Sally Redux

loubiblu

Meeting with the UK agent was ok, getting the shipping sorted was a big plus. I think they must have read the 'What to consider when you're moving' Wiki as their leaflets were pretty much identical!

Heading out to Chicago w/c 15th Sept - OH doing HR stuff and meeting his new staff, my plan is driving around the burbs to find us a home and schools.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far, much giggling from the Target/Polo Shirts tangent. Hope I can find a Waitrose-esque store (Or spend oodles to Whole Foods!)

Pulaski

Bob is right!

Bob

Wegmans, if there are any out there and possibly Trader Joes, for the lunch and kid stuff at least.

MsElui

the other thing that may catch you out - the price on the box/shelf does NOT include sales tax like it does in the UK - so always expect to pay a little more at the till.

Sally Redux

Yes, everything seems like a 'bargain' now I'm back , as nothing extra to pay at the till.

GeoffM

Looking at car hire earlier - $1000 (don't ask) was the advertised price. $1400 was the final price once you included sales tax, tourism tax, airport tax, environmental fees, turtle tax, some county tax, and goodness knows what else.

Call the EU a nanny state but it does put price comparisons on a bit more of a level playing field.

Hanco

So true.

Watch out for the insurances on rental transport. I had CDW and SLI for a bit, then dropped the SLI and just continued to drive with care.

Had to call 911 though, when a young lady parked her car into my parked car! Rental firm required a police report. Cost more $ to get the report for them (only $10 or something like that, but lots of add on costs in everything)

Pulaski

If you pay with a Visa credit card the CDW is unnecessary. IIRC Mastercard is not quite so generous.

My tip for renting a car is, if at all possible, do notrent at, or close to, an airport. There is typically additional tax (paid to the city), and an additional fee (paid to the airport) for renting at/close to an airport.

hungryhorace

I thought this as well, so decided to rent a car from Caesars Palace instead of McCarran. Worked out just as expensive, doh!

Pulaski

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, as does quite a lot of your money.

unique_boy

I wish I had asked more about renting.... I knew it would be difficult but I didn't expect as much red tape. For example they won't take my fiance's salary into account for affordability of an apartment, only if we are married.

loubiblu

What sort of red tape? Just affordability or other stuff too? Hopefully the company or Relo Agent will help with this.

unique_boy

I am in NYC, I had a temporary sublet which did not work out so I have had to move pretty fast in finding a place. First off all the real estate market is completely different to London, majority of the places have a broker fee in which you pay upto 15% off the annual rent to secure the place. Then as an international renter they want upto 4 months rent upfront with the broker fee that is a significant outlay.

I did a lot of research and went to a rental building directly missing out the broker fee. These are generally more expensive monthly but the initial outlay is not as much so over the year it works out cheaper. Broker might be better if you know you will stay in a place for 2 years+.

This where the red tape started, the rental building want a guarantor because I don't have US credit history....they want somebody that earns 80x monthly rent (ridiculous)...of course they will put you intouch with a company that you pay a months rent to and they will be your guarantor.

Between myself and my fiance we earn enough to meet and by pass their affordability criteria but they will not consider my fiances income as we are not married..... I work for a reputable company (large global firm) and have evidenced savings that cover the lease for the year but still they want the guarantor. I feel they probably get some sort of kick back for using the guarantor company.

Oh yeh then stuff like if you want furniture delivered the delivery men have to all types of insurance to deliver to the building. Just seems to be a lot of red tape.

Not sure what the market is like in Chicago but in NY it has been a nightmare. If you can I would push for a couple months in corporate housing.

hungryhorace

Never a truer word said