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Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by Anian
(Post 12725759)
:blink: Erm, no you're not.
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Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by sherbert
(Post 12725776)
I'm not in Florida but overall I think the quality of life in the US is not that great: sure in many places you get fantastic weather (Florida is not one of them) and access to amazing beaches and natural sights that will take your breath away and more 'house' for your buck.....but....while you will be taxed less in Florida other costs are much higher. You'll be using A/C year round and utilities are very expensive as is food. The school system is not great unless you go private. The homeless crisis, which is very confronting in most of the country, is hugely visible all over Florida. You should watch the Florida Project to glimpse a very real and raw side to the shiny tourist view of the state. Naples is a nice place, with a great beach but it's full of retirees.
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Re: Is it a better life?
With 3 young kids, I definitely wouldn't do it on the current offer. $200k, yes, and make sure that relocation costs are included and a commitment to sponsor a green card. You will need a decent sized house and 2 vehicles. Don't think you can get by with just one.
You shouldn't get too hung up on the dangers. The majority of gun violence is isolated in a few areas. Stay out of those areas and you're unlikely to ever encounter it. The mass shootings get a LOT of media coverage but they also are extremely rare. We've lived here for 16 years and have never been involved or known anyone involved in gun violence. I know others on this forum have different experiences. I personally know 2 people in the UK who were knifed. In the same vain, wildlife encounters are incredibly rare but get maximum coverage when they do occur. On the plus side, you get discounted tickets to Mouseville as a Florida resident. :thumbsup: |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by civilservant
(Post 12725777)
And the comments about the weather are not overstating it. In GA we have had multiple days in the last couple weeks where the 'feels like' temperature has been over 105 F (nearly 41 C) - it is literally too hot to do anything but go from your air conditioned house, to your air conditioned car, to your air conditioned workplace and back again.
When I lived in Scotland I suffered terribly from the long, dark winters where the sun sets before 4pm. I didn't realize how depressed the climate was making me until I relocated to Texas and experienced not only actual heat and sunshine, but the deep and indescribable joy of actually seeing blue skies for the majority of the winter. It's not that you're wrong about the heat, humidity and the cost of air conditioning but matter how hot it gets, for me personally its infinitely preferable to subjecting myself to those Scottish winters again. Everyone is different of course, but that's just me! |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by Luis22
(Post 12725851)
How long have you been gone?!! https://www.gov.uk/benefit-cap/benefit-cap-amounts |
Re: Is it a better life?
It's not that you're wrong about the heat, humidity and the cost of air conditioning but matter how hot it gets, for me personally its infinitely preferable to subjecting myself to those Scottish winters again. It's a whole other beast and a different sort of heat. The couple of times I've been to TX I've really enjoyed the dry heat, it's the humidity that's the killer. I do agree it's a matter of perspective though. I came from Somerset, so we got decent weather already. |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by civilservant
(Post 12725879)
The couple of times I've been to TX I've really enjoyed the dry heat, it's the humidity that's the killer.
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Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by ivanidea
(Post 12725802)
As mentioned above, the FL salary should be at least double the UK salary. More if you need to make a large contribution to a healthcare package.
Food is certainly more expensive here over $3 for a loaf of bread. No decent bacon. Dinner for 2 can cost over $100 at a restaurant (including drinks and a tip). Home and car insurances are mega expensive. So the higher wage is required to maintain a good standard of living. The electric bill is certainly high due to the AC running most of the time. I miss walking up hills & mountains. It's too hot in the summer to go cycling or walking anyway. On the other hand, I don't miss the cold wet rain :D I've been here over 2 years, and enjoy living here. It's certainly a different lifestyle. I don't regret moving to Florida. |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by chawkins99
(Post 12725865)
With 3 young kids, I definitely wouldn't do it on the current offer. $200k, yes, and make sure that relocation costs are included and a commitment to sponsor a green card. You will need a decent sized house and 2 vehicles. Don't think you can get by with just one.
You shouldn't get too hung up on the dangers. The majority of gun violence is isolated in a few areas. Stay out of those areas and you're unlikely to ever encounter it. The mass shootings get a LOT of media coverage but they also are extremely rare. We've lived here for 16 years and have never been involved or known anyone involved in gun violence. I know others on this forum have different experiences. I personally know 2 people in the UK who were knifed. In the same vain, wildlife encounters are incredibly rare but get maximum coverage when they do occur. On the plus side, you get discounted tickets to Mouseville as a Florida resident. :thumbsup: |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by TexanScot
(Post 12725875)
I've only been gone a couple of years and I'm also happy to add my voice to those saying that on 100k a year, there's no way in hell that you're not living better than those on benefits:
We’re maybe in a slightly different situation than most, I have been made redundant so we are not entitled to any childcare funding which the majority of families are. Also, he has just dropped into the 60% tax bracket (which I don’t fully understand to be honest) maybe I am wrong, but a friend of mine on a low wage is visiting the USA twice this year, once last! |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by Luis22
(Post 12725891)
Also, he has just dropped into the 60% tax bracket (which I don’t fully understand to be honest) maybe I am wrong, but a friend of mine on a low wage is visiting the USA twice this year, once last!
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Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by TexanScot
(Post 12725905)
The UK's tax brackets top out at 45%, and you need to be earning over 150k before you enter that bracket.
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Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by Luis22
(Post 12725906)
sorry, it’s not actually a bracket. It’s when you earn between £100k and £150k it works out to 60% due to deductions. :confused: |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by christmasoompa
(Post 12725913)
If he’s paying 60% in deductions then something’s wrong, it shouldn’t be anywhere near that. And you said he’s earning under £100k, so should be averaging out at under 40%. Whatever he’s earning it’s definitely a heck of a lot more than those without employment. |
Re: Is it a better life?
Originally Posted by Luis22
(Post 12725914)
Under £100k plus bonus! |
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