OP could (read: should) submit the claims as expenses rather than take a cash lump sum. That way he avoids any issues relating to taxation of the money.

He's going to be taxed on the "housing allowance" no matter what though.

He's got another $20,000 for at least the first year, plus bonuses. Only 28 as well.

Even if he submits a claim for that through expenses?

If it's his home, where he lives with his wife on an extended/ open-ended basis, I don't believe it is going to meet the definition of a "business expense". ..... If he was here temporarily, and maintained his "usual home" in the UK, then short term rented accommodation would be a legitimate travel expense. At least that is my understanding.

Hmm, worth checking with the firms finance director imo before writing that potential avenue off.

My husband was 19 when he got a job in Germany....couldn't speak a word of German. I don't think he even had 2 suitcases...knowing him he probably took everything in a carrier bag.

Granted I had a place to live when I moved to Canada due to my spouse at the time, but I left California with a carry on bag with 5 days of clothing, and a pair of shoes. I was 24 at the time, looking back I can't believe I did it, but it worked out more beneficial for me, so I say go for it, and take the risk, no risk no reward as they say.

2 people can live on 40k if careful with money, my girlfriend and I live on far less, so its doable, all depends on how you view things.

yep - when I moved here in the late 90s, I was 20, and came with 2 suitcases of clothes and less than 2000pounds in the bank, no job to come to, and it took over 6 months to get my work visa sorted. My then fiancée (now wife) made less then $22k a year, and we moved into a bedroom we rented in a house with a crazy cat lady. It wasn't easy that first year, but it was an adventure, and one I'd repeat in a heart beat. If you can't do that stuff when you're young, then..what was it Oscar said... "youth is wasted on the young"??

In my book, if you don't do it, you'll always think to yourself "what if?"

The pill is free if you have health insurance, I believe since 2011.

If you can survive on 25k in Oxford then you are a better man than I!!

You will find you can cope fine during "normal" living, as the other posters said though beware the hidden costs. My "all inclusive" health coverage still costs me $25 every time I visit the doctors (right now thats every 2 weeks for shoulder/back pain) at one point I was spending 150 a month on top of my salary payments of 200 a month.

Also, 25k to 40k is a direct translation, if a company is willing to move you across the world they will pay more, granted Oxford is an expensive city, push for 50 and take 45.

Go for it! You might not be living the high life but it WILL be an adventure and an experience that, at the worst, will look good on your cv for the future. I've lived in 4 different countries and not regretted any of the moves. Much easier when you're younger, believe me.

I'd also make sure they give you some cash for electrical items, you'll basically have to replace everything. Great that they're giving you some free rent because that can be a problem before establishing a credit rating. And one of the posters is right about the electricity bills. In NYC the heating and hot water were free (bonus in winter), which is usual in most buildings, but the air con bills every month were frightening. At least $150 pcm. So what we saved on not paying water and heating, you lose on electricity. The good news is there's no council tax.....do it!

I moved to the US when I was 31 years old and single, and traded a UK salary of about £23k for an initial US salary of $48k with very little in the way of relocation expenses. Initially it was quite tight financially, but within 3 years I was making almost $100k and I have never looked back.

The catch is that this was 27 years ago - I truly cannot imagine someone making a work based relocation to the US today for a salary of only $40k (even with the promise of some bonuses) unless they were willing to take a very big risk ...

In short - no, initially at least, you will not be earning enough - the question is will you be able to survive until you get to the point when you *are* earning enough which (I would guess) is probably at least 2 years away and may, quite possibly, never happen.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Yes, I should qualify my 'go for it' comment in that this includes that your wife is working. I've never lived in Chicago but I've visited and I can't believe it's that cheap to live so you'll have to rely on two salaries. We've only lived in NYC and San Francisco, two of the most expensive cities in the US. I've not been working as we're a same-sex couple and until DOMA was struck down, I've not been eligible for a visa that permits working (until recently and got my EAD in 3 weeks: eek!).

When in NYC I was flying back to London to consult with my old job and believe me, that money was pretty essential to our lives. And my OH was earning >$150K at the time....but we're in our 40s so our lives are much more expensive than they were when we were in our 20s. So, yes, if your wife can work, then I think you can make it, but you won't be living the life of Riley but you'll be fine. I don't imagine you'll be living in 'good' central Chicago neighbourhoods but you'll be able to afford something decent. Sorry to complicate any response but if both of you were working, I'd go for it!

I have been reading all of your posts and the general consensus seems to be the same.

The money is not enough but go for it for the experience/adventure and see where things head

I can understand why a lot of people say it is not enough but my company is very small and they have spent a lot on the process already. I have always wanted to move to the US and so I see this as part of my first years benefits. If I worked for a Dell, Microsoft etc then I would expect a lot more but I know if the business is successful out there too I can ask for more in a year!