Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
#31
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
.... The plan we have (family) is that my wife doesn't have to work, it's actually one of the perks. The salary is significant and we're expecting a budget of anything from around 4-6k monthly rent will be affordable, Zillow etc is bring up plenty of nice looking places in that range but we just don't know where is good yet.
However that only leaves $6k/mth to live on. .... Let's see where that goes: $500 for heating and electric, $100 for water, $200 for cell phones, $100 for basic cable/internet, $250/person/mth for food and household consumables, $500/mth/vehicle for two cars, $250/mth for car insurance (it's crazily expensive in NJ), $300/mth for petrol (it seems cheap, but you will drive a lot further. $500/mth (minimum, average) for clothing for the family. Family meals out (cheaper chain restaurant), two per week @$100/meal - $900/mth. Expensive meal one per month, just you and the Mrs, $300. (I have included health insurance and PP/401k in your basic salary deductions).
So, so far we have $900 for utilities, phones and cable, $1,000 (assuming two children) + $1,500 for vehicles + $500 basic clothing + $1,200 for meals. That comes to $5,100. What about holidays and travel? Gym and discretionary leisure spending?
Honestly, even if you're on $250k, you would probably want to stay as close to $4k/mth rent as you can.
#32
Just Joined
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 29
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
And thanks Pulaski, appreciate the detail!
#33
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
Thanks
On the offer side I'm awaiting confirmation back on the expected visa timescale.
The reloc package includes moving of all our stuff, a hired person to tour us around and find a place to live, initial housing covered in the package for the first 8-12 weeks with a prior to move 4 day visit for the full family funded to choose. A gifted months salary to cover incidentals of the move. A family health package (I have a choice of a few but that's a whole new thread!) tax accountant assistance, family counsellors, bonus for sale of cars in the uk, bonus for house sale in uk (if I do that), hotels and travel covered one way when we move.
An equity bonus paid out at 25% if it's full value over 4 years, an additional new starter equity bonus at the same payment terms. A 30% prorata annual bonus.
Is there anything else typical you would expect in the folic package?
On the offer side I'm awaiting confirmation back on the expected visa timescale.
The reloc package includes moving of all our stuff, a hired person to tour us around and find a place to live, initial housing covered in the package for the first 8-12 weeks with a prior to move 4 day visit for the full family funded to choose. A gifted months salary to cover incidentals of the move. A family health package (I have a choice of a few but that's a whole new thread!) tax accountant assistance, family counsellors, bonus for sale of cars in the uk, bonus for house sale in uk (if I do that), hotels and travel covered one way when we move.
An equity bonus paid out at 25% if it's full value over 4 years, an additional new starter equity bonus at the same payment terms. A 30% prorata annual bonus.
Is there anything else typical you would expect in the folic package?
- repatriation costs in the event that the company terminates you (NJ is an "at-will" state, which means the company can fire you for any reason at any time). If you lose your job while on a visa dependent on your employment, you will have to leave the country, and doing so at short notice could be even more expensive than planned repatriation.
- A written agreement to apply for permenant residency for you and your family (note, this is dependent on the type of visa the company is applying for - some offer a route to green cards, some don't)
- I got an extra 5 days annual leave and a paid flight back home each year ("keep in touch" days and travel).
#34
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
Unless you have a green card it is best to keep your home in the UK....have seen a number of expats whose jobs have ended unexpectedly in the US and they have to leave the country. If you end up returning to the UK you may find it best to stay on the 'property ladder'.
Actually I was in Hoboken last Friday, it's a great town with a good vibe. I think it's more suited to singles and couples, although some families do live there although the schools aren't that great in Hoboken. Parking is a total nightmare; my friends (no kids) who live in Hoboken are lucky enough to have secured their own (rented) parking space. Luckily I can just take the train directly to Hoboken (NJ Transit - Gladstone branch line) from our local station in Short Hills (township of Millburn) and we are also on the MidTown Direct line (Morris & Essex line) to New York Penn Station. My spouse was working out of the Hoboken office for a few weeks in the Summer when there were upgrades being made to the tracks at NY Penn.
When we relocated to the US (spouse works in Times Square, NYC), our priorities were good schools, near a train line (no parking in Times Square lol!), safe/low-crime neighbourhood, and easy access to an international airport (spouse often has to go to meetings in Canary Wharf or domestically). We are just 15 minutes from Newark airport (EWR); BA, Virgin and United Airlines all fly to London daily and United also flies directly to some UK regional airports.
We are lucky in that we live within walking distance of the train station and we only need to have one car. You will need an all-wheel drive here as sometimes there is significant snowfall although the roads are cleared quickly.
Check out New Jersey Transit - Home - I used it when I was choosing where to live, saw the names of the towns which looked like the best for commuting and then checked out the profiles of the towns/schools. There are loads of expats (from many countries) around here and in the NY Metro area
Actually I was in Hoboken last Friday, it's a great town with a good vibe. I think it's more suited to singles and couples, although some families do live there although the schools aren't that great in Hoboken. Parking is a total nightmare; my friends (no kids) who live in Hoboken are lucky enough to have secured their own (rented) parking space. Luckily I can just take the train directly to Hoboken (NJ Transit - Gladstone branch line) from our local station in Short Hills (township of Millburn) and we are also on the MidTown Direct line (Morris & Essex line) to New York Penn Station. My spouse was working out of the Hoboken office for a few weeks in the Summer when there were upgrades being made to the tracks at NY Penn.
When we relocated to the US (spouse works in Times Square, NYC), our priorities were good schools, near a train line (no parking in Times Square lol!), safe/low-crime neighbourhood, and easy access to an international airport (spouse often has to go to meetings in Canary Wharf or domestically). We are just 15 minutes from Newark airport (EWR); BA, Virgin and United Airlines all fly to London daily and United also flies directly to some UK regional airports.
We are lucky in that we live within walking distance of the train station and we only need to have one car. You will need an all-wheel drive here as sometimes there is significant snowfall although the roads are cleared quickly.
Check out New Jersey Transit - Home - I used it when I was choosing where to live, saw the names of the towns which looked like the best for commuting and then checked out the profiles of the towns/schools. There are loads of expats (from many countries) around here and in the NY Metro area
#35
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
When we moved from Boston to northern New York (very rural, long winters, extreme snow, extreme cold) we bought an all wheel drive. After a few years, we concluded a regular car with snow tires in the winter was perfectly adequate.
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 251
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
I'm just catching up on BE while in a hotel room in Virginia, with the telly on a sitcom where a British character was about to be deported because his girlfriends father didn't post some paperwork, he went for an interview to extend his undefined visa, got turned down and so had to marry his girlfriend as that would make him a citizen.
Yes it's tv, no it's not a documentary, but it's about the same level of understanding of the immigration system if you are a US citizen by birth and you've never had to deal with the system for real. And that includes most HR.
OP, before you make some irreversible decisions, get the company's plan for your visa in writing, preferably from the company lawyers. "Don't worry, we've done it before" doesn't cut it.
Yes it's tv, no it's not a documentary, but it's about the same level of understanding of the immigration system if you are a US citizen by birth and you've never had to deal with the system for real. And that includes most HR.
OP, before you make some irreversible decisions, get the company's plan for your visa in writing, preferably from the company lawyers. "Don't worry, we've done it before" doesn't cut it.
Last edited by fbf2006; Sep 26th 2017 at 4:44 pm.
#37
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
Shortly after I came here I found myself following a Landrover Discovery down a snow-rutted road - I was driving our Accord, with regular tires. I soon caught up with it because it was barely moving at walking pace. The road was quiet, so I drove out of the ruts, into the opposing lane, passed the Landrover, and pulled back in across the ruts ..... then drove away from the Landrover!
In other words, it's no good having the tools if you don't know how to use them!
#38
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
I watched that episode else night and just rolled my eyes. So many things that won't happen. Being able to schedule an interview with an immigration officer at all, but they were able to do it in a day. Becoming a citizen immediately after marry a US citizen. So many untruths!
#39
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
If I have learned one thing so far in life, it is that no matter where you go in the world, the average person is an idiot!
#40
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Cascade Mountains, WA
Posts: 1,089
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
Yep! Eastenders is to blame for the plethora of threads here all wanting to move to America next week because they have got 5 years experience of retail/hairdressing and they are certain that Florida needs these skills.
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
Agreed. I lived in Toronto for 7 years and didn't need all wheel drive.
#42
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
OP, that you were comforted by Americans moving to New Jersey as an omen in your case, makes me think you do not understand how the visa process works. Please heed advice given here and do not make any irreversible life changes (like selling your house and quitting your job) until you have your visa in your passport. Do not accept HR assurances from the US that it will happen - they do not speak for the US Government and have no control over the outcome. This is not the formality that I fear you think it is.
#43
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
One of the Canada forum regulars, who I believe lives in Ontario well north of Toronto, puts winter tyres on his Mustang in the winter, and uses as his daily transportation year round. At least he did, I don't know if he still does.
#44
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
To the OP please also bear in mind that there is a reason they are hiring you. Apart from the obvious that your the best. It is very convenient for an employer to hire a foreign worker. With that decision usually comes increased control (for the employer over you). The ability for them to pay you less than market rates, because you will be dazzled by the prospect of them helping/letting you move to the US (that's already coming out in your posts so far) and will be eager. I mention these things purely to give you perspective so you can negotiate and get the right deal. We see it all the time where I am on the West coast where they hire in unsuspecting midwesterner's and east coasters who are dazzled by the salary they have been quoted only to realize that it is below market value and cannot buy them what they want here. They are human and forgot that spending power does vary geographically or worse knew it but discounted it because they wanted to live here, does that sound familiar!
#45
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Relocation to a new job , U.K. To NJ
We get a lot more snow in NJ than we used to get in Switzerland (we were 25 mins from the Alpine areas and were right next to Lake Zug). However, our first car in NJ in 2000 was a Dodge Caravan mini-van. It wouldn't go up our sloping drive if it was even a tad icy or snowy. We have nowhere to store winter tyres, I have no idea if the tyre places around here would even store them for half the year? We replaced it with a Volvo XC90 which was fine until the warranty expired, then it was very expensive to maintain. We now have a Subaru Outback and a Subaru XV Crosstrek....much cheaper to maintain and all Subaru cars have all-wheel drive as standard