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DV 2008 winners - what have you given up?

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captainwomble

Registered Users (C)
In two weeks' time i'll be living in New York city, which is something I've wanted for god knows how many years.

However, as it gets closer, the realisation of what I'm leaving behind is hitting me.
Aside from the obvious thing of being thousands of miles from family and friends, i'm giving up the best job i've ever had (with no guarantee of finding a job over there) and my girlfriend of two and a half years.

Just wondering what else people are giving up to fulfil their ambitions.
 
I was offered my dream job just 6 weeks before our visa interview, a job I have been chasing for 5 or 6 years. Talk about a major decision! Do I take my dream job or go for the interview and take the chance that we will get the visa? My decision ultimately was to take the chance...and we got the visa.

It is going to be very difficult to leave that job offer behind, but what an opportunity awaits us. The lifelong dream of living in America!
 
captainwomble said:
In two weeks' time i'll be living in New York city, which is something I've wanted for god knows how many years.

However, as it gets closer, the realisation of what I'm leaving behind is hitting me.
Aside from the obvious thing of being thousands of miles from family and friends, i'm giving up the best job i've ever had (with no guarantee of finding a job over there) and my girlfriend of two and a half years.

Just wondering what else people are giving up to fulfil their ambitions.
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You are right to be cautious. I think it’s important to have a balanced view of living over in the US. It can be a great place to live, however just getting a visa does not mean that you have the answers to all your problems.
They work long hours, and it can be tough to get a job over there, especially in the current economic conditions.
I am going to do my best to transfer to the US office of my company, at least then I will have a job to go to.
If that does not work out then I will spend 3/4 months job hunting from where I am living. As I am in IT phone interviews are very much the norm.
I am also a graduate, this makes a big difference when it comes to job hunting over there. Graduates should get a decent salary and health care coverage and probably decent vacation time too. Benefits are key part of employment conditions in the US and it is important to remember that.
I reckon I will do at least one year in NYC over the next five (if I get the visa on the 17/6 that is) but I am very aware of the ludicrous cost of living there. If you are intending to live in Manhattan then I suggest you start looking at the cost of rent there, its not for the faint hearted that’s for sure. All that being said I think NYC could be one of the best cities in the world, definitely my favourite anyway :-)
My point is keep an open mind, make sure you are prepared for a tough time while you adjust to live over there. Having already emigrated once 10 years ago It can be a hard thing to do. My personal theory is that no matter how hard it is you need to stick it out for at least two years, after that it gets way easier. Thank fully I have many contacts and friends over there so that will most likely help in my case. I reckon I may even try to get some kind of a bar/restaurant job one night a week, may be a great way to meet new people. Good luck and enjoy NYC 
 
Honestly, if you have a very good job back home, you can come here get your green card stay some days and go back. Do that 3 to 4 times during the year and you will be fine.
 
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