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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you move to America if you were me?

450 replies

BenDuck · 20/08/2017 19:35

DP is from the US and we have talked for a while about going to live there (East coast) and the conversations are now getting more serious, he is starting to look for jobs etc. I'm still feeling really conflicted though. Part of me wants to, mostly because I fucking HATE brexit and like to be away from it all but also because we would be able to afford a really lovely house there. There is loads of stuff that bothers me though- having to drive everywhere, lower food standards, Trump.
I also worry about my position legally. I'm currently a SAHM but earn a little doing evening work (that I wouldn't be able to do there) so would be v reliant on DH. Esp. as would be hard to get a working visa. I worry about what would happen were we to divorce- would I be stuck there unable to bring DC back to UK (they have dual citizenship)?
Anyone been in a similar boat???

OP posts:
Want2bSupermum · 24/08/2017 00:29

Cheerful here in NJ if you refuse the breathalyzer they give you a blood test on the spot. If you argue the breathalyzer is wrong after it's shown the driver is over the limit they will give you an on the spot blood test.

CheerfulYank · 24/08/2017 00:33

Oh I see, I thought they were saying they didn't have Breathalyzers at all :)

OlennasWimple · 24/08/2017 00:49

CheerfulYank - put your money on Elizabeth Warren first...

Betsyboo - Market Basket often has British food like PG Tips and Marmite for a fraction of the cost of the shop in Saugus. Or if you can get to Quincy, the Lucky Shamrock has the usual stuff plus seasonal things like mince pies that mainstream US stores don't tend to stock Smile

misssmilla1 · 24/08/2017 01:13

Trader Joes is excellent, and will cut your grocery bill down. Some people get annoyed that they don't 'do' brands but thats how they keep their prices low. Interestingly (to me, anyway) their model is that they buy that one thing from one producer all the time so they can guarantee consistency and ship all over the US. Also prices are the same at all TJ's nationally.

Whole foods I like the concept of, but found it eye wateringly expensive even for their basics range. Did good beer tho and natural skincare etc that I find tough to get anywhere more mainstream

SenecaFalls · 24/08/2017 01:39

Which is why people call it Whole Paycheck. Smile
I really like Warren but because of her age she will need to run in 2020. And I'm not sure she could beat Trump or Pence.

TrailingWife · 24/08/2017 02:27

I'm an American married to a Brit, currently living in the US. We socialize with other "mixed" couples as well as British couples who live here. The states are huge, and people live very differently in different parts.

  • Some people drive a lot, some not at all. It depends on where you live and how you structure your life. One British mom I know drives less in the US because her kids' swim team is closer to their home. It all depends.
  • Because your DH is an American, you qualify for a green card. You just fill out the paper work and write a check, and wait. You can probably do it over there. After you've had a green card for a certain number of years, you can apply for citizenship if you want to.
  • the food people have access to here really varies from place to place, and for the poorest Americans, I agree that is it dismal. However, the middle class has tons of options including organic produce, quality meats, British imports, etc. We buy our meat from an organic farm not far from where we live. It's ideal. Brown sauce, salad cream, and branston pickle are always in the fridge.
  • I completely agree that figuring what happens if the worst happens is important. I think you should be frank with your husband about it. Perhaps draw up a post nup about what happens if you guys split in the states. If he isn't willing to have a sane conversation with about it and provide you assurances in writing, then don't move. You give up so much power when you immigrate. He should be able to see that, and be willing to ensure that he will not screw you over.

Moving internationally with children is VERY stressful. It will put pressure on your marriage. You guys need to go in strong, being honest with each other that its not all unicorns farting rainbows.

Having watched several British women move over, some love it, some never really settle and want to be back with their extended families, and some really don't seem to care one way or the other. Would your DH move back to the UK to save your marriage? To see the children regularly even if the marriage couldn't be saved? We do know children whose parents live on opposite sides and who fly once a year, alone, to see the other parent. We always found it motivational to keep working things out.

Our school system is different, and our health care system is in upheaval. Yet, I'm quite sure we've had a higher standard of living than we would have in the UK, and that our kids have had more opportunities than we could have provided them there. Part of how it goes will depend on how you approach it, if you look for the positive and make the most of it, or fixate on the negative. The UK and US are both very nice countries, but they have different strengths.

Trump will go down, mostly likely long before you could immigrate. Neo Nazis are a tiny, tiny minority. On a day to day basis, none of that nonsense affects my life any more than it affects yours. People here are actually pretty friendly and polite to each other. Smile

TrailingWife · 24/08/2017 02:40

Arizona requires tests on the spot for drunk driving, and driving on the road in Arizona is considered giving consent to be tested. Refuse and go to jail. They also set up road blocks and talk to all the drivers going through, and pick which ones to test.

Anyone in AZ who is under 21 caught driving with any alcohol or drugs in their system, loses their license until they are 21.

I don't know any one who drinks and drives. Every one calls Uber.

Strangest Law: in Arizona, if you hit a cow, you are liable to the owner of the cow for the value of the cow.

CheerfulYank · 24/08/2017 03:22

Oh I'd LOVE that Olenna (Even more than I love your username). Warren is excellent and would do so well. I don't think she could get in, though. :(

finderkeeper · 24/08/2017 03:30

I'm friends with our only local cop and they don't do breathalysers in our county. Or the next county. I think most of Maine doesn't. It's sobriety test then blood test. But they have to have a very good reason.

finderkeeper · 24/08/2017 03:30

Warren. 😍😍

childmaintenanceserviceinquiry · 24/08/2017 03:35

Dont even consider going if you are not able to work. Get the work visa sorted as the priority.

finderkeeper · 24/08/2017 03:36

Ffs it won't take that long if she's married . Rtft.

BeALert · 24/08/2017 12:29

Dont even consider going if you are not able to work. Get the work visa sorted as the priority.

Spouses of US citizens enter the US on a CR1 or IR1 visa which is converted to a Green Card at entry, meaning they can work immediately.

Leavingonajet · 24/08/2017 12:36

mathanxiety don't tell me horror stories about driving in Chicago I'm moving there on Monday and nervous enough about the driving already!

Want2bSupermum · 24/08/2017 12:39

It's more important that if moving here you have a DH who is willing to support you working. I have enormous peace of mind that I have career that pays enough to support my family. I can afford to stay here if DH wants out of our marriage.

BeALert · 24/08/2017 13:13

Leavingonajet - you lucky thing! I love Chicago. Have lots of friends who live there and are very happy.

Leavingonajet · 24/08/2017 13:40

Thanks BeAlert

TrailingWife · 24/08/2017 16:02

@leavingonajet Chicago is an AMAZING city! Fantastic museums, multicultural, the works. It also has far better public transit that most US cities. We love visiting there. One of my friends moved there from a small town and was concerned about the size, but she ended up very happy because she met such nice people and they did such fun things as a family. GOOD LUCK!

IdahoGal · 24/08/2017 16:45

@leavingonajet, I second Trailing's comments about Chicago. I've visited there 4 times and loved it. So much to do and there is superb public transportation. Like any very large city, there are areas you are going to want to stay away from, but that shouldn't be difficult. We lived in Philadelphia for 6 years and it was the same - many areas where a person might not feel safe. But very easy to just avoid. My husband has been working away from home as a contractor for a couple of years and last year we met in Chicago for a long weekend. Here are some touristy, but very fun, things to do:

We went on an architectural river cruise. It was fantastic!

www.cruisechicago.com/architecture-tours

Some of our favorite breakfast places:

www.annsather.com/ (very close to Wrigley Field if you want to check that out)

www.wildberrycafe.com/menu-chicago.php (downtown - there’s usually a long wait, but you can put your name in and then walk around Millennium Park www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_-artarchitecture.html or Maggie Daley Park www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/maggie-daley-park/ while you’re waiting for a table.

Great Japanese BBQ place (we went to the West Loop location since the wait downtown was horrible!):

www.gyu-kaku.com/west-loop

Enjoy!

OlennasWimple · 24/08/2017 20:19

Good luck, Leaving!

finderkeeper · 24/08/2017 21:27

We should do an American mumsnet meet up.

In the middle somewhere. Or not ha.

mathanxiety · 24/08/2017 21:55

Leavingonajetplane
Wow! Hope you'll settle in fast.

Any clue as to where you will be?

BeALert · 24/08/2017 22:53

I loved the Architectural Boat Tour as well. Love the look of that Japanese BBQ place. I'm taking notes for next time I go there.

IdahoGal · 24/08/2017 22:56

We could meet up in Idaho! You can all camp in my back yard! I'm American through and through and not even married to a Brit, but I read here because you are all so very funny and say things like "cockwomble" and "fanjo" - words we don't have here at all. I'd love to hear them in person (not directed at me, of course).

SenecaFalls · 25/08/2017 01:33

Another Chicago lover here, Leaving. I hope you have a fantastic time. I lived there on the Near North Side when I was young and fancy free. It was a great experience. Then later my daughter married a man from Chicago and they lived in one of the suburbs for several years, and we visited frequently. They recently moved south, so we don't have the excuse to go there as often, and I miss it. And it's a very friendly place; it has everything any great city should have, with a healthy measure of Midwestern nice. Smile