matthew.lewis2

I have a job offer on the table in Phoenix. The company have Visa 'E' status so can get me there quite quickly.

Although I have been around the usual salary checker websites I would like a little feedback (if at all possible) from USA Quantity Surveyors/Cost Consultants.

I am also expecting job offers from companies in the middle east, the packages vary wildly!

USA = $65k + $5k car allowance + usual benefits (3 weeks holiday, 401, health and dental etc)

Middle East. = £30k tax free + 25% in local currency as living allowance, plus accom, plus car, plus health+dental+6weeks holiday

Englishmum

It looks like going to the Middle East is a no-brainer to me!

Is it Dubai or Abu Dhabi? From what I've seen on TV, there's going to be plenty of work in Dubai for years to come.

Are you intending to stay in the US permanently if you take the job offer here? You will need to check if an 'E' visa can be adjusted to Green Card status....I'm not sure but I have a feeling it doesn't.

Ray

You are correct ...

Bob

I'd check out the threads in the ME to see what kind of packages people are getting and living costs so see what you get stacks up because living costs can be quite expensive, well housing at least...

sambuc

Hi Matthew

We lived in Cheltenham and moved to Phoenix (Mesa) Arizona in Dec 04.

Good luck in your decision making, however, you would have to pay me a whole lot more to go anywhere near the middle east.

fatbrit

E visa jobby is crap if you want to stay but fine if you just want to experience the US, i.e. don't view it as an emigration. Be aware that the work culture in the US is very unhealthy and that there are many disadvantages to being on a half-arsed visa.

401 ain't gonna be any use to you if you ain't staying. They don't usually vest their contributions completely until you've been there 5 years. Similarly, just saying they cover health is insufficient info: how much are you coughing out each paycheck and what are the co-pays for services. These can vary from no big deal to OM-effing-G!

matthew.lewis2

I am at ease with moving to the middle east, dubai, oman, qatar, bahrain are all safe (when compared to Iraq! for example). Also, children we may have in the future would be provided high quality english speaking private education at the expense of the company.

Living costs in the ME are not of concern as these costs will be covered by the company.

What I am intruiged in finding out is what packages US quantity surveyors/Cost Consultants have secured recently.

Bob

oh yeah, you mention medical, you need to find out the details of that, like what are the co-pays, the deductibles, what is covered, is it a PPO or HMO etc to see if it's any good.

And with the 401K, see what the clauses are if you leave the company before so many years etc.

Bob

for that, should contact the bodies that cover it probably for best info...and make sure they won't have any problems with your experience/degree etc.

matthew.lewis2

I know for sure my degree and experience is not a problem. My offering company has clients that demand only UK trained QS's with UK degrees in QS'ing are employed on their projects.

We QS's are in demand worldwide!

Jerseygirl

Couldn't pay me enough to live in the ME right now.

Bob

It's not all bad....the ME is a large place and all that....though Qatar and Bahrain are a tad quiet and boring compared to DXB....I agree I wouldn't even consider KSA or the other hotspots like Iraq/Iran, but they aren't the entire ME...

Jerseygirl

Don't care what you say Bob...blonde hair, blue eyes, faired skinned...I'd stand out like a sore thumb. I wouldn't go there for all the tea in China....and I do like me cuppa.