Going back to the UK

[Kriz1]

I was very shocked to find out how many of the people who have stopped posting on the forums I once used....have stopped posting because they have gone back to the UK....I really wish people would feel open enough to talk about this....

I'm told they feel it maybe taken as too negative to talk about...but the rate of people moving back looks like its growing.....so its a subject worth bring up...the reasons for going home can be many.....and no-one should feel they can't be helpful to others waiting to make the big move to the USA because they have gone home for whatever reason....

[mandybenn]

Hi

As we are looking to make the move to USA we would appreciate people being open. It makes the decision easier and helps you prepare better and avoid any of the problems they have suffered.

Do share your experiences.

Thanks

Mandy

[JulieC]

There are two on one forum I am on, one was here six months and just didnt like it. though he had been trying to get here for about two years.. The others business was not as he thought and he was unable to get it running again and went out of business, he was here seven months and he lost quite a lot of money. The people we bought our business off went back after 10 months, the wife was just terribly homesick and missed her family too much. I know one other family who have gone back and theirs was illness related and inability to get continued medical insurance.

[Kriz1]

I think so many people moving over think people go back because they don't get renewal...its better in a way to know that other things send most people home....things that you may not have to think about or not for a while anyway...illness...lack of money.... no healthcare etc....homesickness is near the top of the list...

[JulieC]

Most of the above never got to renewal All those I know who were denied renewal are appealing, takes years!!

[nakoic]

Okay ... this might be something that some of you guys might wish to do, for what ever the reason, like Julie C says ... it could be illness, other family related incident's, however with regard to not being able to suceed in a business after 6 months, is more like giving up ... it's like anything in life, you climb many mountians to get to the top, and along the way you might go down the wrong path, or have a bad experience ... but lets call it a learning curve ... does anyone remeber Disneys Lion King, with Smiba and Mufasa (sorry, probably spelt the name wron) the (monkey) ... he hit him on the head the 1 st time, and it was painful, the 2 nd time Smiba moved out of the way ... he learnt from that experience ...

I thought that anyone starting such a life experience change would do their homework regarding the business they go into, changes they might have to make regarding family life/work, etc ... but also not to have "Rose-Tinted" specs ... okay some of you think I might be talking !!!, however I would like to think we're made of sterner stuff ...remeber life throw's all kinds of sernario's at us ... but its how you deal with the experience and learn from it that matters ...

It's like a post on another forum "Is it worth it" ... the guys not experienced it, but has heard from others ... some good, and soome bad ... he's now decided to give up, if he's ready to give up now ... what does he think life is going to be like out there! (and that's before he's even started).

(sorry, that's just my two pence worth)

I

[samtheman]

Okay ... this might be something that some of you guys might wish to do, for what ever the reason, like Julie C says ... it could be illness, other family related incident's, however with regard to not being able to suceed in a business after 6 months, is more like giving up ... it's like anything in life, you climb many mountians to get to the top, and along the way you might go down the wrong path, or have a bad experience ... but lets call it a learning curve ... does anyone remeber Disneys Lion King, with Smiba and Mufasa (sorry, probably spelt the name wron) the (monkey) ... he hit him on the head the 1 st time, and it was painful, the 2 nd time Smiba moved out of the way ... he learnt from that experience ...

I thought that anyone starting such a life experience change would do their homework regarding the business they go into, changes they might have to make regarding family life/work, etc ... but also not to have "Rose-Tinted" specs ... okay some of you think I might be talking !!!, however I would like to think we're made of sterner stuff ...remeber life throw's all kinds of sernario's at us ... but its how you deal with the experience and learn from it that matters ...

It's like a post on another forum "Is it worth it" ... the guys not experienced it, but has heard from others ... some good, and soome bad ... he's now decided to give up, if he's ready to give up now ... what does he think life is going to be like out there! (and that's before he's even started).

(sorry, that's just my two pence worth)

I

What a glib statement . So you are made of 'sterner stuff' !!! Wait until you are here before castigating others who have actually done it and for many varied reasons returned.

You can do as much homework as you like and can but if the final exam contains a question to which there was no way of finding the answer, waht do you do? You can't 'cheat' here you have to work out what is best for the family.

Perhaps the most self centre post I have ever read on any forum

[nakoic]

Sorry if you feel that way ... and I did not mean we as our family, what I meant was we as a whole ... you have to have "guts of steel" to move your family across the pond ....

[Kriz1]

For a lot of Brits who come here with enough money and a good plan...apart from visa troubles...its no different moving to the US than moving 200 miles away from where you grow up....I've moved every 7 years most of my life...moving to the USA was just another move...when and if problems come up....they do hit a little harder in a different country....but thats because you have extra worries...loss of healthcare if you're in a job ...kids feeling different and having problems in school could be something that may not have happened to them if they had stayed in the UK....the only reasons for not coming in my books is lack of money....you can't do this well on a shoe string...and giving thought to what your dream will do to your kids if it all goes pear shaped....also you have to take into account if on an E2 that you need a plan for returning home.....

[Kriz1]

"however with regard to not being able to suceed in a business after 6 months, is more like giving up "

No...it was not giving up....it was something they had no control over....the business if I'm thinking of the right person...had problems from day one....they spent months trying to put it right they did not just give up....
In the US you can lose everything over night...losing a job can see you on the streets within weeks...no home no healthcare...bad credit...the list goes on....

[nakoic]

Again all I can do is apoligisze for my comments, but I was speaking in the first instance ....the future, is not something that we can see into ...

[JulieC]

The one guy whose business went downhill in seven months was a long while in the waiting for his visa and when he took over the business had already gone downhill as the seller has paid lip service to the business during the delay, the figures were nowhere near what he thought and much of his stock was out of date. He had problems with staff and the lease on the premises expired. I dont think doing your homework would really have helped. He tried his best but was unable to get the business up again in the time he had. I dont think he brought much money with him. Money is the big thing, if you dont bring enough and things go wrong you are scuppered. You can say persevere and you didnt give it enough time, but if you have no business and no money coming in and no savings in the bank, how long do you keep saying things are going to get better? And what do you live on while you do??? There is only so long you can bang your head againt a brick wall before your head really starts to hurt.

True you can turn it around. Perhaps Karyn off here would like to post her story as she managed to turn a really bad start right around. I do think though that some people who have a really bad start lose the will to stay, Florida sours on them and then other things such as the high cost of living and healthcare and missing family will go into stark relief wheras they would have been in the background for anyone doing well.

I dont blame nakoic for her comments. I think she is still in the UK and until you have done this, you have no idea how it feels only an idea of how you think it should feel. But what samtheman says is absolutely true.

[Kriz1]

Again all I can do is apoligisze for my comments, but I was speaking in the first instance ....the future, is not something that we can see into ...

I think its great you have strong feelings about moving to the US...and are really thinking way ahead about how to make it work for you...
But sometimes people get hit out the blue...and no matter how hard they try they can't pick up again....most of us living in the US know its not an easy place to have something go wrong.....
Everyone can learn a lot from the people who go back to the UK for whatever reason....I wish more would carry on posting....but I know a lot feel that they may put off the people still in the UK....but I'm sure anyone really wanting to come here will not be put off...but just have more info to make their life easier....

[JulieC]

I think many people who return home for bad reasons rather than choosing to do so tend to turn their back on the experience as a bad time in their lives and they put it from their minds and look forward to other interests. I think posting on an immigration forum would be the last thing from their thoughts, useful though it may be for those that follow.

[Bobby]

Information from these people is invaluable, but I would be wary of listening to only their side of the story too.

We can all get caught up in reading and listening to what we WANT to hear instead of what the true facts were. Why let the truth get in the way of a good story!! (my old man used to say!)

I think for someone who has had their plans and dreams fall apart in the USA, it would be difficult for them to post anything that wasn't just a touch cynical.

Of course we can learn SOME things from them, but ten times over I'd rather listen to someone who has been successful, and try to follow their lead.

I feel that too many people may get caught up in what not to do as far as immigration goes, instead of actually concentrating on what TO DO.

Everyone's scenarios are different. There are never two the exact same, so we must make our own minds up on our OWN paths and I believe we'll be best served taking advice from someone who has succeeded than someone who failed.
Just my opinion! Feel free to beat me up, send me to Coventry and send threatening mail etc. lol

Bobby

[Kriz1]

Go to the corner Bobby...NOW.....LOL!

I had my back up plan because someone failed and I learnt from their story....if not for them I'd be back in the UK now.....not a bad thing for us going home......but I think for now we are better off in the USA....we are so near to becoming Americans...so we can go home when we please and not worry about coming back to the US....

[JulieC]

Funnily enough it is not unheard of for people to go home and then come back again. They find the UK isnt as they remembered it and the US not that bad after all. I know someone who didnt renew their E2 and went home who came back on another E2 two years later. It happens!! I am a firm believer that all points of view should be put then at least someone thinking of moving out has a true picture. You are right, no two scenarios are exactly the same.

[Bobby]

Got to ask..... WHY would you want to become an American?

I presume you are talking about gaining citizenship, which obviously has it's benefits, but surely you are still what you are no matter where you pledge after you're born??

Bobby

[Bobby]

Julie,

Are you sitting on your keyboard?

I'd only just typed. Your SO quick girl!!

[JulieC]

Yes, always on line Bobby, carry the computer around, too the loo, into the shower. LOl. Well there aint much on TV on Thursday nights!
I dont think Kriz was going to take the pledge until she had an American grandson. But it does have its advantages, you dont have to stay here if you dont want to, you could go home for a couple of years and still come back without forfeiting your right of residence. You can also sponsor your relatives to come over, LOL.

[Kriz1]

I just want to come and go as I please mostly....but I think I would class myself as American if I became a citizen.....I have roots here now having an American Grandson.....

[Kriz1]

I don't want any of my relatives here Julie....

[Bobby]

I just want to come and go as I please mostly....but I think I would class myself as American if I became a citizen.....I have roots here now having an American Grandson.....

I suppose it comes down to personal choice. I'm probably looking at it from an archaic heritage point of view!

Being Scottish, I don't think you'll see me calling myself anything but that, even with citizenship papers.

My daughter's an American, and our ongoing family will go on to be American, but I'll always be a Scot. (I can almost hear William Wallace in my ear right now as I type!)

Bobby

[Kriz1]

Most of my mothers family are French....my mother her sister and my uncle were not born there because they had an English father and by marrying a Brit my Nan became the black sheep of the family...we could live in England...work...and fight in the Army but marrying an outsider was not the done thing... their brother was born in France and he had a Scot for a dad which was OK....our family used both English and French in the house....my fathers family are part South American....and use both Spanish and English....a lot of my mothers family are Gypsies...anywhere that would welcome the family became home...France England now the USA...I am a Brit...but if I stay here I'll find it easy enough to become American....I still call England home....but I now call the USA home more and more....

[JulieC]

I didnt think you did, Kriz!! But a lot of others take citizenship for that reason wheras they would be fine just staying on green card. If I were a citizen I would bring my remaining kids out if they wanted to.

[Kriz1]

I left England to get away from my family....:)

None of us stay in one place for long....I've just found out my uncle and his family have now gone back to France to live full time....he got all the family money and the house there so who can blame him....on my dads side I now have family back in South America....2 of my uncles were born there....we seem to be regrouping after many years apart....an Aunt I love to death is now staying with my mum for a while...she is still friendly with my dads family so I get to find out about them again after 20 years....I have family e-mailing me and on my messengers I've not seen for many years....its all politics in our family...it drives you insane...I'm hoping now the oldies are dying off...we can put all that behind us....

[katya]

Well I see it in all different ways. What an interesting post !
Personally I see good life on both sides of the pond. I beleive Florida is good for some things and the UK good for others.
I do think it depends on what you are leaving behind in the UK. For example someone that has a large loving family and friends back home, is without a doubt going to get a tad more homesick. Good memories will always shine through, when things are not looking so rosy here. On a social level if you do not find friends that on are your level of thinking, this will also make you feel like returning "Home" . People back in the UK, that have only ever vacationed here will always comment that you have a better life, only because they have never left the UK for longer than 2 weeks.
Obviously if you have monetry problems here ( of which you didnt have in the UK) that would steer you back "home" too.
Again personally I think it weighs itself up in the end. For me I could live either here or there. I miss my family and friends ( being that they are genuin) and at the same time I love the weather and outdoor life my children receive. For the time being we will stay where we are...although who know's what the future holds.....only my heart will decide.

[Kriz1]

I feel just like you Katya....I could live in the UK or carry on living here...I think thats a sign that you are happy with your life here ...I see no point in bad mouthing the place your were born...most of the reasons people give for moving to the USA are to get away from problems that are even bigger over here that back in England...

[chris]

May I post my 5 cents worth on this topic. We have been here since 2000 on an E2 visa and it has not been easy. We had 9/11, then the downturn in the US Economy, then the Iraq invasion and all that did and still does, and then we had the hurricanes of 2004. Throughout that period our business, which we started from scratch has been up and dwon more times than the proverbial 'brides nightie'. We are still here.
Would I do it all again. No I don't think I would! For all those folks thinking of coming over to the USA, ignore the sun of Florida and the theme parks, they don't really apply when you live and earn a living here. As an 'alien', because that's what the US likes to call us all, we are tolerated. We have increasing restrictions placed upon us and I lose count of the fears and worries expressed by UK people here about Visa renewals and all that brings.
Instead take a good look at other counttries if you so want to leave the UK. Canada, whilst not Florida, has the E2 Visa and you are considered a lot more more permananet after a year there, then you ever would in the US. Consider also the EU. As the UK is one the original Treaty members, you have absolute right to live, work and play without hijdrance or restriction in any of the member countries. If you are in central florida these days, what is so different about here than Spain, the language is rapidly becoming the same. You have Portugal, where the EU grants are heavily available. You have France with its food, it's landscape and unfortunately the French (not as bad as they are painted). OK, with many of these countries you and your family will have to learn the language, but so what. But the main thing is that you won't have worries on freedom of movement and that is for me the biggest bug bear of living and working in the US. We have already seen elsewhere on this site, the plight of a UK woman who's husband died here very suddenly and the sheer worry she has of the prospect of being aksed to elave the US depsite the fact her and her husbnad have a thriving business, etc. She wnats to get her son over, but is finding lots fo hurdles to go through. That would never happen within the EU.
I am not knocking moving to the US or Florida, simply that in the past 6 or so years, there are other options out there which are more practical.
Chris

[floridapete]

One of the conditions of being issued with a E2 visa, because it is a non-immigrant, temporary stay visa is that you MUST have a 'place of domicile' in the UK to return to at the end of your visa period.

I wonder how many E2'ers actually have anywhere to return to (short of kipping with the in-laws) ? How many of them leave a toe-hold, (a 'pied a terre') back in the UK to return to 'if things get bad enough' ? How many, I wonder, will have lost their place on the property ladder for whenever they may wish to return because of the rise in UK property values and the drop in the value fo the US dollar since they sold up and left with all their savings ?

On the subject Chris raises with regards to Spain etc as alternative to Florida. I have been spending time in Spanish Canary Islands recently and, reading the English language newspapers published there I get the impression that there are many thousands of Brit ex-pats there too - all trying to scrape a living from bars, restaurants, management, building, plumbing etc. It's not an easy living there either !

We also know people who, not being able to get an E2 visa for Florida at the time, went off to Vancouver, Canada as a knee-jerk reaction to their disappointment. Well, they aren't happy there either - so they are now trying to see if it is easier for them as non-Candian Brits to get into the US from Canada, than it was from Britain.

As I said before - some people lead very complicated lives ! :)

[Kriz1]

I've had friends who came back to England years ago from living in Canada..Oz and the USA because of different problems..they never seemed to find their roots again..they would go somewhere else and be unhappy there too..

some people just want out of the UK no matter what...some are jumping out of the frying pan into the fire ...

[chris]

Quick reply to Peter's comment about UK domicile for E2 Visas. I read somewhere (can't remember where that the UK domicile requirement for the E2 Visas is no longer part of the equation. I think the penny finally dropped with the US that most people were selling up to realise their equity in order to do the whole E2 thing in the first place.
But do not take this as gospel. If anyone is unsure about this I suggest checking it out for the accurate info.
Chris

[Bobby]

I think that it's actually "in" a lot of people, that no matter where they were born, they wouldn't be happy to hang around there for too long and have itchy feet to travel to somewhere different.

Life's an adventure, so why not experience it from many different perspectives?

I am not delighted living in Central Florida, but for now it suits. I wouldn't discount moving somewhere else if I thought there'd be a better life.

My point is that most people who have made this kind of move in the first place, probably have it inherently within to begin with.

There had to be a trait (back in day), of the explorer or adventurer, otherwise we'd never have discovered America in the first place.

Bobby

[katya]

Well put Bobby and all valid points from everyone.
I know many people back in the UK that grumble and moan about the place, yet my argument to them is it cant be that bad otherwise you would have got out. Its in some of us to sell up and move on, some would love to do it but wouldnt have the drive or 100% desire

Totally agree on Florida isnt the only place to live with decent climate. As for culture I definatley feel I could live other places and be happy,

Katya

[Ray10]

Quick reply to Peter's comment about UK domicile for E2 Visas. I read somewhere (can't remember where that the UK domicile requirement for the E2 Visas is no longer part of the equation. I
You are correct......

[floridapete]

You are correct......

Maybe so. But the Consular officer at the US Embassy (John Caulfield) did recently state in a feature published in Emigrate America newspaper:

"To be eligible for E2 status the visa applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she...................intends to depart the United States when the E2 status terminates."

So I am sure that someone will ask you, in the interview, "where will you be returning to ?"

[Ray10]

"To be eligible for E2 status the visa applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she...................intends to depart the United States when the E2 status terminates."
That is correct ..a verbal statement is all that is required nowadays
There is no requirement to have a property to return to ...