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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I move from Australia to the US?

31 replies

So2007 · 07/04/2017 20:21

I have a greencard work application for a previous field that took years. I was now told that it will be cancelled if I do not act on it within a year.

My husband is a software engineer. I'd be working in that field for three years, as the visa is tied to the job.

Is it worth it? We don't have kids. My husband has always been competitive career-wise. I have just recently (in the last two years) began having big professional dreams for myself. After the three-year job, I hope to get into IT (I took a masters here in Australia).

OP posts:
Cocklodger · 07/04/2017 20:31

No one else can decide for you.
Look at your prospective salaries, cost of living, areas where there is plentiful work, how much savings would you need? What's the future like for your job there? If you decide on an area due to low cost of living/higher salaries/lots of jobs etc, search a website similar to real estate (for USA though obviously) to see what the houses are like, what areas you like etc sooo many things to think about and very little that we can personally recommend for you. Your job, desired area, salary etc will be different to others.
Hope you make the right choice regardless Flowers

Cocklodger · 07/04/2017 20:32

Also, you say you have Australian qualification please ensure they are valid in the USA. I had a friend who emigrated (to Australia so obviously will be different) with U.K. qualifications and despite being on the skilled occupations list and applying due to that occupation, they couldn't get certified in that area until they'd gone from the bottom again meaning they spent a good few years in Australia living as a poor student basically.

fueledbybacon · 07/04/2017 20:32

I don't know if you've seen the news but if i was you I'd stay as far away from America as possible ...

VimFuego101 · 07/04/2017 20:34

I have lived in both countries. Australia seems to have a very good work life balance, the US has the opposite. If you want to have kids I would think carefully about living in the US. Do you really want to move or do you just feel that you don't want to waste the visa?

Original poster
So2007 · 07/04/2017 20:43

do you just feel that you don't want to waste the visa?

Actually it's more this.

My husband tells me he wants to move because it will be good for his career. I'm dreaming of a future career which is also more viable in the US, but well, I'd need to work in my previous field for three years. So three years would mean loss of opportunity costs.

Re: qualifications, yes, I am sure my qualifications are alright. That was the basis for the greencard application a decade ago. My husband won;t have a problem with his qualification too.

OP posts:
Original poster
So2007 · 07/04/2017 20:45

Kids, I don't really have that much desire to have one. Like I mentioned, I have recently had this career fire within me and I want to pursue that. I am also at the age where it's now or probably never kids-wise, but I might be criticised for this - at this point, I'd choose career over having kids. That can change in the future, of course.

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UppityHumpty · 07/04/2017 20:51

Ok so if you're either in IT or Finance you kind of have to consider moving from Australia at some point if you want to keep progressing. I personally would do it, get the green card, then at least you have a back up and your kids are sorted if they want to come at some point.

Original poster
So2007 · 07/04/2017 23:12

Yeah, the field I want to get into after I finish my three years is in IT. And my husband's field is IT.

OP posts:
Original poster
So2007 · 07/04/2017 23:13

The other dilemma I have too is I might have to go before I qualify for Aus citizenship. I'm eligible for it next year, but I have this deadline.

We moved here from elsewhere too.

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Italiangreyhound · 07/04/2017 23:38

Your choice but I think USA would be a poor choice compatedto Australia. but I'd you want to do it go somewhere safe! Where on oz and where in USA?

Italiangreyhound · 07/04/2017 23:39

If you want to....

BeachyKeen · 07/04/2017 23:40

Go on! Have an adventure!

Original poster
So2007 · 08/04/2017 00:14

We live in Melbourne. USA depends on where I will be placed, but eventually would like to move to NY, SFO, Seattle or other tech cities.

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LadyCassandra · 08/04/2017 00:33

Do you have PR in Aus? Why would you have to not get citizenship? I'd want to get it before I left so I always had it. They are always changing the rules here.

Original poster
So2007 · 08/04/2017 00:35

Yes I have PR. I want to wait until I get my citizenship, the problem is the other one has a deadline.

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KoalaDownUnder · 08/04/2017 00:46

I'm a bit confused.

Where would you have to work for three years, and in what field? I don't understand the 3 years thing.

I'm Australian and there's no way I'd be moving to the US right now. I certainly wouldn't if I only had PR and wanted to be sure if ever get back here as a citizen.

Watchadoinmummy · 08/04/2017 00:54

Just so you know, Australia and the US have a good relationship visa wise. We moved from Oz to US a few years back and wanted a green card. Our immigration lawyer said, "Oh are you Australian citizens? Because if you are, it will be really easy." I don't know if this is still the case but I would advise speaking with an immigration expert as you might be better off waiting a year, get your citizenship then reapply for a US visa. That way you can work in whatever field you like. Personally I love it here but the work culture is quite different!

Original poster
So2007 · 08/04/2017 00:56

It's a complicated situation KoalaDownUnder. I'll pm you.

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Italiangreyhound · 08/04/2017 01:15

I have visited Seatle and quite liked it.

The crime in USA puts me off.

Melbourne was not my favourite place in Australia. I think it is really your call. Exciting to have choices though. All the best. Flowers

Italiangreyhound · 08/04/2017 01:16

of course it's your call, I mean!!

UppityHumpty · 08/04/2017 11:19

Ok so choose the US in my opinion. If you have a choice then Austrailia is not the place for IT progression, especially Melbourne. After you get your green card apply for Australian citizenship.

When you get your US green card your opportunities in IT will open. I know many Australian residents who tripled or quadrupled their salaries by moving to the US on local terms. If you want to be a highflyer in IT you must move.

Original poster
So2007 · 08/04/2017 21:57

UppityHumpty - yes, we really want to go and have another adventure. My gypsy soul is yearning for it. I just wish I can delay it until mid of next year.

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user1471483278 · 08/04/2017 22:53

While San Francisco and San Jose are tech capitals in America and great places to live, the cost of living is horrific. You are talking $3000+ a month for a one bedroom apartment. The traffic in the bay area is also well known for being lousy.

anon050 · 09/04/2017 10:44

It would be a shame to waste your green card. The important thing to remember, you don't have to be stuck there. You could move there for a couple years and if you hate it, move back to OZ.

It really depends what you want to do in your IT careers, if you wanted to be a visionary and rich entrepreneur, Silicon Valley is the place to be. Just as Hollywood is for someone serious about acting.

If you and your DH are happy to just be like all the others working in IT, I wouldn't give up the Aussie lifestyle, for that.

Original poster
So2007 · 09/04/2017 11:03

If you and your DH are happy to just be like all the others working in IT, I wouldn't give up the Aussie lifestyle, for that.

That's the thing - we're ambitious as hell.

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