Immigrating to Colorado
Sep 12th, 2016, 09:38 AM
#21
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I love Colorado and it is great for outdoor activities.
As for Denver being expensive, that sure depends on your perspective and where you are coming from. It is definitely not one of the most expensive cities in the US, it's not even in the top 10.
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-l.../north-america
But US$2000 a month is not going to get you very far in any big city in the US I know of. You can get by in smaller places, and then it is basically just getting by okay, not saving anything. I have relatives in some smaller towns in Ohio (a state with very reasonable costs) and you can live there on that amount, not really well in the biggest cities though. SO you will not be "comfortable" in the US on $2000 a month.
As for Denver being expensive, that sure depends on your perspective and where you are coming from. It is definitely not one of the most expensive cities in the US, it's not even in the top 10.
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-l.../north-america
But US$2000 a month is not going to get you very far in any big city in the US I know of. You can get by in smaller places, and then it is basically just getting by okay, not saving anything. I have relatives in some smaller towns in Ohio (a state with very reasonable costs) and you can live there on that amount, not really well in the biggest cities though. SO you will not be "comfortable" in the US on $2000 a month.
Sep 12th, 2016, 11:26 AM
#22
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Just a thought to keep in mind:
There is currently a movement country-wide (particularly in expensive urban areas) to raise the minimum hourly wage to U$15 (217 rand) per hour, just so many people in non-skilled jobs can make ends meet with dignity.
What type of work do you do in South Africa, and/or what do you imagine doing in Denver? There are salary websites to approximate what you might be able to earn in a given city, or even if a certain kind of job exists in the area. Remember that people live within commuting distance to big US cities because there are jobs in them that may not be present in cheaper more rural areas. Not all jobs are portable.
There is currently a movement country-wide (particularly in expensive urban areas) to raise the minimum hourly wage to U$15 (217 rand) per hour, just so many people in non-skilled jobs can make ends meet with dignity.
What type of work do you do in South Africa, and/or what do you imagine doing in Denver? There are salary websites to approximate what you might be able to earn in a given city, or even if a certain kind of job exists in the area. Remember that people live within commuting distance to big US cities because there are jobs in them that may not be present in cheaper more rural areas. Not all jobs are portable.
Sep 12th, 2016, 12:31 PM
#25
It would not. $2000/month is not going to support two people in any major US city. Perhaps if you were living off-the-grid, or at least out in the countryside it might.
Definitely come for a visit as soon as possible. Perhaps you won't even like it. As others are mentioning, Colorado is a pretty large state, with a huge variety of possible living situations (not just for you, for anyone contemplating moving there).
Why Colorado?
Sep 12th, 2016, 12:41 PM
#26
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Regarding the "how to immigrate" part, I understand from some of the people I work with that if you lose the particular job on which your visa is based, you have 30 days to find another similar job or leave the country. That's not immigrating IMO, it's temporary economic migration.
Sep 12th, 2016, 11:30 PM
#27
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Hi Guys, okay so....
@janisj : I know $2000 is very little but that is just comparing it to what we get here directly (just as an example) like i said "R30 000 per month between the two of us to live comfortable, which in today's currency is just under $2100" - But I am sure seeing as we are going to be 2 people and both going to work that we will get more that $4000 income per month.... But then again it all depends on the work we get. But I appreciate your input & thank you
& NO we do not have a pipe dream of getting a VISA and then getting work there after. We are trying to get work first, we would never make such a big move without some sort of safety net. We do know people that live there and we are conversing with them to see if they could maybe assist in the working issue but thanks for your concern.
PS: I am a she, not a "he"
@Christina : Thanks for the link I will have a look at it.... Yes $2000 is way too little, but that was just directly converting it to what we get here, and here R30 000 for the 2 of us per month is more than enough to live comfortable haha so once I have researched and gotten the average costs of living that side I will know what type of salary too look for when applying for jobs.
@SambaChula : Thanks for your valuable input. Yes I have come across a website like that. Well I work for a company called McCarthy (Very large well know company here) it might be there too but known as a Bid-vest or ever a Barlow World maybe? You get either a McCarthy Land Rover/BMW/Toyota/GM/Audi/ etc, I am currently with McCarthy Mercedes Benz. have been with them for about 2 and a half years, before that I was with McCarthy GM (All in the service department) I am currently a Warranties & Invoicing Clerk for the Service department & I am studying Jnr Bookkeeping and Financial Management. My Boyfriend used to work for a internationally know pest control company by the name of Pest Control Specialists, He left them about 4 years ago and started his own Pest control/Maintenance & Gardening Business (Golden Key Pest Control & Gardening) So I was maybe looking at going into the Financial industry OR the motor industry again and he was thinking of either also going into the motor industry seeing as he has prior experience as well or working for a pest control company that side and then later starting his own business again.....
@sf7307 : No, not American, we are South African looking to Immigrate/Move to Colorado, Denver... Hopefully get work before we move.
@suze : Hi, Like I said in the above comments, I know $2000 wont be enough I was simply using it as an example.... 2 of our friends are also getting ready to move to Denver Colorado, if all goes well, in March 2017. They are the ones that gave us the idea to start looking at Denver. We started looking at Denver as well as Australia, as I have family that lives there, and we simply fell in love with what we saw from Denver, The beautiful rocky mountains all over, the Snow (Seeing as we NEVER get snow here where I live in Pretoria) The outdoor life style that is present there, the beautiful homes that really do not come across as expensive (Yes, I know all depends on the household income) and then of course I always look forward to a new challenge/change.
The educational system and standards are 100 times better than what SA can offer us and to touch a sensitive subject, we do not approve of the way our Government is running our country and all the corrupt officials getting away with so much crime it is unbelievable (yes, I am also aware that each country has its own issues). But we are excited for the change.
@SambaChula : Yes I am aware of that, that is why we are fully concentrating on what type of VISA we are going to apply for. It is a very tricky choice as there can be no mistakes. We are also saving every penny we can in order to have a safety net for in case something happens....
I must say you guys bring up some good points that we have to concentrate on and I appreciate all the input....
@janisj : I know $2000 is very little but that is just comparing it to what we get here directly (just as an example) like i said "R30 000 per month between the two of us to live comfortable, which in today's currency is just under $2100" - But I am sure seeing as we are going to be 2 people and both going to work that we will get more that $4000 income per month.... But then again it all depends on the work we get. But I appreciate your input & thank you
& NO we do not have a pipe dream of getting a VISA and then getting work there after. We are trying to get work first, we would never make such a big move without some sort of safety net. We do know people that live there and we are conversing with them to see if they could maybe assist in the working issue but thanks for your concern.PS: I am a she, not a "he"
@Christina : Thanks for the link I will have a look at it.... Yes $2000 is way too little, but that was just directly converting it to what we get here, and here R30 000 for the 2 of us per month is more than enough to live comfortable haha so once I have researched and gotten the average costs of living that side I will know what type of salary too look for when applying for jobs.
@SambaChula : Thanks for your valuable input. Yes I have come across a website like that. Well I work for a company called McCarthy (Very large well know company here) it might be there too but known as a Bid-vest or ever a Barlow World maybe? You get either a McCarthy Land Rover/BMW/Toyota/GM/Audi/ etc, I am currently with McCarthy Mercedes Benz. have been with them for about 2 and a half years, before that I was with McCarthy GM (All in the service department) I am currently a Warranties & Invoicing Clerk for the Service department & I am studying Jnr Bookkeeping and Financial Management. My Boyfriend used to work for a internationally know pest control company by the name of Pest Control Specialists, He left them about 4 years ago and started his own Pest control/Maintenance & Gardening Business (Golden Key Pest Control & Gardening) So I was maybe looking at going into the Financial industry OR the motor industry again and he was thinking of either also going into the motor industry seeing as he has prior experience as well or working for a pest control company that side and then later starting his own business again.....
@sf7307 : No, not American, we are South African looking to Immigrate/Move to Colorado, Denver... Hopefully get work before we move.
@suze : Hi, Like I said in the above comments, I know $2000 wont be enough I was simply using it as an example.... 2 of our friends are also getting ready to move to Denver Colorado, if all goes well, in March 2017. They are the ones that gave us the idea to start looking at Denver. We started looking at Denver as well as Australia, as I have family that lives there, and we simply fell in love with what we saw from Denver, The beautiful rocky mountains all over, the Snow (Seeing as we NEVER get snow here where I live in Pretoria) The outdoor life style that is present there, the beautiful homes that really do not come across as expensive (Yes, I know all depends on the household income) and then of course I always look forward to a new challenge/change.
The educational system and standards are 100 times better than what SA can offer us and to touch a sensitive subject, we do not approve of the way our Government is running our country and all the corrupt officials getting away with so much crime it is unbelievable (yes, I am also aware that each country has its own issues). But we are excited for the change.
@SambaChula : Yes I am aware of that, that is why we are fully concentrating on what type of VISA we are going to apply for. It is a very tricky choice as there can be no mistakes. We are also saving every penny we can in order to have a safety net for in case something happens....
I must say you guys bring up some good points that we have to concentrate on and I appreciate all the input....
Sep 12th, 2016, 11:50 PM
#28
If you are serious about trying to work in, or immigrate to, the US the absolute first step, before you even think of looking for a job, is to find out what the US regulations for Visas are, and what the regulations for immigration are. Both are *very* strict and permission for immigration is very hard to get.
Here are 2 official US government websites that you could start with:
https://za.usembassy.gov/visas/
and
https://www.uscis.gov/
Here are 2 official US government websites that you could start with:
https://za.usembassy.gov/visas/
and
https://www.uscis.gov/
Sep 13th, 2016, 09:29 AM
#29
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Listen, in order for you to find work in the US you must possess a "unique skill" and find an employer willing to sponsor you. Before you can even be considered for any position your potential employer must prove to the Department of Labor that there are no US citizens or legal US Green Card holders qualified to fill the position before the job can be offered to you. For most jobs that's a tall order since there are some 160 million people in the US Workforce and the US has some 7.8 million people out of work.
Quite honestly, I'm not sure a Warrantees and Invoicing Clerk for a car dealership and a Pest Control Specialist will qualify as "unique skills" as there are a lot of US citizens who perform those kind of tasks. They will have first dibs on the job.
By the way, the "job approval process" can take anywhere from 6 months to several years and during that time you MAY NOT reside in the US.
For what it is worth, a few years back I tried to hire a foreign national for a position for which he was very well qualified. I had to advertise the position nationally and even after not being able to find a suitable candidate as a result of the advertising the Labor Department sent me a number of other applicants they deemed to be as or more qualified then the person I really wanted to hire even though they were actually less qualified. The Labor Department denied permission for me to hire the foreign national and I had to settle for the less qualified applicant simply because that person was an out of work US Citizen.
One more point - Trying to change career fields will make your task of finding a job even more difficult as presumably you'll have even less "on the job experience" in your new field. That will put you a a big disadvantage against US citizens with more experience who also apply for the position you are seeking.
Good Luck, you'll need it to fulfill your dream - it's a very long shot.
Quite honestly, I'm not sure a Warrantees and Invoicing Clerk for a car dealership and a Pest Control Specialist will qualify as "unique skills" as there are a lot of US citizens who perform those kind of tasks. They will have first dibs on the job.
By the way, the "job approval process" can take anywhere from 6 months to several years and during that time you MAY NOT reside in the US.
For what it is worth, a few years back I tried to hire a foreign national for a position for which he was very well qualified. I had to advertise the position nationally and even after not being able to find a suitable candidate as a result of the advertising the Labor Department sent me a number of other applicants they deemed to be as or more qualified then the person I really wanted to hire even though they were actually less qualified. The Labor Department denied permission for me to hire the foreign national and I had to settle for the less qualified applicant simply because that person was an out of work US Citizen.
One more point - Trying to change career fields will make your task of finding a job even more difficult as presumably you'll have even less "on the job experience" in your new field. That will put you a a big disadvantage against US citizens with more experience who also apply for the position you are seeking.
Good Luck, you'll need it to fulfill your dream - it's a very long shot.
Sep 13th, 2016, 09:49 AM
#30
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The skills you have mentioned are not skills that would allow you to get a work visa for the US. The days of being able to get a visa as a baker or something are decade gone. Usually those work visas are reserved for people with unique computer skills. There are a limited number of them and they are usually "gone" (to employers who need workers--employees cannot apply) very soon after the issuing process is opened each year.
Immigrant visas take decades. There are lots of people in front of you "in line" from your country and others.
I would try the yearly Green Card lottery if I were you.
Australia may be easier.
Immigrant visas take decades. There are lots of people in front of you "in line" from your country and others.
I would try the yearly Green Card lottery if I were you.
Australia may be easier.
Sep 13th, 2016, 02:29 PM
#31
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My former employer sponsored two non US citizens but they had unique computer skills, very specialized and it costs a lot of money to do so. Plus I recall both of them had to return to their home countries for some reason after a certain number of years.
I do not think your skills are all that specialized.
I do not think your skills are all that specialized.
Sep 13th, 2016, 05:36 PM
#33
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The only person I know who cam to NY to live for a number of years legally was a computer specialist in a quite esoteric field an came here for a 3 year stint in order to design a system unique to this company. And he had worked for them in the UK. He became engaged to a woman who worked for me and when he had to return home (end of assignment) she was able to go with im since they were going to marry. But she had to jump through a gazillion hoops and they had to actually marry before she could work there - even though it was for out London affiliate.
We had a qualified applicant for a job that we wanted to hire, but she was here on a student/work experience visa and that was running out - which she didn't reveal during the interview. After looking at everything again we got in touch with her and determined we would have to help her get a visa to stay. Checked with our human resources/legal departments and they said not a chance. First, even if successful the process would have taken many months and cost the company at least $25K. And even then we would have to prove there were no appropriate local applicants, which there were, and she would never be approved.
A number of people do come on tourist visas and just never go home. But they are illegal and if caught will be deported. They have to work under the table (cash and get no benefits) - something like construction (non-union), bartending, nanny, etc. Usually young people who end up going home after a couple of years.
We had a qualified applicant for a job that we wanted to hire, but she was here on a student/work experience visa and that was running out - which she didn't reveal during the interview. After looking at everything again we got in touch with her and determined we would have to help her get a visa to stay. Checked with our human resources/legal departments and they said not a chance. First, even if successful the process would have taken many months and cost the company at least $25K. And even then we would have to prove there were no appropriate local applicants, which there were, and she would never be approved.
A number of people do come on tourist visas and just never go home. But they are illegal and if caught will be deported. They have to work under the table (cash and get no benefits) - something like construction (non-union), bartending, nanny, etc. Usually young people who end up going home after a couple of years.
Sep 14th, 2016, 06:26 AM
#34
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Getting back to budget, Denver rentals are scarce and very expensive right now. You could pay $2100 in rent alone, for two people. Available jobs are not prevalent, either.
You might consider New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, for affordability. I don't know the job markets there, though the lifestyles are 'outdoorsy'.
You might consider New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, for affordability. I don't know the job markets there, though the lifestyles are 'outdoorsy'.
Sep 15th, 2016, 08:27 AM
#35
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Maybe a different way to go would be to get a job with a large, multi-national corporation in South Africa and then take an opening within the company that is located in the United States?
At least that gets you into the USA via the company (they do the paperwork and get the work-visa for you). Then, once you are here, you can look around at openings within the USA.
Just a thought.
One of my professional goals is to take a job at my company that is located abroad. I don't want to emigrate, though, just live abroad and work for my same company.
At least that gets you into the USA via the company (they do the paperwork and get the work-visa for you). Then, once you are here, you can look around at openings within the USA.
Just a thought.
One of my professional goals is to take a job at my company that is located abroad. I don't want to emigrate, though, just live abroad and work for my same company.
Sep 15th, 2016, 06:00 PM
#36
llkeB -
I've lived and worked in five countries - it's been a wonderful experience.
Rather than discourage you, (I assume you're doing your own due diligence), I admire your enthusiasm and I hope you do achieve your dream of moving to my home state of Colorado.
Having lived in Denver, it wouldn't be my choice though! Keep in mind it's not the only option; there are many beautiful places to live in Colorado.
The housing market has become very competitive in recent years in metro Denver, yet it's remained quite reasonable in other parts of the state.
Traffic has also become a nightmare in Denver - I cringe every time I have to drive up there (like today).
The further west you go, the prettier it gets.
I've lived and worked in five countries - it's been a wonderful experience.
Rather than discourage you, (I assume you're doing your own due diligence), I admire your enthusiasm and I hope you do achieve your dream of moving to my home state of Colorado.
Having lived in Denver, it wouldn't be my choice though! Keep in mind it's not the only option; there are many beautiful places to live in Colorado.
The housing market has become very competitive in recent years in metro Denver, yet it's remained quite reasonable in other parts of the state.
Traffic has also become a nightmare in Denver - I cringe every time I have to drive up there (like today).
The further west you go, the prettier it gets.
Sep 15th, 2016, 06:46 PM
#37
One thing that you may want to look into is trying for Canada instead of the US. Because South Africa and Canada both are part of the Commonwealth there *might possibly be* easier immigration between them.
Alberta and BC have much in common with Colorado. Both have dry farming (cattle, wheat, and oil) in the eastern portions and the Rockies west of that. Calgary is about the same distance from the Rockies as is Denver.
Canada, I *believe*, provisions for young low-skilled temporary workers for the tourist industry. Banff Alberta, Whistler BC, and similar areas are filled with your Aussies working for a few years, but the pay is low.
Alberta and BC have much in common with Colorado. Both have dry farming (cattle, wheat, and oil) in the eastern portions and the Rockies west of that. Calgary is about the same distance from the Rockies as is Denver.
Canada, I *believe*, provisions for young low-skilled temporary workers for the tourist industry. Banff Alberta, Whistler BC, and similar areas are filled with your Aussies working for a few years, but the pay is low.
Sep 16th, 2016, 09:59 AM
#39
No, South Africa is still a member of the commonwealth - it left in 1961, rejoined in 1994. http://thecommonwealth.org/our-membe...s/south-africa
