Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

Assume they would not be subject to cap.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

That's what I had done previously when not mentioning it, but having re-read the thread it isn't 100% clear so thought I'd raise it.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

OK, I can't help you with Portland specifics, but I can maybe give you some helpful perspectives in general. We moved to California in 2012 with an 7 and 9 year old. We live near Seattle Washington now.

My company at the time didn't do a lot of international moves, and just gave me a small lump sum to cover relocation - it just about covered flights and some very modest shipping. Apart from that, nothing.

Here's my one piece of key advice - you're coming for an experience, some things are going to be better, some things are going to be not so great. The streets are not paved with gold and you will find some things jarring. Although you can read the road signs and understand the people in the shops, don't think there won't be cultural differences that are just as big as if you had moved to, say, Scandinavia, or Italy. Even in liberal Portland the politics are probably to the right of what you are used to. Stay flexible and open, without too many expectations other than 'it will be different and interesting'.

I mainly frequent the visa and immigration board whee PM's are discouraged, but if you wanted to talk to my wife about stuff, I can put the two if you in direct contact (mod's feel free to remove this bit).

It's a big step and totally normal to feel like this, but you will have an adventure, if nothing else and your kids are young enough to adapt easily.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

Just a few more notes on being a H4 visa holder. You already know that you cannot work. Also, you are unable to get a social security number which means you can't ever pass background checks or get your own credit card (you can of course be an authorized user on you husband's card).

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

H4 can get an ITIN

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

Yes, but it will be a secured credit card rather than a credit card proper: no one will give a credit card to someone without an SSN and without a job, not even in the US! And an ITIN (Individual Tax Payer Identification Number) does not function in the same way as an SSN. It will allow you to open your own bank account (I found the credit unions to be much more accommodating than traditional banks) and to get a debit card etc but that's about it. You also use it to file your (joint) tax returns.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

The myFICO forums have several that are nothing but frequent visitors in the US that have US credit cards.

The one I'm think of is a Brazilian citizen, residing in Brazil, that has a US Amex account.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

Doubtful. You can't believe everything you read on forums you know :rofl:

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

At the risk of perpetuating the fixation on banking matters, I am an E3 Dependent (no SSN, ITIN or anything) and have my own bank account with Bank of America. I didn't ask for one, was just expecting to be added to my husband's, but was offered it so took it.

OP, sorry I don't know Portland, we've just recently moved to Seattle, but I agree you need to work out at least the healthcare situation with your husband's employer as that salary does sound a bit tight for a family. Adventure/experience is all well and good but you need to be practical too. (I'll be looking for NFP work too once my EAD is approved, but thankfully have a corporate husband to live off.)

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

How do you file taxes without an ITIN?

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

My point was, I was allowed to open a bank account in my own name without any of these things.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

And my point was how do you pay taxes without an ITIN. I also opened a bank account without any of those things (I got the ITIN later) but not all banks will allow you to open an account without one, which is why I went to a credit union as they cater to low income/undocumented/cash workers. And while you can have a bank account and a debit card without a job, ITIN or SSN, they won't give you a proper credit card.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

You're right, one needs an SSN or ITIN to file.

Re: Possible move to Portland, Oregon, advice on schools and places to live...
 

And if you are not eligible for an SSN you apply for the ITIN when filing the first tax return for which it is required.