a_hobden

Good morning guys

I have a few questions I hope some of you many be able to help me on regards living/working in orlando/florida. A little about myself that may help with or influence your answers, im 29 single male with no kids and will be living in the Orlando area but travelling around the whole of Florida.

1- My salary will be approx. $70-75k. Is this a decent enough salary for me to afford rent in a decent area and pay all bills etc and not be scrimping every month? also how will this be taxed?

2- I will be getting a car allowance of between $700-$800 dollars per month, will this be enough to cover insurance and payments on a decent car? I have a BMW 320d in the uk and would like similar in the usa. also is this payment taxed different then wages?

3- health care will be provided by the company, is there anything extra I would need like dental etc??

I'm sure once I look over things more I will come up with more questions but for now any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Noorah101

Just a basic question from me. What visa will you have?

Rene

a_hobden

Hi Rene

it would be an L1 visa

Noorah101

OK, good. I know that was the first question you'd be asked. Others will be along to help with the FL questions.

Rene

Pulaski

"Healthcare will be provided" ..... Really? Entirely? Usually the employee has to pay part of the premium. That said the insurance premium is only the start - when you use medical services there are "copays" (point of access charges, usually around $25-$30, sometimes a little less), and deductibles (Brit-speak "excess" - the bit you pay before the insurance kicks in).

As you have, I assume, no US credit history, getting any car will be a challenge, not impossible, but be prepared for some interesting discussions and being turned away by some dealers. Certainly I wouldn't expect to walk into a BMW dealer and drive out with a shiny new BMW an hour later.

a_hobden

Hi thanks for the reply, yes entirely provided, it was something I insisted on

thanks

Guindalf

Read the small print. The company may be paying the whole premium for you, but I'll bet dollars to donuts you will be responsible for some associated costs. There WILL be a co-pay for doctor's visits and some kind of deductible before everything kicks in. This is standard and, to my knowledge, not something you can avoid (unless the premiums are prohibitively expensive!).

As for a car, it sounds like your company is sending people over on a relatively regular basis, so may have an 'in' for car leasing/purchase. For $7-800 a month, you may even be able to rent a car (which would include maintenance and insurance), but if you want something more permanent, it may be a stretch for a BMW.

a_hobden

thanks for the heads up, i'll read everything very carefully so I know exactly what is and isn't covered. Also thanks for the heads up re the car, its not the be all and end all but I will be spending a lot of time travelling/driving so would like something nice

rpjs

International Auto Source is often recommended here for ex-pats needing a car from the get go. Not used them myself but most folks who mention them seem to like them.

Pulaski

I used them and recommend them highly and frequently, but mostly they broker domestic brands. That said domestic brands are much improved and are much better than the reputation American cars had for being Yank-tanks. Try looking at a Lincoln MK-Z?

a_hobden

Thank you, I will take a look at them now. A domestic brand would be fine, I had the new mustang for 2 weeks while over in December and quite liked that!

Sally Redux

Some L1s do get everything provided. I was amazed.

Pulaski

I bought a Mustang GT through IA back in 2001. I still have it.

The new Mustang looks very nice and I would like to add one to my garage.

As an aside, if you're in any sort of sales, marketing, or customer service role, driving a domestic car might be seen as a plus.
Yeah, it's not unheard of in a true "expat package", even if it means taking the copays and deductibles and charging them back through an expense account.

a_hobden

I loved it, and would be more then happy to spend my own money on one in the future. the air-conditioned seats where a very nice touch!

my job is sales (construction industry) so if a domestic car will help I have no problem with that, thanks for the advice.

rpjs

How does that work then?