O/T. Emigrating to the U.S. of A

Hmmmmmm..........

Rat

 

Vote, that's the truth right there, I wasn't born in the US but I vote more often than most of my native friends.

Good luck Lone wolf.

 

Many have suggested getting a degree...and I'd like to mention another option as well.
You have worked up thru panel beating...if you are a hands-on type, the skills which you can develop further are actually quite rare in the US.
The option that came to mind was: try getting into restoration/musclecar/rodding work. And build a reputation...it will serve your goals, as the specialty shops look for folks like this. Our local Bugatti shop is typical in this regard. If you are moved to, you will find eventually that you want to partner, or run your own shop. The "expert" role, means that you will always be at the mercy of the owner...and in this culture it translates into YOU, do the work, while Mr. Manager makes the money.
Great thread and many good stories here.

 

Here's another way, don't know if its ever been tried or will be successful. But ever since the "cold war" days Cubans have gotten a free pass at the border. During the Clinton years rule was modified with the wet foot/dry foot rule. If you actually make landfall you are granted resident status, in the surf you are processed and shipped back home. Get a Cuban passport fly in with your Brit passport and then see if it works to use the Cuban card. Of course if it doesn't you'll be stuck on some immigration list and Homeland Security will never let in you ever.

 

I read your initial post and no one elses comments, intentionally.

The economy here is questionable right now.
Property prices are dirt cheap if you got the money.
As far as peoples attitudes towards immigrants,,, well it varies.

This is gonna sound awful but, I'm assuming you are white. That
would make it much easier on you than being darker skinned. I
don't agree with this but it's true. (My wife is colombian)

All that being said, I've lived all over this country, Mid west , east coast,
california and now florida. I 've been here 7 years and love it. I'm in Miami,
which is very open minded about foriegners and we also don't feel the
normal economic flucuations the rest of the states feel, simply because
in this particualr city, the economy is truly an international economy.

If you come to the US seriously consider South Florida, Oh yeah, the
weather is amazing. If Ya wanna come visit I can put Ya up for a while.

Good Luck and let me know if I need to put extra beer in the fridge.

 

I did it legally, cost me about $5k in all, and took about 3 years....

 

Maybe you can get some background on TC here, and see if this would work?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283351

 

haha good idee, but you may havto go all the way up and down ca. its like 3 or more states in one. gggggg socal is like no other ggg

 

A guy where i worked was British, and was a real good machinist, working in a power co. we celebrated his citizenship a couple years ago, had been in the states for a long time, so if you can get some kind of sponsorship you may be able to work till you get your citizenship. i dont know much about how it works but most all the foreigners here speak spanish.

 

Geeeeeeez!

 

Artgeco- I could use a vacation in Miami!! probly right around december when its -30 up here!

Lone Wolf- I have some actual facts for you. I helped one of my soldiers prosses his paperwork. He was from Germany, he came over durring high school and desided to stay. He has been in the USARMY for 10 1/2 years, and has been married to an american woman for the last 4 years. Niether the ARMY service or the american wife give him a free pass into this country. Granted it helps when they consider you. After 9/11 the laws have changed. So all of these guys saying that getting married will cure all, im sorry but it doesnt. And you have to have a green card to enlist in the USARMY.

 

Come on over, you'll love it! The only thing that will determine how well you make it is you.

 

I have found being British is an advantage. I believe I wouldn't have got as many doors opened without my accent. People are just fasinated by it for some reason. Yeah the Chicks really dig it LOL Back home the Brumie accent is the worst but seems to work here. So remember to play that card and talk with a really thick accent when you are trying to get something works like a charm for me.

 

A friend of mine emigrated here from Australia just within the past couple years and it was relatively easy. The 'lottery' mentioned has a portion that is reserved and divvied out on an inverse porportion to the numbers of applicants per country. Sounds confusing but the way it works is these reserved spots go to folks from countries with the least amount of applicants- I would say that there are relatively few applicants from Malta and that you would have a pretty good shot at it.
All that being said- this is a huge step change in your life, and I would seriously think about it. And as others have said, definitely visit first, and for an extended period of time. Personally I think california is a festering shitbox with a horrible economy, the Midwest is actually really cool and Florida is as well. But then again I am anything but normal, so come visit and visit more than just california. Also as others have mentioned, Australia is not a bad place- though their rates are fucking insane. New Zealand is VERY nice, the economy is very healthy, and their rates are actually relatively low.
Take your time and think about it before you choose.