Hello!

JonnyWhatshisface wrote:

light beer versus dark debate (I'm all for the dark, personally).

What debate? There is only stout. 

Now, to debate white versus red wine, that could get heated. And let's not even mention rosé or orange wine, which will require a serious study of Marquis of Queensberry rules.....

JonnyWhatshisface wrote:

I'm also a musician (guitar player, primarily) and wouldn't mind meeting a few other musicians that would like to get together from time to time and embark of melodic journeys.

My wife may be interested if you like Jazz/Blues:

http://stcoemgen.com/2015/01/27/some-wa … peratures/

JonnyWhatshisface wrote:

I'm the typical American as far as being linguistically retarded.

It is not our fault. Blame the English for having such an extensive Empire that resulted in English (the language, not the people) becoming so common Americans could become linguistically lazy. (That is my story, and I am sticking to it).

Hi, welcome.

I agree, the only real beer is Stout. I had a Watney's Cream Stout once that I can't find here in America that was so good it could make you.... I don't know, but, it could make you somethin.

It tastes smokey, baconey. That dang thing was a food group.

I hope you do well there.

Question, why would you say you're an immigrant VS expat? Just curious.

Patrick

I do like blues/jazz... One of my favorite styles to play. I play a lot of a fusion style of jazz/blues meets more of a modern rock sound as well.

I do agree - Stout is generally the way to go! Wines I'm not as educated on, but I do prefer dry reds.

The reason I'm an immigrant versus an expat is I did not come here for work, I came here looking for work. Had I moved for the purpose of taking a job that was offered, I'd consider myself more of an expat. However, I did the exact opposite. I came and found a job then filed the paperwork to gain residency here. I decided to leave the states in search of a better quality of life - and despite the significantly lower salary out here, my happiness factor has multiplied by ten.

Great!
I don't know what you do in IT, but you may be able to work for US firms remotely. Then, you'd keep your salary and have the lifestyle too.

I work online teaching email marketing to companies mostly. However, I teach a lot of individuals who want to earn incomes in that fashion.

So, I always think about how you could work remotely for maximum pay.

If you're on the hardware side of IT, then it could be more challenging to do.

Patrick

One of the reasons I was asking about your area in IT is that I plan on moving to BP and continuing my company by developing more software there.

So, it's a real interest of mine, not just a casual question.

How have you found the IT sector there? Is it good, lacking, what are your thoughts?

Patrick

JonnyWhatshisface wrote:

I'm a recent immigrant (not expat) here in Budapest.

If I may ask, how you reason that you are not an expat, but an immigrant? The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of expatriate (expat) is :  to leave one's native country to live elsewhere.

Is this not what you have done 

Romaniac

I have quite a diverse background in IT - from software development to networking, VoIP and systems infrastructures. I do have opportunity to continue working with clients and other businesses back in the states - I just have not decided whether or not I'm going to take that on at this very moment. I'm still getting settled in over here.

As for the difference between expat and immigrant - expat is derived from the verb "to expatriate," which refers more to leaving your homeland than it does to settling in to a new one. The general consensus is that most expats will eventually leave to either go back home or elsewhere... I intend on staying here, and I've made my permanent settlement here in Hungary. Sometimes, one can't always rely on the exact interpretation of what's in the direction. A language is a living thing, so finely defining terms can get difficult as the language grows and evolves.

I agree.
I am an immigrant rather than an ex- pat because I do not plan to move back to the UK. But never say never to anything.
When I reach that stage I will prefer being in an English speaking Care Home as short term memory for new language learning goes first!
The quality of life here is very good and it makes Hungary a good base for many people. But generally wages are a lot lower so I am glad to be semi retired with the ability to be self employed in a UK business.

Hi, if you don't mind me asking.

How did you mover there? Was it a business visa?
If so who did you use?

My wife, daughter and I want to move to Budapest and I'm exploring all the options.

ANY info is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Patrick

Whatever you decide to call yourself, good luck in Hungary.
It is probably all new and exciting for you ATM.
The Honeymoon stage.
The nice thing about being a "stranger" in a new country is you have a chance to reinvent yourself.
No one is going to really care where you came from or much about your former life, the locals really will never understand where "mentally" as an American your coming from.
Hard to relate to your old experiences from the US for them.
I had several HU women friends and I enjoyed seeing Hungary through their eyes. No longer have too much contact with them these past couple of years, only because they were 20 or so yeas younger then I and single.Not so much a cultural different with us as a social difference.
I have an uncle and cousins from LA. Can not even think how they would handle moving to HU, no Jumbo for New Years Day and no crawfish.
ATM I am visiting family in the US. Have seen a few old US friends and find I am caught in a strange place, can't relate to them much as I used to and certainly will never totally fit into HU culture. After 40 yeas of Hungarians I know for a fact I will never be seen as one of them totally.
It takes a strong person to pick up and move to a new culture.
These past few weeks in the US have shown me no one really cares about Europe that much from the US. Every new experience you are going to have is going to be your own personal thing, your old friends will not understand what you will be going though.
It may help you if you find a few American friends but then again why try to recreate the US? The point was to meet new people and try new things.
It is amazing though to see how open people are in the US, I landed a job a few days ago by just walking in and actually trying to get my DIL the job. No app. needed just a background check, said if I am not wanted for murder then I am good to go.
That would never happen in HU, no one would hire a 60 year old women in a casino in Budapest without allot of juice. Figured why not make a few bucks for another vacation this summer in HU.
Basically told them at the casino that we were a package deal, they are going to send my DIL to their school for free to get me. Nice for my ego at my age that I am still a "hot" commodity!
Different worlds different attitudes.
Give yourself a few years and get out there and meet some locals.At least they can give you the scoop on how things go in HU even if they will never forget you are not really one of them.

"These past few weeks in the US have shown me no one really cares about Europe that much from the US."

This is so true, and not just about Europe but anywhere outside the U.S. Where is Hungary where is Jakarta where is Caracas? Somewhere near China, isn't it?

As said, just keep quiet and let folks think you've been in Atlanta for the past ten years. Hard to do, because we all want to share our experiences. But so much easier.

I suppose the US is so large with people of so many different cultures living there that everyone lives in a bubble.
I have heard it all before,'Your from Hungry, go get a sandwich" Ha, ha, so funny...
Is Hungary a muslim country? No , at least not yet..
Do they dress different?
I sometimes wonder if some people in the US ever even looked at a world map.
I admit when my sis and I met our first Hungarians in S. Calif. we thought they came from somewhere in S. America. 19 and half drunk, what can I say, guilty as charged!!

Enfusia wrote:

How did you mover there?

I find it interesting that the author has not answered this question after almost a month.

Is he just too busy? Tîred with this topic? Unable to answer since since his `immigration` status is not finalized? Or something other?

I am not afraid to be provocative if it helps you get a helpful reply.

I have basically decided not to even mention I live outside the US to people I do not know well.
They can not relate and most seem a bit envious even though they don't have a clue what life in Hungary is.
Everyone thinks it is one big party, would be nice but real life isn't always so easy anywhere.
People presume I am wealthy in the US if I have a home in Europe.
Of course I am lucky but it is not exactly the 5 star all inclusive resort lifestyle they think it is.
We have bills and worries just like anyone in the US does, just different issues.
Only my close US friends and family know my real situation and so far no one has ventured to HU to even visit me there, sadly...

So Jonny,
Did you get the answers you were seeking or would you still like to follow-up with some more discussions?
Stout - Yes!
Red wine - Yes!
:-)