Originally Posted by Sally Redux

A word to the wise, they have guns over here.

Originally Posted by Cape Blue

Rule of thumb when I am employing people is to use $1,000 - $1,200 for the insurance costs for an employee who is married (company then pays 70%, leaving the individual with 30% of the $1,200).

Is that standard for all companies, that they'll pay 70%? I have NO IDEA how the healthcare thing works. Perhaps I should read more threads on this, I'm sure there's plenty, its getting late though.

I think deprived areas in the US go way beyond the UK - partly down to the lack of a social safety net. Oakland, Richmond, Compton etc - make Moss Side look like Putney.

Originally Posted by Cape Blue

Rule of thumb when I am employing people is to use $1,000 - $1,200 for the insurance costs for an employee who is married (company then pays 70%, leaving the individual with 30% of the $1,200).



I think deprived areas in the US go way beyond the UK - partly down to the lack of a social safety net. Oakland, Richmond, Compton etc - make Moss Side look like Putney.

Originally Posted by N1cky

The last time I went to Moss Side was to watch Leeds playing Man City in my Imprezza. I was just parking the car when the police pulled up beside me and told me not to park there as someone would be waiting for me to return from teh game and would shoot me for my car keys. We were given a police escort to the ground and they told the ground staff to let us park in the club carpark. That put the wobbles on me a bit.

Originally Posted by Infowarrior

Is that standard for all companies, that they'll pay 70%? I have NO IDEA how the healthcare thing works. Perhaps I should read more threads on this, I'm sure there's plenty, its getting late though.

Yes I have to admit that I feel mostly safe almost anywhere in the UK, for the most part at least they're not going to pull a gun on me. Was going to visit Oakland when I was over in San Jose years back, my boss quickly made it very clear that I should steer clear. To me it was just another town; I hadn't any clue about it, was just excited to be abroad and having all my bills paid.

Originally Posted by Cape Blue

I think deprived areas in the US go way beyond the UK - partly down to the lack of a social safety net. Oakland, Richmond, Compton etc - make Moss Side look like Putney.

Originally Posted by Infowarrior

Yes I have to admit that I feel mostly safe almost anywhere in the UK, for the most part at least they're not going to pull a gun on me. Was going to visit Oakland when I was over in San Jose years back, my boss quickly made it very clear that I should steer clear. To me it was just another town; I hadn't any clue about it, was just excited to be abroad and having all my bills paid.

Originally Posted by Sugarmooma

There is only a small area of Oakland that is a bit worrisome. Most of it has changed a lot over the last few years, it is not as bad as the reputation it once had. Where my daughter lives is really nice.

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

I think you'll find the cost of living quite a bit higher in California. Property taxes and utilities will be a lot more expensive than they are in the UK and your health care costs will be high and will increase by 20% every year. Currently we pay $1,400 a month for 2 people. 7 years ago, we paid $600 And every time we need drugs or a doctor's visit, we have to pay again.

I'm not sure if you're setting up your new business with your husband, but if you are, you will be dinged on self-employment taxes. (A married couple working together really get hosed on this). Add those to Federal tax, state tax and sales tax, and your tax burden will be higher here. (Not the case for people who are not married and self-employed by the way).

I hope things work out for you - lots of people love it here as you can tell!

As for my story, I came to the US 13 years ago with my job and loved it at first. Now I'm done and ready to leave. There are lots of positives but for me the extreme right-wing culture is just too much. Don't like guns, don't believe in God and don't think 'safety net' is a dirty word.

Originally Posted by Infowarrior

Haha, yes I keep reminding my wife when she gets into arguments with chavs over here that they have knives and they're not afraid to use them. We have not yet reached consensus on whether one would rather be knived or shot.