Episode Information Poole and Sarasota

Comments

1. In response to peoples visa questions the couple are obviously getting a visa on the strength of investing $100,000 in a business.If you have the funds the visa is not that differcult to get and the bonus is that the partner not setting up the business gates a green card to work elsewhere if necessary.Visa is valid for between two and five years.Some friends set up a business doing garden design and main. and are doing very well.Yes the property taxes are high but food etc is half price and the quality of life is much better.

   Posted by chris ealing on 05/07/2009 14:24:21

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2. The programme is more about finding property than it is with the details of the relocation and the associated complexities. So we should cut the team some slack. However, the comments here really add great value. I know some Americans and when they tell me about the tax situation out in the USA, well I am perplexed how it can be considered the fatherland of capitalism. The taxes come from every angle and the buying costs are outright ruthless. Anyway, far too many Americans in the USA so not really my cup of charlie! All the best to any young and carefree adventurers. I'm sure the rewards must outweigh the negatives or why would people live there!!

   Posted by jockstrap on 04/07/2009 16:12:21

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3. Watched the show for the first time 3/7/09, really enjoyed it although I never knew we lived so close to such desirable areas in Poole other than Sandbanks! We were disappointed at the end of the programme viewer's were not told the out come of the families decision. Anybody out there know what the family did?

   Posted by Anne, Bournemouth on 04/07/2009 13:59:14

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4. I agree with the last comment about visas. I think it is frustrating how the show doesn't explain the visa situation, as this is so important. Visas to the US are hard come by for most, and neglecting this aspect could give a lot of couples false hope. How would they solve their paticular visa sitaution? Prey tell!

   Posted by Bern on 04/07/2009 07:57:53

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5. hi whatched the show thursday 12th feb poole or florida ,just wondering how the couple where going to move to florida ,i thought visas are dificult to come by to live in florida myself and friends have looked into moving and i thought you had to buy a buisiness to move there.regards neil

   Posted by neil lewins on 15/02/2009 20:40:52

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6. I didn't see the start of the show so didn't realise they had bought a shop. As far as I know there are only a few ways to live in America: 1. Marry an American 2. Get a greencard - you get this when an American company sponsors you to do a job, they have to prove that most American's can't do. 3. Start a company - I think you have to employ 6 Americans with 2 years something like that. 4. Green card lottery - unfortunately UK is not included in this. 5. I think students can get a student VISA If you have a working Visa you can stay in the USA for 6 months in a year. If you are just a tourist it is 3 months in a year. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

   Posted by intensedancevibes on 15/02/2009 20:18:57

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7. I have a home near Sarasota - but away from the coast. A bit negative but the program could have mentioned the cost of local taxes and the insurance cost of being so close to the sea.

   Posted by Brian Thompson on 14/02/2009 18:57:50

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8. What they forgoet to tell you about buying anf owning a property in Florida is EVERY year without fail there are PROPERTY TAXES which equat to approx 2.3% of the sale price. So if they buy a $1,500,000 house which they were looking at their yearly property taxes would equat to $34,500 a year and they go up every year! A bit like our council tax but alo, alot more. I wonder how he will feel when they get there first bill from the county? Add on the monthly cost of health insurance (which you need unless you want leaving by the side of the road in case you are involved in a accident) or worse get seriously ill for a 50 year old it is approx $540 per month the bulls add up and it is not cheap anymore to live out there. I know I lived there for 14 years! realty check.These programmes never tell you the whole truth and like many people have posted the issue of visa's and green cards since 911 is extremely difficult. Stick to Europe.It is closer, health care is covered, it is cheaper to live also. Good luck

   Posted by Andrew on 14/02/2009 16:50:09

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9. I think it said, near the start of the show, that she had seen a childrens fashion business for sale in Sarasota, so I supposed that is where they think they'll get their visas from Not sure about the mother's chances of getting a visa though! and it always amazes me that people think of relocating to another place that they haven't been to before ( as was clear from their closing chat when Jasmine asked what they thought of the place on their first visit there )

   Posted by Jacky on 14/02/2009 16:39:45

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10. With reference to the couple on Friday's show and the subsequent comments on not being able to just move to the USA without green cards: The lady did mention at the start that she chose Sarasota as a potential place to relocate to was because as a designer of children's wear she had seen a shop for sale. Presumably she is expecting to buy and have a business in the future and is expecting to employ US citizens. I really envied them their ideal Floridian house,it was absolutely fabulous, a dream come true for anyone!!Out of this world.I wish them luck.

    Posted by Ann on 14/02/2009 16:34:38

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11. I found the Poole part of this programme quite amusing. Like many I get drawn in by the eloquent descriptions of the destinations given by Jonnie and Jasmine. This time, however, I have personal knowledge of one of the locations as I am a local. They could not have been farther from the truth. The new apartment shown in the episode is in a block which, although near the harbour, is opposite a late night hangout for drunks looking for sustinence in the local all-night kebab houses. It is nothing like the cafe culture they claimed. It is also just behind a number of bars/clubs on the Quay, some of which have had to have their licences restricted owing to the behaviour of their customers. Very few buyers have been found for these flats so far. The most recent comment in the local paper was 15 flats sold out of 115. The town house in Hamworthy also provoked some amusement. They omitted to mention that a large section of the development is owned by a housing association and that the gas supply to the site has been turned off after carbon monoxide problems were encountered in some of the properties. The nearness to the harbour is irrelevant as there is a railway line between the development and the harbour, with the nearest crossing being c 1 mile away. From my perspective I think you should make your own enquiries before moving to an unknown area. The local paper's website archive is usually a good place to start. If in doubt, ask a local.

    Posted by Geoff on 14/02/2009 16:34:26

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12. I follow your shows all the time and really enjoy them but I am a little confused. I see couples that want to move to Florida like Paula and Julian Carter moving permanently to Sarasota Florida. I would like to do this myself but my understanding is you are only allowed to stay in the USA for six months per year. Is this correct or do I have it wrong. If it is the case please state it in all your shows pertaining to the move to the USA as it is very misleading. Yours sincerely Wilma Marsh

    Posted by wilma on 14/02/2009 16:29:36

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13. It's clear from some of your comments that you had not listened fully to the family's situation - they had recently sold a clothing company in the UK and had just purchased a small children’s clothing company in the US hence the reason they should have no issues with visas So the moral of the story is purchase a business in the US if you want to move there hassle free however unsure about granny unless she becomes a company director!

    Posted by Storrie on 14/02/2009 16:14:27

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14. While I love the show, I agree that the question of visa's should be raised. There must be viewers who are naive enough to believe they can simply relocate, when nothing could be further from the truth. My wife is in nursing, and due to retrogression, even nurses can't get green cards at the moment.

    Posted by Will on 14/02/2009 13:02:10

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15. If anyone knows how they can move to Florida just like that - please tell me!! We are have found it impossible. Perhaps the couple on last nights programme could enlighten us....

    Posted by poppet on 14/02/2009 12:53:51

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16. Well I am just repeating what the other commentators have said...my first reaction to the programme was - how the heck are they able to just move to the USA - did I miss something?

    Posted by Linda Mays on 14/02/2009 10:52:59

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17. HI is this episode poole to florida repeated????

    Posted by sean on 14/02/2009 09:24:54

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18. The show whilst interesting to see the homes in Florida, never touched upon the difficulties of relocating in as much as you can't get a visa for longer than 6 months unless your starting a business and employing american citizens, you can't just go and live in the USA! It was a bit different to the normal situation of looking for holiday homes.

    Posted by roly phillips on 13/02/2009 21:52:42

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19. Enjoyed tonights prog 13/2/09 but wondered how the couple can JUST move to the USA.There was no comment about visa's etc.We have tried to move to Texas for 10years!!

    Posted by hamish on 13/02/2009 21:27:55

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20. How on earth are these people getting Permanent Residents Visa's when they are both English and how on earth do they expect to get his mother out there without a visa? They intend to live there as they are looking for schools.

    Posted by Richard on 13/02/2009 20:37:42

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