Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Nov 24th 2006, 9:46 pm
#181
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 175
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
[QUOTE=ScottMc]Hi All,
What I would like are people's opinions on our situation - given the above salary do you think in your opinion it's work the risks and are the rewards of living in the USA enough that a moderate salary like the one above (plus hopefully a similar salary from myself after a period) will eventually offset my worries of the reduction in job security/role protection in the US as opposed to the UK?
I came in 1979 on my own with about $2000 in my pocket and a job at $16,000 a year. The UK company paid my tab in hotels for the first 90 days till I found a place. I had a company car and travel expenses. If it's just the two of you - no kids- I say, give it a shot. It will look good on your C.V. if you go back in two or three years and you'll have a great adventure together.
Life is not a rehearsal, you only get the one.
What I would like are people's opinions on our situation - given the above salary do you think in your opinion it's work the risks and are the rewards of living in the USA enough that a moderate salary like the one above (plus hopefully a similar salary from myself after a period) will eventually offset my worries of the reduction in job security/role protection in the US as opposed to the UK?
I came in 1979 on my own with about $2000 in my pocket and a job at $16,000 a year. The UK company paid my tab in hotels for the first 90 days till I found a place. I had a company car and travel expenses. If it's just the two of you - no kids- I say, give it a shot. It will look good on your C.V. if you go back in two or three years and you'll have a great adventure together.
Life is not a rehearsal, you only get the one.
Nov 25th 2006, 1:38 am
#182
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by ScottMc
Hi All,
I've been reading the posts and there's some great information here. I was wondering if any of you would like to share your opinion on our situation.
Basically it a "should we or shouldn't we?" moment.
I've been looking through the info and we don't seem to have any issues with the visas, labor certification and GC.
My wife will be going over on an intra company transfer to start a section in the US offices that currently doesn't exist. (Testing goods to legislative standards, bit like trading standards).
They have stated that the equivalent salary is around the 40k mark plus benefits (including insurance but don't know amounts and coverage yet).
I'm putting together a lengthy list of questions for her employer regarding actual net salary, health benefits, relocation assistance etc.
I do not hold a degree which from the other posts seems to be a key in obtaining many roles. I'm highly experienced in contact centre work, having been a process/project worker, team leader, co-ordinator etc for a number of years.
I understand this has been a declining market due to outsourcing but hope to get a reasonable job within a short span of time and hope this is possible if I dedicate myself to my search correctly.
We will be moving to the Chicago area.
Bottom line after reading up on the various insurance requirements, how property rentals work etc I foresee quite an initial outlay and some risk involved in the move which is excepted. We have a small amount of savings to take with us which I hope to keep most of to assist if everything goes well and we require a home loan deposit.
What I would like are people's opinions on our situation - given the above salary do you think in your opinion it's work the risks and are the rewards of living in the USA enough that a moderate salary like the one above (plus hopefully a similar salary from myself after a period) will eventually offset my worries of the reduction in job security/role protection in the US as opposed to the UK?
Sorry about the length of the post and the individual circumstances but I'd like the opinions of some of you that have "been there done that"
Thanks,
Scott
I've been reading the posts and there's some great information here. I was wondering if any of you would like to share your opinion on our situation.
Basically it a "should we or shouldn't we?" moment.
I've been looking through the info and we don't seem to have any issues with the visas, labor certification and GC.
My wife will be going over on an intra company transfer to start a section in the US offices that currently doesn't exist. (Testing goods to legislative standards, bit like trading standards).
They have stated that the equivalent salary is around the 40k mark plus benefits (including insurance but don't know amounts and coverage yet).
I'm putting together a lengthy list of questions for her employer regarding actual net salary, health benefits, relocation assistance etc.
I do not hold a degree which from the other posts seems to be a key in obtaining many roles. I'm highly experienced in contact centre work, having been a process/project worker, team leader, co-ordinator etc for a number of years.
I understand this has been a declining market due to outsourcing but hope to get a reasonable job within a short span of time and hope this is possible if I dedicate myself to my search correctly.
We will be moving to the Chicago area.
Bottom line after reading up on the various insurance requirements, how property rentals work etc I foresee quite an initial outlay and some risk involved in the move which is excepted. We have a small amount of savings to take with us which I hope to keep most of to assist if everything goes well and we require a home loan deposit.
What I would like are people's opinions on our situation - given the above salary do you think in your opinion it's work the risks and are the rewards of living in the USA enough that a moderate salary like the one above (plus hopefully a similar salary from myself after a period) will eventually offset my worries of the reduction in job security/role protection in the US as opposed to the UK?
Sorry about the length of the post and the individual circumstances but I'd like the opinions of some of you that have "been there done that"
Thanks,
Scott
Nov 25th 2006, 1:35 pm
#183
_____________________
Joined: May 2004
Location: Guess!
Posts: 179
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by ScottMc
I've already paid for a report for the wife on salary.com and that says she should be hitting around $74k.
If we get around that figure - do-able?
Her managers going over at the end of the month to get more details and start negotiating the package and this will be going with her along with all our other questions.
Agreed on transferring length of service.
Damn those degrees are expensive - online OU might be an option as thats cheaper.
I had figured on two cars being probable - albeit two reasonably cheap second hand ones at that. I was reading through the thread that had some info on car insurance and which companies appeared to have better rates.
If we get around that figure - do-able?
Her managers going over at the end of the month to get more details and start negotiating the package and this will be going with her along with all our other questions.
Agreed on transferring length of service.
Damn those degrees are expensive - online OU might be an option as thats cheaper.
I had figured on two cars being probable - albeit two reasonably cheap second hand ones at that. I was reading through the thread that had some info on car insurance and which companies appeared to have better rates.
You really NEED that degree if you're planning on staying.
Has anyone mentioned car insurance? You begin here, with most companies, as if you are a 17-year-old with no driving record. First year of insurance is likely to be between $2,000 and $3,000.
Personal opinion. It's worth a shot if they give your wife $75,000. Anything else, and they're insulting her. American businesses often respect people who know their worth. You say her experience is unique and they need it. Tell them to show you the money!
If they go for it, get EVERYTHING in writing. Maybe think about giing a little of your savings to a lawyer to look over the contract.
Good luck!
Regards
-=-
Scarlett
Nov 25th 2006, 1:39 pm
#184
_____________________
Joined: May 2004
Location: Guess!
Posts: 179
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by BritGuyTN
OU is worth av=bout as much as tits on a fish here - check out the US equivilent
http://www.universityofphoenix.com/
http://www.universityofphoenix.com/
Nov 25th 2006, 2:01 pm
#185
In the pink
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,324
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by Scarlett-Dallas
NO. OU transfers as an accredited US degree. It's just that they won't let you start one from the US.
Don't let the opportunity pass you by, or you will always regret it. It is extremely difficult to get into the US to work - you are very lucky to be given this opportunity. Come to the states, take full advantage of the opportunities it will afford you, and enjoy yourself. You are only young once. With plenty of chutzpah and a British accent you will do fine. Only down side in my opinion is the winter weather, but you will enjoy the summers. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
Nov 25th 2006, 4:58 pm
#186
Re vera, potas bene.
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Cod MA..Davenport FL
Posts: 2,405
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by Rushman
You can earn more than $40K working for McDonalds here. Don't believe me? Ask Big Davy!!
My grandsons mum get $48k a year working in BurgerKing...she is an Asst Manger late evenings....
Last edited by krizzy; Nov 25th 2006 at 5:04 pm.
Nov 25th 2006, 5:04 pm
#187
Re vera, potas bene.
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Cod MA..Davenport FL
Posts: 2,405
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by ScottMc
Hi All,
Well the advice you gave paid off somewhat. Still not ideal but better than before.
Wage increased to $55k, (reviewed and advised that this will go up once we confirm we're staying, was only capped due to being paid by the UK office initially). 3 months furnished apartment paid, three months car. All moving expenses. All lawyers fees. My EAD fees.
We will negotiate the other terms before the trial period is up.
The L1b is only initially, after three months she will be recruiting and formally taking up the management position and we can then switch to the L1a.
Doing on a three month trial basis with the option for my wife to come back to her old job.
I've took everything regarding my own outlook on board. My main aim is securing interviews, I have a lot of confidence in my abilities once I've got my foot in the door.
I have been advised my job will be here if it doesn't work out and we come back, even offered me a promotion to stay!
Thanks to everyone for the advice. It's defintely been a massive help so far and although there's still a lot of issues we're going into it with our eyes open.
We're off on Monday, I'm there for a week then coming back to get house sale sorted etc before going back Xmas and then finally in January.
I'm sure this isn't the last time I'll be asking for advice!!!
Well the advice you gave paid off somewhat. Still not ideal but better than before.
Wage increased to $55k, (reviewed and advised that this will go up once we confirm we're staying, was only capped due to being paid by the UK office initially). 3 months furnished apartment paid, three months car. All moving expenses. All lawyers fees. My EAD fees.
We will negotiate the other terms before the trial period is up.
The L1b is only initially, after three months she will be recruiting and formally taking up the management position and we can then switch to the L1a.
Doing on a three month trial basis with the option for my wife to come back to her old job.
I've took everything regarding my own outlook on board. My main aim is securing interviews, I have a lot of confidence in my abilities once I've got my foot in the door.
I have been advised my job will be here if it doesn't work out and we come back, even offered me a promotion to stay!
Thanks to everyone for the advice. It's defintely been a massive help so far and although there's still a lot of issues we're going into it with our eyes open.
We're off on Monday, I'm there for a week then coming back to get house sale sorted etc before going back Xmas and then finally in January.
I'm sure this isn't the last time I'll be asking for advice!!!
Nov 26th 2006, 12:42 am
#188
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
I noticed this post happened in May, 2006, so does anyone know what happened to Scott? Did he come over to the US in the end?? Scott, you out there??
Just curious...
Just curious...
Originally Posted by ScottMc
Hi All,
I've been reading the posts and there's some great information here. I was wondering if any of you would like to share your opinion on our situation.
Basically it a "should we or shouldn't we?" moment.
I've been looking through the info and we don't seem to have any issues with the visas, labor certification and GC.
My wife will be going over on an intra company transfer to start a section in the US offices that currently doesn't exist. (Testing goods to legislative standards, bit like trading standards).
They have stated that the equivalent salary is around the 40k mark plus benefits (including insurance but don't know amounts and coverage yet).
I'm putting together a lengthy list of questions for her employer regarding actual net salary, health benefits, relocation assistance etc.
I do not hold a degree which from the other posts seems to be a key in obtaining many roles. I'm highly experienced in contact centre work, having been a process/project worker, team leader, co-ordinator etc for a number of years.
I understand this has been a declining market due to outsourcing but hope to get a reasonable job within a short span of time and hope this is possible if I dedicate myself to my search correctly.
We will be moving to the Chicago area.
Bottom line after reading up on the various insurance requirements, how property rentals work etc I foresee quite an initial outlay and some risk involved in the move which is excepted. We have a small amount of savings to take with us which I hope to keep most of to assist if everything goes well and we require a home loan deposit.
What I would like are people's opinions on our situation - given the above salary do you think in your opinion it's work the risks and are the rewards of living in the USA enough that a moderate salary like the one above (plus hopefully a similar salary from myself after a period) will eventually offset my worries of the reduction in job security/role protection in the US as opposed to the UK?
Sorry about the length of the post and the individual circumstances but I'd like the opinions of some of you that have "been there done that"
Thanks,
Scott
I've been reading the posts and there's some great information here. I was wondering if any of you would like to share your opinion on our situation.
Basically it a "should we or shouldn't we?" moment.
I've been looking through the info and we don't seem to have any issues with the visas, labor certification and GC.
My wife will be going over on an intra company transfer to start a section in the US offices that currently doesn't exist. (Testing goods to legislative standards, bit like trading standards).
They have stated that the equivalent salary is around the 40k mark plus benefits (including insurance but don't know amounts and coverage yet).
I'm putting together a lengthy list of questions for her employer regarding actual net salary, health benefits, relocation assistance etc.
I do not hold a degree which from the other posts seems to be a key in obtaining many roles. I'm highly experienced in contact centre work, having been a process/project worker, team leader, co-ordinator etc for a number of years.
I understand this has been a declining market due to outsourcing but hope to get a reasonable job within a short span of time and hope this is possible if I dedicate myself to my search correctly.
We will be moving to the Chicago area.
Bottom line after reading up on the various insurance requirements, how property rentals work etc I foresee quite an initial outlay and some risk involved in the move which is excepted. We have a small amount of savings to take with us which I hope to keep most of to assist if everything goes well and we require a home loan deposit.
What I would like are people's opinions on our situation - given the above salary do you think in your opinion it's work the risks and are the rewards of living in the USA enough that a moderate salary like the one above (plus hopefully a similar salary from myself after a period) will eventually offset my worries of the reduction in job security/role protection in the US as opposed to the UK?
Sorry about the length of the post and the individual circumstances but I'd like the opinions of some of you that have "been there done that"
Thanks,
Scott
Nov 26th 2006, 12:44 am
#189
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,036
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by dbj1000
I noticed this post happened in May, 2006, so does anyone know what happened to Scott? Did he come over to the US in the end?? Scott, you out there??
Just curious...
Just curious...
Nov 26th 2006, 12:45 am
#190
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,455
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by dbj1000
I noticed this post happened in May, 2006, so does anyone know what happened to Scott? Did he come over to the US in the end?? Scott, you out there??
Just curious...
Just curious...
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409944
Nov 26th 2006, 1:25 am
#191
Thinking about it
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Mid-West
Posts: 9,435
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by Rushman
You can earn more than $40K working for McDonalds here. Don't believe me? Ask Big Davy!!
Please feel free to post on my jewellery thread about your experiences in elizabeth duke.
Nov 26th 2006, 8:48 am
#192
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 56
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Yeah I'm still lurking!!!
Wife goes over on Monday, I'm going for a week then coming back to get sold.
Wife's got her job to come back to if this first three months leaves us with too many doubts and issues. My place have said that even if it's six months time to give them a call and they'll have a job for me. Even offered me a promotion.
As I said on yesterdays post everything's not up to other's ideals on here but we'll kick ourselves if we don't take the chance and see what happens.
Any sign that our savings start getting frittered away without me having a decent wage then we'll come back
Time to see what happens!!!
Even if you don't agree we've took a step further than the usual wannabees and started to prove a certain amount of tenacity that we're going to need to call on soon.
Thanks again to everyone's opinions, I'll keep you posted from time to time.
Oh and yes that car thread's me!!
Wife goes over on Monday, I'm going for a week then coming back to get sold.
Wife's got her job to come back to if this first three months leaves us with too many doubts and issues. My place have said that even if it's six months time to give them a call and they'll have a job for me. Even offered me a promotion.
As I said on yesterdays post everything's not up to other's ideals on here but we'll kick ourselves if we don't take the chance and see what happens.
Any sign that our savings start getting frittered away without me having a decent wage then we'll come back
Time to see what happens!!!
Even if you don't agree we've took a step further than the usual wannabees and started to prove a certain amount of tenacity that we're going to need to call on soon.
Thanks again to everyone's opinions, I'll keep you posted from time to time.
Oh and yes that car thread's me!!
Nov 27th 2006, 4:23 am
#193
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Possibly moving - advice on situation please
Originally Posted by BigDavyG
Sneaky f**ker - did you think I wouldn't notice this ???
Please feel free to post on my jewellery thread about your experiences in elizabeth duke.
Please feel free to post on my jewellery thread about your experiences in elizabeth duke.
