MidAtlantic

If that is literally the case then I am surprised, and it is a good deal. Be sure they don't just mean they will pay the full premium (which even by itself would be good). As others have said there are many other charges because of deductibles, co-pays, being out of network etc. which can amount to $1000s.

celticgrid

And the kids are 3 and 6?

Childcare needed? Not cheap if so.

SanDiegogirl

Nice area..... definitely need a second car if taking kids to school, wife going to work etc. Never rely on public transport in SoCal..... it is rubbish unless really local.

cranston

Housing is going to going to bleed you dry.

Check out prices with zillow.com

Antihero

Well all depends on the wife , i think her plan is to settle in with the kids , my eldest should start school there and only the youngest which might go into daycare if she works.She is a bit of a nervous driver so would take some time to get used to driving around , but would need to if she got some work. We are also trying to get a place to rent near the school as the kids like walking and being outdoor

Antihero

I know i cant believe the cost of rent in California and this is one of the topics i have been discussing with my employer about the increase for UK to US prices. $2400 for a 2 bedroom apartment

Antihero

The eldest should go into school there as we are planning for them to come over when she finishes her year here in the uk and hopefully slot into a school there , not sure which year as the US starts later than UK and she would of already done 2 years at school. The youngest would be with my wife unless she works then would go into daycare which is pretty much what we do here in the UK. I suppose the only good thing about the UK is the Free hours and Childcare support you get to make sending your kids to Nursery cheaper.

Antihero

Lol i am trying to understand all this medical jargon , i have gone back to them this morning to explain a bit more about it and what would be the deductibles and copays to me. Hopefully would be a Zero deductible package

Antihero

Thanks , have requested this to be written into the contract

There are big variations in the salary comparison websites , Roughly it looks like for a similar role could go from 90k to 120k but doesnt give details about bonus and package. I think my company is aiming for the 120k full package thing , with the 90k salary , 15k bonus , full medical , full expense car etc ,

Antihero

Thanks for feedback , i have gone back to them and challenged it a little more to include some of the UK costs and maybe be a little more flexible on the USA costs , requested more but do not need to use it all but rather its available

civilservant

..... that's almost unbelievable. No copays or deductibles at all?? So you literally pay $0 for an entire families healthcare? I don't think so.

What's your current UK salary with this company?

Antihero

£45k

Thats what i have gone back to them with , the wording currently in the communication is that there is no cost to me , but i have asked for more information. Apparently there are platinum packages that offer this , sorry if i dont know it all but this is new to me having to pay for medical

civilservant

You probably think we are harping on the healthcare thing a little hard, but honestly it is the source of a significant amount of bankruptcies in the US. A single car accident ('wreck' in US terminology), with something as simple as a broken leg, can easily cost in excess of $100k after you factor in a surgery, a few days in hospital, and potentially outpatient therapy.

I am CFO of a healthcare facility and I see it all the time.

It's very important that you fully understand what you are taking on in this aspect, especially with your children.

Antihero

HI Totally agree , this was one of the big discussions when the talked about the job to me was that the big cost of healthcare compared to the UK , and looking at everything i have read and reviewed its a total minefield ! hopefully get some feedback to understand what level of cover the are talking about in more detail....its good to know this stuff and learn from people who have been through it or read the whole of the internet in their study

AdobePinon