Introducing Myself

Hi All,
I found out about this site a month ago when researching about life in UK. My story is little bit confusing as many of you will come to realize.
Lets see, I am a Lebanese who was born in the UK. This is how i got my citizenship, so i am not actually British. I lived most of my life in Beirut, Lebanon ( Middle East) until University time. I wanted so bad to move to England and get my education there, but my family thought i was still too young (17y) to go on my own with no one there to help me out. Add to that the cost of University in the UK was so high. yeah, i was told about the 3 year residency thing from all the schools i applied to back then.
My break came when my uncle invited me to come over for a visit to Dallas, Texas back in 1997. I then applied to community college and went on living for two years with him. The cost of going to college was so cheap, yes, even if i had to pay twice what Americans do, it was far cheaper than UK. Now i have a BS in Computer Information Systems, from UT Dallas. I worked in different jobs to support my self and the high cost of tuition being an International Student. I tell you, it wasn't easy. But i made it through. Today i live on my own, I have a nice appartment, paid all my loans from school days and have an H-1 Work Visa for 3 years in a computer company in Dallas. The pay is no good, and the benifits are next to non. Not secure is the right word. Lots of layoffs in my field, and you just have to get what they offer, even if it was low pay.
But, still i feel that i am wasting my time, that i should go back and start in the UK. My H-1 will be very hard to become a Green card holder, and continue living in the US. I don't want to go out and marry just for papers, I am not that kind. So thoughts in my head keep telling me that i should make the move now that i am young.26yrs
But it is not easy, i love Dallas, i got used to everything here, and the thought of starting over in another country is killing me. Dallas is a new city, expanding like no other city in US. I love it because I was able to stand up on my feet and offer me what my country of origin didn't. Add to that, Texans are friendly, and basically it is all i know in the US.
This boardd has given me lots of information, sometimes encouraging me, and sometimes putting me down.
I tell myself, If i move to the UK, i don't have to worry about immigration. It has been terrible in the last 2 years due to Sept 11 events. But i must say, using my UK Citizenship made things easy for me. If i had used my Lebanese passport, I would still be back in Lebanon today.
So having my citizenship by birth was a blessing for me, but it is ironic how i now live in the US and not in the UK.
You might ask, well what about your home contry? Moving to Lebanon is not an option, the country is run by a bunch of crooks, and starting a life & family there is not something i look forward too at all. Visiting yes, very beautiful country, but unfortunatly, corrupt.
I am so lost to what to do, move, not move. When is a good time?
I have heard lots of negative things about Europe in general. Everyone I know that has visited  in the last few years tell me it is so expensive. They say one cannot even buy a home for prices are so high. That it is dirty and old compared to Dallas. Is this true? Salford, Manchester is were i was born, is that a nice place?
Does anyone want to swap citizenships with me  

I am so confused. Having lived in the US for 7 years made me somewhat American. So i relate to a whole lot what you talk about on this board, even if i am not American.

Hello Michael H...  Welcome to UKY...  

I wish I could give you advise on your desires...  but unfortunately that is a decision I believe you will need to find within yourself.   Maybe you should take a holiday to the UK so that you can see for yourself what the possibilities might be...

I lived for a bit down near Dallas... (Witchita Falls) way back in the early 70's...  not that new of a city...LOL, but surely much newer than most.

I hope you find what you really want...

Hey Michael!

Welcome- this board rocks. everyone is nice and helpful here.

Best wishes on your decisions..

Come to New York when you get the chance. It's wonderful here

Hello Michael, welcome. Thanks for sharing your interesting story. I think your years struggling through college there would earn you the rank of honorary American here.

I agree with the suggestion of visiting the UK to see how you like it. While you may read a bit of griping here, it's not at all because we don't like it, but that this is a place where we can vent and be understood.

It can be expensive depending on where you want to live, London is ridiculously expensive, but I'm sure the salaries would be higher there as well. Many commute by train from less expensive areas. It'd be worth a browse around real estate websites to get an idea of pricing in different areas.

You're very lucky not to have to worry about the work permit issues.

Best of luck to you with your decision, and feel free to post your questions.

Hi Micheal and welcome to our board. That sure is some story you shared with us!  I had a friend in college from Lebannon, he was a bit older and had lost part of his leg in some of the fighting that has plagued what is such a lovely place.  

I am currently in the US too, and will be moving to the UK.  A lot of what they say is true, but you have to decide what is the best move for you.  Like all places there are good and bad things.

I am not so sure how difficult it is to leave the US and reenter on the H1B, but if you can it might not be a bad idea to visit the UK and get a feel for it.  It seems like you have not been to the UK in a while is that true?

Hi Michael  

Best wishes to you as you make your lifechanging decisions! I have to say, though- that it sounds as if you are an extremely courageous person that can make a go of anything that comes into his life! You've already made a *huge* move from Lebanon to Dallas- you've dealt with all the changes that come with a big lifealtering move like that- and you've come out on top! I would suggest coming to the UK for a visit or two after doing some research on the best places to find work in your field, and then just coming and seeing how it feels to you? I know if you asked the board to share some insight into these different places, folks would be more than happy to share what they think! I personally love England and have found it a welcoming place (despite the world's attitude toward America at the moment!)- After all, people are just people no matter where you are! It's cool to have an opportunity to become a "world citizen"!

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!
Jen

Hi Michael. I've no advice...it's really what's in your own heart. But it sounds like if you don't at least experience the UK for a while, you'll always have the "what-ifs".

I'm just adding a note of "kinship". I lived in Beirut for two years and I agree Lebanon is lovely. Unfortunately, it was during an Arab/American conflict and we kept fleeing to Italy. (We couldn't be seen to have any US Embassy ties at the time.) I was too young to remember most, but at an age when my first memories kicked in. Bombings, patrols, curfews...it's such a shame, the beaches are gorgeous, really could be a dream holiday destination as it once was in the 1940s.

I want to thank you all for the warm welcome words. I guess you are all right, i need to experience the UK by visiting a couple of times then decide of what is best for me.
True, I haven't been in the UK since i was born, as you all know, Lebanon was in a state of war for 20 something years, and traveling outside the country wasn't a good idea. Again, maybe if i had someone to visit, it would have been easier.
Leaving the US and coming back on an H-1 requires a Work Visa Stamp from the US embassy in the UK. I don't think it should be a problem. If all fails, i still can go back on a visitor visa that i have for good ten years.
Who knows what the near future brings, i might just meet that right american girl with a passion for traveling like me. We will be labeled as citizens of the world as JennyDee mentioned. Then i get to call home the US, UK and Lebanon, and never miss any country.
Most girls i have dated through my University years are afraid of change and what is outside the US, even outside of Texas. As for me, i want my kids to have the apportunity to learn as i did. Arabic/English/French  and once in Texas, Spanish. The world would be a much smaller place then.
I am sure i will have lots of questions, once my trip is closer.