Pulaski

Even Walmart loused up in Germany, and I read is now struggling in the UK. Safeway (US) bailed out of the UK, Sainsbury's bailed on Giant in the US, and Carrefour pulled out of the UK. Running a supermarket internationally is no easy feat, and you have to understand the market and how to fit in with it, because it doesn't seem to lend itself to a radically different approach. People like comfortable familiarity when buying their groceries, not a fsncy marketing "concept".

Bob

FB, too I would imagine. There are loads for expats and various hobbies out my way at least. Just search region and hobby, should bring up a few options I would think.

charlas

I'm a keen(ish) Mountain Biker, but she's not She does do a bit of Vlogging though, and some of her friends on YouTube are Stateside, so perhaps some of that might help.

charlas

Being a grocery store anywhere at the moment doesn't seem a good idea, why they all got into own branded electronics, and phone shops and Pharmacy's I suppose

petitefrancaise

Bob, one of the great things about t-mobile is their pre-pay plan which didn't require a deposit or a ssn. If you have your own phones it's great. He can use his Nexus for Google fi and I don't think he will need a deposit for that either.

However.... It would be useful to find this out:
Google says that you need a google payments account to pay for a nexus phone but I don't know if you need it for a google fi plan.

I raise this because I had quite a few problems switching my google payments from a french account to a US one and I think my OH just gave up. It could be very frustrating trying to set up a phone plan and re-setting google payments to the US. LizzyQ I think Steve said you had just got a google fi plan , how did it work for you? Did you need google payments?

Bob

Down my way, NEMBA is the mountain biking organisation and they have regional chapters all over the place around the North East area....good for partners who might not bike too, as they usually have folks hosting after ride parties at various pubs/homes.

Don't know if there's something similar down in Texas, but I would be surprised if there weren't.

Not a cheap sport over here though...but if you're in Texas, you won't have to worry about a fatty to keep riding in the winter, or studding up the tyres. Something galling about spending close to car tyre money on a good trail bike tyre, but Minions aren't to shocking

Bob

Oh definitely. Pre-paid is the way to go, but if one wanted contract and if nothing else, something to consider for all the other utilities like water/rubbish/electric/gas.

loubiblu

Exactly. T Mobile has excellent coverage in our neighbourhood and around the Loop. OP has shown he's been excellent at research so far. My husband had been travelling to the Chicago office for about 18 months before we actually moved and he monitored which signal his UK phone picked up the most frequently. They were all pretty equal, but the T Mobile no credit plan swung it for us.

charlas

Sounds good, Thanks all.

Grateful for how helpful you lot are. Glad I found the place

charlas

Wonder if one of the long haul carriers will give me frequent flyer discount, think the other half has a lot of visits the the UK planned lol

loubiblu

Read Tonrob's sticky. Sorry can't link it. See if you can negotiate flights as part of your renumeration. We get 2 business class returns per year as part of my husband's package.

charlas

Good idea

petitefrancaise

feel free to pm me if you need to..

I hope you get the job after 7 pages of posts....!

charlas

LMAO me too! Although I was asked to apply by one of the higher ups in the English side, so that's always a good sign I suppose.

I actually got offered a job in Seattle a few years ago at Microsoft, but eventually had to turn it down as my Ex said she wanted to at the beginning, but when it got down to brass tacks and I was offered the job she had a hissy fit, one of the reasons why I'm concerned about my Fiance.

At least if I do all the legwork for research, when it comes down to it, I can lay out a plan of action for her, and it's less of a shock to the system if she can see I've thought as much through as I can.

petitefrancaise

Yep, one of the main reasons for assignments "failing" is unhappy spouse. Get her out here, down to Hula Hut for margarita and texmex in the evening - along to the moviehouseandeatery for a leather recliner, food and a movie.. along 6th street for a few beers..

I've recently been given the details of a counsellor who specialises in helping spouses adapt - I looked at her website and I've ordered her workbook. It might be something I can recommend to clients. it seems like a very practical way of looking at things. And she is in-network for quite a lot of health insurance companies so it will be just about paid for.