5 Questions on Moving to the US
Aug 26th 2002, 9:11 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2
5 Questions on Moving to the US
1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in Europe
4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it across.
2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in Europe
4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it across.
Aug 26th 2002, 10:26 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
"john22doe" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> 1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
Once you establish your residence (with a permanent address), you can apply for
a Florida drivers license. I don't think you can simply transfer over. In the
meantime, you can still drive with your UK license. Get an international DL
just in case.
> 2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
Plenty of people hire au pair here, from US companies. This may be the easiest thing
to do. They handle all the visa requirements. If you want to take your own special
one, you may have to do all the paper work.
> 3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in
> Europe
At home? 3 year old is really too young to be in school. They don't start
kindergarten until 4 or 5. In the US there are pre-schools for kids that age. But
she'll pick up (horrors!) an American accent. That's child abuse.
> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
> 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
> across.
Buy your TV when you get here.
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
> 1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
Once you establish your residence (with a permanent address), you can apply for
a Florida drivers license. I don't think you can simply transfer over. In the
meantime, you can still drive with your UK license. Get an international DL
just in case.
> 2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
Plenty of people hire au pair here, from US companies. This may be the easiest thing
to do. They handle all the visa requirements. If you want to take your own special
one, you may have to do all the paper work.
> 3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in
> Europe
At home? 3 year old is really too young to be in school. They don't start
kindergarten until 4 or 5. In the US there are pre-schools for kids that age. But
she'll pick up (horrors!) an American accent. That's child abuse.
> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
> 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
> across.
Buy your TV when you get here.
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Aug 26th 2002, 10:36 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
Peter L <[email protected]> wrote:
>> 3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in
>> Europe
> At home? 3 year old is really too young to be in school. They don't start
> kindergarten until 4 or 5. In the US there are pre-schools for kids that age. But
> she'll pick up (horrors!) an American accent. That's child abuse.
I agreed with Peter until we got here. While Americans don't tend to put kids in
school this young, it is by no means a reason they are too young. The best
preschools educationally are (arguably) Montesouri schools. Be sure you do
significant research on your school as too many American preschools are just
glorified baby sitting. Know what your expectations are for the school and talk to
the british school to find out what they would cover were they there.
>> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
> Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
Especially now with mortgage rates at an all time low.
Julie
>> 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
>> across.
> Buy your TV when you get here.
>> --
>> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
--
Julie
**********
Check out my Traval Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm
>> 3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in
>> Europe
> At home? 3 year old is really too young to be in school. They don't start
> kindergarten until 4 or 5. In the US there are pre-schools for kids that age. But
> she'll pick up (horrors!) an American accent. That's child abuse.
I agreed with Peter until we got here. While Americans don't tend to put kids in
school this young, it is by no means a reason they are too young. The best
preschools educationally are (arguably) Montesouri schools. Be sure you do
significant research on your school as too many American preschools are just
glorified baby sitting. Know what your expectations are for the school and talk to
the british school to find out what they would cover were they there.
>> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
> Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
Especially now with mortgage rates at an all time low.
Julie
>> 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
>> across.
> Buy your TV when you get here.
>> --
>> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
--
Julie
**********
Check out my Traval Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm
Aug 26th 2002, 10:40 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 15:26:29 -0700, "Peter L" <[email protected]> wrote:
>"john22doe" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>> 1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
>Once you establish your residence (with a permanent address), you can apply for
>a Florida drivers license. I don't think you can simply transfer over. In the
>meantime, you can still drive with your UK license. Get an international DL
>just in case.
An international drivers license is not a drivers license, it is a translation into
several languages of your own drivers license. Drivers licenses from the UK do not
require translation into American, unless they use a lot of funny words like
windscreen and boot and petrol.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
>"john22doe" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>> 1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
>Once you establish your residence (with a permanent address), you can apply for
>a Florida drivers license. I don't think you can simply transfer over. In the
>meantime, you can still drive with your UK license. Get an international DL
>just in case.
An international drivers license is not a drivers license, it is a translation into
several languages of your own drivers license. Drivers licenses from the UK do not
require translation into American, unless they use a lot of funny words like
windscreen and boot and petrol.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
Aug 26th 2002, 10:44 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:11:58 +0000, john22doe <[email protected]> wrote:
>1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
A resident of the UK will find that American drivers licenses are absurdly
simple to get.
>2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
The question is not whether you can take an au pair to the US but whether she/he can
get a visa permitting one to work here.
>3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in
> Europe
Mandatory school starts here at the age of six at the end of summer. There are
kindergartens for five year olds. Three year olds would go to a private school, of
which there are quite a few in major metro areas.
>4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
Tough question. If real property values will continue to rise for that four years
then it might pay to buy. Otherwise renting is probably better, since home purchase
can be a hassle, and thne there's an even worse hassle selling after four years.
>5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
> across.
If it can work on NTSC you have a chance, but our channel lineups will be differeent,
i.e., you may not be able to tune our channels.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
>1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
A resident of the UK will find that American drivers licenses are absurdly
simple to get.
>2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
The question is not whether you can take an au pair to the US but whether she/he can
get a visa permitting one to work here.
>3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in
> Europe
Mandatory school starts here at the age of six at the end of summer. There are
kindergartens for five year olds. Three year olds would go to a private school, of
which there are quite a few in major metro areas.
>4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
Tough question. If real property values will continue to rise for that four years
then it might pay to buy. Otherwise renting is probably better, since home purchase
can be a hassle, and thne there's an even worse hassle selling after four years.
>5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
> across.
If it can work on NTSC you have a chance, but our channel lineups will be differeent,
i.e., you may not be able to tune our channels.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
Aug 26th 2002, 11:09 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
On 26 Aug 2002 22:36:42 GMT, Juliana L Holm <[email protected]> wrote:
>Peter L <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
>> Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
>Especially now with mortgage rates at an all time low.
The key phrase is "closing costs". And more such costs when you sell. Not to mention
that selling a house from across the ocean is fraught with problems.
In any case, a mortgage may not be easy to get once the lender realizes he's only in
the country for four years.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
>Peter L <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
>> Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
>Especially now with mortgage rates at an all time low.
The key phrase is "closing costs". And more such costs when you sell. Not to mention
that selling a house from across the ocean is fraught with problems.
In any case, a mortgage may not be easy to get once the lender realizes he's only in
the country for four years.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
Aug 26th 2002, 11:14 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
"Hatunen" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> On 26 Aug 2002 22:36:42 GMT, Juliana L Holm <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Peter L <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
> >
> >> Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
> >
> >Especially now with mortgage rates at an all time low.
> The key phrase is "closing costs". And more such costs when you sell. Not to
> mention that selling a house from across the ocean is fraught with problems.
> In any case, a mortgage may not be easy to get once the lender realizes he's only
> in the country for four years.
So long as he has a steady job with good income, and buying a house he can't just
take with him back to England, and paying a certain percent as down payment, he
should have no problems.
> ************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
> * Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
> intentional copyright traps ******
> On 26 Aug 2002 22:36:42 GMT, Juliana L Holm <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Peter L <[email protected]> wrote:
> >>> 4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
> >
> >> Personally for 4 years I'd say buy. Which part of Florida?
> >
> >Especially now with mortgage rates at an all time low.
> The key phrase is "closing costs". And more such costs when you sell. Not to
> mention that selling a house from across the ocean is fraught with problems.
> In any case, a mortgage may not be easy to get once the lender realizes he's only
> in the country for four years.
So long as he has a steady job with good income, and buying a house he can't just
take with him back to England, and paying a certain percent as down payment, he
should have no problems.
> ************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
> * Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
> intentional copyright traps ******
Aug 26th 2002, 11:24 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
There are pros and cons.
Pros include that you can probably get more for your money if you buy, you will find
it easier to get a single family home if that is what you want, you have some control
over your home and you will probably have some financial gain out of it (the last is
more risky over four years, but you will no doubt not lose money)
The Cons include the hassle of buying, selling, getting a mortgage and going through
all the hoops involved with buying a home in the US. If you are not interested in a
single family home, an apartment may be easier to find if you rent.
--
Julie
**********
Check out my Traval Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm
Pros include that you can probably get more for your money if you buy, you will find
it easier to get a single family home if that is what you want, you have some control
over your home and you will probably have some financial gain out of it (the last is
more risky over four years, but you will no doubt not lose money)
The Cons include the hassle of buying, selling, getting a mortgage and going through
all the hoops involved with buying a home in the US. If you are not interested in a
single family home, an apartment may be easier to find if you rent.
--
Julie
**********
Check out my Traval Pages (non-commercial) at http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm
Aug 27th 2002, 12:06 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
Buy a house. Mortgage rates are at a 30 year low and interest paid on a primary home
mortgage is a worthwile income tax deduction that can not be duplicated while
renting. I don't recall there being a time of depreciation in the Florida real
estate market, so you should be able to count on a profit when it comes time to sell.
Title fees and other closing costs are coming under increased regulatory scrutiny so
lenders are beginning to be quite competitive in that area as well.
mortgage is a worthwile income tax deduction that can not be duplicated while
renting. I don't recall there being a time of depreciation in the Florida real
estate market, so you should be able to count on a profit when it comes time to sell.
Title fees and other closing costs are coming under increased regulatory scrutiny so
lenders are beginning to be quite competitive in that area as well.
Aug 27th 2002, 12:25 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
In article <[email protected]>, Hatunen <[email protected]> wrote:
>On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:11:58 +0000, john22doe <[email protected]> wrote:
>>1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
>A resident of the UK will find that American drivers licenses are absurdly
>simple to get.
The main hurdle is likely to be waiting a long time in a ridiculously overcrowded and
understaffed state Department of Motor Vehicles office.
Here in South Carolina they're trying to fix that with a new computer system, but at
least for now (a month after the rollout) it's only made matters worse.
--
Jon Bell <[email protected]> Presbyterian College Dept. of
Physics and Computer Science Clinton, South Carolina USA
>On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:11:58 +0000, john22doe <[email protected]> wrote:
>>1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
>A resident of the UK will find that American drivers licenses are absurdly
>simple to get.
The main hurdle is likely to be waiting a long time in a ridiculously overcrowded and
understaffed state Department of Motor Vehicles office.
Here in South Carolina they're trying to fix that with a new computer system, but at
least for now (a month after the rollout) it's only made matters worse.
--
Jon Bell <[email protected]> Presbyterian College Dept. of
Physics and Computer Science Clinton, South Carolina USA
Aug 27th 2002, 3:13 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
On Tue, 27 Aug 2002 00:25:24 GMT, [email protected] (Jon Bell) wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>, Hatunen <[email protected]> wrote:
>>On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:11:58 +0000, john22doe <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
>>A resident of the UK will find that American drivers licenses are absurdly
>>simple to get.
>The main hurdle is likely to be waiting a long time in a ridiculously overcrowded
>and understaffed state Department of Motor Vehicles office.
>Here in South Carolina they're trying to fix that with a new computer system, but at
>least for now (a month after the rollout) it's only made matters worse.
Depending on the state. Here in Arizona the process was almost pleasant.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
>In article <[email protected]>, Hatunen <[email protected]> wrote:
>>On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 21:11:58 +0000, john22doe <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
>>A resident of the UK will find that American drivers licenses are absurdly
>>simple to get.
>The main hurdle is likely to be waiting a long time in a ridiculously overcrowded
>and understaffed state Department of Motor Vehicles office.
>Here in South Carolina they're trying to fix that with a new computer system, but at
>least for now (a month after the rollout) it's only made matters worse.
Depending on the state. Here in Arizona the process was almost pleasant.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
Aug 27th 2002, 3:20 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
On Mon, 26 Aug 2002 20:06:11 -0400 (EDT), [email protected] (Greg
Johnson) wrote:
>Buy a house. Mortgage rates are at a 30 year low and interest paid on a primary
>home mortgage is a worthwile income tax deduction that can not be duplicated
>while renting.
You need to rethink that. If your marginal tax braket is 30%, then you will get an
effective rebate of 30% on the interest you have paid. When mortgage interest rates
are a 10% you will pay roughly $10,000 annual interest on a $100,000 mortgage, a
figure that will be approximately true for the entire four years the gentleman
intends to be in the USA. This means you will get $3,000 back on your taxes.
But if interest rates are only, say, 4% then you will pay some $4,000 in annual
interest and the tax break will give you back onl $1,200.
The points paid for the mortgage and the closing costs will exceed both figures. At
the time of selling, there will be more expenses, including the real estate agent's
commission.
All of this must be considered when making such a financial decision.
>I don't recall there being a time of depreciation in the Florida real estate market,
>so you should be able to count on a profit when it comes time to sell.
You're not old enough to remember the plunge in Florida real estate in the 1930s.
>Title fees and other closing costs are coming under increased regulatory scrutiny so
>lenders are beginning to be quite competitive in that area as well.
It's the actual totals that matter.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
Johnson) wrote:
>Buy a house. Mortgage rates are at a 30 year low and interest paid on a primary
>home mortgage is a worthwile income tax deduction that can not be duplicated
>while renting.
You need to rethink that. If your marginal tax braket is 30%, then you will get an
effective rebate of 30% on the interest you have paid. When mortgage interest rates
are a 10% you will pay roughly $10,000 annual interest on a $100,000 mortgage, a
figure that will be approximately true for the entire four years the gentleman
intends to be in the USA. This means you will get $3,000 back on your taxes.
But if interest rates are only, say, 4% then you will pay some $4,000 in annual
interest and the tax break will give you back onl $1,200.
The points paid for the mortgage and the closing costs will exceed both figures. At
the time of selling, there will be more expenses, including the real estate agent's
commission.
All of this must be considered when making such a financial decision.
>I don't recall there being a time of depreciation in the Florida real estate market,
>so you should be able to count on a profit when it comes time to sell.
You're not old enough to remember the plunge in Florida real estate in the 1930s.
>Title fees and other closing costs are coming under increased regulatory scrutiny so
>lenders are beginning to be quite competitive in that area as well.
It's the actual totals that matter.
************ DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) ***********
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow * ******* My typos are
intentional copyright traps ******
Aug 27th 2002, 3:27 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
> > 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I b ring it
> > across.
> If it can work on NTSC you have a chance, but our channel lineups will be
> differeent, i.e., you may not be able to tune our channels.
In addition, it might not work on 60 Hz power, in which case a transformer to adapt
the voltage won't help.
--
Mark Brader | Caution [email protected] | Do not run on the stairs
Toronto | Use the hand rail -- notice
at British train station
> > across.
> If it can work on NTSC you have a chance, but our channel lineups will be
> differeent, i.e., you may not be able to tune our channels.
In addition, it might not work on 60 Hz power, in which case a transformer to adapt
the voltage won't help.
--
Mark Brader | Caution [email protected] | Do not run on the stairs
Toronto | Use the hand rail -- notice
at British train station
Aug 27th 2002, 6:46 am
#14
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,447
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
Originally posted by john22doe:
1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in Europe
4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it across.
1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
2. Has anybody taken an au-pair across to the US from Europe
3. Where do I educate my 3 year old. She is now in one of the British Schools in Europe
4. Buy or rent (4 year tenure in US) in todays market (Florida)
5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it across.
2. I doubt very much that you will get your au-pair a visa. She will need a working visa and she has no special skills that are in short supply in the US, as required to justify a visa.
3. (Pass)
4. You will find it difficult, if not impossible to get a mortgage as you have no US credit history. It will be difficult enough to get a credit card.
You will also be exposed to price fluctuations if you buy, and despite the economic turmoil prices seem to carry on forever upwards, especially, so I hear, in Florida. If prices come down you may lose a packet.
Finally, you will have to pay the realtor (estate agent)'s fees which are much higher here than in the UK, 6% seems to be normal. So you would have to see prices rise by 1.5% a year just to break even, and that is before legal fees and any other completion costs.
5. Both the voltage and the mains frequency is different here, so unless your NTSC compatible TV is a true international one, designed to work on US mains then don't bring it. It is possible to pick up a quite acceptable "disposable" TV for less than $250 in Walmart. My Sanyo 27" cost me $240.
Aug 27th 2002, 6:51 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 5 Questions on Moving to the US
"john22doe" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> 1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
You cannot. The United States do not recognize foreign driver licenses and you will
have to take a written test and a driving test. Costs about $12 (could vary a bit per
state) and it is a piece of cake if you have driving experience.
> 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
> across.
Nah. What you have is a PAL TV that is able to play NTSC through a VCR connected
through scart. The cable TV is still relying on PAL. Besides, there is a voltage
difference. Don't bother bringing ANY electronics.
Maarten
> 1. Can i switch my Uk driving license easily in Florida
You cannot. The United States do not recognize foreign driver licenses and you will
have to take a written test and a driving test. Costs about $12 (could vary a bit per
state) and it is a piece of cake if you have driving experience.
> 5. And the final puzzle. I have a PAL/NTSC Scart playback TV. Should I bring it
> across.
Nah. What you have is a PAL TV that is able to play NTSC through a VCR connected
through scart. The cable TV is still relying on PAL. Besides, there is a voltage
difference. Don't bother bringing ANY electronics.
Maarten