Should I move from Australia to the US?

[So2007]

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).

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.

Yeah, that's what I think too. Get a couple years of US experience, bring it back to Australia. Or stay if we really like it. I can't think of any negative actually, except for I might have to go before I get my Aus citizenship. But then my DH can stay and be a citizen first before moving.

Does anyone know if for example, we get our immigrant visa, one of us can come at a later date?

Where in the US? The cultural differences between - say - Vermont and Utah are huge. If you like Melbourne, you may well love Seattle or Boston but hate the landlocked Mid West.

On the whole though, I'd say go for it. It might be amazing and what have you got to lose? I worked on the US east coast in my 20s and loved it.

If you like Melbourne, you may well love Seattle or Boston but hate the landlocked Mid West.

Yes, I have a love affair with Melbourne. But I feel like my gypsy soul yearns for this. Plus, the potential benefits to our career (or at least, his) is very attractive. Seattle or Boston are two of the areas we're targeting :)

Have you visited Seattle? I found it quite depressing. Maybe I'm sheltered but I've never seen that level of visible poverty before (that said, I don't know if it's different from other US cities in that respect).

Have you visited Seattle?

No. Have only been to California (LA, Bakersfield), Philadelphia, NYC, New Jersey, Washington, Baltimore and Virginia.