To move or not to move

Hi there. I'm 34 and have a 16 year in high school in the US. I'm engaged to a man that lives in Manchester. I have a good career and he is in an apprenticeship that will lead to a good career. And we are trying to figure out what will be best for all involved. My career though currently I make way more money, is more flexible, but I'll be starting over in the Automotive Industry. He doesn't meet the financial requirement, yet, but will after 6-8 more months. My son would love to study in the UK and honestly lets face it it's probably a better education. That is our plight.

Better education? Debateable... depends on the schools/ teachers.

Be aware: the UK curriculum is VERY different - if entering school for the equivalent of 11th grade, he will take 3 or four subjects. That is it. If he comes to start for his senior year, he will be in trouble. The A level curriculum (where they take 3 or four subjects) starts in 11th grade equivalent.

Also, if he leaves education and is no longer dependent on you at some point in the 5 years before ILR, he will not qualify. He would have to continue to be eligible for visas in his own right. This could get complex...

Hi,

This is something only you, your fiance and your son can decide upon once you all sit down and discuss things.

From your post, is it your son who's in an apprenticeship ?
I assume your fiance is the one who doesn't meet the financial requirement?

Moving on, take a look at your current earnings, your son's future potential earnings etc and then take a look at the UK and then perhaps the Manchester area as well. What does your fiance do? what's his earning level and future potential level?

In every sector, the UK pays less than the same sector in the US. Cost of living is lower in the USA, standard of living is higher in the US. These are of course high level economic indicators but based on actual data and statistics.

I'd suggest overall that you perhaps look to marrying your fiance and have him move with you to the USA based purely on financial aspects, after all, its money which makes the world go around and from that, you can assess your own personal situation. Yes, there's plenty of American's who moved over here successfully and prefer the 'atmosphere' in the UK. There's similarly plenty who 'thought' they'd love it and moved over with companies and via personal marriages etc, who relatively quickly went straight back to the USA (I used to work with many people like this!) To be balanced, I know people who went to the USA and quickly came back here as well as those who went to the USA and never looked back!

I agree with the above as well, moving to the UK doesn't automatically mean a 'better education' for sure. That will depend on the quality of the school and the teachers.

Once you all sit down and discuss things, take into account legal requirements and aspects you need to know perhaps from an immigration lawyer, you'll be in a better position to discuss as a family what will be the best thing to do.

Good luck!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Thanks for the info! My son would be coming over in the 11th grade and of course the schools would be looked into and we understand that not all school are made equal. 

And it's my fiance that is in the apprenticeship, and it's not really an apprenticeship but he needs to "pay his dues" before he moves here so he earns his credentials. No he doesn't quite meet the financial requirement. He's in the optical field. We may just tough it out long distance till the end and make the decision then. Right now it's easily said not sure that it will be easily done... lol

I was thinking about credit and cars, I do work in the auto industry and I was wondering about transportation there. Can I move my car? Have you guys had any push back from the banks? Or would I have to get another one once I get there (if that was the decision that we ended up at)? Was it difficult to establish credit there? His credit isn't bad but it's not as good as mine.

You can move your car but it will cost roughly £4k to ship and make it street legal for EU requirements.  European cars are more economical too, considering the running costs.  Parts can be difficult to source and resell value for a LHD is very low.  But if you have a really special car (think 65 Mustang convertible), it's worth it!

You will not have UK credit and your US credit won't count.  You'll have to start over.  Once I was here for a year, I was able to get a credit card with a £500 limit.  I used it and paid it off each month and the limit has been raised.

But until he can meet the financial requirement to sponsor you and your son (about £23k), you won't be able to relocate.