Where do we start?
Sep 17th 2008, 12:49 pm
#1
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8
Where do we start?
It's still very early days, but there is a very very slim chance that there might be a job opportunity in the US for my husband.
He is not good with change, and so we're trying to research as much as possible to find out what moving out there would take before he commits to an interview etc.
We are in our 30's, no children, 2 cats and 2 cars that we would like to take with us.
We have a house in the UK that we would probably prefer to rent out for a while to see how things pan out.
Where do we start? I know that I wouldn't be able to get a visa, but my husband's employer would cover the visa angle for him hopefully.
How much does it cost to pack up and ship a 3 bedroom house to the States? Including 2 cars and 2 cats?!
Do we pay tax over there, or over here? Do we keep a UK bank account or switch to a US bank account? Do we have to pay tax on any rental income from our UK house? Do we have to switch to a Buy to Let mortgage, or can we stay on our existing mortgage?
Are there any companies that can help with all of this stuff?
And lastly - what is suburban New England like? We spent some time there this Summer, but what are the communities like?
Any help gratefully received - thank you so much!
He is not good with change, and so we're trying to research as much as possible to find out what moving out there would take before he commits to an interview etc.
We are in our 30's, no children, 2 cats and 2 cars that we would like to take with us.
We have a house in the UK that we would probably prefer to rent out for a while to see how things pan out.
Where do we start? I know that I wouldn't be able to get a visa, but my husband's employer would cover the visa angle for him hopefully.
How much does it cost to pack up and ship a 3 bedroom house to the States? Including 2 cars and 2 cats?!
Do we pay tax over there, or over here? Do we keep a UK bank account or switch to a US bank account? Do we have to pay tax on any rental income from our UK house? Do we have to switch to a Buy to Let mortgage, or can we stay on our existing mortgage?
Are there any companies that can help with all of this stuff?
And lastly - what is suburban New England like? We spent some time there this Summer, but what are the communities like?
Any help gratefully received - thank you so much!
Sep 17th 2008, 12:57 pm
#2
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
Posts: 6,363
Re: Where do we start?
forget the cars - not worth taking. would cost too much to export them and convert them to US regs.
You wont ship a whole house - you would pare down to the essesntials and get rid of all your electronics (bar a few items that will still work over here) and buy new here.
Is the job with his existing company (ie a transfer) as those kind of visas are easier to get. If he doesnt work for the company yet then he either needs to work for them for a year in the uk and then transfer or he needs to look into the H1 visa types that are very hard to get and he may not be successful.
As his wife you can get a dependant visa and come with him - the compamy offer should take care of you too. You may or may not be allowed to work (not as wife on a H visa, but you can as a wife on an L (transfer) visa).
So he needs to get more details on what visa would be invilved before we can give the most relevant advice.
we switched to a buy to let mortage - you must inform the mortgage company of your plans to l
let it out and see what they say. As we were a transfer we pay US income tax but still somehow pay UK national insurance (not US social security). If we made the move more permananet (ie got a green card) that would change to all US. We actually get US tax relief on the mortgage interest we pay - but you would need to get financial advice about this before making your move.
You wont ship a whole house - you would pare down to the essesntials and get rid of all your electronics (bar a few items that will still work over here) and buy new here.
Is the job with his existing company (ie a transfer) as those kind of visas are easier to get. If he doesnt work for the company yet then he either needs to work for them for a year in the uk and then transfer or he needs to look into the H1 visa types that are very hard to get and he may not be successful.
As his wife you can get a dependant visa and come with him - the compamy offer should take care of you too. You may or may not be allowed to work (not as wife on a H visa, but you can as a wife on an L (transfer) visa).
So he needs to get more details on what visa would be invilved before we can give the most relevant advice.
we switched to a buy to let mortage - you must inform the mortgage company of your plans to l
let it out and see what they say. As we were a transfer we pay US income tax but still somehow pay UK national insurance (not US social security). If we made the move more permananet (ie got a green card) that would change to all US. We actually get US tax relief on the mortgage interest we pay - but you would need to get financial advice about this before making your move.
Last edited by MsElui; Sep 17th 2008 at 1:00 pm.
Sep 17th 2008, 1:02 pm
#3
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Where do we start?
It's still very early days, but there is a very very slim chance that there might be a job opportunity in the US for my husband.
He is not good with change, and so we're trying to research as much as possible to find out what moving out there would take before he commits to an interview etc.
He is not good with change, and so we're trying to research as much as possible to find out what moving out there would take before he commits to an interview etc.
We are in our 30's, no children, 2 cats and 2 cars that we would like to take with us.
We have a house in the UK that we would probably prefer to rent out for a while to see how things pan out.
Where do we start? I know that I wouldn't be able to get a visa, but my husband's employer would cover the visa angle for him hopefully.
it all up to the employer ..thay apply for the visa ..not you ...
How much does it cost to pack up and ship a 3 bedroom house to the States? Including 2 cars and 2 cats?!
Do we pay tax over there, or over here? Do we keep a UK bank account or switch to a US bank account? Do we have to pay tax on any rental income from our UK house? Do we have to switch to a Buy to Let mortgage, or can we stay on our existing mortgage?
yes
yes
no idea
Are there any companies that can help with all of this stuff?
And lastly - what is suburban New England like? We spent some time there this Summer, but what are the communities like?
Medical insurance coverage will become the most important
thing in your life
Sep 17th 2008, 1:07 pm
#4
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Where do we start?
I agree with Ray if your husband does not like change it's a bad omen. Living in the US will be a huge culture shock...just because we speak the same language (loosely) doesn't mean the way of life is the same.
We left all the furniture in our house in the US and my husband's company agreed to keep his UK job open and transfer us back when we wanted to return to the UK. If your husband can strike a deal similar to that you have nothing to lose. Give the US a try and if you don't like it your house and his job is waiting for you back home.
We left all the furniture in our house in the US and my husband's company agreed to keep his UK job open and transfer us back when we wanted to return to the UK. If your husband can strike a deal similar to that you have nothing to lose. Give the US a try and if you don't like it your house and his job is waiting for you back home.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Sep 17th 2008 at 1:09 pm.
Sep 17th 2008, 1:13 pm
#5
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Re: Where do we start?
I didn't know about converting cars - that's a shame, seeing ours are more fuel efficient and mine's a diesel... oh well.
Doesn't seem too hard to take the cats out though from other threads I've found.
If we were letting out our house we'd want to take some of our furniture with us - my parents used to let their house out when abroad and it got trashed. Mainly though it would just be clothes and books/DVD's etc.
I'm not sure about visas, they are an international company, but I didn't know that he'd have to work for them over here for a year first. He doesn't work for them already. I presume that if they really want him then they'll work out the visa side of things?
I meant are their specialist companies who can guide you through the process, or is it just easier to do it yourself?
Hubby's not good with change in that he is risk averse - not in that he doesn't like change so much. We just want to make sure that it is feasible before we move ahead. Sounds like the visa would be the sticking point though.
Doesn't seem too hard to take the cats out though from other threads I've found.
If we were letting out our house we'd want to take some of our furniture with us - my parents used to let their house out when abroad and it got trashed. Mainly though it would just be clothes and books/DVD's etc.
I'm not sure about visas, they are an international company, but I didn't know that he'd have to work for them over here for a year first. He doesn't work for them already. I presume that if they really want him then they'll work out the visa side of things?
I meant are their specialist companies who can guide you through the process, or is it just easier to do it yourself?
Hubby's not good with change in that he is risk averse - not in that he doesn't like change so much. We just want to make sure that it is feasible before we move ahead. Sounds like the visa would be the sticking point though.
Sep 17th 2008, 1:16 pm
#6
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Where do we start?
I didn't know about converting cars - that's a shame, seeing ours are more fuel efficient and mine's a diesel... oh well.
Doesn't seem too hard to take the cats out though from other threads I've found.
If we were letting out our house we'd want to take some of our furniture with us - my parents used to let their house out when abroad and it got trashed. Mainly though it would just be clothes and books/DVD's etc.
I'm not sure about visas, they are an international company, but I didn't know that he'd have to work for them over here for a year first. He doesn't work for them already. I presume that if they really want him then they'll work out the visa side of things?
I meant are their specialist companies who can guide you through the process, or is it just easier to do it yourself?
Hubby's not good with change in that he is risk averse - not in that he doesn't like change so much. We just want to make sure that it is feasible before we move ahead. Sounds like the visa would be the sticking point though.
Doesn't seem too hard to take the cats out though from other threads I've found.
If we were letting out our house we'd want to take some of our furniture with us - my parents used to let their house out when abroad and it got trashed. Mainly though it would just be clothes and books/DVD's etc.
I'm not sure about visas, they are an international company, but I didn't know that he'd have to work for them over here for a year first. He doesn't work for them already. I presume that if they really want him then they'll work out the visa side of things?
I meant are their specialist companies who can guide you through the process, or is it just easier to do it yourself?
Hubby's not good with change in that he is risk averse - not in that he doesn't like change so much. We just want to make sure that it is feasible before we move ahead. Sounds like the visa would be the sticking point though.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA
Sep 17th 2008, 1:18 pm
#7
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
Posts: 6,363
Re: Where do we start?
For instance - the H1 visa can only be applied for by the company on the 1st April. IF successful (and thats a big IF as its vastly oversubscribed and a bit of a lottery) he wouldnt be able to start work until 1st Oct. ie the earliest now would be to start work Oct 2009. If he didnt get one in the lottery he would have to wait a year and re-apply again. And thats supposing he is even skilled enough to be eligible for that kind of visa in the first place.
Sep 17th 2008, 1:54 pm
#8
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
Re: Where do we start?
Yes, the visas are your #1 priority. Job offers are meaningless unless the employer can get an appropriate visa.
Forget about shipping cars unless they are collector's items and money is no object. If they're your daily runners, they will be far more trouble than they're worth. Don't forget you'd be sitting on the "wrong" side for toll booths, drive-through services, parking ramps, etc.
Sep 17th 2008, 2:05 pm
#9
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Where do we start?
Very good advice from other posters so far.
Yes, the visas are your #1 priority. Job offers are meaningless unless the employer can get an appropriate visa.
Forget about shipping cars unless they are collector's items and money is no object. If they're your daily runners, they will be far more trouble than they're worth. Don't forget you'd be sitting on the "wrong" side for toll booths, drive-through services, parking ramps, etc.
Yes, the visas are your #1 priority. Job offers are meaningless unless the employer can get an appropriate visa.
Forget about shipping cars unless they are collector's items and money is no object. If they're your daily runners, they will be far more trouble than they're worth. Don't forget you'd be sitting on the "wrong" side for toll booths, drive-through services, parking ramps, etc.
Sep 17th 2008, 2:17 pm
#10
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Re: Where do we start?
My husband is a CRM specialist, he has a degree and a Masters, and 11 years of experience in the field, which will be 12 by October 2009.
The timing would fit with us perfectly, but I don't know if the company would want to wait a year for him...
Ok, the cars was just a thought... we can leave those behind...
The timing would fit with us perfectly, but I don't know if the company would want to wait a year for him...
Ok, the cars was just a thought... we can leave those behind...
Sep 17th 2008, 2:24 pm
#11
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Posts: 23,179
Re: Where do we start?
It's still very early days, but there is a very very slim chance that there might be a job opportunity in the US for my husband............what is suburban New England like? We spent some time there this Summer, but what are the communities like?
Any help gratefully received - thank you so much!
Any help gratefully received - thank you so much!
And how would you feel about not being allowed to work? (which seems highly likely, given that an H1b seems the only potential visa for your DH)
Sep 17th 2008, 2:27 pm
#12
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Re: Where do we start?
I have always always wanted to live in the States. Yes, it probably is rose tinted spectacles, but I love the country. I've always felt more at home there than anywhere else. I love being an expat (I grew up as one all over the world). I love the feeling of space and the fact that it is such a diverse country with mountains, and desserts, and the tropics.
My husband never was keen, but had always said that if something came up in New England, he'd consider it. And since we spent 2 weeks there in the Summer, he's fallen in love with the area as much as I have. We were touring through small towns, staying in B&B's and getting a real feel for the places, rather than visiting tourist hotspots.
I'll admit that is just a dream, but surely if the opportunity to fulfill that dream comes along, we owe it to ourselves to investigate and do anything that we can to try and achieve it?
My husband never was keen, but had always said that if something came up in New England, he'd consider it. And since we spent 2 weeks there in the Summer, he's fallen in love with the area as much as I have. We were touring through small towns, staying in B&B's and getting a real feel for the places, rather than visiting tourist hotspots.
I'll admit that is just a dream, but surely if the opportunity to fulfill that dream comes along, we owe it to ourselves to investigate and do anything that we can to try and achieve it?
Sep 17th 2008, 2:35 pm
#13
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Re: Where do we start?
And hopefully you have some thoughts on what would you do to fill your time while DH is at work...
Sep 17th 2008, 2:43 pm
#14
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Re: Where do we start?
Loads of ideas. My friend has been in New York for the past 6 months with her boyfriend (he transferred with his company), and she's been doing loads of volunteer work etc.
If I set up my own business would that contravene the visa stipulation, or would it be okay as I would potentially be bringing income into the country?
If I set up my own business would that contravene the visa stipulation, or would it be okay as I would potentially be bringing income into the country?
Sep 17th 2008, 2:49 pm
#15
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
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Re: Where do we start?
also something to think about (and i dont expect you to post your thoughts here lol) is whether or not you want to start a family at any point in the future. As mentioned in the posts above- medical insurance is one of the key things that can impact your life over here. Any job your husband gets had better come with very good health benefits that cover potential pregnancies etc if you may go down that route. It can cost thousands of dollars to have a baby over here - and that can escalate into huge amounts of money if baby has any health issues, is premature and spends time in special care etc. The baby will also be brought up far away from its relatives - so factor in expensive visits home etc. Also- if you cant get a green card from the employer at a later date (ie turn the limited timed visa into permanent right to stay) then you will have to return to the UK with those kids who have only known the US way of life once the visa expires.
The company transfer visa does allow the wife to work and has an easier (but still reliant on the company to apply) route to a green card.
Voluntary work is a ticky subject because if you are not eligible to work then you are not eligible to do any volunteer work that would normally pay someone else.
The company transfer visa does allow the wife to work and has an easier (but still reliant on the company to apply) route to a green card.
Voluntary work is a ticky subject because if you are not eligible to work then you are not eligible to do any volunteer work that would normally pay someone else.