Repat roll call

We will be going back without jobs. I could possibly transfer back within my company but there have been so many lay offs over here and there (most of my former co-workers are gone over there) that I can't be bothered, I want to start fresh.

As soon as I know my leave date over here I will try to find a job remotely, the problem is most American's seem to have a phobia about dialing an international number OR they don't have access at work. I am thinking about getting my sister to buy me a cell phone from the states with a local number and international access so I can put it on my CV and they can call me more easily. At least I can start conversations.

Jules, we use SkypeIn http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/products/skypein/

We bought an SF number when I was still living there and have kept that number for my friends & family to call me on here for free. 

Works really well, I have to say without Skype, and the internet I wouldn't have moved here!!   

Thanks Jenn! I have heard of Syype but forgot all about it! That looks like a great alternative to having to bother to get a US cell phone while I am here.

Great idea...many thanks for that!! 

Yay!  We also bought a Skype phone, works just like a regular cordless but Skype calls ring differently.  It also works for our landline, which we don't get calls on often.  We also have voicemail, so we can get messages while we are away.

I'm a big fan of Skype since it has kept me in contact with so many people!  I think it would work great for you both when you are job searching.  It can be your contact number on your resume!!

Best wishes to you guys! That's great that you are eventually off to Canada, I always say to my Brit husband that Canada would be a great in between (UK vs. US).

Where do you guys plan to settle in Canada?

We're moving for DH's job, so we're off to Ottawa.  We're currently researching houses to rent!

We are going to be repats at some point in the next year... not that I am jumping for joy.... there are a lot of things I will miss, but right now it's just the best option for us. :-I

I need my own house again (taking care of smelly old FIL is getting to me) and need my parents and son to be closer together especially since I'd like to have another child. 

We are just making lists of places we never want to live in and what things we need in a neighboorhood and area. No horrid suburbia hell and long as heck commutes in standstill traffic for us!

We're SO close to submitting our I-130 et al after nearly 2 decades here.
Extremely tough, for me especially, to think about going back but after having to work 7 days a week to make ends meet - seems a no-brainer!
Also feel that our children may have a brighter future in the U.S.

Oh... a heavey heart I DO carry regarding this.
So much so that major depression is a serious issue with me. (don't want to go to the doc to get drugged up though).

Some times it feels right then other days are pure hell!

(sorry for my blubbering)

Ken,  I know what you mean...  I am the one pushing for the move back (I'm American and my husband is English), but there's always a little voice in my head talking about the wonderful things here - beauty, I love the weather etc...  But it seems that the fundamentals of life - finances, health care...are very difficult here.

My husband works 7 days a week as well and often works into the night.  The other night he worked until 3am on a paper and then back at work the next morning!  He has to cycle to work as we can only afford one car.  It isn't right....

We too feel that our son would have a brighter future in the US and he can certainly choose when he gets older where he wants to live! 

So, I hear you and I am sure we're not the only ones who are torn about the move.  We are in the process of all of the paperwork, medical, etc and hoping to then have an interview soon.

Ken,  I know what you mean...  I am the one pushing for the move back (I'm American and my husband is English), but there's always a little voice in my head talking about the wonderful things here - beauty, I love the weather etc...  But it seems that the fundamentals of life - finances, health care...are very difficult here.

I feel similar! (except for the weather, I have never grown used to the greyness). I too have been pushing for us to move back (Brit husband is fine to do so) but I also have that little voice in my head. We put our house on the market for sale this week and I felt really sad about it. While we really don't like the town we live in, we love our little house so its quite emotional right now. There are a lot of things that I love about the UK but its not enough for us to stay. This morning we received my husband's I-130 approval so we are one step closer. 

I feel the same about the cost of living, healthcare, convenience, flexibility, etc. We will have a better standard of living back in the states.

Very mixed emotions right now! 

I feel the same....

only my worry is that life in the US can be just as hard or even more so regarding work hours... and only two weeks holiday... it's the one thing along with long commute times that I hated.... so we are trying really hard not to ever fall in that trap again.  I have a son now and actually want to see  him as does my husband.  I can't work 14 hour days 6 to 7 days a week with no life or little real holiday. So while I think we are making the right decision right now... I still love it here and I know from experience that a place can't bring you happiness....

right now I am hoping and praying for a job situation for my DH that allows flexible benefits so we can opt to buy more holiday and we won't buy a house (how nice to have a house of our own again!) until we know where the job will be so we can actually not spend hours in bumper to bumper!

Well, we finally have an interview date, August 9th.  My husband had his medical yesterday  I can't wait till this is all over!

June

How long did you have to wait to get the interview date once your checklist was in?

How long did you have to wait to get the interview date once your checklist was in?

I mailed our checklist a week before we received our approved I-130 (15th June). Today I received our embassy appointment which is 22 August.

So I sent a letter to our GP's office asking for my husband's vaccination record and WHAT do we get back??? Our letter back to us with some unreadable bits written at the bottom of the page. WTF? Like we can take that to the Embassy doctor and they will accept it? I think not.   

So tired of the incompetency every time I turn around! My husband doesn't work local so now he will have to take time off work to get it sorted.

All my hubby needed was a DTP I - think within the past 10 years and an MMR after 1985.  So, my hubby had to get those vaccines anyway.  Maybe yours  does too and then you could just get them done and get the records then and there.  Might be worth a call to Knightsbridge Drs. to ask.  I asked as I was so confused by the chart, which they think is confusing too!