-Where were you born?

Saint Louis, Missouri, smack in the middle of the USA.   But I've lived in San Francisco, Columbus (Ohio), and Philadelphia, as well.

-In which country and city are you living now?  

I'm currently living in Brussels, Belgium, but I've just taken a job in Paris so I'll be splitting my time between the two come the new year.   

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I live with my boyfriend and my cat, who is quite well-traveled herself. 

-How long have you been living in Belgium?

I have been here since May, but I had a 90-day visit (or "exile" as I call it when I'm feeling dramatic) to the States this fall since I didn't have a visa yet.  

-What is your age?

I am 35. 

 -When did you come up with the idea of living in Belgium?

I've traveled extensively for work (I do fabric r&d/sourcing for fashion retailers) and my boyfriend likes to travel, as well, so we've always had a deal that if either of us got a job in another country, the other would go along.  I thought I was going to be the one to land a job in Asia... and then he popped up with an offer in Belgium!  We were really excited to immerse ourselves in another country and culture.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Oh!  What a frustration the visa has been!  Luckily for me, Belgium is quite progressive in that they give visas on a partnership basis (without marriage), and we've been together for 5 years so there was no problem in proving the durability of the relationship.... BUT all of the rigmarole of getting background checks and medical certificates and new copies of birth certificates (not to mention all of the emails/photos/etc. of "proof" that our relationship didn't pop up yesterday) then getting them all apostilled and then getting the originals *and* the apostilles translated by a certified translator and then getting all of my boyfriend's proof of residency and financial support documents and the lease and then having it copied and collated in triplicate and bringing it to the Belgian Consulate in NYC (who I'd been emailing with to make sure all of my documents were in order) only to be told that they no longer give partnership/"concubinage" visa to Americans in the US but only in Belgium and that the person I'd emailed with had misinformed me.  UGH.

But I didn't let it stop me.  I waited out my 90 days back in the States (since you only have 90 days in country and then must spend 90 days out without a visa) and came back to Belgium to turn in all of my papers at our local commune.  

The funny thing is, I've now gotten a job in France that will sponsor my visa, so it all ended up being for naught anyway.  But I don't think I'd have had the true moving-to-Belgium-as-an-American-expat experience if I hadn't had to struggle with the visa. 

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Based off of the partnership visa, I am covered by my boyfriend's health insurance.  Quite progressive!  But I had to take out a travel health insurance policy for 3 months as part of my visa requirements to show that I wouldn't be a burden on the system upon arrival.

-How do you make your living in Belgium? Do you have any type of income generated?

 I just got a job... after about 7 months of looking.  I think I was overly optimistic that I would find a job relatively quickly upon arrival because I reached out to many recruiters and fashion retailers in Belgium (as well as Amsterdam and London since they are commute-able) before I left the States and got many positive responses and Skype interviews.  The tricky thing is, what I do is quite specific within my industry (i.e., not all fashion companies have a specialized fabric r&d or sourcing team), so many of the companies I spoke with were interested in creating the role or some didn't understand how it was different from other roles they already had in place.  And I really like what I do!  I didn't want to scrap my years of experience to come here and move down some rungs in the corporate ladder, either.  

As far as finding jobs, there are many fashion recruiting agencies in the EU that I worked with.  I also had good luck using www.indeed.com and putting in the country/place I was interested in and then letting the site transfer me to that country's specific site.  It's actually how I found my new job.  I was on the Spain site for indeed.com and found a recruiter looking for fabric help in Paris... and that was that.  I will start work in Paris in the new year. I am still kinda beside myself about it! 

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I have about 15 years of French language study under my belt (I started learning it in school when I was 3) and when I think about that, it is shameful that I am not better.  I have a knack for vocabulary and can understand better than I can speak.  But that said, I don't do too terribly.  I am unafraid and always try to start off a conversation with some French.  I really wish my accent were better, though.  But I don't mind it when locals correct my accent, in fact I appreciate it.  It helps me to learn.  Already I can tell my French is getting better, just by using it.  

I think it's of the ULTIMATE importance to make an attempt with the language here.  I read so much before I moved here that Belgians are rude or unhelpful or whatnot.  Now that I'm here, I've found that *nothing* could be further from the truth.  From the train manager who helped me when I missed my stop and had to accidentally go to Paris (true story) to the pharmacien who advised me on cold medicine to the man at the glasses shop who put a new screw in my "lunettes" for free to myriad other locals I encounter on a daily basis, I have had nothing but positive interactions with people in Brussels.  In fact, I am getting warm and fuzzy just thinking about it!  Try the language, be polite, and people will be kind to you!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I do!  I was lucky to spend my 90 days at home with my parents, though, which meant lots to me as I haven't lived with them in some 15+ years.  I keep up with family and friends via Skype and emails.  And I keep my blog updated so they know what's going on over here.  

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I'll be traveling to Asia for my job, but I want to explore Europe to the fullest while I'm here, as well.  There are so many countries I haven't been to yet. 

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

-What is the cost of living in Belgium?

-What do you think about the Belgians?

It's like I said above, I have had nothing but positive experiences with locals.  Locals have introduced me to other locals, I've exchanged emails with locals, that sort of thing.  I definitely think that if you try the language and have a positive attitude, people will befriend you.  I'm not saying that I hang out with locals all the time because my boyfriend and I end up doing lots of things with his expat coworkers, but I am definitely friendly with a few people in my neighborhood. 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Belgium?

Positives:  the old-world European culture, the food, the architecture, the pro-dog mentality (I <3 dogs!), the beer, the way it's improving my French skills.  

Negatives:  the weather (this wet gloom of a winter seems interminable!), not as many touring bands play here as in Paris, the dog detritus riddling the sidewalks, the weather (yeah, it's worth mentioning twice). 

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Belgium?

Be open-minded and be ready for a new experience!  Again, try the local language... even if you stumble, you won't regret it.  And soak up the culture--try all the foods, see all the sites.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs Belgium?

I have been blogging for a few years now and since I've moved my blog has definitely has more of a life-in-Brussels bent than the outfit posts it originally had.  Still, I think it's a good expression of my quirky self and my interest in clothing, cats, food, art, and life in Europe.  

www.clothesponey.blogspot.com

I also like to check the Q&A on the xpats website as well.  Lots of helpful information there!

www.xpats.com 

-Where were you born?

I was born in the US: New Mexico, Albuquerque. But I moved to Germany when I was about 4 years old and grew up there in Worms, Rheinland Pfalz.

-In which country and city are you living now?

Currently I am living in the USA - in Utah, St George.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I came out here to meet some relatives of mine. But I have been living on my own since about 3 years ago.

-How long have you been living there?

About 4 years now

-What is your age?

Young, 21.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the USA?

When I was attending school in Germany, I was really bad in English. It was the great experience/adventure of meeting new people, a new country and a new way of living, as well as the desire to learn English fluently.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No, I actually am one of those lucky ones, that gets to call herself a "duo-citizen" since I was born in the United States, but have German parents. So no need for a visa. One thing I have to say though, coming into the United States with a German passport and no return flight, can be quite the pain. Even though I could prove that I was born in the US and have social security, they still made me go into the "immigration" room, where they asked me questions to see what I am doing here. Every time, after about 5 minutes of senseless talking, they tell me to get an American passport. Which I still don't see as a necessity. Laugh, anyways, since 9-11 the Americans just have become very cautious.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Yes, I am currently without insurance, insane, being from a country that has such great health insurance. I get offers from my job for insurance, but seriously it's expensive!

-How do you make your living in the USA? Do you have any type of income generated?

You know it was actually harder to find a job for me when I was 18 in Germany than it was to find one there when only 16, barely speaking English. Of course you have to start on the low end, minimum wage, but if your English is good, there are many jobs to find if you really want them. Just walking from store to store, asking for applications, asking to talk to the supervisors, etc.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes, Americans don't really know a second language, and if it would be the case, it be 98% of the time be spanish. Well here in Utah with the Mormons living here (in my opinion a cult, but they call themself a religion, and get very offended if told otherwise). But yes it's important to learn the language.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

I miss home a lot. Being from a culturally diverse country coming to this, hmm... how should I say it, well very close-minded state, very patriotic town, yes it can be quite hard. I don't think I should be talking as if every American is this way. But Utah, for me it is definitely a strange place. People are very judgmental, they seem friendly to your face, but they don't really take you in or talk much, besides "fake" and insincere conversations. I think it would be hard moving into a town that is this close minded. I wish I could have had a different town that I could have lived in and judged it differently.

Utah has a lot of national parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon is not too far away from St George, so a lot of tourists come into this town, and yes I would say the most things you can do here are sports, hiking, climbing, everything you could imagine doing in a town where the weather is hot and dry.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Well, I miss Europe very much. Since I am not ready to give up on the US yet, I am planning on staying as an aupair in Spain for 2 years, while getting my Associates degree online (which the US offers, that's quite great). My plans are to move into a bigger and different city in the US, with more diversity!! I think if you are a hard worker you can get far in life here in the US.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I rent a 1-bedroom apartment. It was hard to find a place this cheap, but I did find a deal, it was $350 per month, plus electricity, water, etc. Normally one-bedroom apartments go from 500-700 dollars in this town, which is a lot, thinking about how low the minimun wage is. As a college student I found it to be hard, to be working tons, having to buy a car, since the public transportation really sucks, high insurance rates, and rent, with just wages barely over minimum at 6.13 dollars an hour. Quite sad, it seemed as if you could get by okay, but it is very hard to save up money and get back out of here. It's like a black hole that sucks you in, this town.

-What is the cost of living in St George?

Like I said above, $500-700 for one-bedroom apartment. There are 3-bedroom places that are quite cheap (since this is a family based town-which their "church" evolves around) for about $800-1000, nice newly-built houses.

-What do you think about the locals?

Well, here in St. George, it is a very close-minded town. It's been hard living in a town mentality that doesn't quite match with my own personal one. Young kids from 18-21 get married, if you are 22 or older and not married it's quite strange. The LDS (Mormon church) encourages the family life and getting married young. Very conserative Stadt/town.

Here in Utah they celebrate holidays that happen to fall on a Sunday a day earlier or later, since Sunday is an absolute rest day. On Mondays stores close earlier so families can spend the "home evening" together. The people are very nice, but I feel like a lot of people are fake. I have talked to many other non-Mormon people that didn't grow up there and they say the same. Locals that aren't used to anything else just don't know any better. One thing though, the women/girls are very beautiful here in Utah.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the USA?

Negatives: Fooooooood. Fast food, many preservatives in foods. People work too hard, less vacation time (I have worked with my jobs for a long time, 2 years and, still have not seen 1 day of paid vacation). Lack of environmentally concerned people. The big gap between the poor and the super rich.

Positives: Every state you go to looks totally different from the other, the people are very nice and happy.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the USA?

Move to a culturally diverse city if you would like to live with many cultures. Where I live in Utah, most mothers or households don't even cook, they warm up "ready-to-eat" meals up and that's dinner, lunch, breakfast..... So definitely, be sure you know where you are moving to.

-Where were you born?

I was born in France.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I am currently living in Chicago (Illinois), in the US.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living with my husband and my two daughters.

-How long have you been living in the USA?

I have been living in Chicago for two years.

-What is your age?

I am 38 years old.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the USA?

We moved to Chicago because of my husband's job.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Well, I got my visa because my husband was sent here to work. So it was not a problem. Moreover my visa allows me to work. So it was rather easy. Prospective expats and their spouse must be aware of a very important point: being allowed to work in the US depends on your visa. So if you move with your spouse and s/he is willing to work, double check that your visa allows her/him to do so. According to visas, dependants of expats are not all the times allowed to work.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

My case is a little bit special because I am a diplomat's spouse. But it took me some time to understand the American health system, the fact that you have to check by yourself if the doctor you choose is part of your network and so on. My advice to future expats in the US is to dive into the system as soon as possible, especially young moms. Do not wait that your child becomes sick to get an appointment. Do your homework, do your research, because each practice has its own rules.

-How do you make your living in Chicago? Do you have any type of income generated?

As I said previously, I moved because of my husband's job. It is not the first time we have lived abroad. I have already been relocated three times abroad and I have experienced one move back "home". As you can understand, I am the trailing spouse, who follows from a country to another. As I was very tired to find a job and then being dismissed every three years (when I was lucky enough to find one or simply allowed to work), I have created my own portable business. I am a writer and editor. I mostly work freelance, which gives me a lot of flexibility and allows me to keep my job when we are on the move. It is still challenging but less than to have to look for a new job and then restart each time from the bottom!

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes, I speak English, and it is very useful to speak the language of the country where you are moving. It is the most important thing to do: learn the local language. I learnt Norwegian when we moved to Norway and it really saved my life. It kept me sane. In Sri Lanka, I did the choice not to learn Cingalaise and it was a mistake. But after three years learning Norwegian, it was hard to jump to this one!

The fact I speak rather well English has made my settlement in the US extremely easy, not only for me but also for my children who did not know a word of English!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

Yes, of course, but in a way, I am now used to this way of life.

Well, there are a lot of things to do in Chicago. What I enjoy the most (especially in the summer) is the lakefront, Lincoln Park and the numerous playgrounds and parks that are scattered all around the city. It is very nice to live in a city such as Chicago with children. There are a lot of music and food festivals as soon as the summer is there. In the winter, most of the activities are indoors because of the cold weather but there is still a lot to do.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

My plan is to enjoy Chicago until my next move abroad and develop my portfolio of customers for my writing business.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We rent and this is rather expensive in comparison to the European rates. Be prepared! But the standard of accommodation is excellent. For a three bedrooms, the rent is between $2500 and $3500 per month. It really depends on the neighborhood.

-What is the cost of living in the USA?

When I said I was going to move to the US, everybody told me: "Don’t buy anything before leaving; it is so cheap in the US". Actually Chicago is not that cheap! Accommodations for instance are extremely expensive in comparison to Europe. The healthcare is expensive and all the things in relationships with children are expensive too: daycare, afterschool programs, schools … What is cheap are: fuel, electronics items …

-What do you think about the locals?

Locals are very nice. Personally I mix with locals and expats. Americans are very open to foreigners. After all, foreigners made this country.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the USA?

The main negative aspect is that the winter is a bit long and cold. But I knew it before coming. From time to time I also miss the French food and specialties from my home city, Lyon, which is famous for its gastronomy!

The positive aspect is that the transportation network in Chicago is very developed. In this, Chicago is very European. If you are single or a couple with no children, there is really no need to buy a car. Trains, buses, subway, cabs are very easy to use. There are also a lot of biking trails and the city has recently developed a bike sharing system downtown. Even cars can be shared thanks to two companies: I-GO and Zipcar.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in the USA?

I advise to subscribe to a local newspaper such as the Chicago Tribune for instance (but there are others). So you will know what is going on in the city from different angles (politics, economy, arts) but also where to go to shop as there are a lot of ads coming with the newspaper (especially on Sundays).

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the USA?

My blog: http://expatforever.blogspot.com

My website: http://www.writerforever.com

http://www.usa.gov/

This is the home page of the US Government's Official Web Portal for all government transactions, services, and information. We particularly advise to check the “For visitors to the US” section.

http://www.choosechicago.com

Website of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB), whose main goal is to promote the city of Chicago.

-Where were you born?

Houston, Texas, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

Saigon, Vietnam

-Are you living alone or with your family?

With my wife

-How long have you been living in Vietnam?

8 months this time

-What is your age?

36

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Vietnam?

I've lived in many Asian countries since graduating university but had only visited Vietnam. When I got married (my wife was born in Saigon), a part of the deal (IE- it was something I wanted to do) was that we'd move to Saigon for a year or two, or several months a year for me to study Vietnamese, develop aspects the study abroad business here, and explore other opportunities together. Since she's bilingual and has family here, we figured this would be the best place for us to make things happen.

We had both been to Saigon a few times (separately and together), but we spent 2 months here on a test run to feel it out and see if we wanted to move back for a longer stay. That went well, so we rented out our house in the US and made the move.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Easy as pie for US citizens. The Vietnamese embassy in DC is prompt with email replies, which is important since the information on their website is pretty outdated.

If you're planning to move here for more than a month, and you're coming direct from the US, I'd recommend getting a visa on arrival through a Vietnamese travel agency. They can arrange a 3 or 6-month multiple entry business visa for about $80 and $120. They will email you a letter that you show at the airport on check-in and someone will meet you at the airport upon arrival; you pay in cash there. It's a great, hassle-free service. Each time you extend these visas, they get a little cheaper, and if you're in country, it's cheaper. They also have a one-year visa now for about $250 or so.

If you're coming from China or another country in Asia, it is usually cheaper to get your visa there, but it depends on the country.

These days there are lots of websites that are legit that get you a visa on arrival. That's the cheapest and best way to go in my opinion.

Since my wife was born here, she can get a 5-year visa, but we're still exploring that option.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

I don't have to tell Americans that medical insurance is expensive, and from experience they don't usually pay for services rendered overseas without a fight. There are other options worth exploring that cover you overseas, but not in the US. In Vietnam, we've been meaning to look into a Vietnamese company called Bao Minh. Bupa is supposed to be pretty good as well. And there are others, like TieCare and CareMed. Healthcare is so much cheaper, and often better in Thailand, than in the US, that we will probably end up getting a coverage that takes care of us in Asia and get rid of our costly US coverage the next time we come here for an extended stay.

-How do you make your living in Vietnam? Do you have any type of income generated?

I am the director of a study abroad business called Academic Experiences Abroad (AEA-Asia). www.aea-asia.com. We develop customized programs & logistics to Asia for university groups. I'm based part of the year in Asia (recently in Saigon) improving and expanding our services in Asia, and part of the year in the US when I need to be on the same time zone as my clients regularly.

My wife has had many job offers that she has found through friends and acquaintances she's made while here. It helps that she has many years of experience working in American companies and that she is bilingual. She has also had some luck with online job boards. She contacted one company that didn't have a job posting for her, per se, but she inquired, went in for three interviews, and they created a position for her.

-Do you speak Vietnamese and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I've studied the language everywhere I've lived, and I highly recommend it. Vietnamese is by far the most difficult Asian language I've studied, but at least it has a Roman alphabet, which makes reading and writing easier than most other Asian languages. If you have a background in Cantonese, it should be easier than it would be for others.

I study about 4.5 hours a week with a private tutor who meets me at a quiet coffee shop near my house for 1.5 hours each lesson, three times a week. It's cheaper than taking a group class, and more rewarding.

My wife and I have finished a Vietnam phrasebook that will be coming out in 2011. The title is Instant Vietnamese, and Tuttle is the publisher.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Having lived abroad so much of my adult life, I am surprised that I am actually looking forward to returning to the US for the first time in my life. I think there are reasons though that had not applied to me in the past:

1. having a nice, comfy home and garden to return to;
2. the air and noise pollution in Saigon is pretty severe, so we're looking forward to our serenity spell in the US where we can exercise outdoors and relax with a book in the park; and 
3. it will be good to see my clients and be on the same time zone as them- IE when it's 5pm, the office shuts rather than opens.

We have wonderful family and friends, and it's always good to see them when we are in the US, but that's not a reason to stay in one place. We stay in touch through chatting, FB, Skype, etc., just as we'll do with the new friends and family that we make during our stay in Vietnam this time around.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

We're always planning, even though plans always change. It goes without saying that we'll be back in Asia for extended stays for work and exploration. With so many friends living around the world now, we plan to visit a few that have moved to different countries in the US and Africa, among other places.

One of my goals is to offer great internships through AEA to students wishing to gain work experiences in Asia. We have a couple in Thailand and China, and hope to start offering a few in Vietnam and Cambodia.

On another note, we are avid members of www.couchsurfing.com and we plan to stay active members no matter where we travel to or live. It's the best way to meet people and change the world that I've come across. Plus, you can stay with people for free all over the world.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

All sorts of rental options are available in Saigon, from $150 shared to as much as you can afford for private.

-What is the cost of living in Vietnam?

As others have mentioned, Saigon has very good food for very cheap prices. Some of my favorite meals are less than $1 and are sold on the street around the corner from our house. My wife uses a cup of coffee as her Big Mac Index. The best coffee I've ever had is sold in a gorgeous café near our house for about $1. Of course, you can spend $3-4 at a fancy café in the center of the tourist district.

So, in Saigon, you can spend as little or as much as you want. Housing tends to be the most expensive part of anyone's lifestyle here, although if you eat at expensive restaurants and drink a lot of alcohol, your money can evaporate rather quickly.

Transportation is cheap. We have a motorbike that we fill up once a week for about $3. When we don't want to ride, we take a taxi for about $4 into town, each way. Short rides are about $1 in a taxi, and motorbike taxis are about half the price of a taxi most of the time, but that varies according to many factors, including your ability to bargain.

-What do you think about the Vietnamese?

As in most countries, most foreigners are treated quite well by the locals here, but if you're staying in the main tourist area, of course you have to expect strange encounters from time to time. In general, Vietnamese are warm and welcoming and genuinely interested in you.

More Vietnamese can speak English than in the past, which is helpful if your Vietnamese skills are lacking.

If you spend a lot of time in the markets, you'll hear some angry tirades from some of the women in there arguing; and if you speak Vietnamese well enough, you're bound to hear some pretty ugly comments from time to time, but I don't think that's unusual in any country.

What is unusual, coming from the US, is how safe Asia is, and Saigon is no exception - aside from the traffic.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Vietnam?

On the ups, we've got great food, a city that never sleeps, wonderful places to visit not far away (including most of Asia), and a very easy/comfortable lifestyle.

The downers are the noise and air pollution; the lack of areas to ride bikes or go on hikes near town; and the guilt that you might feel by living such a good life while so many others have it so rough.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Vietnam?

Bring earplugs, a soft pillow and lots of patience. We have to make sacrifices living in different parts of the world, and living here, you sacrifice the quiet, the clean air, the variety of talks, events and things to do for the excitement of living in a place that never sleeps, for the amazing choices of excellent food and drinks, for the affordable cost of living, for the friends you'll make from around the world, for the experiences you'll have each day that you'll never have at home, and for the sheer opportunity that presents itself on a daily basis.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Vietnam?

My company's website is www.aea-asia.com. On it we have blog with useful links for people who are traveling to, living in and learning about different parts of the world. Some of those links are below:

Blogs change all of the time, but I like http://saigon-today.blogspot.com/, a photo blog. The guy has been pretty consistent for a long time. If you want to see some photos I took while there for a few months, check out http://saigon24.blogspot.com/

Just in case you missed it above: www.couchsurfing.com. It's going to change the world and you can be a part of it.

-Where were you born?
Manila, Philippines

-In which country and city are you living now?
San Diego, California, USA

-Are you living alone or with your family?
Alone

-How long have you been living in the USA?
Since 2000, with a year living in Napa Valley (2002-3).

-What is your age?
28

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the USA?
After graduating from college in the Philippines, I came across an opportunity to work for the Marriott in Coronado (San Diego) for a year and a half on a J-1 visa (international exchange trainee). I was 21 at the time and, feeling adventurous, decided to go for it. The money seemed like it was worth the trip (it was) but you have to put into consideration taxes, rent, other living expenses. To someone growing up using a weaker currency the prospect of earning in dollars is a dream come true ... until you realize that you are spending in dollars as well.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No for the J-1 visa as the company sponsored it. For my subsequent M-1 (student's) and H1-B (working professional) visas it has been both an expensive, for both myself and the companies sponsoring me, and humbling/humiliating (interviews at the consulate/embassies will break you if you are weak!) experience. Do not go into this unprepared!

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No, most companies will sponsor or at least subsidize medical expenses. Healthcare still is expensive especially for California. A lot of people get insurance that they can use across the border in Tijuana, which is less expensive. Do not live here without health insurance as it will be very expensive for you if you get sick ... and you may have to ask one of your Mexican co-workers to get antibiotics for you from across the border (obviously someone is speaking from experience....).

-How do you make your living in the USA? Do you have any type of income generated?
I've moved up from being a culinary intern to the Executive Chef of a 4-star resort in a short 7 years - the embodiment of the American dream! Going to school here had helped immensely though. All my income has been from jobs/positions I've held here. Looking for a job and a work permit sponsor after culinary school was tough and I had to go back to San Diego and tie up with people I had known from doing my internship (as with anywhere else it just goes to show it is who you know that gets you the job). It was not a city that I had planned on moving to as there are other culinary hotspots like San Francisco or New York, but it was up and coming and young chefs are in demand.

After looking for a sponsor, I hired an immigration lawyer (the first one that said yes to my case) to navigate the complex paperwork to get the work permit. During this step it is important not to get discouraged as many lawyers will give you the best advice there is to stay in America - that is to get married. The best tool here to land the job and get the work permit is perseverance - you'll get it if you want it but it's not going to be easy.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
Yeah dude, for sure! Hehehe! Californians speak English differently and with a different accent than Americans from other places. After living here for 7 years I've learned most of the slang even though some words/phrases still puzzle me as the slang is ever-changing. Having a foreign accent here is not uncommon, just be able to keep up with the speed in how Americans speak English and have a fast "come back" for comments. I was like a "deer in headlights" when I first came here. California is a big melting pot and most "locals" (and I use the term to describe anyone who has lived here for more than a year) appreciate the general diversity of cultures. Learning Spanish in California helps too.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Yes, but mine has come to visit me often and I've had the chance to go home (direct flights from LA/San Francisco to Manila/most points in Asia help). I also have relatives in LA so that helps when I want to reconnect with family. There is a big Filipino community in San Diego so I haven't missed the food part, lots of Asian markets too.

As for recreation, San Diego has a lot to offer, especially in the outdoor and action sports categories. Everyone seems like they want to be outdoors surfing, or hiking, or doing whatever (this can be distracting at work!), and San Diego has plenty of venues for this. There is an ocean lagoon near where I live that I took my kayak out this morning....

-Do you have other plans for the future?
After living in San Diego for 7 years I'm seriously thinking of being closer to my family geographically, either in Hawaii, Philippines or Australia. I guess it all depends on the money I'll be making and the position I'll be taking on in the next place. 7 years is enough time in California ... even though it is hard to leave such a beautiful place.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Currently renting a house with roommates. Getting "roomies" is a great way to save on rent especially in an expensive city like San Diego. My roommates and I are paying a nice deal for Carlsbad (upscale, coastal community in North San Diego) - $2000/mo for a 4br/2.5 bathroom townhouse, but this is not typical. Expect to pay $3000 up for something similar in the area. The recent fires in and around the suburban areas will not do anything to drive rental prices down...

-What is the cost of living in San Diego?
Expensive but slightly lower than San Francisco or New York. Food is relatively cheap, but you have to know where to buy it. Bargain stores for clothing and household goods are everywhere and sales happen all the time making it silly to actually pay for anything at its suggested retail price.

-What do you think about the locals?
Good for the most part as everyone here is from some place else. But oddly enough people who have been here longer will make you feel that you do not belong unless you make an effort to fit in. Most foreigners in San Diego hang out with other foreigners, at least at the start.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the USA?
Positive: Fast upward mobility for the ambitious, not much traffic or congestion, lots of entertainment/recreation options, earning in dollars

Negative: It is an expensive rat race to live in! Don't be fooled by Southern California's laidback attitude - working here is not a vacation. There is a reason why California is the 8th largest economy in the world.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in San Diego?
It's a great place to live ... but don't lose yourself here (as the California tourism board suggests) as it will be a hard place to leave if you do. :)

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about anything related to San Diego?
Lonely Planet was the guidebook I was reading when I first came out here... and I still refer to it.

www.signonsandiego.com ... news, events, etc.

www.sdreader.com ... things to do, coupons

-Where were you born?
London, U.K.

-In which country and city are you living now?
Baltimore, U.S.A

-Are you living alone or with your family?
Long suffering Irish husband and two daughters (age 6 and 4).

-How long have you been living in the USA?
Seven years.

-What is your age?
Thirty-six.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in the USA?
I was dating my boyfriend (now husband) in London. He was moving to Baltimore to do a PhD and asked me to go with him. I said, "No thanks, I've heard Baltimore is a bit of a shithole." But then I found out I was pregnant and decided to move to Baltimore after all.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
It is almost impossible to get a work visa, but that's okay because I am currently at home with the kids. Am getting the green card soon.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
It was impossible to get medical insurance when I arrived in the U.S.A. I was pregnant and this is considered a pre-existing condition akin to cancer so we had to shell out thousands for the birth. It made me long for the shabby old NHS!

-How do you make your living in the USA? Do you have any type of income generated?
I can't work at the moment, no work visa. I have written and published novels in the UK though.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I speak fluent Baltimore-ease. All right hon!

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I only miss the British sense of humor. Irony seems to be in short supply in the U.S.A.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I would love to visit San Francisco and the West Coast.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We have bought a house. The house prices here are amazingly cheap.

We paid $100,000 for a THREE BED HOUSE and MASSIVE GARDEN four years ago.

-What is the cost of living in the USA?
Cheap.

-What do you think about the Americans?
Most locals are very interested and welcoming to foreigners although of course you do get the occasional comments when you criticise any aspect of US culture, when people will say "If you don't like it why don't you go back to where you came from."

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in the USA?
Positive aspects: the weather is beautiful, the cost of living is cheap, the pace of life is very relaxed.

Negative aspects: I feel less free about expressing political opinions than I did in the U.K. I think this is a more conservative society than I experienced in London.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about the USA?
I have a wonderful and funny blog that tells you quite a bit about Baltimore: http://www.mommyhasaheadache.blogspot.com