bromleygirl

I've just returned back to the U.S. after being back in the UK for the last 6 years (Cambridge). I'm in the East Bay area and would say that maybe you should look at areas outside of SF that would be cheaper and be able to commute in quite easily.

I know what you mean about weather - I think the last winter in the UK was enough for me! I'm sure you have heard all the reports about the CA budget deficit etc. but the truth is that it's bad everywhere.

If you can afford to it would be a great time to buy a property - there are bargains to be had in CA!

dgandhi

Hi, would love to email you further. We were looking at various east bay citys that we thought we could afford ; Concorde was one, where are you? The gloomy winters are killer and people in London seem a lot more down in winter. It just doesn't suit us. It might be nice if we had some pretty snow rather than black ice and frost!

dgandhi

We live in Bromley at the moment!

christmasoompa

Move out of London then. We live 45 mins out of central London, and we had several feet of 'pretty snow' for weeks on end this winter.

Cheaper and easier than moving to the US too.........!!

Mummy in the foothills

Thats true it's cheaper to find an area you will love in the UK than to emigrate. Maybe make list of what it is you are looking for. If it's Sunshine then maybe Aus or Florida is what you require. San Francisco isn't exactly really know for sunshine. We always make sure to take jackets year round when we visit. Plus I've never never heard of any teachers earning close to £40,000 here that reserved for the principal if he/she is lucky, or even the people running the district.
As you move out of San Francisco towards Concord/Antioch the weather does get hotter, and the wages get lower.
Maybe the Dvon or Cornwall coast would be a nice change, I hear the south gets more sun.

Oregon4now

Teachers make decent money, I know this for a fact as my own sister is an 11th grade History teacher who makes about $56K a year working in So. California's San Fernando Valley. To the OP, I have provided a link that should be of some help to you regarding some of your questions pertaining to Salary and requirements. Times are indeed rough at the moment but what the hell, you only live once, enjoy the adventure !!

http://teacherportal.com/salary/Cali...teacher-salary

Sally Redux

How does that equate to 40K pounds?

PS I'd take that ratio of 1:21 with a pinch of salt. My kids are in classes of 35-40.

Oregon4now

Did I say it did Sally ? Are you able to read what I posted or are you just on your usual negativity streak, ...Sisters Grimm indeed.

I was simply trying to help the OP with what little information I have that could possibly be OF some use to her.

Depends on the School in regards to class size FYI, also depends if she teaches at a private or public school regarding the higher salary, The more tenure you have the more you make etc...

Sally Redux

Presumably you were trying to counteract several people who said it would be hard to match her current salary.

"Yeah, come on over, it's absolutely fabulous, no worries mate."

Better?

Mummy in the foothills

The teachers I have as friends here have tenure are in their late forties with masters degrees and teach at the local elementary school neither earns close to £40,000 a year one even had to claim WIC when his kids were little as they start on such low pay. Both do an excellent job with the kids and now teach classes of 25 plus kids.

Oregon4now

The Sisters Grimm.....Damm shame everything turns into a pissing match on BE
even when you are just trying to help a poster with their questions.


Pay attention Sally !

Times are indeed rough at the moment but what the hell, you only live once, enjoy the adventure !!

apparently this means "Yeah, come on over, it's absolutely fabulous, no worries mate."

MorganMars

Hello,

While I am not a teacher, I do work closely with educators in Florida, so I will try to provide you with some information that I have gained through the years.

There is no doubt that education is having a very difficult time. Schools in the US are typically paid for through property taxes and since property values have dropped drastically, so have the revenues for the schools. Many teachers in under funded districts have been added to those who are unemployed. To give you a graphic representation of the growth of unemployment in the US and areas that are hardest hit, go to this link on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P__6W7bJVRQ
That may help you to identify some other areas that may appeal to you.

That is not to say that jobs are not available, however. You may want to investigate teacher shortage areas. Teaching jobs in shortage areas such as Special Education, Foreign Languages, the Sciences and sometimes in rural districts are generally available, but they are often under difficult circumstances. For instance, in Special Education I understand that many first year teachers quit after one or two years. Those who know the challenges and care deeply about their students find it most rewarding, though.

There are several approved agencies where your qualifications can be evaluated to provide you with a US equivalent. Also, often in shortage areas, teachers may be employed on the condition that they will obtain the appropriate certification within two years. This may not apply for overseas qualifications, however. There are sometimes "bursaries" available for college coursework that may be required, as well, though that is not what they are called here.

I have heard conflicting information regarding negotiations for pay. Some tell me that pay can be negotiated during final interviews, while others say that pay is based only on your degree level and number of years in the district. A chart of average teacher salaries can be found at http://teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state and you can sort the columns. It also shows the starting salaries, and a "comfort" score that takes local cost of living under consideration.

I have a step-son who lives in San Francisco and he loves it, but you may find that it is just as expensive as London. He attended college at Brunel University in London and my other son is currently living in Cambridge. We are a traveling family so I do understand your urge to roam.

Good luck,
Mary

Oregon4now

Excellent and well balanced post Mary ...

bromleygirl

1:21 in the UK?? I'd love to know where. Before we left Cambridge my children were in 1:34 classes

bromleygirl

I left Bromley several years ago but have family there so know exactly how it is. Feel free to PM me. We've just moved to Vacaville - only 40 mins to SF and 30 mins to Sac. Housing is very inexpensive here is you are buying at the moment - bet you could even find a place to buy outright with your savings if you wanted to as I've seen 4 and 4 bed single family homes for $230k -
$240k. It's not the most exciting place but great for families and it was on the 100 best places to live apparently.

It can get hot here but Air Conditioning works a treat and if you have a swimming pool even better!