charlas

I've been offered an interview for a job in the USA, working for the company I currently work for in the UK (well their American subsidiary).

The job covers Austin, Chicago and San Francisco, I would travel to cover all three locations, but probably be based in Austin.

I'm trying to work out wages, and things to look out for. What's the going wages in Austin for IT Consultants? (Security networks specialist)

The company I work for is a large global company, HQ based in Germany, but large European and South American coverage too, and the US part of the company is about 400 people at the moment (between the three large sites, and half a dozen remote sites too) with Canada coming online next year, and will be at 600-800 employees over the next 18 months or so.

Obviously getting in 'on the ground floor' has benefits, and being asked to apply is obviously a good sign. I'm just not sure what to ask for? In the UK I have a decent salary, with health, car, final salary pension etc What's the US equivalent's?

Thanks in advance for any help/guidance etc

Edit : Oh I think I would be on an L1 Visa, and my other half (we will be married August next year, in Cornwall) will probably want to work too, I know that can be an issue, any help there would be good too. Oh I have dual Citizenship (UK and South Africa) but my SA Passport is expired (as never needed it really)

Ashleigh

petitefrancaise

I live in Austin. I don't know what your job payscale is like but in my experience, most large companies with international sites have it pretty much worked out.

It's much cheaper to live here in Austin than San Francisco, not sure about Chicago. But the winters there wouldn't appeal to me at all. We hardly get to freezing here but the summers can be pretty brutal.

A "decent" salary here? Off the top of my head I'd say $150k but IT people are raking it in at the mo. You wouldn't be a consultant though would you, so no point comparing a freelance gig - you'd be a full-time employee with health insurance - subsidised I would think, probably company-matched 401K (retirement money). Don't think you'd get a car since it's not an american thing. Holiday entitlement is usually negotiable, ask for what you get in the UK and see what they say.

A decent sized family house in a good suburb is at least $500k, more in the "posh" neighbourhoods.

It isn't cheaper to live here, some things are cheaper and others cost more. You will get a bigger house for your money, a bigger car if that lights your candle.

Look on glassdoor.com to see what is said about your company and zillow.com, realtor.com for the cost of housing.

Your wife will be able to apply for an EAD (work permit). If she's a professional you should check out any requirements for her to work in the USA and in whichever state you think you will be living.

charlas

Thanks for that, I'm almost certainly looking to be in Austin, most of the systems I'd be involved in are there, do a week in San Fran every couple of months, and Chicago as and when.

Yeah work is a large multi national, so they do have payscales worked out ($180k ish) and I was just trying to work out what that equates to in the UK(ish)

There's going to be a fair bit of traveling involved (at least initially) so already broached the issue of a car, and I'll press it to see what I can do, but yeah I know it's not really a thing over there, perhaps some of my relocation package can go on getting me something if not.

I've had a look on glassdoor, and the salary seems to be in to topish percentile, so I suppose it's OK.

As for house, I suppose at the start at least I'll be renting, I'll have a look on the two sites (thanks), but what the rental market like out there? what areas / things do I need to keep an eye out for?

Noorah101

If you're travelling for work between Austin and SF, and Austin and Chicago, you won't want to be driving those distances. You'll fly, and you'll most likely pay for it yourself and then do an expense report so the company can reimburse you for the travel expenses.

Rene

charlas

Oh yeah there's a lot of flying involved in that, but there's a lot of the systems we are bringing online in Texas, now I know Texas is a big place, but think there's going to be a fair bit of driving involved to the sites... After all some of the sites are huge as well, one of the large sites we have is in Roscoe (largest of it's kind), and think that's about 4 hours away by car. There's 3 other sites online and actively being developed in TX as well with other sites planned in Texas and Canada.

Thanks for the help though, it's most appreciated.

charlas

Also for anyone that works in Austin city, what's it like getting in every day? The austin site is not far from the Capitol building if that makes any difference.

petitefrancaise

Austin peak traffic is horrible, horrible, horrible. Doesn't matter which way in you go. Everyone I know goes in really, really early 6.30 which is just as the traffic is building up.

That road to Abilene is sometimes dual carriageway, sometimes single and can be busy, so 4 hours when there is no traffic to speak of.

Google maps has a feature where you can put in what time you want to travel and it lets you know average trip times.

If my OH has to drive for work, then the mileage allowance is pretty good but really, you're going to be looking at flights whenever you can. Texas is huge. 3-4 hours to drive to Houston (40 minute flight), Dallas the same.

petitefrancaise

Regarding housing in Austin.

I'd look either just north of the city center, just west of Mopac or just south of the Ladybird lake. Since you don't yet have to worry about schools (I assume) any of those areas will get you a cute little house and garden, you'll be closer to the city center for work (you could even cycle!) and close to the nightlife downtown. If you're feeling flush look at some of the new apartment towers in town, some of them are really nice with gorgeous facilities. You'd be able to walk to work and be right next to the lake - which would be cool.
Unlike a lot of US towns/cities, Austin has a great city centre, very lively and a nice place to live and work.

charlas

Yeah no kids yet, but do have a dog (westie) that might like a park or 2 to play in.

And I assumed commute from anywhere outside of town would be bad, but that sounds horrid.

Cool, I'll have a look at property prices then.

Thanks all

petitefrancaise

Yeah traffic is horrible. I have to take my son in at 4.20 from NW suburb and it takes me 45 minutes to go in against the traffic ( normally 20 minutes max) but coming home at 5.10 takes me an hour.

kodokan

If you're on an L1, which sounds likely, then your wife will be on an L2; this will allow her to work no problem after she gets an EAD authorization (takes 2-3 months after arrival).

But what timescale is your company talking about for this move? She WILL have to be your actual spouse to move with you. Unless the plan is for her to remain in the UK and join you some time in late 2017/ early 2018, once her visa is processed post-wedding? You'd have to check with your company if they'd be willing to pay for another bout of lawyering.

If this job goes ahead, you may need to do a quick paperwork wedding, then save next August for a congratulatory family party.

themadpooper

Chicago tends to get slagged off on these types of threads by people with little or no experience of the city and area in general so a gentle reminder it doesn't in fact freeze 365 days a year here. Summers in Chicago are warmer and longer than many other parts of the country:



I would also tentatively suggest Chicago is more diverse than Austin and location wise, given the op's travel plans, would be a better option than Texas

Chicago, like any decent city in America, has lots of trendy neighborhoods and the down town area that most people associate Chicago with is every bit as cool as New York City or London and I say that as Londoner born and raised. Austin just isn't in the same league I'm afraid. If you like eating out, Chicago is pretty much the foody capital of America, certainly on par with San Francisco and New York City. There are things commonly available here in local supermarkets, bars, restaurants etc. that would blow many people away and I could happily recommend the best places to find them, some of which open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Chicago is a genuine 24 hour city, unlike Austin)

As for salary expectations, $150k is way above what most Americans would consider a decent salary, that's 3 times the national average and more than pretty much anyone I personally know. So, if your salary is going to be 180K, you're set to have a great standard of living regardless of where you choose to live. My wife and I rent a 2 bed apartment a few subway stops outside the main downtown area of Chicago and we pay just shy of $2500k a month, for that we also get a garage for the car. You could quite easily live 4 or 5 people in our apartment, it's that big and has all the mod cons, great kitchen, etc. Property in general in America is far bigger than what you commonly get in the UK, so you're instantly getting an upgrade by moving here from that point of view

As for the general cost of living in the US, gas to run a car is notoriously cheap versus UK prices. It's currently less than 2 bucks a gallon and I've seen it close to a dollar a gallon in some parts of the country. Because sales tax is basically half that of UK VAT, a lot of things, particularly electrical goods, are far cheaper than what you'd pay in the UK. Food, also, is generally cheaper here, especially if you get a Costco or Sam's Club membership and don't listen to the supermarket snobs who say Walmart is terrible. Income tax in America is far less than that of the UK, the wife I pay 25% federal income tax and 3.75% in state income tax, compare this to UK income tax which was 40% for us, plus national insurance on our earnings, plus council tax and living here is considerably cheaper than the UK, even in London

I can't comment too much on San Francisco as I've only ever been there as a tourist but it's well established the local rental prices are basically the most expensive in the US after New York City but for tech professionals, it's pretty much the number 1 spot in America. If you have money, and you clearly will, I would certainly recommend it over Austin which would be my last choice of your 3 would-be destinations

Good luck

rbackhouse

Your forgot this little tidbit. Only 135 murders so far this year. Not bad for 3 months

Chicago off to deadliest start in nearly two decades - Chicago Tribune

charlas

Yeah the reason I was favoring Austin, was that a good majority of our sites at the moment are in Texas, oh and circuit of the America's is there and I'm an f1 nut ☺️

I was thinking of San Francisco, but costs of everything are so high there whenever I've been, but may look into it a little more.

As for money, I had no idea what average wages were etc, so at least with what the equation wage is it will be a decent one, so not bad there.

As for my fiancé, why would I need to be married? Is that the law for the L1? Even though she is my common-law wife anyhow?

Owen778

Yes, you need to be actually be married for her to get an L2 visa.