Originally Posted by snowbunny (Post 5145418)

There's no denying Chicago is cold in the winter.

On the upside, you're moving to one of the better places in the country. Chicago itself has a vibrant diverse community. You will be allowed to drive, and you should be able to get permission to work (after those five pounds of paperwork are done and dusted) as the wife of an L-1.

If you own a home in the UK and have equity in that home, you may be able to make a hefty down payment on a house here, and housing costs are far less than in the UK. If your mortgage total is low, having a higher rate isn't going to hurt as much, and paying that mortgage will raise your credit score.

You will be able to drive and in fact will have to do so if you live in the 'burbs.

How have you coped with change in the past? That may be the best predictor of your future.

Originally Posted by snowbunny (Post 5145468)

Keira, you sound as if you really enjoy your life in the UK -- would you move if it weren't for your husband's job?

This is a dilemma faced by people the world over and what's "best" for one spouse can come at the expense of the other.

If you are truly happy where you are, and don't handle change well, I'd sit down and talk to your husband about it. If you don't feel you either want a challenge, or don't need to move.... then I think you will regret it.

Originally Posted by keira-2007 (Post 5145550)

I'm a very impulsive person though. What i think is a great idea today may become a mistake tomorrow. This is SUCH a big change though, that once done it will be very hard to return.

Originally Posted by dmleach (Post 5145599)

Hi Keira,

Your post has interested my lots as I feel exactly the same as you. I was so excited when I heard of my hubbies work then I have researched a lot more and although I have seen so many positives it is difficult to forget all the negative repsonses to spouses lives in the US. Don't forget you can always come back to Blighty where as you might not get the opportunity to go the US again. That is how I see it anyway !

Chin-up !

Deborah:lol::):thumbsup:

Originally Posted by keira-2007 (Post 5144987)

THE DREAM: So when hubbie announced we were relocating to the US, the initial reaction was "Great! Big house, better weather, wide open spaces, cute accents, being cool coz we have a different accent, Hollywood He-men built to serve and protect, blah blah blah..."

A couple of weeks later and reality finally dawns. (With a little help from the BE faithful!)

THE REALITY: No chance of mortgage due to zero credit score, stories of -20 winter temperatures endlessly circulating the cyber-highway, mountains of form-filling and identity struggles looming ominously, the terrifying knowledge of the US health service (or lack of it) raising my blood pressure, knowing that once we're over the pond i won't be able to work, and now worrying myself sick that someones gonna tell me i won't even be able to drive either!! (Please don't anybody tell me I won't be able to drive...that would be a final nail in the Yankee Coffin>) If I can't take my daughter to school and pick her up at the end of the day, I may as well go and lick the end of a live plug socket. (But now I'm burdened with the knowledge that the US electricity supply is as weak as cold tea!)

Is it normal to feel like this, when only last week I was over the moon about it all. There really is no American Dream is there? I'm really worried that I personally (not my hubbie, coz his job is so good) may be far, far better off in the UK. At present I don't have to work, we have a nice big house, I've got my own BMW which I drive my daughter to school in, and I can do pretty much anything I want. Come on, this is not going to be possible in the great US of A is it????

Shit...:ohmy:

Originally Posted by southern comfort (Post 5145733)

OK serious ? sounds like you have it all together already, the big house ,the BMW, and can do anything you want.........so why are you giving all that up ? and what do you expect to gain from the move ?:confused:

Originally Posted by keira-2007 (Post 5144987)

THE REALITY: No chance of mortgage due to zero credit score, stories of -20 winter temperatures endlessly circulating the cyber-highway, mountains of form-filling and identity struggles looming ominously, the terrifying knowledge of the US health service (or lack of it) raising my blood pressure, knowing that once we're over the pond i won't be able to work, and now worrying myself sick that someones gonna tell me i won't even be able to drive either!! (Please don't anybody tell me I won't be able to drive...that would be a final nail in the Yankee Coffin>) If I can't take my daughter to school and pick her up at the end of the day, I may as well go and lick the end of a live plug socket. (But now I'm burdened with the knowledge that the US electricity supply is as weak as cold tea!)

Originally Posted by Bill_S (Post 5145784)

Sounds like you've received some bad advice somewhere. If your husband is on an L1 visa, you will be able to apply for an Employment Authorization Document that will allow you to work. You will be able to get an Illinois driver's licence. You will be able to get a mortgage, many thousands of immigrants have done so. If your husband works for a major company the health care plan might be extremely good. Chicago is cold in the winter, yes, but it's wonderful in the spring, summer, and fall.

Originally Posted by Maz (Post 5145798)

Keira, it's currently 86F / 30C. No breeze, high humidity. Just so you know. :) But it is festival season! Take a look at this site to see what's on around the area. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by keira-2007 (Post 5145873)

Thanks Bill. There seem to be so many conflicting views. It gets confusing sometimes. You've cheered me up though!

Maz - hope the weather stays nice for me for when i come over the end of next week!! I'm starting to get nervous now. (If you haven't gathered by now, I'm a wee bit of a worrier!!!) Have fun. xx:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by keira-2007 (Post 5144987)

THE DREAM: So when hubbie announced we were relocating to the US, the initial reaction was "Great! Big house, better weather, wide open spaces, cute accents, being cool coz we have a different accent, Hollywood He-men built to serve and protect, blah blah blah..."

A couple of weeks later and reality finally dawns. (With a little help from the BE faithful!)

THE REALITY: No chance of mortgage due to zero credit score, stories of -20 winter temperatures endlessly circulating the cyber-highway, mountains of form-filling and identity struggles looming ominously, the terrifying knowledge of the US health service (or lack of it) raising my blood pressure, knowing that once we're over the pond i won't be able to work, and now worrying myself sick that someones gonna tell me i won't even be able to drive either!! (Please don't anybody tell me I won't be able to drive...that would be a final nail in the Yankee Coffin>) If I can't take my daughter to school and pick her up at the end of the day, I may as well go and lick the end of a live plug socket. (But now I'm burdened with the knowledge that the US electricity supply is as weak as cold tea!)

Is it normal to feel like this, when only last week I was over the moon about it all. There really is no American Dream is there? I'm really worried that I personally (not my hubbie, coz his job is so good) may be far, far better off in the UK. At present I don't have to work, we have a nice big house, I've got my own BMW which I drive my daughter to school in, and I can do pretty much anything I want. Come on, this is not going to be possible in the great US of A is it????

Shit...:ohmy:

Originally Posted by Irn-bru (Post 5146150)

didn't know you had made your mind up and coming so soon :D