With each state offering its own, often unique appeal and lifestyle it's not surprising there are so many people wanting their own slice of the American dream.

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USA Country Profile
Capital City: Washington
Area: 9,631,418sq km 
Population 295,730,000
Time Zone: GMT  - 5 (Eastern)
                             - 6 (Central)
                             - 7 (Mountain)
                             - 8 (Pacific Standard)

Country dialing code: 1

Currency: US Dollar

USA Climate
The climate is temperate throughout the USA and generally gets hotter the further south you go with more extreme seasonal weather in the far north and inland from the coasts.

Winters in the northeast and upper Midwest can bring long periods of freezing weather even though in Southern California and Florida it might still be warm enough to go swimming in the sea. 

USA Country highlights
America appeals to everyone.  Choose Florida if you want somewhere for the family with great beaches and plenty of entertainment.  New York will instantly feel like home to any fan of American sitcoms with plenty of shops and nightlife to keep you entertained for years.  California offers great beaches and the chance to star spot as you mingle with Hollywood's resident celebs while Las Vegas gives you the chance to win, or loose the cost of your plane fare home.  If you want to get out the cities then America's expansive National Parks offer some of the most amazing and varied landscapes on the planet.

Accessibility
The United States is easily accessible from all the major UK airports with several daily flights to all states. The costs vary greatly according to the time of year.  The flying time to the U.S is approximately 8 – 9 hours dependant on where you are flying to.

Permanent Move to USA
With 50 states covering a total of 4 million square miles the cost of living and the lifestyle in the United States can differ widely depending on the location you choose to live. The east and west coasts are very varied and modern in outlook while the south can be very religious and traditional with old fashioned family ideals.

Click here to read our article on how to emigrate to the USA and the necessary visa requirements you will need.

Buying Property in USA
America has long been a favorite destination for UK property buyers looking overseas.  In particular Florida has always remained at the top of the list due to its popularity as a tourist destination, meaning that a good rental income is achievable.  Buying a home in the US is a lot more straightforward than it is in the UK. In some states including Florida, the majority of purchases can be completed without involving a lawyer and the whole process from offer to completion, could take as little as a fortnight but in any case no longer than 90 days. Ensure that when you have found the property you wish to purchase the offer is written up on a real estate contract for that particular state and that it contains all the terms and conditions that must be met before the contract becomes legally binding. You will have to pay a deposit of a few thousand dollars so will need access to an American bank account. If your offer is accepted the contract will be signed by buyer and seller and becomes legally binding to all the clauses. If you then decide to back out you could lose your deposit and be forced to purchase the home anyway. However you cannot be gazumped.

Destination Hot-Spots

California
America's most populous state and economically the most powerful with its Silicon Valley industries California is a popular destination for the British. 

Los Angeles is the main city and the country's second largest, a beautiful place for the beautiful people where property tends to be expensive with 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom houses costing around $450,000 going up to $700,000 for a 3 bedroom and 3 bathroom townhouse on the outskirts of the main city.

Sacramento founded in1849 and is the oldest incorporated city in California has a wider range of properties with 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses from $269,000 upwards.

San Francisco historic and highly cultural is where most California bound Brits like to settle.  Properties are not cheap with one bedroom apartments costing upwards of $275,000 and 3 bedroom houses in the centre of the city costing $1,000,000+

Palm Beach is another quite expensive area with a 4 bedroom, 4 bathrooms detached house costing in the region of $1,800,000. 

New York
The city is the most expensive area to buy property and a one bedroom apartment in downtown New York off Broadway will set you back a cool $500,000 for a 5 bedroom detached house outside the city you will not get much change from $2,500,000. However along the Hudson Valley property starts to get more reasonable and further inland at Franklin County there are properties available from just $60,000 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment and 4 bedroom detached houses for $110,000.  

Texas
More British migrants settle here each year than the sunshine state of Florida.  With it's big cities, beautiful beaches and lush back country it not just cowboys and deserts. Property prices throughout the state even in Houston and Dallas are affordable and reasonable.

Dallas property prices are around $160,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house rising to upwards of $400,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom detached house.

Houston 3 bed, 3 bathroom apartment for $110,000 up to $400,000 for a 5 bedroom house

Austin situated inland property prices are much lower and for $109,000 you will be able to purchase a substantial 4 bedroom house and gardens or for $90,000 a large 3 bedroom apartment

Fort Worth is equally well priced with 3 bedroom properties selling for $93,000 and 4 bedroom townhouses for $119,000. A 4 Bedroom house on a large corner plot with 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms and 2 dining areas can be yours for around $135,000.

Florida
With its year round sunshine and relaxing beaches this is the ideal destination to purchase a new home. Because of its ever increasing popularity the price of property has risen significantly over the last few years and between July 2004 and July 2005 the increase was a massive 33%. Property prices vary dramatically throughout the state with the most expensive being those in Miami and the Florida Keys which can cost millions of dollars.

A one bedroom apartment on Lake Buena Vista a stones throw from Disney will set you back a massive $196,000 whilst a large waterfront property with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in Key Largo will cost a whopping $1,195,000. In Miami a large luxury detached six bedroom house with 7 bathrooms will be around $2,980,000.

Orlando is not as expensive as Miami but nevertheless compared to some areas this is still fairly expensive, a 2 bedroom apartment in College Park the up-market quarter of the city will cost $279,000 whilst just outside the main area a luxury 6 bedroom detached property with swimming pool, Jacuzzi and hot tub can be purchased for $350,000.

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Article first published in June 2006