Top relocation tips
#16
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Top relocation tips
Moving to Knoxville area.
"Gov sponsored" might well be the wrong phrase. The project is for a gov agency but I'm not sure of the specifics ie whether working for the agency direct or having close links. It's a phrase we've adopted rather than used by the employer. I don't know about whether it's exempt from the cap or not but suspect it is as the work is in the research field.
One thing that's been holding up the visa application is we mislaid the masters degree certificate and have been waiting on a replacement now promised imminently. We'll be in touch with HR when that's received and I'll try any establish other facts at the same time.
"Gov sponsored" might well be the wrong phrase. The project is for a gov agency but I'm not sure of the specifics ie whether working for the agency direct or having close links. It's a phrase we've adopted rather than used by the employer. I don't know about whether it's exempt from the cap or not but suspect it is as the work is in the research field.
One thing that's been holding up the visa application is we mislaid the masters degree certificate and have been waiting on a replacement now promised imminently. We'll be in touch with HR when that's received and I'll try any establish other facts at the same time.
#17
Re: Top relocation tips
Agreed, that is where my in-laws lived for a couple of years. It's a very nice area.
#19
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: Top relocation tips
Forget about bringing all your appliances and using adapters or transformers unless whatever you are bringing is already designed to work on 110/120v at 60Hz.
Plan on selling TVs, game consoles, kitchen stuff, and other items. Just get what you can for them and buy them again when you get to the US.
Most computers are ok, laptops usually have a dual-voltage power brick, but check your tower/desktop computers have the switch on the PSU to flip from 230v to 115v. If not, you can either replace the power supply for one that works with 115v or again, sell the computer and buy new here.
It's much less hassle and you don't have huge transformers etc all over the house. It's just not worth it.
Plan on selling TVs, game consoles, kitchen stuff, and other items. Just get what you can for them and buy them again when you get to the US.
Most computers are ok, laptops usually have a dual-voltage power brick, but check your tower/desktop computers have the switch on the PSU to flip from 230v to 115v. If not, you can either replace the power supply for one that works with 115v or again, sell the computer and buy new here.
It's much less hassle and you don't have huge transformers etc all over the house. It's just not worth it.
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Top relocation tips
Moving to Knoxville area.
"Gov sponsored" might well be the wrong phrase. The project is for a gov agency but I'm not sure of the specifics ie whether working for the agency direct or having close links. It's a phrase we've adopted rather than used by the employer. I don't know about whether it's exempt from the cap or not but suspect it is as the work is in the research field.
One thing that's been holding up the visa application is we mislaid the masters degree certificate and have been waiting on a replacement now promised imminently. We'll be in touch with HR when that's received and I'll try any establish other facts at the same time.
"Gov sponsored" might well be the wrong phrase. The project is for a gov agency but I'm not sure of the specifics ie whether working for the agency direct or having close links. It's a phrase we've adopted rather than used by the employer. I don't know about whether it's exempt from the cap or not but suspect it is as the work is in the research field.
One thing that's been holding up the visa application is we mislaid the masters degree certificate and have been waiting on a replacement now promised imminently. We'll be in touch with HR when that's received and I'll try any establish other facts at the same time.
#22
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Top relocation tips
Forget about bringing all your appliances and using adapters or transformers unless whatever you are bringing is already designed to work on 110/120v at 60Hz.
Plan on selling TVs, game consoles, kitchen stuff, and other items. Just get what you can for them and buy them again when you get to the US.
Most computers are ok, laptops usually have a dual-voltage power brick, but check your tower/desktop computers have the switch on the PSU to flip from 230v to 115v. If not, you can either replace the power supply for one that works with 115v or again, sell the computer and buy new here.
It's much less hassle and you don't have huge transformers etc all over the house. It's just not worth it.
Plan on selling TVs, game consoles, kitchen stuff, and other items. Just get what you can for them and buy them again when you get to the US.
Most computers are ok, laptops usually have a dual-voltage power brick, but check your tower/desktop computers have the switch on the PSU to flip from 230v to 115v. If not, you can either replace the power supply for one that works with 115v or again, sell the computer and buy new here.
It's much less hassle and you don't have huge transformers etc all over the house. It's just not worth it.
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 84
Re: Top relocation tips
Modern games consoles are more PC-like and have PSUs that can accommodate the different voltages. (pretty much anything with a switched-mode PSU can cope)
#24
Re: Top relocation tips
Although worth checking if the games console is region locked. It would be a PITA to always import European versions.
#25
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Top relocation tips
That would be in my opinion an ideal situation. His salary will be way above the median salary for the area and that part of Tenn has a cost of living almost 20% below the national average. Depending on preference you can have your choice of large city, small town or rural setting with 5 or more acres. The median home price in Oak Ridge is about $125k.
#26
Re: Top relocation tips
That would be in my opinion an ideal situation. His salary will be way above the median salary for the area and that part of Tenn has a cost of living almost 20% below the national average. Depending on preference you can have your choice of large city, small town or rural setting with 5 or more acres. The median home price in Oak Ridge is about $125k.
Your human neighbours will include people who hunt, and who spend much of their time when not hunting practicing their marksmanship - in other words, expect to hear gunfire frequently.
Last edited by Pulaski; Nov 29th 2016 at 9:57 pm.
#27
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Top relocation tips
A lower cost home in a rural setting might take more adjusting. On one hand you might find that your neighbours include a bewildering range of wildlife, certainly including deer, coyotes and perhaps turkeys, and maybe including bears. Smaller animals will include groundhogs, snakes, tortoises (Americans call them turtles, though in fairness some are turtles (snapping turtles are vicious and can remove a finger!), and some are non-aquatic turtles), maybe chipmunks, and birds including woodpeckers, sapsuckers, tree creepers, and hawks, buzzard, vultures, and maybe even eagles.
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Your human neighbours will include people who hunt, and who spend much of their time when not hunting practicing their marksmanship - in other words, expect to hear gunfire frequently.
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Your human neighbours will include people who hunt, and who spend much of their time when not hunting practicing their marksmanship - in other words, expect to hear gunfire frequently.
#28
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Top relocation tips
A lower cost home in a rural setting might take more adjusting. On one hand you might find that your neighbours include a bewildering range of wildlife, certainly including deer, coyotes and perhaps turkeys, and maybe including bears. Smaller animals will include groundhogs, snakes, tortoises (Americans call them turtles, though in fairness some are turtles (snapping turtles are vicious and can remove a finger!), and some are non-aquatic turtles), maybe chipmunks, and birds including woodpeckers, sapsuckers, tree creepers, and hawks, buzzard, vultures, and maybe even eagles.
Your human neighbours will include people who hunt, and who spend much of their time when not hunting practicing their marksmanship - in other words, expect to hear gunfire frequently.
Your human neighbours will include people who hunt, and who spend much of their time when not hunting practicing their marksmanship - in other words, expect to hear gunfire frequently.
At some point there will be a house hunting trip and checking out localities will be fun.
What about the lack of US credit history? How does one get round that and will it be an issue with finding a home to rent (we intend to rent out our UK home and rent in USA initially; if we got a green card then plans would likely change)
#29
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 526
Re: Top relocation tips
Moving to Knoxville area.
"Gov sponsored" might well be the wrong phrase. The project is for a gov agency but I'm not sure of the specifics ie whether working for the agency direct or having close links. It's a phrase we've adopted rather than used by the employer. I don't know about whether it's exempt from the cap or not but suspect it is as the work is in the research field.
One thing that's been holding up the visa application is we mislaid the masters degree certificate and have been waiting on a replacement now promised imminently. We'll be in touch with HR when that's received and I'll try any establish other facts at the same time.
"Gov sponsored" might well be the wrong phrase. The project is for a gov agency but I'm not sure of the specifics ie whether working for the agency direct or having close links. It's a phrase we've adopted rather than used by the employer. I don't know about whether it's exempt from the cap or not but suspect it is as the work is in the research field.
One thing that's been holding up the visa application is we mislaid the masters degree certificate and have been waiting on a replacement now promised imminently. We'll be in touch with HR when that's received and I'll try any establish other facts at the same time.
this would be most helpful to you. There are various types, from initial short term accommodation, assistance in looking for the permanent home, furniture shipping costs, medical insurance, children schooling, orientation ... etc...
Employers often supply relocation assistance as they do not want to lose the employee due to family unhappiness and stress settling in. It costs them too much for it to go wrong.
#30
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2016
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 189
Re: Top relocation tips
Is not the employer via HR supplying relocation assistance as part of the job offer package?
this would be most helpful to you. There are various types, from initial short term accommodation, assistance in looking for the permanent home, furniture shipping costs, medical insurance, children schooling, orientation ... etc...
Employers often supply relocation assistance as they do not want to lose the employee due to family unhappiness and stress settling in. It costs them too much for it to go wrong.
this would be most helpful to you. There are various types, from initial short term accommodation, assistance in looking for the permanent home, furniture shipping costs, medical insurance, children schooling, orientation ... etc...
Employers often supply relocation assistance as they do not want to lose the employee due to family unhappiness and stress settling in. It costs them too much for it to go wrong.
But I am still interested to hear from others who have done it about the experience of relocating - partly to help me prepare mentally/ emotionally but also looking for practical tips.
I'm a sucker for detail! Im suddenly wondering about credit ratings, utility companies, broadband, nursery provision, you name it - but maybe should wait til visa granted and start dates are agreed! I think the initial advice about not counting chickens was pretty fair.