Re: Just arrived in the US
 

Not exactly. I'd be grossing more, but net less (after tax), be able to do less with it and still likely be living in a shoe box and commuting in a cattle truck. My best guess is I'd be getting two more days holiday per annum.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

More money but no more holiday. I worked for my previous company for 12 years, first employee, and pay was about the only thing that changed - but significantly for the better, to be fair! They had a policy of paying "in the upper 25% quartile for the industry" which bode well for the US visa requirement (one of) that said I had to be paid within the top 5% (or something) - and I was. Helped significantly by the company being bought out by vulture capitalists and them strongly suggesting that my 25% bonus be turned into 15% rise and 10% bonus instead! :thumbup:

Mind you, can't complain as they've made up the bulk of this tax return's income. So, bigger house, in the US, but still paid (as a subby) by my old company. :thumbsup: With few of the company politics too. (And they've since been bought by Hitachi, not that it would have benefited me had I still been there)

Sorry, rambled a bit there.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

Good for You and I mean that most sincerely.

The American dream maybe alive and well for you but that's not true for everyone.

You say you are mystified every time you read a post like mine, I suppose your comment verifies I'm not the only one that sees it this way.

I've been here 37 years, if you like America now you would have loved it even more in the 70's and 80's, Life was much better for the working class back then, I'm not saying America is a bad place, I'm just saying the American Dream is almost non existent for the working class, much of it due to the wealthy/greedy and crooked in this country.

I came here as a teenager, my parents wanted a better life, they both worked very hard in the UK for what they had, America offered more money and a better life for them.

I understand about the terraced house and new cars, same here, in my younger years I had plenty of new cars, but I never could afford to pay cash, I work in the car industry, most people don't pay cash, most finance over 5-6 yrs.

When I worked for a major corporation I never had more than three weeks holiday per year, the fact is the average American gets two weeks vacation, that's pitiful compared to what Brit's get, add up those weeks over someone's working life, it amounts to a few years.

Tax and Insurance, I've never complained once about paying taxes here, but the cost of Insurance is a different matter, I truly think Americans are Insurance poor, when I look at what I pay for Insurance every month it blows me away, as I get older medical Insurance gets more expensive, I've dropped dental, I'm now to a point where I cant afford the coverage I used to buy, I can only afford 70% medical coverage with higher deductibles, I've done the math, that's what works for me, its not the coverage Id like to have but its all I can afford.

I'm assuming you get medical coverage with your job, and in that case I can see why your medical costs and taxes are cheaper than just taxes in the UK, when I lost my job I bought Cobra coverage, that was very expensive and when I could least afford it, many people including those with Medical Insurance are one major illness away from bankruptcy, Medical Insurance for most is only partial coverage.

I went self employed in 95, I was doing well until 911 then business went in the toilet, eventually things got better, 2007 was my best year ever, but then we had the 2008 financial crunch, I never expected this country to be down for so long, America usually recovers quickly, I've spent all of my savings just getting by, so that's my story, Its not exactly the American Dream.

I'm not here to moan but to educate others, America has its good points but also its bad, people need to be educated about real life here before taking the plunge.

Love the Jezzer Pic...

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

Hi Iansbury,

Taking this a step further, I have a quick question; what evidence of previous medical cover did you have to provide for your new US insurer?

My wife and I are moving to the States in the coming months and plan to follow your advice by calling local brokers in advance of the move. I've heard however, that we will need to provide evidence of previous medical coverage. Is this incorrect/uncommon, or do I need to get some kind of standard letter/evidence from the NHS explaining that I have had cover for my entire life as a UKC?

In fact, is there any other additional documentation which we should gather before we leave the UK? :blink: We've already collated our vaccination records, and I've recently been through the full medical exam here in London, as part of my immigrant visa application.

Many Thanks,
Rich.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

Have you looked in the BE Wiki? There is info in there.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

Hi Jerseygirl,

Yes, I had a look and it suggests some insurance companies in the USA will request a letter stating "I was covered by the NHS from this month to this month." Others basically assume since you are from the UK you were covered.

It doesn't specify who I should contact or how I can get this, or if there is a specific form/document/letter which I need to request, detailing my NHS cover. I was hoping Iansbury or others might be able to shed some light on this :blink:

We are keen to arrange cover before we relocate, but either way, I suspect the 'evidence' of NHS cover will be easier to get before we leave the UK.

Many Thanks,
Rich.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

I believe a letter from your GP will suffice.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

Depends on the insurance companies. Ring them up and ask.

Sometimes a letter from the doctors office is enough, sometimes it has to be from the local health authority.

Usually just stating that you have been resident of the UK for x number of years until date y, because of that, you have been covered by the NHS, which is considered creditable coverage for US insurance purposes.

Re: Just arrived in the US
 

First I agree with what the moderator said, most DMV workers probably would not know what to do with an IDP or licence, cops would likely pass on dealing with it. Having said that here is what the CA DMV says on the subject:

"International Driving Permits

The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.

The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person’s foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database.

The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc."

So it would seem your UK license is fine. In practice I think I would get to a DMV sooner rather than later and just take the test. Here is my experience, albeit a number of years ago. I went to my local DMV took the written test, went to the DMV clerk who promptly told me you scored so well you do not need to take anything else - license issued :amen:
Whether this was correct procedure, I just got lucky etc I cannot tell. What I would advise is what I did which was to pick the most outlying DMV office you can comfortably get to so things are quiet and friendly (the last thing you want are harried inner city DMV staff who really don't have the time for you - think jobsworths). Use your best smile and conversational tone and make friendly with the staff member.

Above all, don't fear the DMV test its fairly straightforward. And don't go in with that god given attitude of I have been driving for %*%* number of years in the UK why the bl...dy hell do I need to resit a driving test. that attitude is guaranteed to get you nowhere.

best of luck