I'll possible to go uk to work and study after 3 years?

Quit college, Leave the UK and go to the USA!?

• Quit college, Leave the UK and go to the USA!? I'm 17 and have just started my first year of A-Levels, but I can't seem to motivate myself to study and I'm currently not enjoying it and struggling to cope with the pressure. I would love to move to the USA and work out there even though I know how hard it is to get a visa ect... I no longer want to live in the UK and want to start a new life somewhere in the city where I feel I'd be a lot happier. The problem is, although I have good GCSE's (13 A*-B's) I don't have any A-Levels or a degree. Will this be a problem? My plan would be to get a job somewhere there and save some money then eventually start my own business after 5 years or so. If anyone reading this has any advise for me, I'd really appreciate it! I may decide to just finish my A Levels and then go when I'm 18. If I do this, what skills will help me get into the USA apart from anything in the medical field? Thanks so much,

• Answer:

  No, no, NO! Dream on, dreamer! You won't be able to get a work visa here. Being lazy and unmotivated in the US is no better than being lazy and unmotivated in the UK. Even if you were American, no degree=no job. Hell, the experienced people with degrees can't even get jobs. Wake up, and do something with your life! Standard answer: Most people who ask this question are unprepared, unrealistic, with no money, no experience, no skills, and no plan. If you are outside the United States, you will need a visa (even if you're Canadian). The nice folks in the immigration forum can help you with that. However, getting a work visa is extremely difficult unless you are highly skilled and sought after (such as a doctor, scientist, or A-List celebrity). You need to have a sponsor. You could also try for the visa lottery, but that’s obviously a longshot. You need a plan: First item on the agenda is rent. A decent 1BR apartment in LA currently goes for $1200, give or take. Nicer areas and areas closer to the beach are much higher. Don't expect to move to Santa Monica and get an apartment on the beach for that much. Or Toluca Lake, or Beverly Hills. Next, you will need a car. Los Angeles is VERY spread out, and train service is extremely limited. If you don't have a car, you will have to take a bus, which takes 3 times longer to get anywhere than a car. All told, it generally takes about $3,000 per month to live here. If you don't have a job that pays that much or skills that can get you that kind of job, stay where you are. If you are unskilled and work for minimum wage (or for tips like bartending or waiting tables), you'll only make about $1200 per month. And speaking of jobs, they are rather hard to come by now. College grads seeking employment are having a very tough time of it right now, since the job market is flooded with experienced people who were laid off. Unemployment is over 12% right now. Not exactly the kind of job market you want to move into. Finally, you will need money. Landlords want first month's rent and a security deposit up front. You'll need money for food, transportation, utilities, etc. The consensus in this forum is that you need about $10,000 to start out. For most people, especially those just graduating HS, the math just doesn’t work. So there's your plan. And please don't tell us that you have dreams of being an actor or singer. That sets off another alarm. We already have a million (literally) wannabe actors in this town. Don’t even get me started. If you are looking for safer areas, go look at www.lalife.com and read the maps. For neighborhood info, see http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/ or check out http://www.neighborhoodscout.com.