Hello, Fellow Expats!

Hi everyone!  I found this site about two weeks ago and have been lurking ever since - but I'm ready to introduce myself:

I'm Kelly, 24, from North Dakota.  I met my Brit husband on the internet when we were both wee youngsters of 14!  My mom, grandma, and I came to visit the UK (and my now hubby) when I was 16 and from then until I came in '06 on "study abroad" (yeah right, it was pretty much just to be close to him in his uni! Not a whole lot of studying a'tall!  ) through UND (my alma mater).  I got my Fiancee visa early '07 and we were married in October of that year.  Applied for ILR (replenished it twice now!  I'm reluctant to relinquish my US citizenship) and only been back home a few times since then. This past October, I became a mom to a sweet little girl (yay NHS and no bills!!  ).

"How am I finding it here?" is a question I get asked a lot by people I meet.  Honestly, I moved here to get a way from home.  ND is the kind of place where all the kids grow up wanting to get the hell out, eventually get the hell out and see all they can, and return to have careers and raise kids and end up finding it not so bad anymore.  I'm at the point where I feel I *know* I can't learn anymore by being worldly and I am ready to return to my true "home".  This will be possible once my hubby has gained enough work experience for either a transfer (he works for a company that has ties to the US) or enough money so we wouldn't have to scrounge for a decent living once we got back to the States.  Have heard getting a US green card is hard work for foreigners, but having an American wife and a Brit/American child should help some in that endeavour.

I've read a lot on here about how people love it here and never want to return to the US, and I just think to myself that I'm super lucky to have grown up in such a nice place to keep alive the belief of "there's no place like home".  It's not that I don't *like* it here, it's just I'd rather be home!  British people, in my own personal experiences, haven't seemed to warm up to me at all for reasons unknown to myself.  I feel like I haven't been given a fair chance to be honest, but I remain pleasant to all I interact with, as is my nature.  I'm glad to have read some people's experiences similar to my own.  Now I'm a mom it's become easier to meet people through baby groups and things, but friends are a resource I lack! 

I hope to post often, but having a 9-week-old doesn't leave my arms free to often, haha.

Anyway, we're in Leicester (or Lesh-TAH! as the locals know it, hehe) at the moment and have been for about 3 years.  Anyone nearby who would like to possibly meet up, please feel free to get in touch!

Kel x

Honestly, I moved here to get a way from home.  ND is the kind of place where all the kids grow up wanting to get the hell out, eventually get the hell out and see all they can, and return to have careers and raise kids and end up finding it not so bad anymore. 

I think a lot of people feel that way of my home town Des Moines, Ia.  Although I'm not eager to go back, but I know people who have.  My dad as a kid lived for a time in Fergus Falls nearish the MN/ND border, and I think he really loved it there. 

Welcome to the forum!  Good luck with moving back to the States! 

 I got my Fiancee visa early '07 and we were married in October of that year.  Applied for ILR (replenished it twice now!  I'm reluctant to relinquish my US citizenship)

Welcome to UKY!


I thought I might clarify some things for you.

Why do you think you have to give up your US Citizenship to Naturalise as British?...you don't have to.

From the US Embassy in London:

Can I hold more than one passport or nationality?
Yes. In the 1980's, the Supreme Court ruled that citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away from a citizen who does not intend to relinquish it. Therefore, such actions as naturalization in a foreign country, employment with a foreign government, and/or voting in a foreign election do not automatically jeopardize American citizenship. However, please note that all U.S. citizens, even dual nationals, must enter and depart the United States on U.S. passports.

You don't have to reapply for ILR - I think you're confusing your FLR(M) which is time limited with ILR which doesn't have an expiration.

Welcome to UKY!


I thought I might clarify some things for you.

Why do you think you have to give up your US Citizenship to Naturalise as British?...you don't have to.


From the US Embassy in London:You don't have to reapply for ILR - I think you're confusing your FLR(M) which is time limited with ILR which doesn't have an expiration.

I'm aware I could be both, I just never saw a reason to honestly.  My hubby and I always discussed moving to the US and I'm doing alright without going through all the trouble of the interview, etc. And yes, I did make a mistake.  I'm on the visa where I need to reapply every two years, not the ILR.  Thanks for pointing that out. I did do the Life in the UK test on my last visa application, however, just for funsies really.

I'm aware I could be both, I just never saw a reason to honestly.  My hubby and I always discussed moving to the US and I'm doing alright without going through all the trouble of the interview, etc. And yes, I did make a mistake.  I'm on the visa where I need to reapply every two years, not the ILR.  Thanks for pointing that out. I did do the Life in the UK test on my last visa application, however, just for funsies really.

Ah ok...we're in the same situation actually...my husband is waiting for his interview appointment with the US Embassy which should come in the next month or so. But, as the future is unknown we wanted to leave the door open for us to return to the UK if our daughter decided that she wanted to go to Uni or live in the UK as an adult or if we wanted to retire here..or if things just don't work out for us in the US we could even move to an EU country. I was just approved for British Citizenship this week (there was no interview) and am so relieved that I will never have to deal with another visa for myself ever again...different courses I guess.

Good Luck to you and again, Welcome to UKY!  

I think a lot of people feel that way of my home town Des Moines, Ia.  Although I'm not eager to go back, but I know people who have.  My dad as a kid lived for a time in Fergus Falls nearish the MN/ND border, and I think he really loved it there. 

I'm well acquainted with Fergus Falls!  I grew up in Grand Forks, so not that far away at all!  A lot of my high school friends live in Iowa.  I think they live there because it's a comfortable change from ND farms and non-population to not-TOO-big cities, IYKWIM.

I'm well acquainted with Fergus Falls!  I grew up in Grand Forks, so not that far away at all!  A lot of my high school friends live in Iowa.  I think they live there because it's a comfortable change from ND farms and non-population to not-TOO-big cities, IYKWIM.

Oh yes.  I know exactly what you mean!    A ten minute drive from where I lived was farms as a child.  I think Des Moines has actually gotten bigger (possibly close to half a million if you include the 'burbs) since I left.  I hope your friends are enjoying Iowa! 

And my dad's family would go to Grand Forks occasionally when they live in Fergus. 

Welcome to UKY! 

Whenever you are eligible for citizenship if it's before you leave the UK, I'd consider naturalising as British - this is only going to get more expensive and difficult to maintain.