Moving to USA

[Skidmark]

I have been thinking about moving to USA for some time now but I haven't really made up my mind since I really don't know yet how things might work out for me over there. I have discussed this topic with some friends a couple of times during the past few months but I really didn't get a lot of help from them since most of us don't have a lot of experience about moving out or living outside Europe. I have searched a little bit online but my situation is a little bit different and I feel that I might need to talk directly to someone who lives there and can provide me with some help and sharpen the image that I have of living, working or studying over there.

One of my best friends was in a very similar situation as the one that I am in right now and he decided to do something different with his life so he moved to china with barely any money to cover his rent for a few months, he searched for jobs as soon as he got there till he found one and now he is enjoying his time down there, started to speak Chinese and got a new Asian girlfriend.
I really feel that I need to make a change like that in my live but China is not really something for me, I would rather move to a place like usa for 2 or 3 years and start experiencing a new life over there even if it means that I have to work for a minimum wage.

I am 22 years old Swedish citizen, I know that I can visit USA and stay there for 6 months or so without any problems but what are my chances of getting the green card through working or studying over there?
Which state would you recommend me the most? how much money do you think that I need to have on me in order to survive until I find a job? feel free to comment on anything that would help improve my journey and experience, your general thoughts on the whole thing are appreciated too.

[elektrikluv]

You guys are mean! 

Sorry I can't help, I live in Europe and would never move to the USA.

[Himu]

who are you, skid mark? welcome!

[Stoney Mason]

Can't really help you here much Skidmark although I will say don't even consider moving to anything roughly regarded as "The South".

Unfortunately a lot of the cities and states, especially the multi-cultural ones you would actually want to live at in the US have a higher cost of living.

[Eric P]

have you SEEN the political thread?

[Skidmark]

Thank you guys!

I just read a little bit more and it seems harder than I thought since I won't be allowed to work during my visit to the states and if I get caught doing so I will not be allowed into the country ever again. Finding a job is also harder since the employer has to prove that the position that I am taking can not be filled with an already us citizen.
The only thing left is studying which I doubt would be easy to succeed at and will probably take a lot of time and money.
I guess I will have to forget about moving to usa for now.

I will go make myself a cup of Irish coffee and play some search and destroy to help myself forget how boring Sweden can be.

[elektrikluv]

Why not move to elsewhere in Europe?

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

You guys are mean! 

Sorry I can't help, I live in Europe and would never move to the USA.

Good, we don't want you anyway!!!

[Stoney Mason]

how boring Sweden can be.

http://www.prosperity.com/rankings.aspx
http://www.prosperity.com/country.aspx?id=SW

#3

 

[Skidmark]

Why not move to elsewhere in Europe?

It is the socialism that makes America interesting to me, something that we don't have much of here in Europe.
I don't really know, its more of a feeling or a wish that I have to move to usa than anything else really.
It might sound funny to say this but I developed this feeling through watching american media like the tonight show, the daily show, real time and vlogs on youtube such as kasem G shay carl and their other friends. 

[Stoney Mason]

I'll be totally honest and admit and I have no clue why anybody would want to move to the US at this stage. It's like moving to England or Rome before the fall of the Empires. Of course the Bush years permanently soured me a lot on my country so that has to be taken into account. Give me another 20 years and maybe I'll be able to put all that behind me.

I think Hollywood and American entertainment does a good job of evangelizing what is often a fairly boring and annoyingly conservative and vapid culture. But then hey maybe the rest of world isn't much better either...  Shrug.

[elektrikluv]

I think Hollywood and American entertainment does a good job of evangelizing what is often a fairly boring and annoyingly conservative and vapid culture

Yeah the American media is one of the most over the top, polished medias that there is, it's incredibly theatrical when compared to European media. I can see why it would make you want to move there, but I agree with Stoney Mason's last words there.

[Great Rumbler]

Eh, America's a pretty diverse place. You've got just about every different kind of natural environment there is, you've got liberal and conservative areas, there's big cities and huge stretches of open land, and you've got people from pretty much every different country and culture in the world. I'm not one of those "America is the greatest country to ever exist in the world ever", but it's hardly boring I'd say.

[The Fake Shemp]

America rocks, even if it's a little crazy at times. Come on and join the party!

And don't worry elektrikluv, we wouldn't want you here either.

[Skidmark]

I'll be totally honest and admit and I have no clue why anybody would want to move to the US at this stage. It's like moving to England or Rome before the fall of the Empires. Of course the Bush years permanently soured me a lot on my country so that has to be taken into account. Give me another 20 years and maybe I'll be able to put all that behind me.

I think Hollywood and American entertainment does a good job of evangelizing what is often a fairly boring and annoyingly conservative and vapid culture. But then hey maybe the rest of world isn't much better either...  Shrug.

Stockholm Center:

California beach:


The video shows exactly what we don't have in Sweden, people just being alive, social, open and just know how to relax and have fun. People here including the young ones do not go outdoors unless they have a reason to, and its almost a taboo to go and talk to someone you don't know unless you are both drunk and waiting in a line.

Allow me to keep my good internet connection and give me a job at a mcdonalds that is in a social active place where the weather is good and and where I get to have good lunch breaks and I will be a lot happier than I am right now.

[The Fake Shemp]

Also, I'd recommend relocating to the Northeast.

Normally I'd say California would be an ideal fit, but its state finances and employment are a bit of a mess right now.

At least if you are in the D.C. or New York area you can get a government job or some phat banker bailout moneys.

[Barry Egan]

I'll be totally honest and admit and I have no clue why anybody would want to move to the US at this stage. It's like moving to England or Rome before the fall of the Empires. Of course the Bush years permanently soured me a lot on my country so that has to be taken into account. Give me another 20 years and maybe I'll be able to put all that behind me.

I think Hollywood and American entertainment does a good job of evangelizing what is often a fairly boring and annoyingly conservative and vapid culture. But then hey maybe the rest of world isn't much better either...  Shrug.

Stockholm Center:
(Image removed from quote.)
California beach:
(Image removed from quote.)

The video shows exactly what we don't have in Sweden, people just being alive, social, open and just know how to relax and have fun. People here including the young ones do not go outdoors unless they have a reason to, and its almost a taboo to go and talk to someone you don't know unless you are both drunk and waiting in a line.

Allow me to keep my good internet connection and give me a job at a mcdonalds that is in a social active place where the weather is good and and where I get to have good lunch breaks and I will be a lot happier than I am right now.

Man are you in for a crushing disappointment 

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

You would hardly be able to afford an internet connection if you work at McDonald's, let alone get a decent lunch break.

I suggest you do some more research.  The US isn't as bad as the angsty cuntery tone of the replies suggests but it will fuck you hard in the ass if you don't know what you're doing.

[elektrikluv]

America rocks, even if it's a little crazy at times. Come on and join the party!

And don't worry elektrikluv, we wouldn't want you here either.

You always make the fact that I wouldn't want to live in the USA some personal attack upon the people or something and in turn, make it an attack on me.

[Fresh Prince]

People are sucky all over?

Are you planning to go over to study?

[Stoney Mason]

Smoke a lot of weed and then potentially have sex with your male best friend.

Complete that right there you have successfully replicated 80% of the California experience no matter where you live.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I keed

[close]

[Barry Egan]

You would hardly be able to afford an internet connection if you work at McDonald's, let alone get a decent lunch break.

I suggest you do some more research.  The US isn't as bad as the angsty cuntery tone of the replies suggests but it will fuck you hard in the ass if you don't know what you're doing.

> Implying that being violently raped in your ass for screwing up isn't that bad.  

[Dickie Dee]

I just read a little bit more and it seems harder than I thought since I won't be allowed to work during my visit to the states and if I get caught doing so I will not be allowed into the country ever again. Finding a job is also harder since the employer has to prove that the position that I am taking can not be filled with an already us citizen.

Honestly, because of this I think you're SOL for at least a year or two. Maybe if you were with an international in Sweden atm you could swing a transfer to a US division, but even that would be unlikely.

Sounds like you aren't a trust fund baby and would need to work a real job while trying to experience the US as more than a tourist...just not seeing it happening man. 

[Skidmark]

People are sucky all over?

Are you planning to go over to study?

Not directly to study, mostly for the experience but if I got the possibility to study some more I will do so.
I might be in for a disappointment but I am still young and got nothing to loose and a lot to gain from such an experience no matter how it turns out. The greatest risk in life is not to take any risks.

[The Fake Shemp]

You always make the fact that I wouldn't want to live in the USA some personal attack upon the people or something and in turn, make it an attack on me.

And that's my God-given right as an American citizen!

I still wanna live in America though. Its what I want so yeah.

Come on in, there's plenty of room for everyone! I'll get the hot tub ready.

... Skidmark, I'd recommend putting some cash away and just traveling to America, exploring the open road and our diverse cities. If you like it, go back home and focus on finding a company that'll sponsor you. Put whatever skills you have acquired in Europe, which I gather is either listening to house music or not paying gratuities, and bring them to America!

[Skidmark]

Then go for it I guess.

It seems like you already made up your mind but hesitant to take the actual steps forward. I say go!

I will probably visit the us at the end of this year and stay there for a few months if my economy allows me, I will try go on cheap trips around the country and improve my understanding of how it might workout if I move there and see my chances of staying there if I find a job or continue my studies.
The cheapest ticket from Sweden to California was about $1000.
Nothing for sure yet, I might change my mind in a couple of months but I will hopefully visit the states sooner or later.

Edit: Thanks for your tips tfs
If there is a cheap route that you know of or know any good cheap places to stay at or places to visit, please share it with me, I would appreciate it.

[The Fake Shemp]

Come to either Los Angeles or D.C., because I'm bound to be in either city and I'll be your benevolent rape tour guide.

[Disposable White Guy]

If you don't already have a goal career field set in mind, then your best chances of enjoying your stay would be to take advantage of our education system.  Unless your credentials are astounding, you'll either end up working ridiculous overnight hours for shit pay or laying down mulch/getting made fun of by good ol' boys on a construction site for shit pay.  Or possibly working your dick off in front of a camera for nickel & dime wages as well.  I'd agree with Willco and shoot for the NE coast somewhere, since at the very least you can end up being a Mob enforcer if nothing else works out and they're a pretty lucrative business no matter the economic times.

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, I think you should base your preconceptions of American life as a European immigrant off of Grand Theft Auto IV.

[Disposable White Guy]

Hey man, Rockstar totally knows the score.

edit:  Cars  really will always slide off the goddamn poorly made American roads and into streetlights unless they're staying under 30 mph, just to clear that up for all you non-American fellers.

[The Fake Shemp]

I hope you can keep up with my fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle of coke, whores and bi-sexual exploration.

[brob]

The video shows exactly what we don't have in Sweden, people just being alive, social, open and just know how to relax and have fun. People here including the young ones do not go outdoors unless they have a reason to, and its almost a taboo to go and talk to someone you don't know unless you are both drunk and waiting in a line.

Lulz. Take two steps left and move to Oslo or something then, we norwegians be lively as fuck. I suspect swedes are too and you're just not hip to the fact. This thread reads very much like a weeabo thread except it's Jersey Shore instead of moe.

[The Fake Shemp]

edit:  Cars  really will always slide off the goddamn poorly made American roads and into streetlights unless they're staying under 30 mph, just to clear that up for all you non-American fellers.

Yeah, this isn't the Autobahn, folks. Even simple right turns can result in a fatal car crash unless you hit the brakes with a ton of force. Also, you cannot go up to every car, kick someone out and drive away - some of them have guns!

So, what I'm trying to say is, that you should try and brush up on your firearms proficiency before you hit the States.

[Phoenix Dark]

Michigan is pretty cool, you can hang with me bro

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, Michigan is pretty cool... if you like hellish, post-apocalyptic dystopian landscapes littered with thugs and dirty homeless drifters.

[Phoenix Dark]

Sounds like Washington DC!

[Fresh Prince]

Lulz. Take two steps left and move to Oslo or something then, we norwegians be lively as fuck. I suspect swedes are too and you're just not hip to the fact. This thread reads very much like a weeabo thread except it's Jersey Shore instead of moe.

This is the perception I have too. I'd suggest moving away from your friends, family etc will have the most effect on you even if it's to a neighboring city, state, country.

I've often thought about moving overseas too it usually comes down to 'avoid settling down'.

[The Fake Shemp]

Nice comeback, Maurice - if it was 1988. D.C. is actually pretty nice nowadays. We even have a brand new baseball park on the Anacostia waterfront! Enjoy your slowly decaying state, sucker.

[Disposable White Guy]

And bitches.  Can't forget them bitches.

[Phoenix Dark]

Nice comeback, Maurice - if it was 1988. D.C. is actually pretty nice nowadays. We even have a brand new baseball park on the Anacostia waterfront! Enjoy your slowly decaying state, sucker.

well...

well....

enjoy TEBOW sucker!

[The Fake Shemp]

That hurt, bro.

[Diunx]

America can be pretty boring sometimes, all young people seems to do is go to the movies or some hipster concert, they have a LOT of delicious trash food and beautiful women though

[The Fake Shemp]

I can't talk about any productions coming to D.C., but I will say this:

[Skidmark]

I will probably have to think a little bit more about it and take a more realistic look into what my chances of a good experience are. I will see what my economy will allow me to do. If i wont afford a visit to the states then I will probably convince one of my friends to go backpacking with me around Europe for a month. Ticket costs $755 and can be used to travel to 21 different countries freely for a whole month.
I'm probably just tired of my routine and just want to experience something different right now.

[The Fake Shemp]

Hey man, there's nothing wrong with traveling. Everyone should get their backpack on and explore the world.

[brob]

Doing the europe thing is great fun and it doesn't have the down side of experiencing americans which is a little harder to avoid when traveling to usa.

[The Fake Shemp]

Bah, Americans are usually friendly. We get a bad reputation courtesy of a few bad apples. I don't think all Eurotrash are anti-Semites!*

spoiler (click to show/hide)

*but they are!

[close]

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, Bartertown New Orleans is exciting and fun!

[Fresh Prince]

eh everybody goes backpacking willco. gen y (except for cloud and kosma) usually stay in the same country they grew up, gets married, buy a house and has kids  :'(

[brob]

What the fuck, are we on gen y? I thought we were still on x! D:

[Fresh Prince]

sometimes I say I am really gen x since I rather be cynical failure than an narcissistic overachiever

[CurseoftheGods]

From what I understand, the immigration process here in Canada is much easier than it is in the States.

[brob]

sometimes I say I am really gen x since I rather be cynical failure than an narcissistic overachiever

I've always seen myself as a narcissistic failure, am I the bridge over the generational gap? 

[The Fake Shemp]

From what I understand, the immigration process here in Canada is much easier than it is in the States.

See, there you go! If you can't get into the States, you can always immigrate to the poor man's version!

[Fresh Prince]

Does Canada even have a proper beach? Or is it just peddles?

I've always seen myself as a narcissistic failure, am I the bridge over the generational gap? 

Nah your gen y- you probably blame your failure on somebody else.

[Skidmark]

I've survived in arab hoods bro!

I ASSUME you may be alright then. The hood is a scary place man, I gotta stay strapped at all times. And by that I mean I carry a metal whistle in my right hand at all times. Never had to use it, but I did flash it a few times.

whats your whistle gonna do in a fight?

[Madrun Badrun]

From what I understand, the immigration process here in Canada is much easier than it is in the States.

See, there you go! If you can't get into the States, you can always immigrate to the poor man's version!

I think it's just because we are actually ok with forgeiners, where Americans are all like "they took our jebs".

[Cheebs]

Yeah, Michigan is pretty cool... if you like hellish, post-apocalyptic dystopian landscapes littered with thugs and dirty homeless drifters.

99% of Michigan is horrible despite what PD thinks. One of the worst states I've lived in. I would leave the state if I wasn't able to live in the libruuul artsy college town hippie-land of Ann Arbor.

[CurseoftheGods]

Bah, Americans are usually friendly. We get a bad reputation courtesy of a few bad apples.

>

From what I understand, the immigration process here in Canada is much easier than it is in the States.

See, there you go! If you can't get into the States, you can always immigrate to the poor man's version!

Does Canada even have a proper beach? Or is it just peddles?

[Cheebs]

Yes the pebbles! I hate that. Why the fuck is every beach I been to outside of America always just pebbles and not sand? It was that way in Europe too.