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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by dickiederson
(Post 10625280)
You're right.... we need a definite adjustment of outlook!
We certainly need to stop 'Thinking Poor' and worrying about spending all our savings... we're moving to Earn more, get ahead and live the American Dream :D Many of us moved here for a better life essentially Money, but we are the poorest in our family, all our UK family are so much better off than us, they get more Holidays and can actually afford to go somewhere, they drive newer cars, (all mine are over 10 yrs old) What I pay for in medical Insurance would would get me two brand new E class Mercs, but nobody will tell you that ahead of time. The so called American Dream is a Nightmare, for most people its Mystery, a thing if the past. Healthcare costs are always rising, Ok so maybe it comes with your job, but as soon as you lose your job you are stuck, Healthcare costs are high you should really investigate this, I think even my family in the UK think its no big deal paying for medical coverage, they have no Clue. We usually have 1 million people go medically bankrupt ever year. In the UK you get up every morning knowing you have no money worries having to pay for the NHS, that must be wonderful. I could go on. If you get a really good job you might be OK, I really do wish you well. |
Re: Just arrived in the US
Welcome to Wisconsin, not sure if anyone has welcomed you yet.
Moved here nearly a year ago now to start work and be with my fiancée, we are getting married in August this year, I am still learning the ropes and the differences between America and the UK, I am a Scot who has moved to Burlington, WI. So, how are you enjoying the snow? I am honestly getting sick of looking at it. |
Re: Just arrived in the US
You also should be aware with regards to your drivers licence that each state has different regulations. Some states require you to sit both the written and the practical tests AGAIN ! So even though you can drive in the US on your UK licence for a period of no more than a year, the DMV recommend (according to their web site) that you get an International Driving Permit, and be prepared to go through the entire process again when trying to exchange it over for a US one.
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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by dickiederson
(Post 10624993)
Holy Sh*t how do you guys even leave the house every day....?!
I really do need to stop whinging and adjust my attitude to paying for health care I know but still.... When we were in Arizona we met a doctor who advised us not to bother with medical insurance.... His philosophy was that the most likely thing to happen to us would be an auto accident, which would be covered by auto insurance. We're both young, fit and healthy (touch wood) and if we got really sick we could catch a flight home... But something like a scratch on your arm leading to a $20k bill... scary. Right that's it, I'll stop complaining and hijacking threads now, sorry! Ask yourself these questions. Does your NHS Drs office ever have sick people your age waiting to see a doctor? Do you think you will know a month ahead of time when you or your wife will be getting sick? so you can buy coverage or airline tickets. If you got really sick would you be able to get time off work to fly back, would you have the money to buy the ticket and would you be well enough to fly back?. Assuming you bought a ticket, Airlines have a say who flies, depending how sick you are they may not take you. I was perfectly well when I got sick at the age of 30, it was a life n death situation, I had medical insurance at that time, all I had to come up with was the 20% deductible and Co Pays. When you are admitted to Hospital the first thing they want to see is your Insurance card, then you sign paperwork agreeing to pay for what the Insurance does not cover, thats before you see a Doctor, the latest trend is for finance companies to loan you the money, some have offices in the hospitals, that way the hospital doesnt get stuck with your unpaid bill. In a car accident situation things would be different, they would take care of you, and as seeing as you brought it up, our car insurance rates are high as we have to pay for medical coverage too, Just in case. Im not meaning to be so mean or beat you up, but you really need to think these things out, Medical Insurance can cost as much as a house payment, there are limits to what these companies will pay out, after youve claimed so much they stop paying, it all depends what your policy limits are. Its not like buying car Insurance, in most cases you will have to have a blood test before they will offer to cover you, the Insurance companies cherry pick, they dont want to cover sick people that will drive down their profits, so they look for good risks, Its all about the Money!. |
Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by WhoFan63
(Post 10627129)
You also should be aware with regards to your drivers licence that each state has different regulations. Some states require you to sit both the written and the practical tests AGAIN ! So even though you can drive in the US on your UK licence for a period of no more than a year, the DMV recommend (according to their web site) that you get an International Driving Permit, and be prepared to go through the entire process again when trying to exchange it over for a US one.
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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
(Post 10627162)
The IDP is only applicable to non English written driving licences. If your DL is is in English there is no requirement to get a IDP.
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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by WhoFan63
(Post 10627165)
Oh ok, thanks for that.. I guess I didn't see that part on the web site. LOL
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Re: Just arrived in the US
I went to the Dr just recently and was asked for $200 just to walk in the door, and that's before they do any tests or anything. Of course not all Dr's are going to charge like a wounded bull... once you pay for the first visit they usually discount it for the next ones.. but still! Without medical insurance it's going to cost an arm and a leg, because even though you might be fit and healthy NOW, you just never know what is going to happen.
I can say this... it doesn't pay to get sick in the US. LOL |
Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
(Post 10627174)
I think 99.9% of DMV employees would not recognise a IDP if it hit them in the face.
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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by WhoFan63
(Post 10627176)
I went to the Dr just recently and was asked for $200 just to walk in the door, and that's before they do any tests or anything. Of course not all Dr's are going to charge like a wounded bull... once you pay for the first visit they usually discount it for the next ones.. but still! Without medical insurance it's going to cost an arm and a leg, because even though you might be fit and healthy NOW, you just never know what is going to happen.
I can say this... it doesn't pay to get sick in the US. LOL My Doctor charges $100 for a 5 minute visit. |
Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by WhoFan63
(Post 10627181)
Probably...lol. I know here in Arizona I showed them my Oz drivers licence and the guy behind the counter said 'oh no, you'll have to sit the driving test all over again because they don't know how to drive in Australia. :eek:
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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by WhoFan63
(Post 10627129)
You also should be aware with regards to your drivers licence that each state has different regulations. Some states require you to sit both the written and the practical tests AGAIN ! So even though you can drive in the US on your UK licence for a period of no more than a year, the DMV recommend (according to their web site) that you get an International Driving Permit, and be prepared to go through the entire process again when trying to exchange it over for a US one.
Most states that allow 12 months are for temporary residents, so people here as students, internships, medical treatment, that kind of stuff. The IDP is a waste of money, unless you have the old paper license without the photo. |
Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by Jerseygirl
(Post 10627189)
I produced my UK passport as photo ID in a dept store just after we arrived here. The assistant called the manager and he asked me what it was...I said a UK PP. He then turned to the assistant and said they could accept it as it was from Oklahoma. :eek:
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Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by Bob
(Post 10627193)
Only a few states allow you to drive on your foreign license for 12 months. Most require you to get it within 30/60/90 days, with a few others being different like CA with 10 days.
Most states that allow 12 months are for temporary residents, so people here as students, internships, medical treatment, that kind of stuff. The IDP is a waste of money, unless you have the old paper license without the photo. |
Re: Just arrived in the US
Originally Posted by Azzlain
(Post 10627119)
Welcome to Wisconsin, not sure if anyone has welcomed you yet.
Moved here nearly a year ago now to start work and be with my fiancée, we are getting married in August this year, I am still learning the ropes and the differences between America and the UK, I am a Scot who has moved to Burlington, WI. So, how are you enjoying the snow? I am honestly getting sick of looking at it. I don't know how much snow you got up there compared to here (just over the border in IL) but I am sick of the sight of it, too. |
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