Legal Immigrants (Tampa: insurance, how much, home)

[JustMeInBrandon]

Hello. I was just wondering if on this board there are many immigrants out there that have come to the U.S. (the legal way)? I ask because my husband is from England and has been in the U.S. for almost three years now. He has his Green Card which makes him a permanent resident, and he has already applied for his 10 year Green Card (of which he can become a citizen in a year's time versus renewing a 10 year GC every 10 years). He LOVES the U.S. and there are of course pros and cons. The biggest con he see is not having national medical insurance as they do. He can't believe how much we have to pay for insurance and then on top of that have co-pays for doctors' visits, etc. He loves our restaurants over here (he was from a smaller town in N.W. England), the quanties of food and the variety. His favorite is Chinese buffet. He could eat that every night. Tampa is really hot for him though as his job entails him to be outside most of the day. I'm hoping he can make it through his first summer in Tampa (we moved in December from Alabama). Anyone else out there from across the world? Do you like Tampa/the U.S.?

[AnotherDayInParadise]

My husband is English and has been in the US for over 10 years and loves it. He came over on a visa and then applied for his green card (before we got married ). Once he had his green card & we were married for the pre-requisite amount of time, he became a citizen. He thought it was important to vote (as should we all). Now, his parents are here as well. They came over and have obtained their green cards. They (all 3 of them) would never go back. Take problems we have here and mulitple them by 10... and that's England (in their opinion).

We're a little further south of you, but yes, they all love the quality of life.

[House4Sale]

Welcome and thank you for loving America. We have a special bond with the Brits (love your Miss Marple, Poirot and Agatha Raisin to name a few lol) as you folks are wonderful friends.

As for the healthcare system, it wasn't always like this. At one time it was affordable but much fraud and abuse is what's driven costs up. Unfair to those who are not abusing the system.

Bless your new life in America. I wish you much happiness!

[spainbrit]

Hello We moved here 9 years ago, all Brits, came legally with job. We love it, but like your husband, probably miss some home things. The awful cost of medical, hard work and hot weather is something we overlook to enjoy the freedom from high taxes, awful NHS, miserable folks who constantly complain about how awful everything is, but do nothing to make it better.
I really love England, but the way it looks now, the government is making it less and less free to do what you want, speed cameras on every 10 feet of road, being stopped for talking on a phone, banning anything that might offend anyone for anything, the freedom of speech is disappearing fast I think. Its lovely to visit, but living there now, tough I'd say. Why do you think so many folks want to come here?
Florida has its problems, but at least we can still try and fight them. Of course over the next few years it's not going to be as easy here either, but I'd rather be here.