A User's Guide to moving from the UK to the Florida Keys

KEY WEST, Fla. - Feb. 12, 2016 - PRLog -- Per Fred Mullins, Top Producing Member of Team Mullins at Coldwell Banker Schmitt in and owner of www.lowerkeys-homes.com,"Approximately 840,000 expatriates from the United Kingdom live in the United States.  Many of these have left their native homes and have traveled to America for their jobs, while others have came to America to enjoy the warmer climate. Trading the cool damp weather of England for the warmer climate of the United States is very tempting, especially when the expat moves to the Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys is an island archipelago that extends from the southernmost tip of Florida. This area splits the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This tropical location allows its residents to enjoy an almost endless summer. However, before moving across the Atlantic, an expat must do some planning.

Important Information about Relocating to the Florida Keys

First, the expat should visit the Keys with a travel visa. Staying a couple of weeks will help the expat learn about the culture and area. For example, most Americans prefer to eat out for lunch rather than pack their lunch. Another thing is that Americans prefer ice tea rather than hot tea.

In order to live and work in the United State, you must have an offer of employment from a company based in the United States. This can be with your current employer or a new employer.Additionally, if you are a skilled worker, such as an engineer, manager or teacher, you can apply for a H1-B visa. If you are not a skilled worker, there is the temporary non-agriculture H-2B visa. Finally, the United States offers an annual green card lottery. This lottery allows 55,000 foreigners into the country.

Your finances will be quite different in the United States. The credit scoring between the two countries are different; therefore, when arriving in America, you will in essence have no credit, and you must build it from scratch. Using lenders that are based in the U.K. with branches in the United States can help you begin building your credit.

While you are in America, your U.K. state pension remains in effect and will earn you a  2.5 percent rate of return, the average earnings or the U.K. consumer price index. This means that the "triple lock" protects stays in force. Your earnings will be taxed at the your income rate, which the IRS calls the substantial presence test.

Relocating from the United Kingdom to the Florida Keys is not impossible. Visit the area ahead of time to learn about the area and the customs. Then, apply for your work visa, using one of the methods listed above. Finally, establish some credit with a United Kingdom lender that has offices in the United States.

Fred Mullins, P.A. holds an MBA, B.S., real estate license United States Coast Guard Master Captain's license and commercial pilot's license. With over 20 years of cross functional experience in real estate, international asset management and construction management, Fred's experience places him as one of the top real estate professionals in the Florida Keys.