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I've no doubt that there are many reasons and that they vary from person to person.
Although economic migration - people moving because they feel they will be 'better off' - is no doubt very high on the list, I suspect that few Britons immigrate to the US because they think they're going to be able to sit back and enjoy generous welfare and benefits systems.
Many do feel that, although they will have to pay their own way, they are likely to keep more of what they earn.
Some are headhunted to work in high-tech industries or in research
Some find that their chosen professions are both better paid and more highly respected in the US than in the UK.
Some migrate for family reasons
and others migrate for the weather.
It would be interesting, IMO, to consider not just those who migrate once, but those who migrate again. - Either to return to where they came from or those who move on after the first move.
Did their original chosen destination not meet their expectations? Or was there some other reason? [IMO, 'Itchy feet' is a good reason].
Then of course, there's always the fact that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
No, I don't think so. If there is, there's not much of an increase. There's very few ways most Brits can qualify to come here, namely E2, L1, and K visas. Most Brits prefer to emigrate to Canada (easier to get in than the US), or Australia (easier to get in than US and warmer). Spain is also high on the list but I think lately more have been going back home than in. Also, the vast majority of Brits who are retired and living here are not living here full time unless they own a business, they are snowbirds.
Food for thought, more Canadians live in the US than Brits. It's also much easier for Canadians to emigrate here, if only because their education qualifications are considered more readily equivalent to US degrees than foreign ones.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a significant increase in highly-qualified immigrants (scientists, engineers and doctors in particular) from the UK to the US - particularly over the next 5 years or so.
It seems that there is a shortage of Dipl Ing (Master's Degree) qualified engineers both in Europe and in the US. There are jobs out there! (I've been asked to pass on a few job offers ... which I was pleased to do.)
The daughter of a British neighbour (a neighbour I last saw when I visited the UK last summer) was head-hunted by an IT firm in California for a spectacular salary. The son of another friend (who has a PhD in Biochemistry) was headhunted to work as a contractor for a US Govt organisation. It is his first job out of University. It seems he's worth about $85k (plus benefits.)
Nobody seems to be saying too much about the 'medical black hole' which is opening up in the US.
'Family Practice' is not a particularly popular specialism with newly-qualified doctors. Long hours, high set-up costs, (comparatively) poor remuneration, high malpractice insurance premiums - all overshadowed by the spectre of vast student debt.
There just aren't enough family practice doctors to meet the demand. - And that's the demand today.
In 2014, when the Affordable Care Act becomes law, everybody will be entitled to see a doctor, won't they?
And where, exactly, is this huge box of doctors which the government is going to open to meet the demand?
(I'm not a politician - don't ask me! - Ask the guys who made the promises.)
Which country might have GPs who might be getting fed up with being accused of not working 24/7, expecting time off, being overpaid, being under-valued (remember, perception is important. - If you think that your boss thinks that you are 'the best thing since sliced bread' then your boss is likely to have a loyal and dedicated workforce - even if the pay is a bit less than the going rate.)
If you think that your boss doesn't value you, then - even if you're paid more than the average - there's a chance that you'll be ready to look elsewhere.
Have you heard of Andrew Lansley CBE MP?
He used to be the Secretary of State for Health. I've had dealings with him and (IMO) he is a tool. - Unfortunately, he is not the sharpest tool in the box.
Mr Lansley decided that he could probably get away with paying those who worked for the NHS in certain areas of the country rather less than he would have to pay elsewhere.
Smart move!
Whether the Lansley plan became or becomes policy or not, the areas in which it applied might prove to be a fertile recruiting ground for those wishing to recruit medical staff.
(For some reason those members of Parliament who worked in the areas in which the medics were worth less weren't also going to see a pay cut so if you were hoping to get rid of 'waster' of an MP - dream on! )
Some people have used E-2 visas successfully - indeed, some are running very profitable businesses. Others (Who didn't do the research properly?) bought businesses in Florida which 'didn't come up to their expectations' (were only marginally viable - if that) and when they found they were unable to comply with the terms of their visa had to sell of their home (for whatever they could get - it's been very much a buyer's market here for some time) and often had to simply abandon the failing business.
I've met a number of Britons in Central Florida. There are a significant number of doctors and nurses, self-employed businessmen, small enterprises (There's a Geordie motorcycle mechanic a few miles away who's almost permanently fully-booked,) a few retirees and a couple of people who work in local shops.
At the risk of sounding like your personal fact-checker, that web page lists Yugoslavia among the eligible nations - so might be worth checking when the info was updated...
You don't sound at all like a personal fact checker - you sound like somebody who is trying to score cheap points.
I didn't write the web page (and, quite honestly, I can't be arsed to check whether a web page is up-to-date in every possible area.)
"The E2 is the primary investor visa and there is currently no quota or annual cap, so E2 visas are unlimited in the number available."
Fact. Nothing to do with Yugoslavia.
"An E2 visa basically allows you to buy entry into the USA without actually "immigrating." "
Fact. Again, nothing to do with Yugoslavia.
"The E2 visa is typically issued for two or five year periods. "
Fact. Yet again, nothing to do with Yugoslavia.
The E2 can be renewed indefinitely as long as the investor is running the business and it generates "more than enough revenue" to support the investor's family.
Fact. Nothing to do with Yugoslavia.
The E2 can be renewed indefinitely as long as the investor is running the business and it generates "more than enough revenue" to support the investor's family.
Yet again, that is a matter of fact and it has nothing to do with Yugoslavia (nor does it have anything to do with ancient Greece, or any other country for that matter.)
I'm not trying to make you look stupid - I'm (Just about) smart enough to know that it's not a wise thing to take on an expert in any field.
According to this Australia is the largest recipient to Brits who migrate overseas. It has 1.3m British-born residents - more than any other country. Anecdotally I can tell you that it is extremely common to relocate there, due to the higher wages, lower unemployment and of course better weather/lifestyle that Australia offers. The one draw back is the distance.
Spain is the next most popular. I have family there, and the British community is really huge there. Many are retired people who don't work, although many work and run small businesses.
The US is however number 3. It's always an option - many professions are better paid and have more opportunities than in the US - particularly in the tech sector or in science. Going to live in New York, San Fran or LA is an option many consider for career reasons. Of course the language is a big bonus.
For a "lifestyle" or "quality of life" move though the US is not really an option. NO NHS, difficult immigration policies - people are much more likely to move to Spain or France where there are no controls at all thanks to the EU - or Australia - where there are controls but its much easier.
Personally I have familiy members/friends in all three of these countries, emigration is a big phenominum in Britain - much more so than in other rich, developed countries. I believe Britain is one of the few nations on earth to have both a high rate of immigration (of unskilled workers, students, young people) AND emigration (university graduates, families, retired people) running at the same time.
According to this Australia is the largest recipient to Brits who migrate overseas. It has 1.3m British-born residents - more than any other country. Anecdotally I can tell you that it is extremely common to relocate there, due to the higher wages, lower unemployment and of course better weather/lifestyle that Australia offers. The one draw back is the distance.
Spain is the next most popular. I have family there, and the British community is really huge there. Many are retired people who don't work, although many work and run small businesses.
The US is however number 3. It's always an option - many professions are better paid and have more opportunities than in the US - particularly in the tech sector or in science. Going to live in New York, San Fran or LA is an option many consider for career reasons. Of course the language is a big bonus.
For a "lifestyle" or "quality of life" move though the US is not really an option. NO NHS, difficult immigration policies - people are much more likely to move to Spain or France where there are no controls at all thanks to the EU - or Australia - where there are controls but its much easier.
Personally I have familiy members/friends in all three of these countries, emigration is a big phenominum in Britain - much more so than in other rich, developed countries. I believe Britain is one of the few nations on earth to have both a high rate of immigration (of unskilled workers, students, young people) AND emigration (university graduates, families, retired people) running at the same time.
I think the technical term for what Britain is experiencing is brain drain. Even though climate is probably #1 or #2 on list of reasons Brits migrate abroad, in reality I think that's not being entirely truthful. There are countries with "worse" weather for sure, like Norway or Iceland, but you hardly see people from there moving abroad. I think climate is just a convenient excuse for most Brits, but then again I've never seen a sun tourism-media complex so entrenched and big as in Britain. Every other show on British TV it seemed to have to do with a living abroad theme.....in the sun. Sun sun sun sun sun, that's all you see in the titles and show descriptions. I'll let Family Guy explain what I mean: just replace the subliminal message with sun and you get the idea
I think the technical term for what Britain is experiencing is brain drain. Even though climate is probably #1 or #2 on list of reasons Brits migrate abroad, in reality I think that's not being entirely truthful. There are countries with "worse" weather for sure, like Norway or Iceland, but you hardly see people from there moving abroad. I think climate is just a convenient excuse for most Brits, but then again I've never seen a sun tourism-media complex so entrenched and big as in Britain. Every other show on British TV it seemed to have to do with a living abroad theme.....in the sun. Sun sun sun sun sun, that's all you see in the titles and show descriptions. I'll let Family Guy explain what I mean: just replace the subliminal message with sun and you get the idea
Well put. I think the climate is an "excuse" many departing Brits leave. The real reason - as always - is economic.
Better job opportunities and salaries and lower taxes draw people to Australia/Canada/the US. Better purchasing power, the ability to afford a larger house and a better middle-class lifestyle are what make people leave. The weather's an added bonus, but not the main factor. As you rightly point out, the British climate's no that bad - and plenty of places have a much worse climate, and very little emigration.
Even to Spain to some extent the migration is economic. People looking for more space to raise their families, lower start-up costs for their businesses, much lower living costs. There's much more to it thatn just "a place in the Sun."
less than 12,000 Brits got legal permanent residency in the usa IN 2011.
I think that's the lowest for many years. It's been gradually falling over the last few years.
The biggest factors for us leaving the UK,probably in this order, were
Cost of living
Weather
ASB and petty crime/disorder etc
Disillusionment/frustration with career/employer
Density of population
Last edited by Whatsthenews; 01-21-2013 at 10:31 PM..
less than 12,000 Brits got legal permanent residency in the usa IN 2011.
I think that's the lowest for many years. It's been gradually falling over the last few years.
The biggest factors for us leaving the UK,probably in this order, were
Cost of living
Weather
ASB and petty crime/disorder etc
Disillusionment/frustration with career/employer
Density of population
If you don't mind me asking, how much weight did the strength of Sterling play in your decision? i.e. When £1 => $2?
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