Yes it was, especially in VA. I get the impression that a lot of the regulars on here are on a pretty high income? I know "high income" is relative to the state you are in, but are most people on this board on a higher than "average" middle class American salary?

My understanding is that the median US household income is of the order of 50k.

To suggest an international move for a very average salary...

I think so too, but it is telling that the Obamacare subsidies for health insurance run up close to annual household income of $90,000, if I remember correctly.

To pick a few items from my earlier list of costs, upto 20% of the population, especially in poorer states, live in trailers (I discovered not long after immigrating that there isn't a state in the US that does not rely on trailers to house a significant proportion of their population), there are a lot of really junky cars on the road, many of which are under/uninsured, virtually all of the lower/ lowest paid have no health insurance, and obviously they are saving nothing towards their retirement, nor have any intention of funding further/ higher education for their children.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House..._United_States
The map in that article is slightly misleading because the counties with the highest income are mostly the most densely populated, so the map is on average "paler" than median income alone would show.

Another article I found split income by racial groupings, with "white" households having about 10% higher median income.

A lot of those things could be said about the UK or more so.

I could think of a lot of people who would like to be on $50 k a year.

There was an interesting discussion on Radio 5 about what constitutes rich, according to Labour $100k does not cut it. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013...n_3966395.html

A lot of those things could be said about the UK or more so.

I could think of a lot of people who would like to be on $50 k a year.

There was an interesting discussion on Radio 5 about what constitutes rich, according to Labour $100k does not cut it. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013...n_3966395.html

Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting moving to a cheaper area in Norfolk, VA, my point was that $50k in a cheaper area of the country would overall go further, but obviously isn't really an option for the OP.

Norfolk VA is actually cheaper than I expected (cost of living is pretty much average) but $50k isn't really that great to live on there either when you talk about moving countries for it.

IMO if you have the choice...the US is not the place to be if you are living hand to mouth. No job security...expensive healthcare and meds...everything for kids re after school activities seems to cost a small fortune...college fees etc etc etc...

Very good points.

Plus gun crime is generally inversely related to the cost of housing. Hearing gunshots at night is a surreal experience, and the closer they are the more disturbing it is!

Exactly what I was thinking.

50K is pretty bad.
If someone is currently making less than that then of course it's a step up but if you're currently middle class in the UK I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

50K is pretty bad.
If someone is currently making less than that then of course it's a step up but if you're currently middle class in the UK I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

If he is hoping to come on H1-B, the salary has to be at the prevailing level

OP has not clarified what kind of engineer he is, but it is usually a better-paying profession.

I think the bottom line for the OP has to be -- will this move and the associated upheaval offer a better life for him and his family? The answer is that it is doubtful that it would do so. Yes, he could probably manage to live reasonably well on his salary, and indeed many do, but without the UK "safety net" of benefits, he would not be as well off in the US as he was in the UK.

Don't do it.

And go back and read the other posts.