new thread
Hello everyone. I know this is very off-topic but since many of you here are Americans, I thought this would be a good place to ask. Basically, I turned 18 recently and I live in Ireland. To understand why I want to live in America, I will summarize my life story.
I was born in the Philippines to a mother who was only 17 when she married. A year later she divorced my bio dad, never to be seen again. My mom left for Hong Kong, so I grew up with my mom's parents and sisters. Anyone of you who knows the Philippines well, people aspire to America. It is everyone's dream to go to America. Succesful people in the Philippines go to America. I for one was one of the millions of kids who looked up to America and always had desired to go live there ever since. But then...
While my mom was in Hong Kong, she met an Irishman. Then they got married and so he became my step-father. So it was planned that I would go to Hong Kong to finally live with my mom and my new step-dad before going to... IRELAND. So it was done. And now, I am here sitting in Ireland (having been here since 2001) and I dislike living here very much. Just dont ask me why because that would take up another post. But with one school year left and having turned 18 in March, that desire to go to America acquired since childhood is still as strong as ever and even made stronger by the fact that I'm living here. I never even thought of ever living in Ireland yet alone even heard of it before moving here! Yes i do sound like an Irishman (a Dubliner in fact) and yah the people are nice and blahdy blah but meh.. And yes I have BEEN to the USA twice on both coasts, east/west. And to specific, California is my objective.
I've been born and raised in Ireland all of my life... I'm 20 years old and cudnt imagine living anywhere else! Please don't talk bad of it, after all you have just been living here since 2001 that is in no way long enough for you to judge the whole country! I bet you havent even been around it all!.... Ireland is amazing when u find the right places to go.
but if you've been raised in Ireland all your life...
it could be a bit of a culture shock to someone who has lived in other countries too
Emm.. Are ya talkin bout me or Salidbar? No I have not been here all my life.
I was quoting Salidbar
Yah i know I remember your posts in the past and thinking you were Irish. could tell from the way you spelt words. No, the point is i dont want to live here ya see. Ugh, look. i didnt come here saying Oo i wante to go and live in ireland! it had nothing to do with my will! it was all family-related issues (being my stepdad wanting to come back to ireland and live here). its not as if i am from here, established myself here, and that i haven't lived anywhere else. i just want to know info on migrating to the US or Canada from and hear opinions. please i dun want people telling stay in ireland or whatever. and ya I've bin awwwl round da country. im not foreign to this place t'all. so any pros and cons yet?
Ok this is my third attempt at replying to Salidbar's post. I duno why it wont let me its not even offensive! why does it still have to be screened?! anyway 1)yes i've been all around ireland 2)i dont want to live here 3)i want to live in the USA or Canada 4) That is the point and nothing else
So was my Grandmother there culture is awesome ! Id like to see Ireland myself to :-)
Axel
i have some Irish heritage too...can't wait to visit there (one day lol)
I wish I could go back to America too, but since 9/11 it is basically impossible to get an immigration visa (like it was any easier before). Only easy way is to get married to an American, otherwise get a sizeable corporation to hire you for a work visa or something. Not every American like their immigration policy cause you know America is supposed to be a country of immigrants but then it seems the government only wants rich people there...
Ok then..
Try Canada, similar in many ways, yet colder...
Bragi, do you live in Canada?
I would also be interested in living in Canada as well. Ya have any advice or whatever?
No, I live in the US, but from what little I know, immigration to Canada is easier and less stringent than to the US.
Canada is a very large and sparsely populated country, and a very progressive one as well. I have been once, only to Ontario, across from Sault St. Marie, Michigan. It was snowing and bad weather, so I really didn't get much of a feel for the place. To cross into Canada, they asked to see your driver's license. To get back into the US, they searched the car and asked lots of questions.
The Maritime provinces of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia really are very beautiful. I am going to try to make a trip there someday.
But just from what I observe, in Canada, you get many of the benefits of 'America' without a lot of the b.s. that comes with America in general. Does that make sense?
I enclosed a link that might be informative.
Georges who posts here sometimes lives in Canada and might could help you more.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
thanks for the info, I am seriously considering Canada as well because even IF I can get into the USA (my dad has a green card and can possibly sponsor me) there is way too much regulation there and from what I have seen Canada is more liberal and plus they are colder (which I prefer to hot mesmerizing weather in Taiwan)
Very true about that last statement that you have written. Government only wants RICH people here in the U.S. Everything here is changing from renting to buying anything. Especially for housing. Nothing is goin that easy anymore. As year goes by, economy rises with expensive needs & wants
Buy a return flight ticket to america... pretend your going on a short vacation, make sure you have an address of a hotel.. just pick any hotel and tell them your staying their. Make sure you look like a tourist... then when you land on american soil... rip up your return ticket and run as fast as you can. Theyll notice you havent returned for your flight home but they probably wont care and if you keep running, youll soon find a hide out... chill in that hide out for approx 6 months incase they are looking for ya, theyll eventually give up lookin for your butt.
P.S - YOU ONLY LIVE ONCCCCCCCE! Noone can hurt you for following your dreams =)
Hi AJayUK,
I don't think it's a good idea these days to simply overstay a visitor's visa, because since 9/11, this is an arrestable offense. You don't want to disappear for an unknown period of time in a federal prison before being deported and being barred from re-entering the US. There are ways that are both legal and feasible if you just "have to" live in the US because you love America.
A prerequisite for legal immigration is a good qualification that is rare in the US. If university is not an option, consider a trade that is much sought-after in the US, eg traditional roof-making.
Hans-Uwe
LOL i didnt mean to start an arguement, i wuz just stating a point.. I luv whr i live!
+ Keep the PeAcE +
Yeh i know..
Funny. My wife and I talk of the possibility of some day moving to Ireland! I think we all have to wonder about the "greener grass" syndrome when we consider moves like this, and I will simply give you my opinion that I think right now immigrants who are able to get here have a much tougher time given the atmosphere in the world annd the rule the US is playing in all that. In my opinion, Americans are a bit more xenophobic than usual right now, especially toward people who are of darker complexions.
That sounds awful, but I think it is generally true. If I were you, I'd take a closer look at the positives to staying in Ireland. It's got one of if not THE highest standard of living in all of Europe right now, and a jobless rate that is practically zero.
Robert
Hi Slayer,
I can understand you, I just love California myself. However, I have two reasons for staying here in Europe:
A) Here I get 6 weeks of paid vacation, and that way I can enjoy the great outdoors in the US or elsewhere up to six weeks a year. No-one in the US gets that. A f***ing two weeks per year is the standard there.
B) Being a citizen (or even a legal resident) of the European Union, I have the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. I even have considered taking a job in Ireland in some situations because the pay is better than in Germany, and all Irish people I have met so far are GREAT people. (Of course, the same is true for all people from the Philippines I have met.)
If you still dream your "American dream", I suggest you get a doctoral degree in any subject that suits you, and then you look around for a company or university in the US that would help you with all the immigration hassles. In many fields, American companies just LOVE European university graduates.
By the way, here's reason C for you to stay in Europe for now: Tuition in Europe is either nonexistent, or it's a LOT lower than in the US. So, perhaps, if you count your blessings, Ireland isn't so bad after all. You can visit the US almost any time you want and anytime you can afford it - the Euro is still pretty strong against the Dollar, and, considering the US trade deficit, this will probably stay that way for a long time to come.
In any case, best wishes to you, happy growth, and all the great Irish blessings ;-)
Hans-Uwe
Hi there,
I have to agre with you Hu. I would certainly not give up my 4 weeks holiday for the shorter holidays they have in the USA. I've lived here all my life in Europe and I would not consider moving, apart from Canada. Other countries I would consider are Finland or Ireland (such warm friendly and welcoming people). I did have the opportunity a few years ago to move to San Jose but decided to sty this side of the pond.
John.B
There are several reason for me to want to leave Taiwan though...
1. Paid vacation? You gotta be kidding! In Taiwan you're lucky to get even one week of paid vacation a year! let alone six!
2. Noise! According to my previous posting, I wish barking dogs and leaf blowers are my only source of noise. Its so populated here that theres construction everywhere, someone is always remodeling, and no one gives a @## about their neighbors. If you call the cops about noise they will just tell you to take a number and not do anything about it. Or else they just say "get used to it"
3. traffic... walking in the street of Taiwan is like Final Destinations, motorcycles and cars and trucks misses you by inches going faster than 60 miles per hour, if you are a pedestrian here you are at the bottom of the food chain and everyone will run you over if you get in the way.
I would rather be in Ireland than Taiwan or Hong Kong (which is like 10 times worse than Taiwan, all the noise and none of the convienence).
Uhh.. Ok thanks for all yer opinions anyway.
Hi Slayer,
From THIS side of the pond, all I can say is welcome. The reasons for staying put in the EU could go on and on, but as one who grew up in California, and lives in Oregon, I can really say this is a great country. I would encourage you to look for a so-called "Blue State". These are the states that voted for John Kerry in 2004 and 2000. Just my political view, but life in a Blue State is significantly different, tollerance-wise for some of us, and for us longhairs. My family emigrated from Ireland decades ago, and I correspond daily with my pen pal in London, so I have a real appreciation of how great things in the UK are. You can really ADD something here though, in terms of diversity, world view, and experience. I suspect part of your attraction to California and the US west coast in general is The Weather!!! Things tend to be warm & sunny in much of California. Closer to your place of birth. Rainy climates like Seattle and Portland may not suit you. Been there done that. The SF Bay area, and Berkeley in particular, is a great place to get an education, or if you have one, put it to good use. Best of luck in your plan, and I hope you can actually come to see what you think of the USA when the time is right. It is not for everyone, but I am sure you can make it a better place.
-Daniel
Hey man thanks. Yep I've been to California before. Yes part of the attraction is weather and the cultural diversity of course. And yeh i'd prefer to be in democrat states no doubt. Ive got one more year of school left and then its my Leaving Cert (Irish final state exams).
OK.
I emigrated from England to America, and here's my comparison:-
1 Food - only cheaper if you eat like an american, otherwise more expensive; eating out is cheaper, but better for quantity than quality
2 Transport - cars and petrol are cheaper, but insurance and maintenance more expensive so as to wipe out any advantage; public transport is much more limited
3 Jobs - pay is higher and there is more opportunity; OTOH, health insurance can be a problem, holidays are shorter, and low paying jobs pay even lower
4 Consumer goods - electronic things are cheaper, other consumer goods are either high quality/expensive or poor quality/cheap, little in the middle
The USA is a very big country, and it varies enormously
California is part of America? :)
I guess that sums up one "pro" argument to come here: the incredible diversity of climates and cultures.
The most consistant "con" argument I've heard from people in other countries is that if you fall on your face there are fewer social welfare programs to help pick you back up.
Yes I am very aware of that.
Putting it another way, America can be a very scary place to be poor
hehehehe
Hehe nice poster but it wont stop me just because the president's a right-wing neo-con tool.
I hold dual-nationality (American and British), and having lived in both the United States and England, I have to say I definitely prefer the USA. While both countries are beautiful, and each have their own benefits and disadvantages, which I won't go into, there's always been something about the United States that has always made it my favorite out of the two. I'm actually going to North Carolina to live on Wednesday.
I've heard that getting permission to live and work in the USA can be a difficult process, and it's certainly not something I would want to go through. The easiest way would probably be to marry an American citizen, although at eighteen, that's a rather large step to be taking. I'm eighteen, too, and marriage certainly isn't on my agenda at the moment. Whatever you decide to do, however, I wish you the best of luck with it.
Yeh I've heard alot of that before, marrying an American. But rhe US is not my only option as I said, Canada is another place that I'd like to live in as well.
By the way, I would like to point out that marrying an American citizen DOES NOT garentee a green card! The INS/BICE/whatever their name is now can deny anyone they feel like, and they really dont give a **** if they are seperating families because your wife is American and you're not. Although being married to an American is a step towards citizenship it is not a must, and if they can find a reason to keep you out of America, rest assured they WILL.
I've lived in Ireland and the US. I know many international folks now living in the US and one of the things they like about it is that their race/ethnicity/nationality is kind of a non-issue here. Versus Ireland, where in 1994 my Peruvian roommate would be stared at as she went down the street, particularly outside of Dublin. Not hostility, just more of a "oh yeah, I forgot people come in colors other than white". Things have changed in the past 10 years, but still I'd say Europe has a long way to go.
Through USIT you can get a work permit to come to the US for 6 months. Why not give it a shot after graduation (someplace like San Francisco) and see how you like it?
Yeh that is one of the things I like about the US. And yeah I get that people staring at you a few times at least every month here in ireland. and as well several verbal disturbances like 'woor da fook are ya from' and heer, mistawrr leee! msitawrr lee!' and what not. i particularly get annoyed at the many black jokes that the local irish guys talk about. no exaggeration but there seems to be alot of disrespect for black people in ireland.
So well, more in favor of europe than USA then.. ?
