UPDATED - Moved to Copenhagen, Denmark...

GunarSailors

GunarSailors

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I am a natural born American citizen and my wife is natural born Danish citizen. In October of 2014, I had my biometrics taken by the Danish Consulate General from the Danish Embassy in New York. By November we had my application packet turned in to Danish Immigration in Denmark applying for a Residence and Work permit under Family Reunification. We also had to put up 50,000 DKK (around $10,000) as sort of collateral to make sure I won't be a drain on their system. Half of that we will get back after I pass my A1 Danish language test, the other half we will get back after 5 years I think. We finally got my residence and work permit from Denmark and I have 6 months to make the move happen or the offer expires.
I was born in northeastern Indiana back in the early 1970s. I understand times change, I saw it in my hometown after I came back from the military. I left a few years later and headed to the east coast. I know there are a lot of places here in the states that we could move to now and probably most of them would be a better place to raise my daughter than Atlanta. But we still wouldn't have any family around and in all honesty I think my daughter could get a better education in Denmark.
I applied for permission with Denmark and the U.S. State Dept, to import/export 5 of my favorite S&W revolvers. There are size limitations, like no pistol can be shorter than 21 cm from the tip of the barrel to the backstrap. No .44 magnums, no .41 magnums and from what I am told no barrels longer than 6" (although that law may be debatable). A few in my collection that I can't take with me will stay back here in the states at a secure location.

UPDATE
All of my Danish import paperwork has been approved, and my US State Dept export paperwork has also been approved. They will be with me (in the belly of the plane) when I fly over. I am good to go.

UPDATED 22 Sept 2015
Landed safe and sound in Copenhagen with my dog and all my guns!!! Its hard for me to believe that I didn't run into any issues.

UPDATED 17 MARCH 2016
So I have been here almost 6 months. Last week I took the required Danish A1 language test with Danish Immigration. One of the several things required for my residency here. I went to the US Embassy the other day too, I got an email about voter registration going on. Since I have registered with the US State Dept as living abroad, I get updates on security threat levels and when things are happening at the Embassy.
I also got a job, with a global logistics company that I wont name. Its part time and the hours are terrible but its a start.

Here are the five I brought...
Mod 15-2
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Mod 27-8
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Mod 19-3
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Mod 28-2
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Mod 686 no dash
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Wow! Congratulations!
Off on a new adventure. I envy you. :)
We'll expect lots of pictures.

Denmark is at or near the top in education, health care, civil liberties, and prosperity. Of course, they also have one of the highest tax rates of the world, around 46%.

English is spoken by about 84% of the population.

It's terrain is relatively flat and mostly cleared agricultural land. Not much forest left. I think that the farthest you can be from a coast, anywhere in country, is about 35 miles.

For some reason, Denmark is #1 in per capita meat consumption.

We will, of course, require a complete report on bacon in Denmark. ;)

I can't wait to hear of your new experiences.
 
I lived for many years in Europe, and can say that the education system makes the US look like playschool with dangerous toys. I've seen the equivalent of middle school students who were better prepared when entering college than most US students are when leaving college.

Did I say "Go for it!"?

One problem for me was the cost of liquor in Scandinavia in general. Taxes are extreme, so get used to asking visitors to bring the limits when they come from the states. Or drive to Germany.

You may be required to store your firearms with the local constabulary, and go check them out for range trips (that was the case for me, I could never have one in my home, even being the owner). Don't know that you will encounter that, but it exists.

It will be a great experience, if you take advantage.
 
I would think that if you could afford to move to Denmark, pay a $10,000 bond, etc that you would be able to afford a private school in Atlanta. Whatever you are trying to escape here in the United States, you will likely find to be even more of a problem in Europe. This (and Canada) is still the place to flee to, not from. Higher taxes, more restrictions on firearms ownership, less of a right to personal defense, still be subject to a monarch even if nominally, immigration issues from Africa and Turkey (instead of Mexico), and as of late the issue of terrorism.

I have children myself. They will be raised as Americans, here in America. Even if I had the money to leave, I would not. Would that I had to live in a cardboard shack or a hole in the ground, I still would not leave.
 
I knew someone (radio collector) who was originally from Denmark and his wife was a US citizen. They did exactly what you are preparing to do about 10 years ago and never looked back. They just didn't care for our way of life.

The best to you and your family on this upcoming adventure.
 
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If I knew Sweden and/ or Denmark would accept my education (2 degrees) then I would be gone tomorrow. The average wage there is like 25 bucks an hour, my girlfriend is a nurse so I know she could be liscensed the same there, but I am not sure if they are open to immigrates coming in and getting all the open positions. I am sure their government does not hire first generation immigrates or has policies against it.

Here educational costs have skyrocketed compared to what average private sector jobs pay or are willing to pay. I know several good muslim students who were in the same business programs as me and could not understand why they left for Canada right after graduation. It makes sense now and is crystal clear.

Please keep us updated on your adventure it sounds like an awesome deal. Good luck
 
Good luck! European schools are definitely harder. I remember in second grade we had to know multiplication and division to 12. Cursive writing and memorize and recite page long poems. Know countries and capitals When I came here in 5th grade I knew everything I needed to know to pass 12th grade US school exam, minus English.

When we came to US my dad got a dozen children books and I spent all summer reading them and re-writing them word for word to learn to read and write English
 
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GS, best of luck on your chosen path. I have been all over northern Europe including Denmark and the people are most wonderful. In my own existence, I acknowledge the "malaise" that has infected this great nation, especially the large cities, but we will survive and overcome as we always have in the past. Sometime in the future, your family will again see the beacon that always shines to beckon to those who desire "America", which is not just the name of a place. We'll welcome you home like you never left. Joe
 
I don't see why you would think it's unpatriotic to live in Denmark you must do what's best for yourself and family if you're going to get a better deal somewhere else go for it. Bringing kids up in more than one culture is only a positive. $10,000.00 won't go far in Denmark though.
 
ATF said:
I don't see why you would think it's unpatriotic to live in Denmark you must do what's best for yourself and family if you're going to get a better deal somewhere else go for it. Bringing kids up in more than one culture is only a positive. $10,000.00 won't go far in Denmark though.
Click to expand...

The 10 grand is the citizenship and naturalization fees used to be a similar cost associated with becoming a citizen here.
 
Does this mean that you're recanting US citizenship? I think this move is a mistake. There are better places to live in the USA than in Atlanta.

Will your kids have dual US and foreign citizenship, like actresses Nicole Kidman and Rachel Blakely do? They're both Australian and American. I have no idea how Denmark handles that.

If this move costs your children US citizenship, I think you' ll have taken something very valuable from them.

Our Danish member said, I think, that special safes and other needs are required to keep guns at home, and target shooting and limited hunting are the only uses. You probably cannot even defend yourself with a gun.

On the other hand, I like Tuborg beer, and Copenhagen harbor has that nice statue of the Little Mermaid, and maybe you can see Isak Dinesen's home, if it's still there. (Real name was Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke.)
 
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