota for a month and if this does not work out then try Disney area for a month

Should you need somewhere to stay on a weekly or monthly basis, please send me a private message as I do have contacts in all areas.

If you are thinking of a computing business this (I am sure) would be more sucessful in the Orlando area. There are so many small companies that need assistance when their computers crash etc

[JulieC]

Nothing against Tampa, but if I had my choice of the two, I would also pick Sarasota in that area.

[Barbizonette]

Thanks a lot for your warm welcome !!!

I don't remember for sure where I got this website address, but I know it was looking for information on B and K visas, marriage, and so on ...

Susie, thanks for your offer to help me find a place to crash when we arrive, that will surely be very useful !

Grumpy, I know what you mean about seasons. I lived in Arizona and Florida for about 5 years in all, and was so happy to go back to "real" weather when I went back to France !!! We've been having really nice seasons these past years I must say, with snow in the winter and hot days in the summer.

About our lines of work, my byfriend is a graphic designer : he creates print and web material (brochures, catalogs, websites ...). On my side, I have had a rather sinuous carrer, but basically my skills are that of an Executive Secretary, but specifically proficient in marketing communication and event management. We were thinking of starting a small business developping print and web material with a marketing approach, and why not specialize in overseas development : European companies moving / starting a subsidiairy in Florida, or American companies developping business in Europe ... I speak French, English and Spanish (the latter should be useful wherever in Florida !)

I had a specific question about how to get my boyfriend to the US ; we've benn together for nearly 4 years and haven't felt the need to get married, but if we should, to help with "paperwork", well we will ! I we leave France, him with a B visa, will we get in trouble if we marry once in the US ? I've heard that if we marry before, he's entitled to a K3 visa, but that the waiting period is quite long ... Have any of you any ideas ?

Looking forward to chatting more with all of you !

Chris

[Susie]

Hi


Not a good idea for your boyfriend to get a b visa as this is either a vistors or business visa. This (if approved ) would only allow him to stay in the USA for 6 months. There is a provision to change (at the moment) from a B visa to another type of non immigrant visa such as E or L or student visa

The best (imho) idea would be for you to return to the USA and apply for a fiance visa. If this is approved I think you would have to marry within 90 days I think.

Has anyone got any better or different ideas?

[Ray10]

You marry your boyfriend in France then apply at at the embassy for Direct consular filing
http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/iv/categories/default.htm

He will arrive in the US ...with his green card already sorted ..
As a US citizen its hoped you have been filing your taxes with the IRS
all the time you have been out of the US ..