I wanna move to USA but...

Snow3y
Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
in Chit-Chat
I'm not sure where would be the best place for me to live... Can anyone help me out with options? :) I plan on earning a salary for the next 6-8 years while my girlfriend finishes her degree, and then apply for my visa to go live and work in the US.

I like sunny weather and a warm climate, I currently live in South Africa, so really most conditions would be an improvement in my eyes! I'm just shy of my degree of a Bachelor of Administration in business, and plan on getting my master's too.

So I need advice on which states in the US are worth-while, and which are not.. Budget can range from mediocre living conditions to above average..

Even if you just want to post where in the US you've lived and what the pros and cons have been, that would be amazing!

Thanks in advance!
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Replies

  • elusive_design
    elusive_design Posts: 1,095 Member
    Depending on what you mean by sunny and warm.. Phoenix, Arizona sounds like it might be a good fit because it is most definately sunny and tends to get up into the 100s during the summer days.. if that is a little too hot you might consider California, Florida or Texas. (I honestly would avoid Texas, waaaaay to much american arrogance infusing that state). Georgia is a lovely place to visit but I don't know if I'd want to live there. If you don't mind a bit of a chill in winter and you like a nice warm temperature in the summer I would go with Denver, Colorado. It's the only place I've ever lived with its range of scenery, climate and sheer awesomeness on every level.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Not NYC! :laugh:
  • tryclyn
    tryclyn Posts: 2,414 Member
    I vote VIrginia.
  • Luke_I_am_your_spotter
    Luke_I_am_your_spotter Posts: 4,179 Member
    so.... what you are saying is. you arent even going to apply for a visa for at least 8 years from now? That alone, could take forever. Seriously--- just focus on what you need to do right now.. don't worry about moving yet. Sounds like you are at least 10 years away from moving. There could be more states by then anyway. Puerto Rico anyone? ;)
  • elusive_design
    elusive_design Posts: 1,095 Member
    Puerto Rico isn't going to become a state. From those I've talked to in PR there just isn't that] much interest in becoming one, at least not in the general public. Of course that could be in those people's particular circles.. but yeah, meh. Not happening anytime this decade I wouldn't think.
  • Follow_me
    Follow_me Posts: 6,120 Member
    Stay where you are, you're better off.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    I live in Miami. It's sunny, hot, and full of beaches. Southern California is my favorite place in the U.S. though (sofar), but it's very expensive.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    The midwest tends to have lower cost of living than the coastal areas, but they do have all four seasons, so if you want sunny all the time, that might not be a good choice for you.

    http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/ <<< This might help you think through some of your options.
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    Texas. (I honestly would avoid Texas, waaaaay to much american arrogance infusing that state).

    tumblr_m2kuubpq7s1ql5yr7o1_400.gif

    Texas. It's where the jobs are.
  • LC458
    LC458 Posts: 300 Member
    Texas. (I honestly would avoid Texas, waaaaay to much american arrogance infusing that state).

    tumblr_m2kuubpq7s1ql5yr7o1_400.gif

    Texas. It's where the jobs are.

    Arrogance?? What arrogance??
    I Love Texas, it's the best country in the world :wink:
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    Texas. (I honestly would avoid Texas, waaaaay to much american arrogance infusing that state)

    Yeah. Definitely avoid Texas. No one wants friendly people, an affordable cost of living, no state income tax and good weather (even if it does get a little hot at times).

    2guctwn.jpg
  • elusive_design
    elusive_design Posts: 1,095 Member
    Any place that has flying cockroaches is off my list of best states to live! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • Cathalain
    Cathalain Posts: 424 Member
    I second Arizona. Nevada is also nice weather-wise. Temps are very high, but the humidity (EXTREMELY low) makes up for that.

    Be warned, though - some of these areas are miserable for employment prospects, unless you're in a field that's specialized. Las Vegas, for example, has almost NO employment unless it's in a service industry (gaming, food, etc.). And some places in Arizona are literally in the middle of NOWHERE - unless you choose a larger city like Tucson, Phoenix, maybe Yuma, you'll be driving for miles and miles and miles before you get to work and back.

    Still, it's a small price to pay for the beautiful weather and the quiet. I love driving, so it would work out for me. Definitely retiring there as soon as I'm able.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    09-25-2006042919PM.jpg

    December07Group2255.jpg
  • londonlady4
    londonlady4 Posts: 14 Member
    Southern California is amazing! Bit expensive but the weather sounds like exactly what you're looking for and it's gorgeous there! :glasses:
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  • Cathalain
    Cathalain Posts: 424 Member
    Georgia is a lovely place to visit but I don't know if I'd want to live there.

    As a former 8-year resident of Georgia (both northern and southern sections), I would NOT recommend this. The northern portion (basically, Atlanta, heh) is hellishly expensive to live in - and the southern portion (think below Macon) has almost zero employment, unless you LIKE working fast food.

    The weather isn't that great, either. Georgia is prone to ice storms in the winter, hurricanes in the summer, and freakishly high humidity. And the bugs. OH-EM-EFFING-GEE the bugs. I have never seen flying roaches in my life until I moved there. NOTHANKYOU. :sad: :noway:
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    Well, since nobody asked:
    What do you do for a living?
    If you are a farmer, then that would help to point you in the right direction.
    I.T. specialist would also help with cities.
    If you are into automotive production......
    Movies and cinema.....
    Marine biologist....
  • mhotch
    mhotch Posts: 901 Member
    I think you should choose a place to live that gives you the best opportunities for your line of work.
  • fitfan11
    fitfan11 Posts: 544 Member
    Save yourself from future headaches and frustrations and stay in S. Africa!!
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Trust me all that are saying stay in S. Africa, don't realise how bad it can truly be... I want to live in a place where I don't have to have tinted windows, to prevent hi-jacking scenarios, I don't want to have to keep my windows closed at all times I stop when driving. I don't want to have to struggle for applying for jobs because I am not "african/black". I don't want to have to have a high wall surrounding my property, with electric fences and spikes, along with a top grade security company to feel remotely safe in my home.

    Those are just a few things to name what I don't want, things that I'm currently forced to live with... I'm set to leave the country, no matter what the cost.
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    Again, what is your trade/skill?
  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    Again, what is your trade/skill?

    Currently, I'm a student studying Business Management and Business Administration.. I'm planning on working in the corporate management field. One day in the future I plan on having my own business however.. I've got it all planned out, time is the only factor
  • psmd
    psmd Posts: 764 Member
    It's good to set your goals, even if they are years away.

    I would consider the south--Florida, North Carolina, if you want something sunny but more affordable. I think one thing you have to consider is you will be an immigrant, coming from a place of discrimination. Unfortunately you may face discrimination in the future, no matter where you go. For that reason I would consider a larger city, where immigrants tend to flock to and can find their own communities. This is coming from someone whose parents immigrated here to Ohio. I now live in Chicago and like it a lot more. Another consideration is safety, which is a concern--you would have to research carefully about moving into a safe neighborhood no matter what city you choose.

    Other thoughts: California is gorgeous but wayyyy too expensive. And I've been to Texas and while some may love it, I wouldn't move there unless it was for an amazing job.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    So there's a big survey of the states called the "Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index"

    http://info.healthways.com/wbi2013

    If you are going to come without already having a job, then I would think you could just look at the overall results and decide based on that.

    If you're going to get a job before getting here, I would sort them by Basic Access or Physical Health.
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    OK... for the most part, any place "Sunny and warm" is going to be expensive also.
    Now, many are talking trash about Texas (I am not a Texan) but, Austin is a very modern city and would be a good place to start.
    I personally live in South Florida. It is expensive down here but, North Florida is much cheaper. Jacksonville is very nice and there are jobs to be had for sure.
    Las Vegas also is starting to come alive again. It is not on the coast but, it is hot and you are close to the mountians.
    Believe it or not but, your accent will actually open a lot of doors for you. People seem to think that a British accent = really smart. Yes, I know that your is South African but, to the average American, we can't tell the difference.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    Now, many are talking trash about Texas (I am not a Texan) but, Austin is a very modern city and would be a good place to start.
    I personally live in South Florida. It is expensive down here but, North Florida is much cheaper. Jacksonville is very nice and there are jobs to be had for sure.

    As a fellow South Floridian, I agree with both of these statements.

    Austin is a really fun city!
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    Florida is one of those states where each city (that I've been to, anyway) has poor areas, middle class, above average and some very wealthy, all in one city, a few streets apart.
  • KaleeCat
    KaleeCat Posts: 152 Member
    Well if you want lovely springs, hot summers, colorful falls, and beautiful snowy winters, then Wisconsin's the place to be ;) But you might find Texas or Arizona more to your liking if you want warmer climates consistently.
  • embrace_the_dark_side
    embrace_the_dark_side Posts: 236
    At the end of the day, it all depends on where you can find a job, what kind of lifestyle you enjoy, and (based on my interaction with many Saffas in Perth) how comfortable you are with diversity.

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