Wanting to move to the US any suggestions 2

[welshman213]

Hi all,

I have now got a feeling that I have outgrown the UK and would like to move to the US for better opportunities and a better way of life.
My area is It H/W support and have decided to spend the next year obtaining MCSE/MCSA 2003.
Can anyone suggest how easy it is to do this, and any suggestions on companies thats may sponser the application.

Thanks

John

 

[chiph]

Yes, the prices are monthly. They usually want 1st and last months rent up front, to act as a security deposit. There's also usually a surcharge for pets (if allowed).

I don't know about non-citizens buying homes (lenders might be a bit skittish), but if you're paying $1000 a month in rent, you can easily afford a home (mortgage interest is tax deductable, so it's like getting 25% back).

Hmm. Didn't talk about climate. Visit

http://www.weather.com

to get an idea of temps (don't forget that we use Farenheit, not that heathen metric stuff). Since you're from the UK, I would stay out of the southwest -- Arizona's summer temps would cause you to melt.

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first

 

[lespaul]

Have to agree with you there Chip. We had some British friends come and visit us in Albuquerque, NM and they did melt. hmmm, haven't come back to visit us either??

However, if you like the nice dry climate, mild winters, no earthquakes, hurricanes or tornados the Southwest is the place to be (as long as you don't mind a few wild fires!)

Leslie

 

[welshman213]

Chiph,

Thanks for the quick reply.
I was thinking of the CA area due to what you said regarding work somewhere close to San Fran. The conditions dont seem too bad. Your right about the weather though, most summers here seems to be around the 86f mark.

Thanks again

John

 

[jrbarnett]

Welshman213

As you are UK based, you may find it useful to watch the program on relocation on BBC 2, 8pm tonight (UK time) - sorry, can't remember its name.

John

 

[welshman213]

jrbarnett,

Cheers mate, will try and watch that.

Thanks

John

 

[chiph]

However, if you like the nice dry climate, mild winters, no earthquakes, hurricanes or tornados the Southwest is the place to be (as long as you don't mind a few wild fires!)

I didn't want to scare him off ;-)

It's interesting as to what people will tolerate in their weather. I was talking with a customer one time who said their drive to work was 25 minutes shorter in the winter. It turns out that a lake was in the way, and it would freeze in the winter. From November to February they would drive over it, rather than around, thus reducing their commute time (the highway department would paint lines on the ice and everything!)

While I was a little concerned about doing that myself (what if your car is too heavy?), they, OTOH, were freaked out about the hurricanes we get (90mph+ winds and heavy rain for a day or so).

And then there's the earthquakes in San Francisco, wildfires in Los Angeles, tornados in the midwest, etc. It all just adds to the character of the region you live in!

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first

 

[willir]

I recently had the chance to immigrate to the US (Indiana) but begged off because I did not see any real gain at the time.

In Canada, we have higher taxes, slightly lower wages, lower dollar (exchange rate), but we have government run medicare. (Somewhat similar to the UK, "birth to grave")

When I added in the cost of HMO for medical insurance that I would need in the US, the job here vs what I was being offered came out par. I could not believe the cost of insurance.

The other thing is the visa. The visa thing can be very hard to get, espcially as of late with the current political climate. ...If I lost the job in Indiana, I would have 30 days to sell my house and move back. My Dad immigrated to the US for a time on an international visa. Although my mother had taught in about five other countries, it took her over 2 years and over $10,000 US to get her work visa.

I love the US, my late wife was American, I visit often, and I believe that we have to take risks to advance, but for my personal situation at the time, when I put it all together, add in the kids having to change schools (like learn Spanish instead of French), it just did not add up.

Comment on weather. You get used to it. We have families move to the "frozen north" from tropical or arid countries, and after 3 or more years, going back "home" is very uncomfortable.

Ditto for food.

And if you ever move th Albuquerque, NM (as in new Mexico), I understand the rock climbing is awesome.

Good luck in your decision, and good luck in your travels.

 

[lespaul]

Richard,

Health Insurance is a four letter word in the US right now. Mine is going up AGAIN and I'm not very happy about it. Base rate for HMO coverage for family is $372.09 every TWO weeks! I don't have to pay all of it; there is a "sliding" scale depending on how much you get paid a percentage is paid for you (under 30000 you pay 20%, between 30000 - 40000 you pay 30% and over 40000 you pay 40%).

On to a more pleasant subject, yes, the rock climbing in NM is great! Didn't know you were a climber or if you have mentioned it previously I spaced it!? Plus there's more great climbing in AZ, CO and believe it or not TX too (although it's the part of TX that should really be NM!)

And you gotta love the red and green chile!

les

 

[flapeyre]

Base rate for HMO coverage for family is $372.09

Don't know which HMO you have, lespaul, but that seems somewhat steep. There's only myself and my wife, but I pay only $94.00 every 2 weeks (it's going to go up soon, but certainly not that high). There is no sliding scale. For a family, I'm sure it's less than $372.09.


De mortuis nihil nisi bonum.

 

[lespaul]

I wish:

Check for yourself!

You'll notice at the top it say BI-WEEKLY contribution rates!

And this is the rate for the STATE OF NEW MEXICO employees! We are one of the biggest employers in the state! You would think our Risk Management department could negotiate some better rates!




Leslie

 

[flapeyre]

When I said $94.00, that's what I pay. I have no idea what my employer's share is. I still get a better deal than you: if you only had you and your wife covered (as I do), you would pay $125.70 vs. my $94.00). I pay another $12 for dental.

My wife is a teacher, and back in my underemployed days we went to her insurance (for that purpose, she is considered to be a state employee). Premiums were lower, but the "deductible" was so high we never met it, so what's the point? Plus, the endless hassle of trying to straighten out the claims on the phone with these people.

When I got this job, we compared plans, and even though the premium was higher, we have co-pays instead. I had to have a colonoscopy and and endoscopy about a year and a half ago. They covered all but $10, I think (total doctor bill was > $4K).

Only thing I can suggest is, bug your state representative.

De mortuis nihil nisi bonum.

 

[LaurelLee]

And you gotta love the red and green chile!

Oh, how I miss it!! People just don't get it! ...sniff sniff

___________________________________________________________
With your thoughts you create the world--Shakyamuni Buddha

 

[lespaul]

want me to send you some?



les

 

[LaurelLee]

It would be more appropriate to truck it out here on an 18 wheeler. I would eat it until I was sick! Whenever I visit my parents I drive them crazy with my green chile fanaticism.



___________________________________________________________
With your thoughts you create the world--Shakyamuni Buddha

 

[welshman213]

Thanks for all the info guys?
Anyone know if I was to travel over for study, would this make the visa application any easier for residency?

Thanks

John

 

[chiph]

I think it'd be easier because you wouldn't be managing the process from a distance. If you were on the east coast (somewhere between New York and the Carolinas, or Pennsylvania), you could drive to Washington in a day to transact business with INS (err, Department of Homeland Security).

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Stella740pl]

From what I heard, you have 2 ways to get permanent residency being on student visa: by finding employment with sponsorship (basically, H1B leading to green card) or by marrying a citizen or permanent resident. Both of which, of course, easier to do locally than from a distance. Possibly, there is a couple more ways of which I am not aware.

It used to be much easier to get a student visa than ANY other type of visa, but I am not sure it is still so after the 9/11. You can try to research employment and study opportunities at the same time, and see, how it is going. For some reason I believe that to get a student visa is still easier than to get a work visa from a distance.

 

[welshman213]

This almost seems like an impossible task.
Maybe I should spend the next 2 years going through the visa application, and also spend time specialising in AS400 and working for MSCA/E.
It is a shame that it is so hard to be able to give yourself a better chance and also hopefully be able to offer something to another country.
i will not give up on this, be it seems that this uphill sturggle is almost vertical.
Thanks for all your advice.

John

 

[Stella740pl]

This almost seems like an impossible task.
Really, it is not, it is all doable if you try really hard.

I work with several (several that I know personally, but there are many more around) American citizens that came here to study, found jobs that were willing to sponsor them upon graduation, and stayed. A few more people that I know came here on H1B, but those were mostly people with strong skills and some experience, usually already with a degree. Two came as visitors and managed to find employment with H1B sponsorship in that short time that they had. (Were tied to the place and low wages for about 4 year, though - but now are doing very well.) One came as PhD student and got green card as Outstanding Specialist (visa O-something) some years later.

 

[welshman213]

stella740pl,

Thanks you seem to know your stuff, I think to be honest maybe the way in for me then would be along the lines of
(Were tied to the place and low wages for about 4 year, though - but now are doing very well.)
But I believe it will be worth it in the end.