Job Discussion Forums

pinkflyd7 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject:

The thing is, I don't think Asia is the best place for my kids. The educational system in Taiwan blows big time.

We're going back on May 21st. We've saved enough money to last for a little while. If everything fails, I'll end up back in Taiwan living with my Taiwanese in-laws in Nantou who don't even like me. They will be happy that their daughter and grandchildren are back, but I'll probably be contemplating suicide.

My Taiwan blog: http://kenberglund.blogspot.com/

mandalayroad · Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 115

The education system blows big time everywhere unless you can get your kids into some elite private or public school. At least your kids would be able to learn Chinese fluently in Taiwan while still learning English from you. It's almost impossible for Chinese-American kids to learn Chinese well in the US because English is ever present and those characters take a lot of work that they're not going to be motivated to study stateside. The US is also heading into a severe recession so your timing is unfortunate but one never knows what can happen so best wishes on the move.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Give it a shot.

You'll probably end up back in the land of plenty.

Firearcher · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 35

My thoughts as a realistic person are this. The sooner she lands in the USA the sooner she is a landed resident and can become a US citizen, gaining a foothold in that country in her own right. Then head for divorce court - take all your $$$$$$$$$ and get on with her life. I figure she's tired of waiting. Guess I've been burned by too many women LOL. Hope I'm wrong & her intentions are pure, but when someone presses the issue that much one has to wonder what is behind the motivation....

housecat · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Location: usa

[quote="Firearcher"]My thoughts as a realistic person are this. The sooner she lands in the USA the sooner she is a landed resident and can become a US citizen, gaining a foothold in that country in her own right. Then head for divorce court - take all your $$$$$$$$$ and get on with her life. I figure she's tired of waiting. Guess I've been burned by too many women LOL. Hope I'm wrong & her intentions are pure, but when someone presses the issue that much one has to wonder what is behind the motivation....[/quote]

The Green Card process, especially from outside the States, is long and tedious. I don't blame her for not wanting to let that visa expire.

The U.S. is a very tough place now, though. I hope the op and his family will have a very good support base because they'll need it.

Good luck and best wishes!!

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

I may be a little jaded but most Asians seem to think that the US and UK are the land of milk and honey and tend to think about the economic golden age of the US/UK or it could be that she is just eaten up with curiosity. Could you talk her into going somewhere else thats doing a bit better like europe or Australia?

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

To answer your question,
No.
I am sure you realize that this is an election year in the US and it is politically advantageous to say the USA is in recession if you are running as the candidate of change.
In my opinion places like Canada, Australia, Russia and the USA will come out of the current economic turmoil far better and more quickly than places like Taiwan that are almost entirely dependent on imports for food and energy.
I have been kicking myself in the @## for buying my home in BC last year when I could get a mansion in the US for the same price as my three bedroom home outside Vancouver. If you are looking to invest in a home, the US is the best market for buyers in the world right now. The cost of living in the States is much lower than many places in Canada and Taiwan. I am not sure about working in the States but it is not a bad idea to have someplace to go to if, or when it "hits the fan" again on Taiwan/Formosa.
Good luck!
A.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

strangelove · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 Location: Formosa

Yes, the US is such a comfortable place to live... HIGH taxes (even higher if the Dems win), HIGH cost of living, HORRENDOUS health care system, various social issues (crime, homelessness, etc), etc.

I made good $ in the US, and it still wasn't easy to save; my lifestyle was fairly reasonable too. When I was young, many women were still housewives... how many families today can afford to live on a single income? Even with the wife working most people are falling behind. The US savings rate has been very low if not negative for many years. This doesn't sound like a rising standard of living.

While the US has some advantages, I don't think the quality of life is that great. I could make much more and save more in the US given my background, yet I find the overall quality of life much better here.

The US housing market a bargain??? The US is a big place, and where is important... I don't think CA, AZ or FL will be improving anytime soon. If the economy gets worse (likely) then real estate prices won't be going anywhere... except possibly down.

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

Houses in my small midwest town are super cheap - and tons of repos. Problem is there are no jobs - not even for those well educated. The economy is terrible. Cost of living is soaring. Those of you who haven't been in the states for awhile would be appalled at the huge increases in food prices - gas prices are also outrageous. Most places in the states have no public transportation either - and if you do live in those places - their prices are increasing too. Are you ready to deal with winter and huge heating bills?

Me - I am on my way overseas!

mandalayroad · Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 115

The value of the U.S. dollar cannot sustain itself with the amount of debt the Iraq War is, each day, assigning to every American citizen. A currency on the verge of collapse, energy and food prices skyrocketing, and a war that is fanning the flames of anti-American sentiment around the world with possibly another on the way in Iran... it's the perfect storm of the beginning of the end for the old American way of life. Stay away if you're already overseas at least until the November election to see if the guy who wants to "bomb, bomb, bomb... bomb, bomb Iran" gets elected.

killian · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:54 am Post subject:

i hear the US army now accepts raw recuits up to age 41.

be all that you can be.

pinkflyd7 · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

So I've been back in the USA for a little over 3 months now. It took me about 2 months to find a job. I couldn't go back to where I used to live (Southern California) because it's too damn expensive now. So I currently live in Austin, TX. Luckily, Austin is very different from the rest of Texas. Far less rednecks and a lot more liberal weirdos.

englishmaster · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

Isn't Austin the capital of TX? That would explain the kind of people there.
Congrats on returning to the US--I just left it again. Food and gas prices are indeed abominably high, aren't they? I have no idea where the country, or you, are headed, but happy trails, pardner. Do let us know what your wife does, too.