Immigration

[Popo]

Hi all, I created this thread because I am thinking in the future(not for a while though) to leave this country, as I see absolutely no future in it and I would probably sink myself further with it. I see no career perspective, everything is more expensive everyday and everyday we get payed less. I also have absolutely no faith in ever being sucessful as a musician,even though I know that everywhere my chances are close to none, in Portugal they are exactly zero. Of course I have plans of getting a job, putting together some money and only leave the country if I know ahead of time I already have a job and a place to stay wherever I go, it's always hard leaving your country no matter how bad it is now, and your family. I plan to make more money wherever I go and send some to my family over here(which is easier said than done I know).

So I seek advice about how it is immigrating, its difficulties, its benefits, whether from experience or not, it doesn't hurt to hear whatever advice you give me, and your opinions and experiences. And may this thread also be for anyone else out there who is thinking about doing the same.(Excuse me for my incorrect English if this is the case).

 

[KennedyKiller]

Well, I think it's a swell idea, but where are you wanting to go? Somewhere else in Europe. Or one of the America's?

 

[Popo]

I haven't quite made up my mind yet, but if in Europe my strongest possibility is either England or Luxembourg, although I would also like going to the USA, it's an even harder decision to make, considering the country is bigger than both of those I mentioned together and I really wouldn't know where to go, and the fact that being across the ocean would make it more difficult in case I would want to visit my family or vice-versa, but these are my main choices.

 

[KennedyKiller]

I haven't quite made up my mind yet, but if in Europe my strongest possibility is either England or Luxembourg, although I would also like going to the USA, it's an even harder decision to make, considering the country is bigger than both of those I mentioned together and I really wouldn't know where to go, and the fact that being across the ocean would make it more difficult in case I would want to visit my family or vice-versa, but these are my main choices.

Well, if you're wanting to move to the US, I can give you some pretty decent inside tips on how to do it. Which regions have the best jobs, lowest costs of living ect. ect.

 

[Popo]

It is very helpful of you, and it makes it easier for me to make a decision knowing more about the facts, if you wouldn't mind telling me xD

 

[KennedyKiller]

Well, the Midwest has the most available remedial jobs, with the lowest cost of living. Basically, an middle class apartment in the following states, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, and Kansas, will run you about $650 a month, with electricity and other utilities running you about $50 to $80, for a grand total of $730 on AVERAGE. Now, depending on the job you get with no college education, you can earn ABOUT $800 every two weeks in these states. In other words, as long as you play your cards right, and know how to budget, it's very easy to live alone in these states. And there are always cheaper apartments, less paying jobs, and even POSSIBLY higher paying jobs. Basically, if you're looking to live an average, comfortable life, then the Midwest is the best choice for you in the US. If you're looking for something a little more extravagant in the future, the other regions have more to offer.

 

[La Femme Fatale]

If you want to go to Canada, I would seriously consider Calgary. Lots of Canadians go there for a year or two because you make a crapload of money on the oil and tar sands. Like $40 dollars an hour, all expenses paid - they even pay for your plane ticket home every three or four weeks (if you live elsewhere in Canada). Not to mention you're eligible for PR in Alberta after six months I believe.

I'm working on the provincial election here in Ontario right now and if my party doesn't form the government then I'm for sure packing my bags and moving west.

 

[KennedyKiller]

If you want to go to Canada, I would seriously consider Calgary. Lots of Canadians go there for a year or two because you make a crapload of money on the oil and tar sands. Like $40 dollars an hour, all expenses paid - they even pay for your plane ticket home every three or four weeks (if you live elsewhere in Canada). Not to mention you're eligible for PR in Alberta after six months I believe.

I'm working on the provincial election here in Ontario right now and if my party doesn't form the government then I'm for sure packing my bags and moving west.

I don't know if it's the same in Canada, but if the Oil deal is the same as it is in America, while the money is DAMN good, it's really not worth it. Your hours are INCREDIBLY long. Like nearly 20 hours days. meaning only a few hours sleep. So it's INCREDIBLY drug run by drugs like Meth, and others that will keep you up and moving fast for days at a time. Also, since the money is so good, the cost of living is much higher. Usually people don't live in houses or apartments, but in RV's, and the rental space for your RV is incredibly expensive. But hey, that's just how it is in North Dakota in America, though last I checked, that was very close to Canada...I had the option to do the Oil think in North Dakota, but passed based off of all that...

 

[Evil Yuna]

As someone who´s living in Germany since 2012, i´ll tell you it´s not easy. I made the decision quicky ( good thing i did or i wouldn´t leave that hole ) and i only did because my brother had emmigrated there a year before,so i wouldn´t be exactly alone. Thanks to his (now ex ) girlfriend i was able to find a part-time job and at the same time learning german in an intensive course. After i finished it, i sent my curriculum vitae and soon got a job in a Hotel( i work there since March 2013).

The bad part: You´ll always get those weird looks from people,anytime you say where you´re from. Dispite that some will even be rude ,because they believe you´re there to take their jobs , but in return you´ll see most of them don´t want to work and then we emigrants are always the dum and idiots. I was even mocked by a work colegue because of my accent.

The good part : In spite there´s assholes everywhere,you´ll meet great people and make friends for life. If you put your mind to it,you´ll make it.No matter what sideways looks you´ll get.


Since i´m kinda shy,it was more difficult to me to get along with people and go out more. But after i´ve solved some problems in my life, i was able to change what was wrong.
Now i can say i don´t regret leaving Portugal and (tough a miss my family every day) i know i made the right decision to change everything i was unconfortable with ,so i could make my life better.

 

[La Femme Fatale]

I don't know if it's the same in Canada, but if the Oil deal is the same as it is in America, while the money is DAMN good, it's really not worth it. Your hours are INCREDIBLY long. Like nearly 20 hours days. meaning only a few hours sleep. So it's INCREDIBLY drug run by drugs like Meth, and others that will keep you up and moving fast for days at a time. Also, since the money is so good, the cost of living is much higher. Usually people don't live in houses or apartments, but in RV's, and the rental space for your RV is incredibly expensive. But hey, that's just how it is in North Dakota in America, though last I checked, that was very close to Canada...I had the option to do the Oil think in North Dakota, but passed based off of all that...

I have more than 15 friends and family working on the oil sands in Calgary right now… it's very hard work, long hours and not something you do forever but not a single person said it's not worth it. It's a lot of money in a short span of time and they're young, able, and willing to work hard. That's why they go. And as I said, many of them have their rooming and board paid for. I can't speak for the situation in the States and I won't try to, but Calgary is not North Dakota.

Yes, if you're actually paying rent there it is quite a bit higher… but that happens everywhere. Where incomes are low the cost of living tends to be low and where incomes are high the cost of living is high. It's pretty hard to get away from that wherever you go.

 

[Popo]

Well an average or even small apartment is good for me, so the midwest sounds good to me. There is also a possibility that a friend of my family might get me something in the Netherlands(or Holland, here we just call it Holanda xD) but I can't change my plans because of a possibility. I've also considered Canada because I've heard from a friend that it is also very good there, don't know if it's true or not, but haven't ruled it out yet. Anyway, thank you both for your advice and thank you Yuna for sharing your experience with me, I am actually also a very shy person, but when it comes to personal relationships, when it comes to professional relationships, I strangely don't have a problem with that(don't get nervous on interviews or anything like that, introduce me to a girl and I start sweating like a pig xD) and good luck with your future too, good thing you managed to get out of the hole this country is sinking in.

 

[KennedyKiller]

Well an average or even small apartment is good for me, so the midwest sounds good to me. There is also a possibility that a friend of my family might get me something in the Netherlands(or Holland, here we just call it Holanda xD) but I can't change my plans because of a possibility. I've also considered Canada because I've heard from a friend that it is also very good there, don't know if it's true or not, but haven't ruled it out yet. Anyway, thank you both for your advice and thank you Yuna for sharing your experience with me, I am actually also a very shy person, but when it comes to personal relationships, when it comes to professional relationships, I strangely don't have a problem with that(don't get nervous on interviews or anything like that, introduce me to a girl and I start sweating like a pig xD) and good luck with your future too, good thing you managed to get out of the hole this country is sinking in.

Well, I know you said in a "Few years" you'd move, but by the same token, plans can change when they're so long term. When is the soonest you'd want to do this?

 

[Popo]

Well if everything goes according to planned I'll have everything set in a minimum of 2 years and a max of 3 years from now.

EDIT: Kinda dumb question, but does my driver's license from here do any good in the US ?

 

[KennedyKiller]

Well if everything goes according to planned I'll have everything set in a minimun of 2 years and a max of 3 years from now.

EDIT: Kinda dumb question, but does my driver's license from here do any good in the US ?

I'd have to look into it, but I BELIEVE it does for a limited time. As long as you're in the country legally, you have so much time before you have to get a US one. But there is probably several rules to go along with it. Maybe you have to become an American Citizen. I really can't answer that. But I do know you can use it for a limited time, yes.

 

[Meg]

One of my good friends is from Calgary, Canada and she loves it. I would also recommend Canada over the USA because Canada has free health care and equal rights for all people. The US has a lot of problems as well. Our economy isn't good right now and unemployment is still high.

 

[La Femme Fatale]

One of my good friends is from Calgary, Canada and she loves it. I would also recommend Canada over the USA because Canada has free health care and equal rights for all people. .

Not entirely - you have to have either permanent residency status or be a Canadian citizen to have access to our healthcare. But the good news is you're eligible for PR within 6 months if you go to Calgary.

 

[Meg]

Not entirely - you have to have either permanent residency status or be a Canadian citizen to have access to our healthcare. But the good news is you're eligible for PR within 6 months if you go to Calgary.

Ooooh I see! That makes sense. ^^

 

[Maestro]

La Femme Fatale, could you tell me, if you have any information of course, about emigration from UK (as a British citizen) to Canada? Any visa is need, or citizen from Commonwealth countries can just come, work and live without any permissions (like in European Union countries, mostly)?

 

[Angel]

Given the current shocking job climate and general animosity towards anything to do with immigration, do NOT move to the UK unless you DEFINITELY have a job to go to. Like, seriously.

 

[Ganado]

Given the current shocking job climate and general animosity towards anything to do with immigration, do NOT move to the UK unless you DEFINITELY have a job to go to. Like, seriously.

Damn straight. Being 'an immigrant' is perceived as being slightly lower down the foodchain than being a Manchester United supporter here in the UK right now. It's that bad. There is little more embarrassing (to the average decent-minded UK citizen) than the bandwagon-jumping voodoo psuedo-political vote-garnering mindset of the man and woman-about town regarding immigrants in the UK. If the Government don't get ya, the locals will. I'm sure they expect Plagas to erupt from foreigners heads any minute given the general ill-feeling towards anyone not born within 2 yards of The Tower Of London.