From Anglophile to Expat

One girl's journey from loving a country to living there. With marriage, in-laws, and puddle jumping in between.

Timeline

Met Online: 11/98
Met in Person: 02/2000
Engaged: 6/28/03
Married: 06/10/06
Submitted VAF2 Application Online: 7/18/06
Sent Supporting Documents to NY: 7/19/06
Documents Received in NY: 7/20/06
Email Notification of Documents Received and Processing: 7/26/06
Received Visa Approval Email Notification 7/27/06

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From Anglophile to Expat

Friday, September 16, 2005

The Expat

The decision for me to move to England was pretty much set as soon as Pete and I became serious..which I guess was around the summer of 2000. It just always seemed like the right decision for us. But it wasn't that simply. Then Pete thought he'd want to move over here...that was around 2002 into 2003...so I became readjusted to that idea. After that, Pete came over for Christmas 2003 and we thought about the options a lot.

Basically the pros of the UK being:

We'd both be able to work shortly after moving (I should get my clearance to work when I get my spousal visa.)

The process is shorter to apply to settle there.

The UK on average has more maternity and vacation time than the US - so we'd get more time off to come back here to visit.

With the exchange rate we'd have more money when we do some over and visit, and the flights are cheaper because of this.

Overall, our cost of living will be about the same...but we're more tempted to waste money here on going out to eat, attractions and theme parks (because I live in FL...some things are just more expensive here because of tourism.)

__________________________

Of course, recently we had to re-think our plans because my mom passed away unexpectedly in early August.

We've decided since the process is shorter for me to move to England..that we'll do that at first and then if we decide to move back then we'll both work, save, and start the process to make that happen. I just didn't want to decide to start the paperwork for Pete to move here and then decide its not what we want. So we're going to stick to the original plan and fingers crossed it will all work out for the best whatever the outcome.

Posted by Juls

Comments:

Hi Juls,

I like the new template.

Sounds like you've thought out your plan really well. It is tough when one of you has to give up so much for the two of you to be together. But with you both being flexible and willing to try the other country, means you're off to a good start methinks. :)

The extra vacation time and maternity leave in the UK will be very nice. :)

# posted by

Jennie : 7:52 PM