New Zealand vs. USA

[Ostrich]

I will try to bite my tongue, since if I get started, I will sound like one of those US expats that want to run the country down.  But, suffice to say, the US is wildly over-legislated, and I don't put a lot of trust in the US immigration department.

My husband came to the US on a fiancee visa, and even though I was a sponsoring citizen, we still had trouble (they sent my husband a green card and work permit...one year after it was due, and after we'd already left the states since he needed to work). I really believe they have a 'no admissions' policy for South Africans or something.  My sincere advice would be that if you go to the US, make sure that you keep some back-up funds and have a plan just in case you should need to leave, because many people have difficulty.

I'm not feeling too good about those FEMA camps that are sprouting all over the US (for the good or detention of who, nobody seems to know), or about the fact that Obama seems to be a man with no past and questionable ties (and I did vote for him...but have lost faith in him these past few years). The Tea Party, the liberal vs conservative extremism (both are pulling further and further extreme), the economy (will probably pick up, but at who's expense?), the big business lobbying, the Patriot Act...

My two cents...despite all the "freedom" rhetoric you will hear in the US, countries like NZ and South Africa are far more literally free than the US. Honestly. There is a lot less legislation, which means you are more free in countries like SA and NZ to manage your own finances, move around, live where or how you like, start up a business, etc.

Despite that, the US is a large and beautiful country, with huge diversity, and traveling through different states is an experience. You can buy practically anything, and find people from all over the world who share a common ideal of having a better life. It can be a wonderful lifestyle if you have a decent salary, especially if you focus on the moment and try not too think too much. 

[frodo/maya]

 Very interesting reading 

[alwyn]

I appreciate all the comments, its really insightful.

The salary I'm being offered is actually market related for the job I'm being offered, but not in line with what I could earn in different jobs that would use a different skill set in my repertoire.

If I were to end up in a different job by the time I apply for my GC, probably 12 months after starting on initial job, will the INS be doing their investigation based on that job?
Or even based on the job I will be performing at the point they make the GC decision?

One of my concerns is definitively also that I need to 'work' long enough in my retirement country to be able to qualify for pension and medical.  I've been burned by Sanlam over the last 15 years and apart from investment in property I have to start off 'smarter' starting now.

As far as my kids go, next year they will be aged 16, 15 and 11.  I don't know how the older ones are affected if I don't have a greencard by the time they become of age or even if I do, but I suspect that taking the US route, they will have different future citizenship paths than me if I should leave the country at some point.  I don't think I'll stick it out in the US if the 2nd one turns 21 and I still don't have a greencard.

Regardless I will try to make as much of every moment and see as much of north america as possible.

[Ostrich]

Good luck, alwyn! It is an experience.