Moving to USA but which State of 5 to choose from?
Discussion
Right, we are on the move again!
My OH has accepted a job offer in America and she has to choose where she would like to work, so we are faced with the following choice:
New York
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Maryland
I have never been to America and Dee has only been to California.
The other thing we have to factor is quality of life, she will be paid $70k.
I don't know how long it will take for me to find work.
We need to decide by tomorrow and we will be moving in July
Please help guys
J
My OH has accepted a job offer in America and she has to choose where she would like to work, so we are faced with the following choice:
New York
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Maryland
I have never been to America and Dee has only been to California.
The other thing we have to factor is quality of life, she will be paid $70k.
I don't know how long it will take for me to find work.
We need to decide by tomorrow and we will be moving in July
Please help guys
J
Edited by wolfy1988 on Friday 18th November 12:42
70K is so different in PA than NY.
70K goes much further in Southern NJ than it does in the Northern bit.
MD, driven through it often, but not a clue really looked much like PA to me.
We had a similar dilema ours was between Brownsville TX, NY,NY and Southern NJ.
I used USIS data as part of my decision making.
I guess USIS did not give out a lot of information about Real Estate Taxes at that time
Motoring, NJ is full serve just sit in the car they will fill you up at one of the cheapest rates in the country. State inspection is emmissions only, very difficult to fail. CO and Hydrocarbon allowances are huge.
A word of warning, there is an adjustment period once you arrive. Longer for some than others. I thought it was the biggest mistake of my life for quite a while...... now I'm quite content.
ETA NC is the cheapest place. 70K will go much much further. It has become a destination for New Jersians and New Yorkers to escape to.
70K goes much further in Southern NJ than it does in the Northern bit.
MD, driven through it often, but not a clue really looked much like PA to me.
We had a similar dilema ours was between Brownsville TX, NY,NY and Southern NJ.
I used USIS data as part of my decision making.
I guess USIS did not give out a lot of information about Real Estate Taxes at that time
Motoring, NJ is full serve just sit in the car they will fill you up at one of the cheapest rates in the country. State inspection is emmissions only, very difficult to fail. CO and Hydrocarbon allowances are huge.
A word of warning, there is an adjustment period once you arrive. Longer for some than others. I thought it was the biggest mistake of my life for quite a while...... now I'm quite content.
ETA NC is the cheapest place. 70K will go much much further. It has become a destination for New Jersians and New Yorkers to escape to.
Edited by jeff m2 on Friday 18th November 14:13
wolfy1988 said:
Your making the same decision or living there?
J
EDIT: Just looked at your profile.
Are you American or did you move there?
Do you like North Carolina?
J
Me American? Happily married to one though.... J
EDIT: Just looked at your profile.
Are you American or did you move there?
Do you like North Carolina?
J
Edited by wolfy1988 on Friday 18th November 19:04
Expat Brit for 13 years.
I actually live in NJ, purely work related decision.
I'd move south given half a chance, a little slower paced and a lot more polite in my view.
wolfy1988 said:
Right, we are on the move again!
My OH has accepted a job offer in America and she has to choose where she would like to work, so we are faced with the following choice:
New York
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Maryland
I only see 1 choice and that's North Carolina. I'm assuming you'd be based around Charlotte and you could do much worse. Appalachians are close by as well (Blue Ridge, Smokies etc), Gatlinburg isn't a million miles (although it's a bit touristy) but the surrounding area in my opinion is easily some of nicest parts of the eastern US. Plus you get to call yourself southern.My OH has accepted a job offer in America and she has to choose where she would like to work, so we are faced with the following choice:
New York
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Maryland
New York/Jersey are Yankees. I cannot stand either state. Pennsylvania - pretty, but the radio stations are trying out Phil Collins each other, and Maryland is just a police state and worth avoiding.
From a PH point of view, NY, NJ, PA and MD have some of the worst roads in the US as well, and half of them are turnpikes and god knows what. They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
JDRoest said:
you get to call yourself southern.
They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
And there is the problem with the South. Not only are you expecting a smile from a toll worker, your stupid enough to not have a Fastpass and be in the cash lane. They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
Since some people still want to play civil war, let me mention that the South LOST. Also, there are more Yankees in NC, and all large Southern cities, than close minded rebels.
I think that NC will give the best overall standard of living for the 70K, you just need to bear in mind that NC is a rather big place (UK-ish sized) and so you have quite a variety of places you could live.
A lot of people holiday in NC with good reason - warm but not too warm weather, breathtaking scenery in places, plenty to do. Many of the cities have the level of infrastructure and shopping facilities around them to rival or beat the best of what the UK has to offer.
The next step is to find out the actual work location and then try to use official information to make the most educated decision possible on where to live.
A lot of people holiday in NC with good reason - warm but not too warm weather, breathtaking scenery in places, plenty to do. Many of the cities have the level of infrastructure and shopping facilities around them to rival or beat the best of what the UK has to offer.
The next step is to find out the actual work location and then try to use official information to make the most educated decision possible on where to live.
NC is your best option. Two international airports, beaches and hills, a changing climate but never any real snow and a couple of cities that offer pretty well everything Raleigh and the surrounding areas are expanding and good job prospects there, a decent variety of housing options and even a couple of race circuits..... It can be a little slow compared to NY / NJ. Charlotte is somewhat smaller and not as (international) regarding its outlook and people but both are safe and offer a variety of lifestyles.
Do you know what visa the new employer is going to be petitioning for? Are you married to your partner? As Matt mentioned these are really important questions that will dictate if you can work when you arrive in the US, or even be able to join your partner at all.
Spend some time investigating which class of visa she will have and the rules and regulations around that visa as its a minefield
Spend some time investigating which class of visa she will have and the rules and regulations around that visa as its a minefield
North Carolina - I have been here for 11 months - haven't looked back, it's a great location.
Cost of living is in the middle range for USA - Taxation and accommodation isn't too high, but car insurance for a new comer is.!
I'm in an area just outside Raleigh. Beach is 2 hrs, Mountains 2.5 hrs, plenty to do and pretty laid back. Crime is also very low around here.
NC still has 4 seasons with Spring, Summer etc.. Nice mix of old and new - towns and roads.
It was 76 Deg F today sunny and November...
OLDS said:
JDRoest said:
you get to call yourself southern.
They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
And there is the problem with the South. Not only are you expecting a smile from a toll worker, your stupid enough to not have a Fastpass and be in the cash lane. They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
Since some people still want to play civil war, let me mention that the South LOST. Also, there are more Yankees in NC, and all large Southern cities, than close minded rebels.
Anyway, if you lot hate the south so much - get the hell off our beaches and stop clogging up our roads with your monster RVs, and for crying out loud, stop retiring to hot states and then complain that it's too hot!
JDRoest said:
OLDS said:
JDRoest said:
you get to call yourself southern.
They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
And there is the problem with the South. Not only are you expecting a smile from a toll worker, your stupid enough to not have a Fastpass and be in the cash lane. They don't even smile when you hand over the toll.
Since some people still want to play civil war, let me mention that the South LOST. Also, there are more Yankees in NC, and all large Southern cities, than close minded rebels.
Have no plans to retire in your state thanks. And if the Disney Magic bus was in your way traveling from MCO to WDW,.or back, well, too bad. It's the only part of FLA I like. I even own a piece of Disney, and that's as close as I like it.
Otherwise, if you can't t see the ocean,.......might as well call it Alabama.
Anyway, if you lot hate the south so much - get the hell off our beaches and stop clogging up our roads with your monster RVs, and for crying out loud, stop retiring to hot states and then complain that it's too hot!
HowlerMonkey said:
I don't see how anybody can make a suggestion based on the state.
If wolfy can add the prospective cities, help can be offered by those with experience.
We wont know for some time yet. It all depends on how quickly she progresses through her exams.If wolfy can add the prospective cities, help can be offered by those with experience.
Edited by HowlerMonkey on Wednesday 28th December 20:07
So, I will get a H4 unless I can find work before and with an employer who would be willing to sponsor me.
I am however unskilled, I have 6 years sales and management experience.
Can and should I apply for jobs and outline the situation?
Thanks again
J
Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff