Bob

yeah, but you don't want to burn your bridges and get stranded here not being able to afford moving back to blighty either...which happens...

dbj1000

You're right, damnit!

I'm so busy pointing out the obstacles that I've forgotten that the first thing I meant to say was GO FOR IT!

As you say, without kids they may as well give it a shot, and see what happens.

Still, better to be forewarned about the potential issues, eh? I certainly would have appreciated a heads-up on some of the immigration stuff that we should have learned about before we decided to move!

Bob

L1A for senior is different to L1B specialist, which is on par with EB3 though...

Elvira

Absolutely! if they go with that attitude, it could well turn out to be the experience. But better be prepared than get a shock once they move here.

Also, hopefully all this new information will help them negotiate a better package.

NC Penguin

Try salary.com to get an idea of salary for the job in the location where you'd be heading.


NC Penguin

BigDavyG

Personally based on the info you have given I think they are taking the p*ss salary-wise, plus by the sounds of things they need someone out there as there is no expertise locally so you can use that for leverage.

A good idea would be to rank your wife's salary relative to other jobs and see what they pay out here since you have no similar positions in the US.

When I came out I spoke with the recruiter and when discussing salaries he looked at me like I had 3 heads and asked me if I wanted them to double my previous (UK) salary. I shat my pants but eventually managed to tell him that that's exactly what I wanted and explained the situation.
I can't speak for DBJ, but I didn't move from London so I had more scope for increase when I moved - folks I know here who came from the southeast still saw increases in a variety of fields, but not double so there are a lot of factors for you to consider.
For what its worh my employer hires new IT graduates at $40-45k - might be a good benchmark figure for you if you find out what the going rate is for firms where you live now.

Relocation costs may also be a good thing to get, especially since you may have trouble finding work initially as already discussed.

BigDavyG

You can learn some useful negotiating tips from the shrewdies on this site

Hiro11

A few clarification points:
1. Re: $150K average household income in a nice Chicago suburb. I live in a relatively nice town (not Hinsdale, but nice) and that's the average household (not personal) income in my neighborhood. The job market's pretty good in Chicago. Payscale isn't quite New York, but it ain't Houston either.

2. Hoffman Estates isn't all that bad. It's very safe, the housing stock is relatively affordable (but not cheap by any means), it's a leafy place with parks and such and has great schools (if you ever have kids). You'll be bored to tears if you like to go to clubs on weekends, but that's what the city's for.

3. $40K is very low (no offense meant) for a job that they're looking to relocate someone internationally for. Jobs in that income range are not difficult to find. Also, you'd think the organization could hire someone locally and not have to go through the hassle of sponsoring you. I obviously have no idea of the details of your situation, but it strikes me as very strange to the point of suspiciousness. I would push them a little on the salary and see if there is room to negotiate.

4. Whoever earlier in this thread said that Hoffman Estates should not be considered a suburb of Chicago is probably not familiar with the size of the greater Chicago area (Chicagoland). It's huge, spanning three states and has a commuting radius of close to 100 miles. Trust me, Hoffman Estates is not considered an particularly remote suburb. Also, there are some very tony towns in that area (you can't buy a good house in neighboring Barrington Hills for less that 2 million). I know several people that commute over 150 miles round trip each day and Hoffman Estates is nowhere near that far.

5. People are probably sick of me saying it here, but I think Chicago is fantastic. I'm lived all over the US and Asia and this is my personal favorite city to live in. I think you'll find that most people who have lived here like it. The weather in the winter sucks, but everything else is great.

dbj1000

Ah yes, relocation costs.

I burned through my $20k relocation money in the blink of an eye, and in the end I estimate that the move cost me and my family an additional $40k when you include cars (used & cheap), electrical appliances, initial appartment rental and all the other misc crap that ended up costing us $$$.

Jerseygirl

[QUOTE=Hiro11]A few clarification points:

3. $40K is very low (no offense meant) for a job that they're looking to relocate someone internationally for. Jobs in that income range are not difficult to find. Also, you'd think the organization could hire someone locally and not have to go through the hassle of sponsoring you. I obviously have no idea of the details of your situation, but it strikes me as very strange to the point of suspiciousness. I would push them a little on the salary and see if there is room to negotiate.


That's what I tried to say earlier. Why would the company go to all that trouble and expenses to transfer a relatively junior employee paying $40Kpa, plus her spouse and offer to take care of their GCs. It just doesn't make sense.

anotherlimey

I was in Schaumburg, right next to the highway entrance; you can do Schaumburg to Navy Pier in 30 minutes (<30 miles) - guaranteed.

Of course you might get stopped by a cop.....

I think it's the Hoffman Estates->Schaumburg trip that takes time.

Jerseygirl

I agree entirely with what you've said. We spent the first 2 years thinking 'what the hell have we done'. We were initially out of pocket even though we came here on a L1-A visa, hubby's company paid for everything including a lump sum relocation allowance. Apart from food, clothes, petrol and electronic items, most other things are very expensive. Its more of a hidden expense ie council tax, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance including medications, co-pays for doctors visits and meds, phones, to name a few.

simongb

I agree. Don't do it. You will not make enough money to live a comfortable life here (especially in a big city). Life can be tough here. Don't think that the USA is cheaper and life is easy. It appears cheaper but there are all these hidden costs to life here. You are better off where you are. Buy a holiday home if you need something new in your lives (I don't mean to sound flippant, but I have seen too many people make the same mistakes). By the way, I have lived here since 1992.

BigDavyG

When did you get your pilots licene ??
Like I said 30 minutes would be do-able on a Sunday morning, but its hardly a typical estimate - the express train from downtown to arlington park which stops only once on the way takes 45.

Jerseygirl

Scott, take a look at the 'Moving back to the UK' forum. Life as an expat isn't just about what we can afford, its what we've left behind that's important too. I had a tough time trying to come to terms with life here, so do a lot of people. Trouble is once you become an expat its difficult to go back.