Re: Suggestions for US location
 

What is our record for the number of replies to a user who asks a question and never comes back? It's got to be pretty high.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

You could even live in Denver. Colorado is affordable, civilized and the people are moderate, good weather. There must be inexpensive direct flights to both Dallas and San Fran. from there.
Good airport.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

👍

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

income tax, sales tax, what the difference? I suppose income tax is on almost everything, and if its sales tax, some things are not subject to it. but Washington sales tax is at the higher end of the California income tax. (edit: it varies at a similar rate, basic tax at 6.5 and city add ons bringing it up to around 9 for some places) The ideal seems to be to live in Vancouver and cross the river to Portland to do your shopping.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

Nope. I live here. 10% state income tax, high property taxes and high property prices make it a deal breaker IMHO. Couple that with nutty politics and, well, you get the idea. I'll be out soon.

Regarding the OP, maybe look at somewhere in between where COL is more reasonable. Depends on your tolerance for the weather.. Maybe look AZ, NM, UT or NV? I'd for sure want direct flights to both the hubs you mentioned and to most other places in the US. Phoenix is possible, but you have to love living in a furnace!

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

Yes, but then you are living in Washington state. It all depends what you are looking for. It is expensive living in California but, for me, it is worth it.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

I dont know OP income hence the income tax can be as high as 9.3%.

But sales tax 7.75% in sacramento + california income tax is 9% so 16.75% comapred to 9% max sales tax in washington
and that doesnt account for cost of living

simply living in california will be vastly more expensive, let alone potential issues in education for the children

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

All the talk of tax savings is academic if the OP does not known which state his employer is able/wiling to employ him in. There are issues of permanent establishment and not all employers have health care plans in all states. As an example if you are employed NY they expect tax even if you are a telecommuter who works in their state of residence. All states have their own tiles so you need to look at the combination of states the OP will involve to understand the tax situation.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

Wow; what a response. Thank you all!

Couple of things..

Likely to rent first so will have time to look around, however, education for the kids is key.

Weather - warmer than the U.K., less rain but not desert type heat (Las Vegas/Phoenix etc)

Like city living but the ability to travel out sounds appealing

Washington State - does it rain that much?! Is it a balance of rain vs income tax?!

To the person that sent me the DM; thank you, it came through!

To the person that thinks I might have won a rise for not replying to all the posts…here I am! Hope I haven’t broke the streak

In all seriousness, I do appreciate all the advice

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

Sorry and on tax, company HQ is based in Dallas, but will be a home working role and my location will be accommodated by my employer

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

New employer

i imagine 5-10 years

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

As I indicated the cost of living and taxes make California in my opinion not a good option unless financial issues not a concern, California ( as well as Seattle) very expensive. Years ago I did a detailed comparison of living in California vs eastern Washington/north Idaho : at that time I would have had to earn $100,000+ in California vs £36,000 in parts of Pacific Northwest to have a roughly similar lifestyle. Washington State has variety of climate, Seattle of course the rain, eastern Washington/north Idaho one factor is it is less humid so makes winter easier to bear.

I don't know Oregon so there may be some good options there. Perhaps city living you refer to makes Oregon a better option, though in southern Idaho Boise Idaho may be a very good option.

Education will be difficult, and even private schools use state curriculums though generally private schools will generally be a better choice- but much depends on the socio-economics of community itself. I would recommend being very sceptical about what you may hear about quality of education in state schools especially from the school itself. We have had children in American , UK and another country in schools, we certainly were not impressed at the quality of education generally ( and my wife is a teacher). While in America we supplemented their education through online tutoring geared to English curriculums. Our experience was much more homework in American schools.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

The Denver area for a great balance of city living, outdoor activities and fantastic weather. Less expensive than the West Coast as well, although certainly not the cheapest place to live in the USA. Can’t comment on the schools but there are a ton of Brits in the area so I suspect there are some good options. I have family there and they love it. It’s a hub for United Airlines so you can fly non stop to just about anywhere, and it’s central so not too far to anywhere in the US and direct flights to London.

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

On what basis are you moving?

Re: Suggestions for US location
 

It is not always that simple, tax and health insurance aside, there are other issues like Workers Comp that may require extra setup, I just had to do that for a remote employee in a state that requires separate WC from that state, the visa you come on may also come in to play as some specify a work location.