Why Virginia... Why US?!

[tamitrail]

Originally Posted by Sunset_Va

This topic has ended up with gun control, blah blah blah.

I agree and it's painting a grim picture to the op, someone who knows NOTHING about VA.

[vanyali]

Tips for hopping between Australia and the US. Funny.

Australia and America: 14 Differences That Can Get You in Trouble While Travelling

[Damn_Proud_Yankee_Girl]

First, just let me say that I am proud to be an American and I love my country...even with all her faults, she is still a great country...however, my advise to you is NOT to leave your country, your home, your family and your life for a man...or anyone for that matter! If you wanted to move to the USA because YOU wanted to, that would be one thing, but obviously, the ONLY reason you are even considering it is because he wants you to. Not a good idea! I was perfectly happy in New Jersey...I had family, the greatest friends in the world, a job I loved and a life I was happy with...my husband of 16 years decided he wated to take a job in Virginia and move us here...HIS choice, NOT mine! It has been 3 years and I still hate it here, I miss my life I had in Jersey and I resent him for moving me here! This is with an almost 19 year relationship and a 6 hour drive to another state...and I realize that everyone is different, but I can see you feeling the same or worse if you give up everything for a 6month old relationship and a move to not just another state, but another country and much more than a 6 hour drive. This is only my opinion and it has nothing to do with Us vs.Australia, but on an emotional level that will effect your relationship and what if you have kids and then things don't work? Do you stay here in HIS country where you don't want to be or do you take his kids back to Australia where they will never really get to know their dad? I don't mean to sound so negative, just that these are the more important things to think about than which country is better. Good luck with your decisions and if the relationship was meant to be maybe he will consider moving there since he has no family in the area anyway. Best wishes!

[kruella]

Originally Posted by lmm05

Hi Everyone.
In all honesty, I don't know a hell of a lot about America, or American culture. I'm also worried about affordability. I know that I can afford to work in Australia as well as buy a property and if I get married, I could let my kids stay with my folks and not have to pay for childcare. Whereas, in the US, I know that if we got married, we'd both have to work and any kids we had (he wants to start a family pretty much straight away) would have to go into childcare as he has no family close by. What is

Added to that, I've been to the US once - spent a day in Vegas and a day in LA, and everything was just larger than life, which kinda overwhelmed me. Also, the schooling systems scare me. I'm worried about the shootings that occur within schools and universities. And the gun laws.... Ack. It appears to be so easy to get a gun in the US.

I'm looking for unbiased advice... and insights... so that I can get a good understanding of why it would be a good idea (or not - as the case may be) to move to the US.

I am a US citizen, but i lived in Sydney for 2 years. American culture and Australian culture are VERY similar. The public schools in the Washington DC area, particulary Fairfax County and Montgomery are some of the best public schools in the world. Arlington County schools are good, but not as good as the 2 I mentioned above. I agree USA is overwhelming and Australia is calmer and an easier lifestyle. It's not as populated as the USA. I always said if I could transport my family to Australia, I would have stayed there and lived there forever.

But if you are worried about schools for your kids and safety, that is not an issue in Fairfax County, VA. There are excellent schools and good kids and it's a safe place to live. Even Arlington is VERY safe, as I lived there for 4 years and loved it. It's a diverse population, but safe.