things we take for granted
 

Hi folks

We are a family of three, 2 adults and one child living in freezin Scotland. We are currently looking at the possibility of moving to sunny Florida for a period of time by buying a dog kenneling business and hopefully gain E2 visas all round.

We have done most of the research into applying for the visa's etc. We are now looking into all the stuff we would normally take for granted, i would appreciate if i could have some of you could give us some input on the queries I have listed below.

1. Healthcare - we are aware healthcare costs are met by the individual via an insurance policy, what we are looking for is a brief explanation on how it all works and an approximate cost for 2 adults and 1 child ? Does this normally cover dental work ?

2. Schooling - we have an 8 year old boy so schooling will be a major consideration. How does the schooling compare in general to the UK ? We will more than likely moving into a rural location, will there be transport avalable to him and will this cost extra ?

3. Council tax - what is the equivalant name for this in the US and how does it compare cost wise ?

4. Driving - i have been driving for 19 years, my partner is in the process of getting through her test in the UK, will we have to sit any additional tests to be able to drive in the US ?

Thanks in advance for your input

Scott

Re: things we take for granted
 

Healthcare - too big a question to answer! Yes there's lots to learn about it. I would do a lot of reading around the subject.

Schooling - kids start kindergarten at 5 rather than reception at 4, so they're a year behind basically. By the age of 8 they might be catching up. I decided to keep my daughter with her age group rather than with her academic level. Don't know about Florida, but here school buses pick up and drop off all kids in the school catchment area (you can't go to this school unless you are in the catchment area).

Council tax - the equivalent is property tax. I pay $6,000 a year on a $426,000 house so it's a lot higher than in the UK. It varies wildly. A friend pays $12,000 in upstate New York. Others pay a lot less.

Driving - depending on the state you will probably have to take a theory and driving test to get your license. Don't know about everywhere else, but I took mine in Seattle and despite nearly killing someone on a crosswalk I passed with high marks.

Re: things we take for granted
 

Some schools have pre-kindergarten that starts at 4. But it's usually only a half day.

Re: things we take for granted
 

Scott:

Please stop reposting the same question over and over again. I've deleted and closed duplicate threads. Repeating the question will not help you get answers.

Re: things we take for granted
 

Dental work can be includes or bought as an xtra ...
Impossible to give even a clue on a rough price even ..so many variable
Not as good as the UK ..say most ..
transport is usually provideded by school buses in rural areas

Property tax...In Florida ..I pay just under $2000 a year ..my neighbour pays $3500 he has owned the house a lesser amount of time ..
There is a reduction for most called homestead excemption..you cannot get this on an E-2
Yes ..you will start again as new drivers ...will have to take a test ..(very easy though)


There is an E-2 forum for florida ...www.thefloridaforums.com

Re: things we take for granted
 

Health care? Do you have any pre existing conditions? An idea of costs for a simple visit to ER where you'll only get 'first aid' or is it 'fisted' you pay about 20% or $250.
Then you'll go to a specialist if needed eg a broken arm where he'll take his pound of flesh.

Schools are crap in Florida

Council tax depends on your locale

Driving? You'll need a lobotomy:rofl: or a death wish.

Where are you going?

Re: things we take for granted
 

Hi folks

Thanks very much for the replys, very helpful :) I shall look into what you've said.

NC Penguin - sorry about that, I done the post on my phone and had a problem with the wi-fi, I didn't think the post had went up so I kept trying, sorry :o

Thydney - No pre-existing conditions for any of us, sounds like a bit o a nightmare :eek:

In what way ?

:lol:Surely it can't be much worse than driving in the UK !

No idea where in Florida we're going, it depends on where we can buy a business, anywhere you can reccommend ?

Once again, thanks loads. :thumbsup:

Regards

Scott

Re: things we take for granted
 

Healthcare, do a search, loads of threads on the subject...most get it through an employer, getting it privately is going to be most expensive. It all depends on the level of the cover, PPO v HMO, what level of deductibles you fancy, co-pays, max cover etc.

I'm lucky to have fairly decent cover which costs me $65 and that includes dental, a month, but the company paid $1500 a month on top last year, it went up 15% for them, but they soaked up the cost. This is a family plan with $20 co-pay.

Schools, no idea, but again, there's been a few threads, it all depends exactly where you want to live, it's to do with the catchment area, some schools are good, but generally Florida isn't looked on favourably.

Property tax is high, but also so is house insurance, car insurance and all the other hidden taxes.

As for driving, you'll have to re-take the tests, but a blind one armed monkey could pass the tests here.

Re: things we take for granted
 

I have an 8 year old and an 11 year old in the Florida school system and am very happy with their education thus far. They both receive gifted instruction in local magnet schools. Florida is big on magnet schools so check in to those in the school district that you will be moving to. Applications are usually due the Nov/Dec before the following school year if that makes sense?? You can check out Florida Sunshine State standards which is equivalent to England's National Curriculum to better compare the basics.

http://www.fldoe.org/bii/curriculum/sss/

Re: things we take for granted
 

That's good to hear. We moved to Arizona with an 8 yr old and a 6 year old.They're in regular schools with no advanced or gifted options. Here's what we've found. The 8 year old in 3 rd grade is going over material he did last year in Year3, but becoz it's presented differently and he has to get used to different weights, measures and money and grammatical terms, he's actually doing OK. On the other hand, the 6 year old is doing material he covered 2 years ago in Reception, and he's bored out of his mind! The school is not being terribly helpful and my DH is so upset by the whole thing he wants us all back in sunny London by August!
We have been told by several teachers (not just in our school) that in the US they teach to the lower section of the class. Whereas in England they aim the lessons at the upper sections of the class. Differentiated learning doesn't seem to have made it over here. If you can find a school with some sort of advanced placement classes you'll be OK . It also depends how bright your kids are. There's an attitude in the public schools here that they have to work with the kids who are struggling and the bright kids will figure it out by themselves. Never mind how bored and uninspired they get along the way!
Don't fool yourself that everything's cheaper here. We're struggling as badly as we were in London. Our rent may be half but there are lots of other costs. I can't advise you on healthcare as I don't understand it myself, I do know that the co-pay system can really add up. Good Luck with the move!

Re: things we take for granted
 

Wow! There must be some sort of gifted option available, no? I would definitely have them tested either through the school system or privately and then once they are identified as gifted, the school system HAS to teach to their individual education plan to THEIR level. Also, you can ask for your children to receive enrichment work if they are bored. This website has been a huge source of information for me:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

Remember no child left behind, means exactly that regardless of their academic level. You may just have to use that line to your child's teacher to get them to help you.

Re: things we take for granted
 

Welcome to British Expats.

Re: things we take for granted
 

no child left behind is the biggest load of rubbish though, it's a waste of time and just a case of number crunching rather than keep standards up.

Re: things we take for granted
 

The real problem in Florida schools is for the normal/average kids, the schools just plod on with them no pushing.

Driving down here is hideous you take your chances some senile old bastard in a huge car won't crash into you everytime you go on the road. I stopped using my indicators because that just makes them speed up so you can't manoever.


Places to go to? Gainsville/Ocala would be my choice

Re: things we take for granted
 

health care: get some professional advise as it is a real minefield especially if you will be self employed.

schooling : my kids came here whe my son had already done reception in the uk. we chose to keep him in the grade that he would be in if we went back to the uk rather than with the age group (which would have been the grade lower) he's now about to go into high school and it's worked out well. my children went to a charter school when we lived in Michigan so you might want to look into that. i believe that the education isn't as good here as in the uk so if you're planning on returning to the uk sometime to live then it may be a problem.

driving test : a walk in the park:D