Originally Posted By SuperDry davewasbaloo, I forget if you've mentioned it before or not: have you considered naturalization in the UK? With the way the US laws are set up now, you wouldn't lose US citizenship by being naturalized elsewhere. At least in the US, naturalization is the key to truly permanent residence. Having "permanent resident" status can still get you deported for certain minor crimes, which as you point out might include assault in a defensive position if the authorities don't see it that way, or any number of other things. But once you're naturalized, you can't lose your citizenship and therefore can't be deported or refused admission no matter what you do, unless it's a matter of falsifying something on your citizenship application.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hey Super Dry. Thankfully the laws have now changed, thank goodness. I have considered doing it and when I was set to take my exams, I was laid off and had not been with the firm long enough to earn a severence package, the second time I went for it, I had to use the money to help my parents out. I will do it, the problem is the fees are very high (about $2000). But I really must do it, it is nerve wracking.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Christi, I would be inclined to do it if you have the means, as well as the discipline. One thing that is often remarked upon in London is how young (college age) or how old most US visitors are (or how they are there for a couple of days on a 12 country visit that would be akin to trying to see the Eastern Seaboard, Chicago and WDW in one trip). If your son is bright enough and you continue to develop him, should be a good option. I often consider it too. 2 of yy brothers who were homeschooled started college last year. They are getting 4.0 averages now (though they are frustrated at how juvenile their class mates are). One thing to consider, what would your son's social skills be like if you took him out and then he had to go back after? Every child is different. I was fortunate/unfortunate as a kid. My dad was a pro drummer on the road with Johnny Moore and Ben E King, my mom worked in the newspaper business. I was on the road all the time as a kid during school vacation, shadowing one or the other. As an adult, I have become a rolling stone myself, travelling about 3000 miles in the car or train a month (used to be more before kids). I can't deal with a 9-5 desk job in the same location. Lol
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^^Ugh, how I'd hate that travel. I hope the pay is worth it. I have a 7 minute ride to work.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo There is thankfully more to life than money, most of the work is about improving education, social care and health outcomes. But it also helps it funds my travel addition. I used to work 22 miles from home, but that got too dull.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Dave, I am at the stage where money is important. I'm 67 and could retire if I wanted to. I mostly enjoy my job. But if I only knew how much longer we had to live. 5-10 years and I'd blow what we have and really travel and enjoy. But what if it's 30 years, I don't know if what we've saved up is enough. And then there's worry about health issues that may pop up. So, enjoy today, but prepare as best you can for tomorrow.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Dave, I am at the stage where money is important. I'm 67 and could retire if I wanted to. I mostly enjoy my job. But if I only knew how much longer we had to live. 5-10 years and I'd blow what we have and really travel and enjoy. But what if it's 30 years, I don't know if what we've saved up is enough. And then there's worry about health issues that may pop up. So, enjoy today, but prepare as best you can for tomorrow.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Bobbee, please don't get me wrong, of course money is important. I have tried to dedicate my life to what I feel is a higher purpose though rather than chasing pure money (giving up a very lucrative career track that would have given me very little time, even less than now, with my family). Also family ill health mixed with being laid off shortly before the firm I joined 4 months previously went under, meant that I set my own firm up so I could take time out for my son's, brother's and parent's medical needs. It's a trade off, I do a crazy amount of travel and 15-20 hour working days sometimes, and at others take extended period of leave. I couldn't do it without my loving wife though, she is the rock, and far greater than me
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt << I do a crazy amount of travel and 15-20 hour working days>> so does my DH... so I hang out here
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "I doubt they would deport me, but it is an issue, and the right wing are getting harder and harder on immigrants. I never said the Uk was perfect, I said it was the lesser evil." Well, come to Australia Dave - wait a minute, you are white, right? Well, sorry but there goes your chances of getting two years subsidised rent, benefits, medical treatment, job training and language courses. Were you from Kenya or Zimbabwe I could tee ALL of that up for you and your family RIGHT NOW! I have told my poor widowed and under-funded grandmother I am going to paint her in black face, stick her in a dinghy and push her a mile off the coast of Western Australia and have her towed in. She'd be better off! (And before the PC types chime in with their usual rhetoric, come visit Perth, or rather North Perth, where I live, or as we call it these days, North Africa)
