Thread: Thinking of Florida

Just pondering !! I spent a lot of time in the keys and have fond memories of the place. I was wondering how difficult it would be for an early 40s man with 2 kids 6&7 and misses to migrate there.... Whats the work situation like for builders? do you need to go through all the licencing rigmoral like in Aus?? or can I just turn up and start trading as a contractor?

Just a thought

If you are an American, you may be able to find work, although the economy is fairly disastrous in SE Florida, so I have heard.

If you need a visa, realistically there are only a few ways to get a greencard. Are you eligible for the DV lottery, I think Irish can apply but not English, but dont quote me.

Best of luck.

Florida!! Florida!!!! Come to Perth......just as much sun and you already have the visa! I think you would like one of the more affluent areas like Nedlands, City Beach, Applecross or Subiaco...even better Freo....give it a try, we`ll have you round for a barbi if you bring the snags...

Originally Posted by Tillyfloss

Florida!! Florida!!!! Come to Perth......just as much sun and you already have the visa! I think you would like one of the more affluent areas like Nedlands, City Beach, Applecross or Subiaco...even better Freo....give it a try, we`ll have you round for a barbi if you bring the snags...

Love you to death Tilly but I honestly found Brisbane - Gold Coast (slightly less so) and Sunshine Coast mind numbingly boring so I doubt if Perth would "float my boat". That said, I can understand that other people love it and I love reading how much you are enjoying the place.
I'm probably just getting a slight touch of itchy feet TBH- just dropped my dad of at gatwick bound for Marbella for a few months and a tad jealous!
The summer here is honestly depressing and dreaming of somewhere warm.

Love your honesty Aldo and love your attitude...you will move before long...youre young enough as are the kids for it not to impact except positively..be good if we could have best of both worlds hey....ps Perth is different...come fora holiday xx

Hi Aldo,

I live in Florida :D Central Florida to be exact. Hate to say it but from what you have said you don't stand much of a chance :( The building trade isn't doing great here, high unemployment etc etc. Also you will be extremely limited to what visa you could get (if you need one....are you a USC or married to one?), as a builder work you can rule work visas out. The only other option I could see is possibly buying a business here (research E2 visa), the average cost of that is around $150K and you need a really good business head on you, getting the initial visa isn't so bad (from what I have been told) but getting the renewals can be tough, also this doesn't lead to permanent residency so would involved continuous renewals and when your children reach 21 they would have to either be eligible for their own visa or leave the country. However you never mentioned if you were a millionaire....you could just 'buy' a green card for $500K (don't count on getting that back!) ;)

As I am sure you are aware, don't assume living here is anything like being on holiday....it's far from it!

If you have any other q's just ask ;)

Really, America, but I thought the UK was so wonderful, at this rate I can see you becoming a ping pong pom.

He will Kate, I predicted it waaaaayyy back....he will come to Perth to be near to me....

Well I think someone needs to take him under their wing, and I can't think of anyone better than yourself for the job

The sun's out again here so all back to normal..

Thanks Pink for that info.