melmes

Hi all,

Me and my fiance will be relocating to San Diego from Scotland around March 2012, have spent a couple years thinking about where in the states we should move - visited SD last year for a week fact finding mission and decided it is what we're both looking for.

I have family in the SF bay area as well as Houston TX but the southern California lifestyle seems to suit us.

We are both in our early 30's and have both worked hospitality management - namely restaurants and bars for over 10 years each. We will be looking for work in these areas when we arrive, albeit waiting tables/tending bar to start with but we are both hard working and good at what we do, so don't think there will be too much of a problem finding work once we get there.

Was wondering if there is anybody who could advise on were to start looking for rental property in some cool, lively neighborhoods, (relatively) close to the beach? we visited OB,Mission Beach and PB - these would be ideal for us - any other suggestions?

Thanks

M

N1cky

What visa are you coming over on? Just to make sure we don't all waste our time giving you advise

Englishman43

Just a quick question , do you have your visa's sorted ? Getting cash work here isn't like it used to be.

Lot of places will want to see that you've been to bar tending school ( nope not joking) before letting you behind the bar.

Check out Hillcrest - University heights area - very cool neighborhoods all around there not far from Balboa park and the beaches. Southpark is cool too.

Check craiglist for apartments and when you get here pick up the Reader ( free ) for listings too.


P.B, OB & Mission beach are big time party towns and get crazy on the weekends in the summer.

SanDiegogirl

You can't do what you are contemplating.

You need a work visa BEFORE you can move to the States, and this needs to be applied for by a sponsoring employer. The employer applies for and pays for the work visa so the prospective employee usually needs specialist skills and/or experience the employer is looking for.

Unless of course you are coming over on family sponsored visas.

melmes

Sorry should have clarified this -

I am an American citizen, born in NJ, moved to the UK when i was 5, I still hold my US passport as well as a UK one we have been together 5 years and are moving over as all of my family are now stateside and have been for some time.
They have been telling me for years that we should move over as they all feel the way of life in the states (particularly California) is far better then wet, cold Scotland especially in our chosen careers......we both agreed after research on various vacations to the US in the last few years.......

We have had our I-129F fiancee visa approved by the State Dept National Visa Center, I have my SS card, my fiancee has been down to London for her medical, which she passed.

We are now just waiting for my fiancee's final interview to be scheduled at the US embassy in London, spoke to the Embassy last week and were assured that the letter for the interview date will be with us in "the next couple of weeks" the interview is just for her and have been told by others who have had the interview that it is not as intimidating as you would think.
As I have told her, we are moving over for good intentions and everything's above board so there's nothing to worry about.

We will be getting married within the 6 week window when we arrive in the states to confirm her status.

Thanks

M

melmes

We have both been looking into booking bar tending courses when we arrive, even though we have both been in the industry for over 10 years we realize the US system is different then the UK and figured it couldn't hurt to have the certificate, as well as food handlers courses and anything else that could put us a step ahead of any other applicants would be good to do.

We have both paid a lot of attention while out dining and drinking to whats going on, spoke with bar tenders, waitresses and just about anybody else we could and are confidant our skills will shine when we finally get there.

Englishman43

Happy days then .

IMO: Life in the US isn't "better" than life in the U.K ( I lived near Bournmouth when I was there ) it's just "different", somethings better, some worse.

Of course the weather's a bit better than Scotland !

ian-mstm

Umm... almost 13 week window! Well, actually 90 days!

Ian

SanDiegogirl

If you like Ocean beach, Mission Bay and Pacific beach then its the lively, party (cool) atmosphere you are looking for. These areas are perfect for that.

Other areas you might consider which are beach communities but are not as party oriented as the first group are Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach.

If you have plenty of money there is always La Jolla.

melmes

Sorry just checked back, 90 days.

either way we'll be wed within a fortnight.

Matt

melmes

Thanks, I'll take a look at these areas also, (but maybe give La Jolla a miss)

don't get me wrong - we are in our early thirty's so our 24/7 partying days are behind us, we really looking for a cool youngish inhabited neighborhood with bars/cafe and restaurants, stuff going on but i suppose if your close to the beach you are inevitably going to get the late night full on party atmosphere?

sorry not really making myself very clear but i suppose it's something we're going to have to discover for ourselves once we arrive.

Matt

Bob

As a bloke, hope you've filed your SS requirements and the taxes.

Though why didn't you guys just get married in the UK and pursue visa that way than waste money on the K1 and then having to adjust status for a greencard afterwards? Not to mention having a whole in work authorisation.

Good luck though, but as for SD, have a look back a page or so, as there was a very recent thread on the city and quite a few others in the past to get you started as well as city-data.com

Giantaxe

Be aware that those kind of jobs typically don't bring health insurance with them. Which means you're likely in the world of pain that is the individual policy health insurance market.

melmes

Yeah, by life I meant in the industry we both work in is a more rewarding and the 40 weeks of rain we get a year on the west coast of Scotland was also a big selling point to move to southern CA.

Matt

Englishman43

You guys might like Encinitas /Carlsbad area . Lots of cool restaurants & hotels to check out for work opportunities plus the Aviara Resort & Spa and La Costa Resort and Spa very close by , both high end vacation destinations ( $$$$ ) .

The somewhat slower pace may be more in keeping with what you're looking for ( versus the beach cities you mentioned ). There is night life in North County just somewhat more subdued than down south.