Living Abroad?
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- OSFA
How about moving overseas? How hard is it for americans to get permits or visas? I'm talking about Spain, France, Italy, UK, etc.. I know living costs are higher but I am sure salaries are too right?
I've heard from many people that life in Europe is better in many ways than in teh US and A. Is it true? How?
- olli1010
OSFA - I'm a yank living in the UK for about 8 yrs. now. Europe has a lot of pros, but just as many cons. Living here is NOT the same as visiting. Not even close. I can tell you lots but it would be the size of a book. Throw some questions my way (via email or post) and I'll be happy to answer them as best I can.
- ukit0
I was thinking about trying to move to London for awhile and I know it is hard to get into the UK unless you get a job there first. However, they have something called the Highly Skilled Migrant Worker Program where you can apply and get a permit based on your age, salary, skills, etc.
Other countries, it depends. One of my friends moved to Berlin for awhile and he said there was no formal process to go through at all. He basically just got on a plane there, there, hooked up with an apartment with some friends and was ready to go. So I guess it depends.
- OSFA0
Hmmm interesting, you see, my wife and i were talking about it the other day, future and all that, and the topic came up. Spain for example would be one of the countries we would both agree, but I also would be open for other options.
What would be some of the pros and some of the cons of moving?
*olli, I will email you...
- designer4rent0
Well I moved from London to Victoria Canada, it took about 10 months on a spouse sponsorship. It was ALOT of paper work, money and time. I had FULL medicals & background check the lot. All well worth it.
- < I think that process would work in most country.akrokdesign
- mikotondria20
england is a sinking ship. Go and just visit for 6 months and you'll want to come right back.
- how is it a sinking ship? some say the same of californiaLlyod
- House prices, chavs, cocaine, govt., tabloids. Shit. Shit and cunts, that's all it is.mikotondria2
- on the plus side there are no guns thereLlyod
- yeah, miko, every city has its own problem with chavs (or equivalent) and drugs...Jaline
- Tabloids....are you talking about papers? I think they originate from California ;)Jaline
- letters20
I've moved back to the US after 5 years of living and working in ITaly. I think its good advice that visiting a place and living there is totally different. In short, for ITaly, I can say that its a beautiful place, but cost of living is not as low as one might expect, especially in a city like Milan. And wages are low, very low in comparison to that and other industrialized nations. But if you can swing it, it can be worth it – which I can attest to.
- kalkal0
House prices are lowing now (slowly) and cocaine... wtf?
Anyway, the government is changing the the requirments to get into the country, they're not after low paid labourers any more, we already have plenty of Polish for that atm, they're looking for highly educated skilled workers now. Having said that, the design industry is saturated here so I'm not sure how much extra luck you'd have with... getting a... visa?
- paraselene0
HSMW visas just mean you've got lots of cash, they're more or less visas that you buy. work permits are tough to get, and getting tougher. you basically have to prove that you're a better fit for your job than ANY native. wages are higher in london, but bear in mind you pay about 40% income tax.
- olli1010
Couple of links for you crazy kids:
http://www.workpermit.com/uk/emp…
- ribit0
or... join a company that has design studios worldwide (you tend to get sent where they want you, but at least they take care of all the paperwork).
- Corvo0
^ ribit is right. if you're tech skilled it's probably the fastest way to get into Europe. Try Iconmedialab: they're all over place and usually have lots of job openings.
http://www.iconmedialab.com/
- rafalski0
Is Australia an easy place for Americans to move to? Is it attractive?
- 65Neue0
The UK a sinking ship... only come here for 6 months... why bother if thats your attitude?
The same is true of getting into the US, the govt is so security paranoid that the clearing process for visas is normally over 12 months... and even then married partners are NOT eligible to work or receive healthcare... hardly an enlightened society if you ask me.
True the UK has problems with drugs... at least its not crack fiends roaming the streets, not do we have problems with guns, look beyod things like that and your in one of the worlds most cullturally vibrant and tolerant places... depends whether you crave creativity or plain ole safety?
- OSFA0
Now, I've heard from many people that Europe is more supportive of art, and what we do for a living, which in this country is well.....not so much..... hmmmmmm
Does anyone have any info on Spain? Email me please if you can share a few experiences...