basementwaj

So, just under 2 years from submitting my application, the US Gov have decided to let me move! SWEET

I have been away from the website for a while now, new job, but am back in a big way now... begging for advice on the move and settling in to the U S of A...

Its looking like im coming over in March, when its warm enough to bring my cats. So if anyone has any basic advice or experiences on moving their pets and shipping their belongings, please share!

Its looking like we will just buy the cats a ticket with US airways and fly with them in the hold, but if anyone has a better idea, im all ears!

TN-Dave

where in TN are you heading to ?

basementwaj

Heading towards Manchester (wifes family live there) but will ultimately end up in murfreesboro or another Nashville suburb.

a little different to London :scared:

TN-Dave

true - but you'll get used to it ! ........ I'm in the process of moving the Nashvegas at the moment !

basementwaj

where on earth is Nashvegas!?!? at least that sounds fun and i should maybe head there!

basementwaj

How have you found the transition between UK and TN?

Whats the job market like in Nashville at the moment?

TN-Dave

The transition is not too bad.... Prices are something that took me a while to get used to - I spent forever workingout what it was in GBP and complaining or say it was cheap, before getting used to just working it out compared to how much I was being paid. Ad even though I sid I'd never complain, my wife does point out to me that I occasionally moan when gas prices go up ! (Since gas is so cheap copared to the UK).

Jobs in Nashville - the market generally isn't booming, but since it's such a big city, there are always plenty of opportunities - I cheated and got a new job in the same company, just in a new office.

How long have you guys been married and what's the story with that ? My ball and chain and I met online about 8 years ago I guess... been married and living here since 2002 now.

basementwaj

We met in London in 2003, my wife was taking part in the BUNAC programme and spent 6 months working here. We met during her first week and were together till she left. We visited each other constantly for about months till we got married. She has lived here in the UK since, but always wanted to head back home. So TN here we come!

I can imagine im gonna have the same issues with money translations, gas prices, and my biggest fears.... Tax and Health care.
Also, i dont have a credit score so buying a house is going to be a challenge!
I think not having a job will be the biggest culture shock though, so if you have any contacts that need someone, let me know!

dan_alford

We flew in April from London to Memphis with our cat via American Airlines and she was fine. The health inspector just looked at the paperwork and said "One black cat" and his assistant said "check". That was it. However, If you do like we did and attach food packets to the pet carrier ( optional but was advised to do it) make sure that they are NOT Beef or US Agriculture will not be happy.

The problem with travelling with cats is that you have to prepare yourself for the worst. There is a risk that they wont make it. We made the decision to take ours as she would pine herself to death if we left her and we were prepared for the risk.

basementwaj

holy shit, do they have a tendancy to die in the hold???????
my cats are house cats and have never been away from me apart from odd weeks for holidays... ive had em for 10 years now!
I was thinking of flying US Airways, was just wondering what the procedure for flight transfers is... i.e. we will probably fly to Charlotte and then onto Nashville... is it like luggage when you collect it at CHLT and recheck them for NSHVL or will the animal reception people look after them in that time?

Did you give your cat a sedative at all? How was it with bathroom issues etc..?

thanks in advance by the way!

dan_alford

I can't remember the statistics but it was a worrying thing for us when we moved. Do NOT sedate the cats as this increase the chance of death by a lot. They are better when they are aware of their surroundings.

What happened to us is as follows:

Arrive Chicago.
Go through immigration
Collect luggage and cat carrier.
Take cat carrier to health inspector
Go through customs ( this is when the Agriculture people asked about the food)
Recheck baggage and cat for flight to Memphis.
Collect baggage and cat from Memphis.

basementwaj

Thanks for this, good to know!

Will look into the statistics for shipping them!

thanks again, Karma to you!

basementwaj

Sorry dan, just a quickie,

what paperwork did you have to take for the cat?

thx

Jerseygirl

Our vet in England said the same about sedating our dogs for air travel...said a vet would need to be in attendance.

dan_alford

It was just a signed letter from a UK vet saying that the cat was in general good health and disease free. Don't think there is any official paperwork for pet travel.