Help, wanting to move to the USA (Columbia, Charleston: rent, crime rate)

[Scotslass]

Hi everyone, firstly let me introduce myself...

My name is Sarah and im from Bonnie Scotland.

Im thinking of moving to the US, preferably the South. States i am interested in are TX, TN, KY, NC, SC and GA
Im not sure if there is much difference between these states but i dont want to live in a really poor state with lots of gun crime etc.

I live in a really nice place in my own country which is really good, the only reason i want to move is because of the weather here but other than that i have a really good quality of life here. We dont see much crime in Scotland and have no guns really like in the US. I have a good paying job and i dont pay alot of tax.
My boyfriend is from MS and moved here with me, i wasn't too impressed with MS as it was dead and there was alot of uneducated people there more so ignorance compared to living here as its a modern country with alot of diversity.

Im in the aviation industry and hoping to pass on these skills as an aircraft dispatcher and work over there, i know my starting wages would be around $20,000 - $30,000 per year, is that ok? My boyfriend would be moving too and earning around $40,000 per year. I just really want to know the good and the bad places. I've been all over the South i liked Columbia, SC Charlotte, NC Myrtle Beach, SC

I really dont want to give up here to move to somewhere that i'll regret when i have alot to lose here, especially leaving my family behind as i am really close to them.


Thank you very much


Sarah

[waccamatt]

Sarah, I hope you find the perfect place. Having been to Scotland myself, please visit the South during the summer before you make the move as it will be quite a difference from what you're used to. No matter where you move in the U.S. there will be a lot more gun crime than you have in Scotland. This doesn't mean it will impact you, but this is a more violent country than you're used to. I live in Columbia and will give you a link to my website so you may look around. Before moving we'll be happy to give you recommendations on neighborhoods based on how much you want to spend on rent or buying a home and what types of things you like to do. Feel free to ask more questions. If the two of you, combined, will be making $60,000-$70,000 a year you should do fine in any of the cities you mentioned.

Waccamatt's page ·

[flyingscotsman]

Hi Sarah


My first question is do you know about the legalities of working in the USA?

I ask this as I do not want to cover this if you know all about it.

I am now a green card holder and can apply for citizenship anytime I like.

I am from Inverness, moved in 1999 to Miami and relocated to Charlotte 1 1/2 ago.

[Scotslass]

Hey, I know about some of the legal processes etc, my partner is American and we're very serious so thats a good thing.

I can handle the heat as i go abroad alot to the South and Spain etc, i prefer the hot weather

My budget would probably be around $150,000 - $200,000 in my opinion thats cheap as i earn £s here so its a drop but earning $s is that hard to pay for and expensive?
I dont know about the tax system etc, i dont really know much about American living.

I dont want to live in a boring quiet area but close to places to go like bowling, cinema a young persons place with a nice array of bars like Scotland (Glasgow)

Thanks

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

Hi everyone, firstly let me introduce myself...

My name is Sarah and im from Bonnie Scotland.

Im thinking of moving to the US, preferably the South. States i am interested in are TX, TN, KY, NC, SC and GA
Im not sure if there is much difference between these states but i dont want to live in a really poor state with lots of gun crime etc.

I live in a really nice place in my own country which is really good, the only reason i want to move is because of the weather here but other than that i have a really good quality of life here. We dont see much crime in Scotland and have no guns really like in the US. I have a good paying job and i dont pay alot of tax.
My boyfriend is from MS and moved here with me, i wasn't too impressed with MS as it was dead and there was alot of uneducated people there more so ignorance compared to living here as its a modern country with alot of diversity.

Im in the aviation industry and hoping to pass on these skills as an aircraft dispatcher and work over there, i know my starting wages would be around $20,000 - $30,000 per year, is that ok? My boyfriend would be moving too and earning around $40,000 per year. I just really want to know the good and the bad places. I've been all over the South i liked Columbia, SC Charlotte, NC Myrtle Beach, SC

I really dont want to give up here to move to somewhere that i'll regret when i have alot to lose here, especially leaving my family behind as i am really close to them.


Thank you very much


Sarah

Hi Sarah!

Check out gorgeous Greenville, located in the beautiful Upstate region of SC. Greenville is full of international immigrants, mostly from Europe, so you would definitely be welcome here, plus there is more than enough to do and enjoy here at any age. Greenville is a city of many great festivals, with outdoor events nearly everyday in downtown. You would probably find our Scottish Games and Highland Festival to be interesting. There are actually quite a fair number of new Scottish folks moving here as a result of this successful festival. Check out several photos of Greenville's award-winning downtown, which is vibrant and growing - getting better all the time.

Yes, your starting salary would be plenty to live comfortably in Greenville. With your boyfriend's income, you would be doing very well together.

[waccamatt]

Hmmm, I don't remember her asking about Greenville; I distinctly remember Charlotte, Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

[Skyliner]

Calm down, Sarah did not ask about any place in particular that I am aware of. What is the harm in offering a bit of information that may be helpful? Greenville is a great place which she and her boyfriend may be interested in checking out.

[Scotslass]

Hey guys and gals, im really interested in some place that is not full of unemployed people, uneducated people (rednecks) etc somewhere that has shopping malls etc, pleanty to do within either walking or a short drive away. It would probably need to be near an airport for the careers my partner and i have. Im interested in any state that is warm but has not got alot of crime and poverty which is fairly modern, sophisticated etc.

Cheers

P.S I have friends in Goose Creek, SC Summerville, SC Greenvile, SC and Hartsville, SC

I loved Myrtle Beach but im not sure if it would be a good idea to live there with hurricanes etc? Heard the crime rate was high there.

Im also interested in states such as NC, GA, KY, TN, TX, CO

Trying to keep an open mind.

[flyingscotsman]

I had sent you an PM, I would look in SW Charlotte

[brightcopperkettles]

Though I now live in Washington State, I am a SC girl, so perhaps I can help you a bit?

Did you by any chance look at Charleston? It is absolutely beautiful and so unique.

I will also agree with the poster who mentioned Greenville; it would be a good choice for you to check out as well.

Charlotte has gotten really huge over the last 10 years or so, but it definitely has everything you're looking for. However, since your friends are not located here, I don't feel it would be the best choice for you.

Of all the places you mentioned, I think I would encourage you to check out Charleston or Greenville. Just a gut feeling on my part, but I have found those to be the best....

Good luck to you, honey! And welcome to the South!