Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

my thinking is that life would be a lot more rewarding being in California, I wouldn't want to get away on vacay as much as I do here...

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Best that it's not a surprise though, don't you think? I'm not telling you not to move here, I love California, just be aware that different isn't always better, that road leads to culture shock and disappointment.

As long as you are aware of the major differences - like health insurance, laughably shite vacation allowances, virtually no employee rights beyond very basic stuff you'll be grand. Try to look at it as an additive experience though, not that the US will replace the UK, but it will widen your outlook. Of course, if you're moving here for work and it's with an international company, you may be insulated from some of the more crappy aspects of employers compared with Europe.

Originally Posted by Octang Frye

To Sultan, there's a difference in the type of rain and how it is delivered. When I lived in Atlanta, we had torrential rain. It was so loud; large droplets flung down from the heavens with such force that rain would bounce up off the asphalt 18 inches. A rain episode was short, violent and spectacular. And then the sun came back out.
In Britain, at least as I recall, it sort of thinks about raining for five days. Overcast, drizzle.

Originally Posted by Octang Frye

Yeah, there is a honeymoon period. But ultimately, you're doing similar things. Running errands. Driving to work.

To Sultan, there's a difference in the type of rain and how it is delivered. When I lived in Atlanta, we had torrential rain. It was so loud; large droplets flung down from the heavens with such force that rain would bounce up off the asphalt 18 inches. A rain episode was short, violent and spectacular. And then the sun came back out.
In Britain, at least as I recall, it sort of thinks about raining for five days. Overcast, drizzle.

Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

yeah mate, iv got my eyes wide open, im a hard working guy, always have been, iv researched health care etc, im not phased by that, I think its a good thing, here in the uk the system is abused by the lazy, i look at the move as an adventure, a working vacation so to speak, I just think we would be happier, maybe not, im open to that too, but the uk wont be shut if we got the opportunity to try the us, at least we would have tried!

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

Yes Christmas Day.

Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

so you work everyday but Christmas day?

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

That's fair enough. Like I said, I'm not trying to scare you, I like it here just fine. Though I disagree with you 100% on healthcare, the US system redefines the word bullshit and if you're going to start down that 'benefits are for the lazy' road, look for someone else to walk it with you.

Do you actually have a visa in the works to come here in the first place, or are you just at the research stage for now?

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

No, we also get New Year's Day off, Thanksgiving in November, Memorial Day in May, July 4th and Labor Day in September. Normally everyone gets those unless they work retail or they're a nurse or a paramedic or something like that.

Banks and schools get a few more days off than that though as do public sector workers. Not as many as the UK - I do miss my 12 bank holidays every year

Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

when I say benefits are for the lazy, I mean here in the uk it gets abused, there are obviously people who need and deserve it, but like you say I don't wanna talk about that stuff!!

Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

just researching for now mate, and to be honest it don't look too good from my research so far, a criminal record doesn't help I guess!!! I was offered a couple of jobs when I returned from vacation in California last month, silly me thought that was the hard part done!! iv learnt fast since being on here its not !!!

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

No worries, we cool.



Best of luck either way - a criminal record doesn't necessarily mean outright denial, you just need to be more careful with the process.

Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

thanks mate, im giving it my all to get a visa, a huge up hill struggle, but I wont give in!!

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Well you'll never get there if you don't at least try. As long as you're realistic about your expectations you'll be fine.

Not sure how the record affects other countries, but don't rule out Canada or Australia either.

Originally Posted by CoolHandFluke

austrailia is an option, although I never been there, I got family in perth…. Canada a definite no from me, toooo cold for my liking !!