Does God Expect Us To Travel Across The Country To Find Our Home?

[Totally Franciscan]

Perhaps you have already done this, but may I suggest that you first research the orders you are interested in, then contact the vocation directors of those orders and keep in contact and ask lots of questions. This should take quite a bit of time and give you a chance to pray over these orders and get comfortable with who they are and what they do. They are also getting to know you and will be asking questions of you. By doing this, you will find out which ones are possibilities and which are not. Then, when you have pared down to the ones that you really have an interest in to perhaps no more than two or three as possibilities, then ask if you could visit. From personal experience, I don't think visiting orders would be wise until you have gone through the above steps. You need to have a background idea of these orders and which you feel comfortable with. If you decide to fly into Oakland to visit Santa Rosa, I could pick you up at the airport and drive you to Santa Rosa. I live by the Oakland airport. Just email me; I would be happy to help you.

[maximillion]

I know nothing being from across the pond. Greyhound? I know it takes forever but they seem to go most places.

Don't give up, I agree with others that if He is calling you somewhere He will find a means of getting you there. Send for the package, find out what you can long distance, chat as much as you can by email or snailmail with the communities who resonate with you, and put out that you need assistance. Make an appeal in your Parish Newsletter ( be specific - I need to visit with the X community in X place).
Bake sales, yard sales, do as other phatmassers have done and make something and sell it locally, jam (sorry - jelly!), Rosaries, whatever.
In the meantime we are praying.

I left England and went to France to enter, there were various associateed difficulties but it was incredible how there were resolved once I found the community and said my 'yes'.