Jenster

Hi everyone, we're a British family moving from Amsterdam to Chicago once our L visa is processed. As we're being given a cash sum to arrange our own relocation I'm sure I'll be back with lots of questions before long! Anyone with questions about the low lands, fire away!
Jennifer

dbj1000

Ah, the cash-lump-sum-to-relocate game, eh?

Rule of thumb. Add up how much it'll all cost on the back of an envelope. Double it. Add 75%. You'll be at lest 25% short

Been there, done that, got the gaping hole in my bank account to prove it.

Welcome, by the way

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE

Amsterdam...spent many weekends there...hubby lived there for 18mths when we where first married.

Jenster

Hi guys, thanks for the welcome!
So it comes out more expensive? We're still in negotiation over the exact amount. We're not planning to really take much apart from clothes and a few homewares like wedding gifts etc. Our flatpack IKEA furniture would be cheaper to replace than ship!
Any tips as to what will come out higher than expected? We're not exactly loaded so we can't really afford to fund much ourselves.
Thanks
Jennifer

anotherlimey

I'm not sure about shipping costs; but if you're not bringing much I'm sure the cost of the shipping will be a small part of the costs of setting yourself up in Chicago.

Without knowing much about your situation, I don't think anyone will be able to give you an accurate estimate for costs; do you have kids, pets etc..

You'll have housing costs (house or apartment, location (Chicago is huge), property taxes, insurance, furniture, utility deposits etc), transport costs (car or cars, insurance, a large car down payment will help), etc....

It can really add up!

EDIT: BTW - you're really lucky going to Chicago - it's a great place!

gemini

We lived in Chicago for 25 years - still go up there from our current location in the deep south a few times a year. It's a terrific city. Good luck!

Hiro11

Look up schools and towns here:
www.chicagotribune.com

Stuff to do here:
www.metromix.com

Where to drink here:
http://www.chicagobarproject.com/index.htm

Best of luck to you. I've lived all over the States and Chicago is my personal favorite city here.

One note of caution: what people say about the winters here is true. There's no way to exaggerate an absolute, it's mind-bendingly cold for months.

ladyofthelake

Not to mention all new electrical stuff.

Welcome to the forum.

Bob

Welcome to the forums

As for costs, well furniture ain't cheap here, anything even half decent is expensive, the crap stuff ain't all that cheap either, so it might be worth bringing stuff, especially beds which are insanely expensive over here...bring curtains (and rods) and bed sheets, especially duvets and covers as they are also rather expensive here and often quite naff.

Electrics, dump 'em unless you have high end equipment.

Bring basic household cutlery/crockery with you, and not boxed because you'll need a can opener and be buggered if it's being shipped and you don't have it, won't need much, but enough to see you through the first week or so until you get use to where/what shops to check out for that stuff.

Bring lots of chocolate, and perhaps a decent kettle

Get the company to stump for insurance on the goods, it'll add up quite a lot...but for small household things like books, it might be quicker and cheaper to send in the mail via shipping as you'll get a good rate...that and winter clothing....though that'll depend on when your moving...and decent insulated winter boots...

Computers are worth bringing, just ditch the monitors unless you have nice LCD's or top quality crt's as monitors aren't expensive over here, and the puter should work without a hassle, just flick that red switch at the back on the psu over.

Jenster

Sorry I should have added more info!
We're 29 and 30, our daughter will be just 3 when we move and we're probably not bringing our cat as she can barely handle being carried down the road to the vets in a pet carrier so I don't think she's going to make the flight!
I think everything mentioned has already been covered in our plans, such as location, shipping, weather etc. Amsterdam is not that great in winter and we've been to Toronto and Chicago in the coldest part of February before. I don't think it will be too much of a shock - we're from up north so we've little excuse!
My main concerns are school - I'm having trouble finding out exactly when they're supposed to start what program, and driving lessons - neither of us can actually drive (just never needed to learn!), so we've been trying to find out how adults get their licences in Illinois but it doesn't seem to be very clear. Is there actually anyone else out there who couldn't drive once?!

anotherlimey

Not being able to drive will be a serious impairment in Chicago unless you're in Chicago "proper". If I were you I'd try to get a license ASAP so you can at least rent a car when you get here; although the test isn't difficult so if you can have a few weeks break when you move you'd probably be able to take a few lessons and take the license.

I can't help with the schooling part.

Bob

you'll have to check the DMV for the state with requirements for getting a license, some you can take quickly, some require you have the permit for a while before taking test...it's all very different for each state.

but either way, it'll be tough without a car in this country...but the driving test is pretty easy, as long as you don't speed on the test and stop at the stop sign before rolling to the line, you should be all set.

And schools, someone posted a link which might help...but again, that really depends on where you live, it can vary so much from county to county, let alone different states.

Rushman

Can you smuggle me in some decent hardcore porn, it's hard to get and expensive here.

Jenster

Thanks, I've checked Illinois's DMV site but it seems to be more of a political ad campaign for the Secretary of State than information on getting a license...I contacted a couple of driving schools but they're pretty slow in responding.

anotherlimey

I don't see a requirement on the site; but you'll have to take the 5 minute driving test, written test and eye exam.

ID requirements are here: http://www.sos.state.il.us/departmen...ptable_id.html

The test really isn't difficult; I don't know anyone who's failed it. It is literally a 5 minute test.