Over the last two centuries the America Dream has cast a spell which has beguiled people from all over the world, and the magic of America continues to attract people in search of a better life.
While the movie industry and Silicon Valley attract people to Los Angeles and San Francisco, the largest British expats community in the States remains New York, with an estimated 120,000 Brits believed to have made the Big Apple their home.
You will find a strong British presence in the West Village, Upper East Side and parts of Brooklyn.
These days, Brits searching for the American Dream fly into NYC, arriving at JKF and Newark airports, though their personal possessions will follow by sea, transported to the States by expert shipping companies such as 1st Move International.
But back in the day people arrived by sea and the first time they would have stepped foot on American soil would have been on Ellis Island in New York Harbour.
In the time that Ellis Island was operating – from 1892 to 1952 – 12 million people passed through this gateway - ‘The Golden Doors’ as they become known as – in search of a better life. Just like today, while many stayed in New York, others headed west, but instead of Silicone Valley or Hollywood, farmland and gold were among the attractions drawing immigrants west.
Now known as The National Immigration Museum, whether visiting or planning on taking up residency in NYC, Ellis Island should be high on the list of attractions to visit, as it offers a fascinating insight to how American history was made by those people arriving at Ellis Island and how immigration continues to enrich the USA.
Annie Moore was the first immigrant to be processed on Ellis Island. The 17-year-old was travelling with her two younger brothers on the S.S. Nevada, arriving January 1, 1892 from Cork. She was the first of nearly half a million people arriving at Ellis Island during that first year.
While the influx of Irish and Italian immigrants is well documented, thousands of English, Scottish and Welsh immigrants also made the journey to the new world.
Hollywood legends Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel arrived on the same boat. Bob Hope and Cary Grant also passed through the Golden Doors of Ellis Island and found fame and fortune in the Golden State of California. William Carnegie, from Dunfermline, arrived on Ellis Island with his 12-year-old son Andrew.
Andrew Carnegie founded the biggest steel company in the world, and in doing so became one of the richest men on the planet. During his later years he gave away the equivalent of $5billion to charitable causes, including the funding of Bridgwater's Carnegie library.
For many Brits, the USA is still the promised land, and with post pandemic travel restrictions being lifted visa applications are starting to rise to pre pandemic levels.
When it comes to helping people in pursuit of transcontinental dreams, 1st Move International have over two decades accumulated knowledge and knowhow in shipping your household goods and possession to your new location, no matter how far or remote, and have developed their ‘palletised’ shipping system to ensure a swift and safe shipping service.
“New York and the USA is still a popular destination for people,” said Mike Harvey, MD at 1st Move International.
“But wherever in the USA, or the world, you are planning on relocating to – Australia, Canada, New Zealand, The Gulf or the Far East, we can help.
“Our unique pallet-based, shrink-fast packing method is designed to eliminate handling of your individual items, both in the UK and at your destination point,” said Mr Harvey.
“It is the ultimate safe moving system designed to ensure your goods arrive safely and untouched by third parties until they reach your door.
“We are the only removals company who employ this system of packing.”
If you’re ready to make an international move, get in touch and make your relocation that little bit easier.
Get a moving quote here.
Tel: 0800 389 0784 or 0117 982 8123
Email: info@shipit.co.uk
Web: shipit.co.uk
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