Why UKY is the best immigration board

I would just like to say why this board is the best (at least for US & probably Canadians too).  Perhaps some of you have bounced over to the other boards and noticed the same thing.  I won't mention the names of the other sites but maybe you can pick them out.

1.  Other sites require a membership fee.  Not that I am being cheap, it's just that the fees exponentially reduce the amount of participation.  I think UKY should have a PayPal donation section.

2.  Other sites can be completely one-sided.  I went to a site that had more posts but everything was "I need something" with zero replies.  It seemed like everyone was just "take, take, take."  Here people seem to give as much as they get.

3.  The experiences here are more relevant for Americans.  I don't need to know about Band 4 incomes for Tier 1, processing times at the embassy in Laos, unusual UK ancestry claims from former British Colonies, British overseas citizenship or applying service in the Gurkhas toward residency.

4.  There is an upbeat feeling.  People do get in jams here (and I love that they find good advice).  However, some other boards have such a feeling of desperation that it makes me not want to do the UK thing.  I like a little sunshine too.

Well...that is my opinion...just wanted to share.

that's really nice! I have left the UK and wasn't there very long but I still come to this site every day lately Its a good place to be.

1.  Other sites require a membership fee.  Not that I am being cheap, it's just that the fees exponentially reduce the amount of participation.  I think UKY should have a PayPal donation section.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?action=treasury

I agree about number 1, the fact that this place IS free.  Sometimes people just need a little advice, they don't necessarily want to live on this site. 

Back when I was desperately looking for advice, well, I didn't find this place!  But I did find a place (now fee-paying) that was free.  I WOULD NOT have paid a membership fee just to ask my couple of questions, I would've kept looking elsewhere...

Thanks for being here UKY!

 

Just one thing to tack on about various sites and forums and so on.....

The Association of Regulated Immigration Advisers (ARIA) is sponsoring a joint venture with Transpondia to promulgate a so-called "Statement of Best Practices" for immigration forums. 

This will enable people to visit the ARIA site and view a list of forums that adhere to some standards of quality.  And sites that apply the best practices will get to show a neat sticker on their front page.

And best of all, they will have a "direct line" into both UKBA and legal reps in the UK to resolve any murky questions that arise.  Plus representation for any advocacy issues they want to raise.

I know it probably sounds booooooring for a "chit-chat" topic, but in reality, it's kind of a unique innovation.

OH!  And UKY will be at the tippy tip top of the list also.....

 

I like UK Yankee too.

Here's a thread I once started on it.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=43699.0

I agree with everyone people said. I've posted here on and off since I was applying for my spousal visa back in '05 and it's always been a great resource not just on immigration but on British life in general.

I'm very thankful I found it.

I appreciated both the calm tone and knowledgeable people here.  As I'm sure is obvious, things like moving to a new country and getting visas can be very stressful, and UK-Y went a long way towards helping me cope with all of the ins and outs of the process. I've shamelessly lurked in topics from visas to jobs to healthcare and feel that what I've learned has been invaluable in making my transition to the UK fairly smooth.

Also, of course, it is always good to have a place to read about the wonder that is Lidl .