Originally Posted by Glasgow Girl (Post 13267046)

Sometimes I feel like this forum creates the impression that it is impossible to live in the US unless on a high salary and that is simply not the case. Plenty of people across the country live happily on household income of less than $100K. Not everyone needs, wants or can afford luxury cars, private schools, fine dining, expensive accommodation, etc..

Originally Posted by Glasgow Girl (Post 13267046)

They do not care to share salary or location and there is no need to do so.

Originally Posted by christmasoompa (Post 13267070)

I'm probably one of those that you think created that impression, with my comment above about the $320k figure I mentioned being too low for a family! I realise it sounds crazy, and as I said, I'm in a really expensive area so mine is definitely an extreme view, but our basics total approx $15k a month. That's just rent, utility bills, car, grocery shopping, insurances etc. No private school fees, no healthcare costs, no mobile phone bills, no cable tv, no fine dining - or dining out at all - and 1 car which is a VW. Our house here is far smaller than our one in the UK was, yet costs three times as much (and we lived in one of the most expensive parts of the UK). So $180k a year is what we would need to earn after tax just to live here and doesn't include any money for holidays, days out, eating out, savings, or even clothes. ....

Originally Posted by christmasoompa (Post 13266772)

I understand you not wanting to give your exact salary, but I'd at least tell people whereabouts you're moving to and how many in the family so they can give you an idea of what salary would give you a good standard of living. 75% percentile may not be as good as you think it is, I'd actually say that's quite low for somebody moving internationally and the US is incredibly expensive. If it's a high cost area then I'd use porkedpie 's guide but triple it personally. I'm in Boston and it's crazy expensive here, a recent study said $320k was the salary needed for a family of four to have a 'reasonable standard of living' and I actually think that's a bit low. Madness! But if you're in a cheaper area then Pulaski 's $150-175k is probably about right for a family.

I assume this is a permanent move? So your package is ok but I'd say ok rather than good, the economy flights are a bit of a worry as what else are they skimping on - i.e. what are they giving you for the 3 months accommodation? Would be worth finding out before accepting just to make sure it's not a grotty one bed hotel room! If it was a fixed term assignment then you'd expect a lot more.

Other things to consider - car to start with, even if just for a month for you to get around. Relocation agent/realtor. Taxes done for at least the first couple of years. Check the details of the health insurance (you say health and dental but could still be paying a large amount each month, check it's 100% covered or find out what your likely costs are if not). Green card sponsorship if you do want to stay (get it in writing and make sure it covers incidentals i.e. extra vaccinations required). Kids should be included in your recce trip particularly if they're school age so they can look at schools (as should food for that week). Longer housing (may take you much longer to find a rental than 3 months and temporary accommodation will be expensive). Any pets to transport? If so, them as well. And relocation, in case things don't work out. Them paying to relocate your family if they make you redundant or similar is essential as it could easily cost $40-50k and the notice period is likely unenforceable (just Google to see if your state is an 'at will' state which means they can get rid of you with no notice required at all). Lump sum to cover incidentals i.e. having to buy new electronics - £10k is fairly standard, make sure it's grossed up so you don't pay tax on it. Excess luggage paid for (you may need more bags when moving if everything else has been shipped in a container a few weeks previously). Travel to/from your home country should be excluded from your vacation allowance if you're getting flights paid for.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 13266939)

At this point I'm wondering what the OP expects as what we've been asked to comment on is a list of about half a dozen things, each of them marked "covered". :unsure:

Not only do we not know what salary has been offered, we don't know where he will be living/working, how many kids he has, whether his wife is planning on working (or what she does and whether working will be possible i.e. does she need a US license to work, e.g. in a medical occupation, or as a beautician/ hair stylist, which doesn't require a license in the UK, but absolutely does in most US states). About all we have is a short list of factors that the OP apparently this are good enough, so who are we to argue? :unsure:

As has been stated many times on this forum, to get good information you have to give good information. There is so much information we could give the OP, but he needs to give us a bit more to work with! :nod:

At this point I feel I have given as much as I care to give unless/ until the OP gives us a bit more context for the advice.

At the moment I'm inclined to say "Yup, looks good enough to me", and move on. :unsure:

Originally Posted by ajh_92 (Post 13267138)

1 week trip - So we suggested not including/taking the kids in the 1 week trip, I get some wont approve and each to their own, but they aren't yet at school age and they have also spent 8 weeks their late last year.

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Originally Posted by Glasgow Girl (Post 13267046)

The OP received good feedback. They do not care to share salary or location and there is no need to do so. I certainly would not share that information on a public forum either anonymously or in general. The point has been made to be sure that the salary will enable them to meet their lifestyle. They seem to have done their initial research, are satisfied, and have some good pointers to do more research which they no doubt are more than capable of doing without sharing their own personal details.

The consensus seems to be that it is a decent offer, subject to the salary being sufficient to meet lifestyle needs. Improvements would be to add a car for the first 3 months, negotiate attaining a green card and a repatriation package if the position terminates for whatever reason, and tax assistance for the first two years (to which I would add tax assistance prior to the move because sometimes there are issues that need to be addressed prior to arrival in the US). In lieu of a container I might negotiate a lump sum to purchase new stuff over here. Stuff brought over from the UK doesn’t always work here, not just electrically but looks out of place, is the wrong size, etc. Personal stuff and kids stuff, sure, bring that, but kids are surprisingly adaptable and may not need as much as you think they do.

The OP may well be a high flying executive that can demand business class travel and all sorts of other perks. On the other hand they may be someone starting out in their career, thrilled to have an offer enabling them to live in the US albeit modestly, or anywhere in between. Sometimes I feel like this forum creates the impression that it is impossible to live in the US unless on a high salary and that is simply not the case. Plenty of people across the country live happily on household income of less than $100K. Not everyone needs, wants or can afford luxury cars, private schools, fine dining, expensive accommodation, etc.. Definitely point out what things cost, and provide factual information but let people make their own decisions as to whether their salary is sufficient rather than telling them cannot possibly survive on less than whatever amount.

Originally Posted by GeneralPowerpoint (Post 13267086)

Of course there is a need to do so.

OP has asked whether their offer is a good one.

How are people supposed to answer that if OP won’t share what the offer actually is?

Originally Posted by ajh_92 (Post 13267146)

The good offer question is about the relocation package in general bud, I also hadn't been asked anything other than my salary and once asked I gave info on all them.

I didn't realise not telling people what you earnt would cause such a drama.

Originally Posted by ajh_92 (Post 13267138)

Cheers for the comments mate,

Thanks for understanding on the pay point & until now (and it seems it has spiralled further down the thread) no one had asked me where we are going, instead just a blunt "what are you been paid". Anyway, family of 4 (kids 1 & 3), going to the outer suburbs of Orlando, we like Winter Garden/Horizon West area's and have already spent some time there in the past.

The 3 months accommodation is a 3 bed house (or they have offered a 3 bed apartment if we prefer) in a gated community (Championsgate or similar for any familiar with the the Orlando area), car hire is included for this 3 month period then that flicks over to our responsibility but as long as there is something happening regards us getting our own and it is just a waiting game they are happy to extended to a reasonable timeframe.

Filling taxes - Thanks for that not something considered, so need to visit that topic.

Health Insurance - Again thanks, will look into further.

Visa's includes up to a Green Card if we decide to take that step as well.

1 week trip - So we suggested not including/taking the kids in the 1 week trip, I get some wont approve and each to their own, but they aren't yet at school age and they have also spent 8 weeks their late last year.

Regards the notice period, thanks for pointing out. Florida is an at will state however reading sources online suggests a contract can still be put in place which is enforceable. I'll reach out to some legal folk.

Originally Posted by neill (Post 13267159)

Lol, welcome to BE. There will be someone ready to tear you down a notch whether its considered a lot or not enough :D Sometimes just saying "Florida" will earn you a rebuke haha.
It's the same with retirement income in the US as well... there is such a wide spectrum of what an individual would consider enough/not enough and so many factors to consider in this instance too.
On the face of it, i thought your relo offer looked good.

Originally Posted by christmasoompa (Post 13267185)

No worries. I get not taking the kids if they’re younger and not school age.

Re: salary, using the same calculator I mentioned above (https://smartasset.com/data-studies/...mfortably-2024) gives $212k for a family of 4 in Orlando, whether that’s accurate or not I have no idea. Interestingly it’s pretty much bang on Pulaski´s $210k estimate though.

And lastly, if Orlando is where you’re heading and likely to be staying longer term, I’d search the forum for info and opinions on schools there.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by christmasoompa (Post 13267185)

.... Re: salary, using the same calculator I mentioned above (https://smartasset.com/data-studies/...mfortably-2024) gives $212k for a family of 4 in Orlando, whether that’s accurate or not I have no idea. Interestingly it's pretty much bang on Pulaski´s $210k estimate though. ....