Moving from the UK to Iowa
Discussion
Hi guys,
Just thought I'd pop onto here as I'm hopefully moving to Iowa in a few months time. My wife's work (publishing) owns what used to be Iowa State University Press and they want to move her over there to head up commissioning - visa application at the end of the month, which should be ok the company has assured us.
It'll be for at least three years, so I'm giving up my job and moving too as she's followed me abroad before (to HK and Japan) and am looking forward to the change (might take some time off work or maybe am looking to enrol at University of Iowa) - we went over last year and liked what we saw of the place, they've put together a good package for her and are paying for all sorts of things such as trips back to the UK etc. Her job will entail quite a lot of travelling on commissioning trips and I can tag along too so hope to see quite a bit of the country.
Is anyone on here from Iowa? We'll be looking to move to Ames, about 30 miles north of Des Moines for those who know it
Any tips/hints etc.?
I'd always dreamed of owning a proper 80s American muscle car and had pictures on the wall of Smoky and the Bandit Trans Ams etc - is this actually feasible in a state where it gets so cold in winter?
Unfortunately I'll have to see the back of my beloved Fiat Coupe before I leave, but am sure I can replace it with something with as much soul
Cheers guys, Simon
Just thought I'd pop onto here as I'm hopefully moving to Iowa in a few months time. My wife's work (publishing) owns what used to be Iowa State University Press and they want to move her over there to head up commissioning - visa application at the end of the month, which should be ok the company has assured us.
It'll be for at least three years, so I'm giving up my job and moving too as she's followed me abroad before (to HK and Japan) and am looking forward to the change (might take some time off work or maybe am looking to enrol at University of Iowa) - we went over last year and liked what we saw of the place, they've put together a good package for her and are paying for all sorts of things such as trips back to the UK etc. Her job will entail quite a lot of travelling on commissioning trips and I can tag along too so hope to see quite a bit of the country.
Is anyone on here from Iowa? We'll be looking to move to Ames, about 30 miles north of Des Moines for those who know it
Any tips/hints etc.?
I'd always dreamed of owning a proper 80s American muscle car and had pictures on the wall of Smoky and the Bandit Trans Ams etc - is this actually feasible in a state where it gets so cold in winter?
Unfortunately I'll have to see the back of my beloved Fiat Coupe before I leave, but am sure I can replace it with something with as much soul
Cheers guys, Simon
I've heard great stories of driving along country roads in those rural states. Someone said you can pay speeding fines on the spot, not sure if it was Iowa though.
I have an 80's Camaro, basically the Trans-Am without the hood scoop. One of those would be perfect for the US roads. Have fun.
I have an 80's Camaro, basically the Trans-Am without the hood scoop. One of those would be perfect for the US roads. Have fun.
I once went to West Union, Iowa which is relatively close to Ames. The locals seemed friendly, which is a good sign. I am in Michigan, climate I would say is broadly comparable, though it does get a bit colder in Iowa. That said it is 8F today, and -6F after wind chill. Not nice.
L1 visas seem to be processing fairly quickly and technically you should be able to work now, 5 years ago this was not the case.
Most US cars have M&S tyres as standard so they are snow compatible. I used to drive a lot of Lincoln LSs and current Thunderbirds in the winter, and they were easily controllable.
I would try to get one SUV in the household - such as a 2002 and above Explorer, and a car. If you get deep snow you will need an SUV as ploughing is not guaranteed on all roads.
The new Mustang is cheap by UK standards and would certainly be worth experiencing if you wish to fully take in the American experience. It is also snow compatible.
L1 visas seem to be processing fairly quickly and technically you should be able to work now, 5 years ago this was not the case.
Most US cars have M&S tyres as standard so they are snow compatible. I used to drive a lot of Lincoln LSs and current Thunderbirds in the winter, and they were easily controllable.
I would try to get one SUV in the household - such as a 2002 and above Explorer, and a car. If you get deep snow you will need an SUV as ploughing is not guaranteed on all roads.
The new Mustang is cheap by UK standards and would certainly be worth experiencing if you wish to fully take in the American experience. It is also snow compatible.
I live in Missouri (the state just South of Iowa). Be prepared for the cold. It was 6 (F that is -14C or so) on Monday morning in St Louis MO.
A muscle car in the snow is intesting driving. I had a 67 Camero (built up)years ago that I drove year round. You learn to be VERY gentle with the throttle but it can be done.
-- Mike
A muscle car in the snow is intesting driving. I had a 67 Camero (built up)years ago that I drove year round. You learn to be VERY gentle with the throttle but it can be done.
-- Mike
I lived in Marshalltown (flew into Des Moines and then up the diagonal and you're there) for a couple of months. I work for Fisher Valves (THE company in Marshalltown).
It's a great place, people are hugely friendly, but you do have to make your own fun. I.e. here (I live in Kent) there's pubs, clubs, bars, you name it...in MTown and Iowa (Des Moines the place with the airport and so has decent places to go) you really get have to get together with the locals as there's so much community spirit.
I was only there for 2 months, and have been back a few times (all for work) but think it's a really nice place! Don't be too shocked at how quiet it is tho!
Oh, and if you can, go to Rubes (which is in Amesand one of the best steak places EVER)...and tell the fit young waitress that Tony Hetherington sent you hehe
It's a great place, people are hugely friendly, but you do have to make your own fun. I.e. here (I live in Kent) there's pubs, clubs, bars, you name it...in MTown and Iowa (Des Moines the place with the airport and so has decent places to go) you really get have to get together with the locals as there's so much community spirit.
I was only there for 2 months, and have been back a few times (all for work) but think it's a really nice place! Don't be too shocked at how quiet it is tho!
Oh, and if you can, go to Rubes (which is in Amesand one of the best steak places EVER)...and tell the fit young waitress that Tony Hetherington sent you hehe
sj78 said:
Thanks guys.
Wife's work is applying for an L1 visa and have assured me that I will be able to work if I want to aswell.
We are working on the premise of having a 4x4/SUV as our main car and then something older/sportier as a second/winter car
You don't want a 4X4. They're completely unnecessary here. They're wasteful, boring to drive, and costly to run. Try a Subaru or a Chrysler 300 if you want load-hauling capability. Old Scoobies go for as little as $2000 (1200 GBP).
If you want good snow traction, get some Green Diamond tires. Even a FireAm will be great in the snow with those on. If you want a nice, reliable, no-possibility-of-theft banger, I've got a Pontiac Sunbird for $1000.
You can get a good early-'70s Trans Am for $5000 - that's 3000GBP.
I went to school at Iowa State for a year. The nickname for the campus was "little Siberia." It's so flat there that the wind can really get going. It's far enough north that it can get really cold too. Add those together, and it feels like Siberia. I've lived near Chicago all my life and I remember Iowa State as having cold winters (which means it feels damn cold there).
I drove an '89 Firebird Formula 350 from '90 - 2002 every day to and from work in Chicago. I had Goodyear Eagle GS tires, which are designed for dry or wet, but not snow. They were fat enough that they were like snowshoes. I loved driving it in the snow. You get very good at controlling your car in a slide. Starting out would always result in the back end stepping out as soon as you started to release the brakes. People gave me a lot of room as I was going down the with about 30 degrees of yaw. The big downside is that the car is now a rustbucket. The salt will destroy any vehicle you drive in the winter. Therefore, I wouldn't plan on buying a nice older car to drive in the winter, as the salt may destroy it.
One more thing to consider is that I've heard that Corvettes don't handle cold very well. Something about the fiberglass cracking in extreme cold. I don't know if that's true, but you might want to find out if that's what you were considering.
I drove an '89 Firebird Formula 350 from '90 - 2002 every day to and from work in Chicago. I had Goodyear Eagle GS tires, which are designed for dry or wet, but not snow. They were fat enough that they were like snowshoes. I loved driving it in the snow. You get very good at controlling your car in a slide. Starting out would always result in the back end stepping out as soon as you started to release the brakes. People gave me a lot of room as I was going down the with about 30 degrees of yaw. The big downside is that the car is now a rustbucket. The salt will destroy any vehicle you drive in the winter. Therefore, I wouldn't plan on buying a nice older car to drive in the winter, as the salt may destroy it.
One more thing to consider is that I've heard that Corvettes don't handle cold very well. Something about the fiberglass cracking in extreme cold. I don't know if that's true, but you might want to find out if that's what you were considering.
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