Originally Posted by Boiler (Post 11667845)

A lot of posts in a short period.

Salary

OK I never assumed that much and it does beg the question what some BE posters think is adequate, something north of $200,000.

Guns

Bound to be a local gun club you can join, Concealed Carry Permit is not that difficult to get, plenty of discussions on BE about the subject, probably easier than a DL

DL

Obviously very easy to get, test in the US is a joke.

Benefits

Well the Military usually do very nicely so see no reason why this would be an issue.

Main issue I see is that you have never been for a look.

Mr F alluded to it earlier, but from other threads I have seen particular with regards to Iraq, the process of getting the visa is not easy or quick, I am sure there is a lot of demand. So check that out as it may screw up whatever timescale you have in mind.

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise (Post 11667847)

Even with just 3 kids I absolutely LOVE my enormous US washing machine and dryer. I used to have to do at least one load a day in France, the tumble dryer couldn't keep up and in the winter I always had clothes drying on a clothes dryer in the house.....
You may find that your home owners association here doesn't allow washing to be hung outside to dry. I was shocked at how un-green this was but actually the time saved by just bunging the whole lot in the dryer (dry in 40 mins!) is fab.
We've all been going on about college because you don't get anywhere without a college degree here. Everybody who possibly can sends their kids to college. Internships in software houses are given out to college students, they are highly sought after. UT Austin is a great place to study comp sci and if your son is bright he should look at that.
Your kids sound great.

In France, if you have 8 kids you get a "maman de france" medal from the president, and a lifetime allowance (a good one). Apparently they still give out a couple a year....Plenty of people here have large families.

Originally Posted by stockhall (Post 11667848)

Thanks for the replies. Husband has asked them outright and it takes 3 to 4 months on average and can be sped up to months if needed. This he has been told direct. If it takes longer it takes longer, nothing I can do about that.

He is not military but the contractors would not see us suffer.

Originally Posted by Boiler (Post 11667857)

Wow!

For comparison if a USC sponsored a spouse it would take a year give or take, I would have though AP would not be quick.

Originally Posted by stockhall (Post 11667843)

One of the things I am not looking forward too I have to say. But I will do it

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 11667844)

Stockall...please remember thousands of Brits live here and enjoy life. 99.9% of them are off enjoying life...not posting on Internet forums.

IMO you have more chance of settling if you are of an easy going/flexible personality. The younger you are the better...say 20's/30's...when you are embarking on your adult life and you are not leaving an established life behind. You need a supportive partner...one that's willing to drop everything and return to the UK if you can't settle. Of course money helps...I can't imagine living here on the breadline. No matter how much money you have...unless it's billions...a serious long term illness can bankrupt you.

Just my opinion. ;)

Originally Posted by Sugarmooma (Post 11667864)

You will ace it! It really is extremely simple in Tx:thumbup:




In some ways it is all easier when your younger. There is no way in hell I would do what we did then at this time of life. We were early 30's and went into it blind, but at that time there was no Internet to consult and no one else's opinions to listen to. In some ways it was good because it meant I didn't panic about the "what if's" but in some ways it was bad because I could have been more prepared.

Just be prepared for lot's of ups and downs Stockhall. Be prepared for different reactions from all your kids.

Texas is not the UK with a drawling accent. It is totally different, and depending where you live in Texas it changes.

I have grown to love life here. Sure, there are still lots I disagree with but Texas made me grow up and become more assertive and more positive. I'm not sure if I want to spend the rest of my life here but it's not a bad place to be. Oh..and I have to say on the whole the people here are very helpful and friendly, that is something in your favor for moving to the Lone Star State:amen:

Originally Posted by stockhall (Post 11667859)

I will get him to check, bUT the visa is for all of us at the same time

Originally Posted by stockhall (Post 11667841)

The weather is also a draw.

Originally Posted by stockhall (Post 11667831)

...College, well number two may be better off as an intern in a gaming software firm as that is where his heart is, you can find the right situation somewhere...

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise (Post 11667893)

Hi Bob,
my daughter is going to UT Austin as a Turing and Dean's scholar (Comp Sci honors and College of Natural Science honors) Merit Scholarships given to her mean tuition is costing us $500 a year. There are 50 Turing scholars per year (from other states and international) and all will have internships next summer (if they wish) with an average earning of $26K (over the summer holidays). She is part of NCWIT and is already being courted by Apple staff.

She is a clever girl and I agree with what you are saying about getting internships and this is based on friends who are just completing freshman year at other colleges and have internships through the summer.

Originally Posted by stockhall (Post 11667791)

It certainly feels like most of you are saying don't move to Texas.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11667921)

Not exactly. Just trying to scrape the heavy rose tint off your spectacles.

Originally Posted by Boiler (Post 11667929)

Where would you recommend?