For those of you who haven't "moved over" yet...

We lived in the states for awhile, and he was there on a work visa, so that wasn't an issue.  But because of homesickness and a bit of family pressure we moved to the UK.  I doubt we'll ever move back, that'd be too much like starting over.  

I think our reasons are about the same as everyone else's.   It's just plain easier to get a UK Fiancee/Spouse Visa then it is to get an American.
  That and my fiancee has quality of living issues with the States, esp when it comes to raising children and education.   So I move over in October and live happily ever after... I hope

Well for us it was for a change and to be near family.
Chris lived in Cafrdiff, I Lived in  Springfield, MO. He came over for a visit to meet my family, and all, then moved over in September of that year(2003). we went back for a visit in march 2004 to meet his family, then decided to move this may. So, for us, we wanted to have the change, and heck europe beats the midwest any day hands down, as far as excitement, and things to do, and culture, and we wanted to be near his family too.
just over a month now! seems like its been forever in plans ,but now a reality very very soon!
good luck!

I'm here already too...with two of my five children. The reasons were financial for me also...that and it would have taken so long for a visa for my husband as we need to get records from Russia and Hungagrary too. My oldest is in university in the US and in an apartment of his own. My next to the oldest graduates in June and my daughter finishes 10th grade in June and then they're moving this way (they arrive tomorrow for a 2 week visit, yeah!) So...financially it is tight here also, and we need to get a bigger house, but it would just be too much of a gamble to move to the US right away without a secure job for my husband as he makes good money but the home I own in the US is in a small coastal town in Maine and there isn't a demand for chemical engineers in the area there, hahaha. We plan on moving back in a few years (atleast that is the plan for now) as I have a large family and he really has no family ties.

I'm moving there for 1 yr to study for my masters. My brit bf and I plan to figure out next yr around this time what we plan on doing. He has an established career and I've only worked for 2yrs. This makes it much easier for me to start anywhere anew. It could be there and it could be here. He also has maintenance to pay and w/ the exchange rate, his current job is much better for it.

I do have to come back since my job is holding my position for me, but I could come back for a month or 2 and move back to the UK for good. Time will tell!

It's cool to hear everyone's stories. 

I came over to Scotland rather than him coming to me in the US because I'm currently a student, and it's obviously more flexible for me to go and study abroad here, than him to come back to the US with me and find work. I also came over for the "coolness" factor of living and studying in Scotland, of course  , and also to be able to really understand my boyfriend Tom's life from his point of view.

We basically decided together that I would be the one to pack up and go!!! I met my boyfriend when he was over here in the US working for a year and a half with his company.  He saw my culture first hand, met all my friends (and became a big part of our social circle ...still keeping in touch with most of them), and became part of my family. He got to see what it was like to grow up where I did and then be a 20-something in NYC!!  Now it's my turn!!! I want to experience all the differences as he got to.  I feel travel and knowledge definitely make you a more interesting and well-rounded person.  Another major reason is that my job is allowing me to transfer to an office in Scotland! They are even paying for the workpermit.  Which is perfect for me because I wanted to make sure I would be able to work (legally) once I arrived.  The last reason is for the "coolness" factor (right honeybee!!).  It's an amazing country and an incredible opportunity and I'm going to take full advantage for about 2 years and then we plan on making  a life back in the USA, although you never know....I may want to stay!!!

I'm moving to the UK for a lot of the same reasons: easier and quicker to get the visas.  I've already lived in Scotland for a couple years, so I have some idea of what it will be like.  We're both pretty early on in our careers; he just finished his PhD and wants to start out in the UK and build his resume there.  I'm more flexible and my income would not support the two of us here.  We'll see how it goes for the next couple years and decide if we want to stay or come back to the US or perhaps try for Canada (if he can get the two year work visa).  There are aspects of American culture and life that he doesn't care for, which I understand, I don't necessarily care for them either.  And living in (or near depending on who you talk to) Europe *is* cool. 

Well, we met while I was living and working in Scotland, so he had nothing to do with me going over there.  However, after three years of dating, he proposed marriage.  Then we had to ask some hard questions, as in: where will we live to start our married life?  Just about then, my work visa expired.

The decision was made that I would return to the states to look for work, and if I found a great 'career' job that was a good step towards my overall career goals, he would quite his career job of 10+ years and move to the states, otherwise, I'd return to Scotland after the wedding.  Well, I found a great job...and he will be arriving in Seattle in just 12 days... 

The other major deciding factor was the fact that both of his parents have passed away, and mine are both ill.  So, we've decided that we will stay in the states as long as they are still alive.  We will re-evaluate down the road, but I don't know if it matters where we live, as long as we are living there together.

, but I don't know if it matters where we live, as long as we are living there together.

  I couldn't agree with you more!!!

My DF and I are an Internet couple.  We met on a Catholic message board over 8 months ago and fell in love over the phone/webcam.  I went to see him almost two weeks ago and we became engaged.  We will marry in the States next spring and then start the process of moving me over to the UK.  The decision to move there is mutual.  We hope to have children and I would not want to raise them with metal detectors and condoms in their schools - don't get me going.    And I just can't see him becoming "Americanized" - it would break my heart.  I so love him as he is - totally English!!  I can be happy anywhere, and have moved all my life so I will just look at this as another move.  It won't be easy for me - I'm the one who owns a home and has the better paying job and family ties.  But to have the happiness I know we can have together - I will fly across the ocean and leave my home and family.  He's that worth it.

~Liza

And I just can't see him becoming "Americanized" - it would break my heart.  I so love him as he is - totally English!! 

Lizaanne, I used to feel the same way in the very beginning, I was worried that if I ever brought my Scottish fiance to the States he'd start to lose his Scottishness, which was kind of charming to me I must admit. Then the longer we were together and the more we knew eachother, I started to really love him for who he is as a person, and the fact he's Scottish is no longer important to me, because he's such a wonderful person. He could be from anywhere and I'd love him just as much.

Plus, I know that his Scottishness will never be taken away from him no matter where we end up, because it's just part of who he is, kind of like the way I'll always be an American no matter where I am. (If I wasn't, I'd just be faking it.)

OK, sorry to go on and on here.  I need some coffee.

I've been in USA for 3 years now so it's not like I've not 'given it a chance'! But we have now decided that we are moving to UK (yaaaaa). 

for a start its been a nightmare trying to get me to live over here legal! I was denied my work authorisation because I put down the wrong code! We would have to reapply and pay for it all over again, and wait a further 5 months before we were told yes or no!

I miss my family and friends so much and we both hate PA.  Hubby moved here from Chicago a year before I came over and we have been unable to move due to lack of money.

I know that we will have a better way of life in UK.  I'm not saying that UK is any better than US and yes UK does have a lot of bad things and people there too (like any other country does).....but its just the  laid back attitude that I miss and the way that work does not take over or rule your life.  So many more reasons, far too many to mention.  DH is quite excited about going over  - he's never even been there for a trip  !!

We are both mature <coughs>, and I want us to travel and have fun and live!!!

Pauline

I don't think I ever want to come back to the States. I have always wanted to live in the UK , since I was 15 anyway and had that epiphany on the clock tower in Chester...long story.

Anyway, my Beloved would like to come to the States someday, I give him a non- committal "MMMMM"  when he says that.  I would NEVER come back to the West. I am an Eastern gal all the way.

Frankly I am hoping for a retirement in the North of Spain.

I have to say I've been there and back again......
I moved to the UK in August 2004, and moved back to the usa in March 2005....short stay...I know
i moved to be with him because of the lack of rights that fathers have, and the fact that he has 2 little girls that he's only been given "parental responsibility" of and nothing more.
I've moved back for a million different reasons, some realistic, some just plain stupid...
i'm back home because my ex was really screwing me around where my daughter is concerned, worse than my DH and I ever dreamed would be. I'm also pregnant and pretty well scared to death of the medical facilities in the UK (the ones I've seen anyhow)
So....that being said....I've come back to the usa and hubby is coming in may to be with me and have our child etc...
maybe someday, when circumstances are better, we'll move back to the UK, but only time will tell...because personally, I'd rather not.