Sally Redux

It's a great income but I know it's a little more expensive up there than where I am (which is bad enough), and he will have certain expectations coming as an expat.

Funstuie

I realise it's a good salary but reading around this forum and through previous posts it seems that the minimum salary to be able to even afford trousers in the east bay is $150k.

just looking for some real world advice?

N1cky

It's certainly do-able, here are my estimates of your costs. We live in Mountain View, where the rents are more than San Mateo, but most other costs will be around the same.

The big variables in here are your healthcare, each company plan will be different. Taxes, and 401k (many companies match 5%, so I've assumed 5%)

Monthly Annual
Rent 3,500 42,000
Gas/Electric/Water 250 3,000
Internet/TV 130 1,560
Cell Phones 100 1,200
Healthcare 400 4,800
Groceries 600 7,200
Car Insurance 300 3,600
Petrol (inc. Commute) 300 3,600
House Insurance 25 300
Clothes 100 1,200
Kids Activities (sport each) 300 3,600
Day-to-Day cash 300 3,600
Entertainment: (2 per month)
Eating Out 200 2,400
Cinema 100 1,200
Days Out 200 2,400

Total Spend 6,805 81,660

Pay 11,667 140,000
Taxes 3,500 42,000
401k 583 7,000

Take Home 7,583 91,000

Remaining to cover 778 9,340
emergencies & vacations

One of the things I love about living in this area, is the amount of things to do with young kids (especially good for non-working Mums.) There are 100's of little parks around that people make very good use of, many have outdoor pools, you can go for 5 hours, take a picnic and it will cost around $10. A good place to meet people and the kids will have fun... The libraries also have lots of free events for kids. Be warned after school sports for the kids can be expensive though, also days out to museums are crazy expensive after you've been used to the freebies in the UK. Theme parks/zoos are probably on a par, cost wise.

Please make sure (and get in writing) your company will sponsor you for Green Cards within a given time period. We've just been in a very sticky situation due to not doing this, and I really wouldn't wish it on anyone who has kids it would deeply affect.

HartleyHare

The only possible extra expense that I can think of is if you are planning on leasing your two cars.

N1cky

Yes, good point. I'd left it off, as he suggested they would have money to get them started up, I meant to add a note to say, if not buying the cars then a loan/lease would need to be added.

Sally Redux

It sounds like he would have start-up money from the sale of the house in the UK, although prices in the UK appear to be rising and the effect of leaving the 'ladder' should be borne in mind.

Funstuie

Thanks for that. Really puts some meat on the bone in terms of figures.

As for the greencard, I was reading about your woes lately and made sure I asked and asked again. It's something I will making sure is in writing.

I just got verbal communication that its approved so just waiting on the letter from HR to get started.

Edit - I will probably end up leasing a car. I don't think I will have enough in place to buy a car outright after all other expenses.

N1cky

If you plan on commuting to work each day, you will definitely need two cars, your wife and kids will be stranded without one.

Funstuie

yep figured that. I have actually been to San Fran a few times and I have stayed in San Mateo. I don't know how anyone could live there without a car.

We might be able to lease one car and buy one car depending on how things work out.

Main issue I have right now (I actually have a few) is somewhere to stay when we all eventually get there. The company accommodation is 3 hours from the offices I will be working in and thats all that will be on offer so we wont be able to use it. We will have to get somewhere and be up and running from day one. I dont even know how to manage that.

I am going out to San Fran for 4 days in May for work. I am planning a reccy on the Sunday but I wont be able to do much other than snoop around areas.

N1cky

That's good that you are aware of it, many people think they can survive on just one car.

3 hours from the office where the hell are they trying to put you?

Check out Oakwood Apartments, we stayed with them when we originally moved out to LA, and they were nice enough. Looks to be a few around San Mateo.

http://www.oakwood.com/action/oakwoo...ode=&x=88&y=11

Funstuie

Whats mountain view like?

N1cky

We love it here, it has a nice high street full of restaurants and little shops. The schools are good, the library is brand new courtesy of Google, there are some lovely parks, some with pools, lots of events going on during the year. It's clean and safe, is on the Caltrain and VTA stops, and is nicely located to get to nearby places easily. Also, the weather is just about perfect.

The downsides are it's a great place to live, as are the surrounding areas of Palo Alto and Los Altos. Business is thriving, MV is home to Google, Facebook is in Palo Alto, Apple is in Cupertino, every single high tech company you can name has at least one office, and many have their HQ, within 20 miles of here. All these things mean it's expensive, and getting more expensive by the year.

dlake02

We just couldn't make it work on $145k/year plus income from the UK and some bonuses.

South Bay (Santa Clara) is horrendously expensive - our rent went up 10%/year for three years in a row whilst the US and UK income didn't. Compared to the South Bay, SF is much more expensive - 1600sq ft town home (no garden) was costing us nearly $4000/month in Santa Clara. Add all the additional things, and frankly the money just evaporates. When we first moved, the three of us could travel back to the UK for $2400 in summer holidays - this last year it cost over $6000. Even getting away for the weekend is expensive - forget the £15 single to Barcelona. Everything is a very long way away and you pay through the nose for flights (no real low-cost operators here) and hotels.

Upshot - it's expensive. Whatever you think you need you'll need more.

AmerLisa

Don't like to read that, only because if we ever get a chance to move back to California, it will be there somewhere.

md95065

With respect, you had other issues - you very quickly discovered that you really didn't like it here and just wanted to get out - and while I understand that you found things expensive that certainly wasn't the only reason why you left.

Now that is true - especially when it comes to initial startup costs and needing to find and furnish a place to live and buy cars etc. If you have it you can easily burn through tens of thousands of dollars in the first month.