New-very overwhelmed!

Hi everyone! My name is Meg, I'm 27 and I am from Tennessee. I have been in a long distance relationship with my British fiancé for about 4 years, and we have been engaged for a year.  We met on the internet back when we were teenagers and had been friends up until that point.  Anyway, we would like to live together, but there are a few hangups because while we would prefer to live in England, I am concerned about finding a job either comparable to the full time job I have here at home, or being able to work freelance which is the job I WANT, the fact that I do still have student loan debt that I have to pay off, a dog I would have to move with me, and health care is a concern, not because I am in dire need of it, but because I do have a couple things I would want to keep seeing a doctor for (mainly things I have to keep taking prescription medication for).  We would like to do extended stays in each other's countries for 6 months to a year but I'm not even sure how to go about doing that.  I've been to England a few times and I've already had a few goof ups at border control. I forgot my return ticket proof one time, and I forgot the health insurance certificate the other time. I'm mostly nervous about feeling displaced in a different country.

Anyway, I'm a bit overwhelmed so I look forward to learning all I can!

If you want to live in the UK, it's not your income that counts. Your fiance will have to meet the financial requirements. Once you are over and on a spouse visa your income can count towards the requirements for subsequent visa applications (FLR and ILR).

I'm afraid that there will be no way for you to just come over and live with your boyfriend. You either have to take the plunge and apply for a spousal visa or apply for the fiance visa, which requires that you be married within the next six months.

If you try coming for an extended stay you must keep in mind that you will not be allowed to work and not have access to the NHS (except for emergency and contraceptive care). You will need to show funds to support yourself while you visit and ties back to America (lease, work, etc.).

Hi Meg,

Welcome to the forum. Keep breathing deeply. You will find helpful people here who can answer your many questions.

I'm originally from Tennessee too--a long time ago. Which area are you from?

Welcome!

On the subject of health care, once you have a visa, you will be able to use the NHS, which is pretty good for most health problems. Medication is £7.50 per item, I am on medication for my severe asthma and respiratory problems (thanks to London's air quality) and can always see a doctor, though obviously the quality of care varies from clinic to clinic. If you have an emergency and have to go to A and E, your medication is free.

With regards to student loans, deferring is always an option. It's not the best option, but it's what I do and others have done when jobs haven't been plentiful. Finding a job is difficult, and depending on what sector you go into, you will be at a disadvantage due to not having any previous work experience in the UK. Many of us have been there, and it is something you have to fight through. Don't panic, think of it as a new path that you're going down. Moving here has changed my life and despite the hardship and obstacles I've personally faced (this too, varies from person to person), I wouldn't have had it any other way.