Lazzza

Husband just called from Houston to say that his company have finally approved all our relocation cost requests (and the rest of the things we asked for) and the immigration lawyers are starting the L1A & 3 x L2s. It is a bit surreal. So now the fun will really begin. I am going between wanting to shout for joy and also not knowing what to do. I have just told my 16 year old daughter and my older son. No-one else knows and I can't tell them yet until we have our visas. But I am telling all of you!

Any idea how long they take to complete the L1 & L2s? I suppose it is 'how long is a piece of string'........................................... .

This has taken a long time to get to this point.

Ray

It will be quicker than you think ....shame about the kids ...
when you chuck them out at 21 .. they
will be miffed

Bob

congrats

DeanUK2US

Do both!! Congrats!

TheLeester

How exciting. I came over to Houston at the begining of this year on a L1B visa. It didnt take long at all if I recall correctly about 6 weeks in total. The delays were in the Lawyers preparing the paperwork and then getting an appointment at the US Embassy.

I have been told that Texas is a great place to go to college. The colleges are good quality and not as expensive compared to equivalent places within the US.

Good luck on your move.

Lazzza

It does seem (potentially) really quite a quick process for the L visas. I looked back all the old threads last night on this subject until the wee small hours, to see if I could work out a sort of time line. My hubby's company want him over by the end of January. I think this is a bit unrealistic but perhaps not? Christmas will delay things I am sure.

It is still a bit surreal. I first came to this site when there was a suggestion that they might want us to move across and that was months ago. Now it is happening. I will have to decide which of our wordly goods will stay or go. I am really quite upset by the fact I will have to leave my fabulous toaster behind. It is magnificent! My 17 year old son is delighted (he gets the toaster for his student flat).

I am sure they do sell marvelous toasters in houston somewhere. Suggestions? Might make the move much easier for me!

dbj1000

Here's a nice little Texas Toaster, although it's a bit of a lightweight for many Texan appetites:

Twigstar

When my company applied for the visa it was submitted on the Friday and got approved on the Tuesday. When the lawyer applied for the interview in London the wait was 5 weeks. Then another week for the passports to be returned so it took about 7 weeks from submitting the application to flying out here. Good Luck

TheLeester

Lazzza, when I first arrived here, I had a whole home to set up. I got a lot of things at Bed Bath and Beyond (BBB). They are a bit like John Lewis in quality and price. So good for decent kitchen equipment.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/styl...r_num=-1&RN=70

Lazzza

I know this shop. There is one in the Galleria. It smells lovely!

Sally Redux

You might be thinking of Bath and Body Works. Bed, Bath and Beyond is nothing like John Lewis, more like Romford market.

Lazzza

Oh dear, that just won't do! I am much more of a John Lewis girl myself. Ah well as long as I get the toaster and find a kettle somewhere, I'll be fine. The texas toaster above might be just a wee bit too big. But it did make make laugh out loud

Silly question......are Amercian beds the same sizes as UK beds? My husband and I discussed this tonight. A random discussion I know. I thought they would be because our bed sizes are still Imperial. I think a single is 3' and so on. I only ask because I was wondering about taking bed linen. Not sure if the beds will come but I have really nice (John Lewis) bed linen, which I would be loathe to leave behind.

Never mind 401K and all that, I want to know if my sheets will fit!

Ray

http://www.csgnetwork.com/bedsizes.html

jumping doris

Before we moved here four years ago I had just bought a new toaster, a Dualit.
I called Dualit and for the cost of the postage they turned it into an American toaster.
There were so many other things I could have obsessed over but I chose the toaster.

Mandana

Congrats Lazzza!

We moved over in May 2007 (well, I did, H moved in the March) and we've come full circle since those early days. I spent many an hour on here crying about how alone I was, how homesick I was and how I yearned for all things British. Two and a half years on and we've got our GCs, bought a house and love it!

Do you know whereabouts in Houston you'll be heading? Take it you've been before if you know the Galleria.

I love BB&Beyond, although my favourite store was Linens n Things until they went tits up.

As for your toaster .. I have to say that I had far too many small kitchen appliances to sell or leave behind, so I brought them with us and bought the step-up, step-down convertors. My iron is still going strong, as are the food processor, Nespresso coffee machine, Bamix, crock pot .. to name but only a few. If you're interested, I'll find out where my H bought the convertors as he found a good site who were very reasonable.

Good luck. It's fun over here - if you make it that way! I've made some fabulous friends, and because most of us are in the same boat, we have lots in common. I'm in Katy (just west of Houston), and the area I live in has great community facilities and a terrific Ladies Club. If it wasn't for that, I would have been house-bound with a TV and computer for company.

If there is anything we can help you with, there are loads of us here who can help out one way or another. I was even recommended a hairdresser from this site!