Moving to USA - Who's done it, what advice?

R-evans

R-evans

R-evans

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My soon to be wife has been offered a post grad in Michigan, starting September this year, when she finishes her PhD.

I'll be moving with her on a spouse visa. I have worked in an office my entire working life so don't really have any specific experience for finding a job there, but that's something I can sort out later.

We won't be taking much with us other than clothes, will be leaving a lot of our possessions at parents house.

I'm pretty good at working things out with big changes but just curious if there is anything I might miss?

Just wondering for people who have made the move, any advice you would give?

Sorry if there is a sub-forum for this other than GD.
 
You'll probably need to get a driving licence. They're dead easy to pass the test. Driving over there is quite a bit different, at least the STOP signs. You have to stop, unless your'e in California where they seem to roll through them slowly, but elsewhere in other states I've seen and know people who have been pulled over and fined for not stopping, even at 2am when there's no one around for miles (except for a policeperson lurking).

Don't get fat. What are you doing about insurance, for health - can you get on her scheme if they have one? No NHS and it's EXPENSIVE.

Should be easy to get everything set up like utilities etc. A lot more efficient than here.
I don't know about spouse visas, are you allowed to get a job with that?
 
glen8 said:
Toilets are quite wide and shallow, the water sits right under your bum
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Haha, yea I know. We've been to the US every year for the last 7 years.

Jono said:
You'll probably need to get a driving licence. They're dead easy to pass the test. Driving over there is quite a bit different, at least the STOP signs. You have to stop, unless your'e in California where they seem to roll through them slowly, but elsewhere in other states I've seen and know people who have been pulled over and fined for not stopping, even at 2am when there's no one around for miles (except for a policeperson lurking).

Don't get fat. What are you doing about insurance, for health - can you get on her scheme if they have one? No NHS and it's EXPENSIVE.

Should be easy to get everything set up like utilities etc. A lot more efficient than here.
I don't know about spouse visas, are you allowed to get a job with that?
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I don't currently drive, she does. Will be something I'll need to look into. Do you mean it's easier to pass the test in the US?

Insurance I'm not sure yet, she just got offered the job so still need to think about that. The lady that offered the job is going to be sorting some things out for us but not sure about healthcare. We're both pretty healthy and haven't used the NHS in 10 years, but it's something we'll have to look at just in case. I guess even healthy people can still get run over.

I will be able to work on a spouse visa, might be difficult with no specific qualifications though. Maybe I'll work in a bar :D
 
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You'll need healthcare. It isn't a case of "I'm young and healthy so don't need cover". I'd say that if you aren't offered good healthcare as part of the job or can't afford good healthcare then don't consider moving.
 
Peerzy said:
You'll need healthcare. It isn't a case of "I'm young and healthy so don't need cover". I'd say that if you aren't offered good healthcare as part of the job or can't afford good healthcare then don't consider moving.
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This do not move to America without healthcare!
 
Peerzy said:
You'll need healthcare. It isn't a case of "I'm young and healthy so don't need cover". I'd say that if you aren't offered good healthcare as part of the job or can't afford good healthcare then don't consider moving.
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a1ex2001 said:
This do not move to America without healthcare!
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Yep, already covered above. I wouldn't even think about living there without healthcare.
 
You don't seem to have given this much thought, it's all well and good your other half being offered a position that is difficult for her to turn down but what about yourself?

As above healthcare is a must, all it takes is something minor to happen that requires you to use their health services and you're then left with quite a chunk to pay back.

Finding a job with no specific qualifications and no driving license is also going to hinder you a lot. How long will your savings and soon to be wife's salary support you if you can't find employment?

Your mind seems to already be made up but I think you need to give it some serious consideration.
 
Ayahuasca said:
You don't seem to have given this much thought, it's all well and good your other half being offered a position that is difficult for her to turn down but what about yourself?

As above healthcare is a must, all it takes is something minor to happen that requires you to use their health services and you're then left with quite a chunk to pay back.

Finding a job with no specific qualifications and no driving license is also going to hinder you a lot. How long will your savings and soon to be wife's salary support you if you can't find employment?

Your mind seems to already be made up but I think you need to give it some serious consideration.
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It's something we have known could possible happen for a while. Just that now it is certain so we need to start planning. Should also add that the job is a rolling annual contract so could be 1 year, could be 5. Most probably will be max 3 (our plan)

I don't need financial advice, we know these thing's need to be looked at and they will be. We wouldn't be considering it if it wasn't completely viable.
 
glen8 said:
Toilets are quite wide and shallow, the water sits right under your bum
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Well not a bad thing, a few big splashes and you have your bum all nice clean. Do a rapid fire one and it's like having a jetwash on your bum :p
 
What Visa does your partner have. You're not automatically allowed to work int he US just because she has a Visa.

If you're not married when her Visa is granted it may not entitle you to any right to move to the US.
 
psd99 said:
How about nice tea? you will miss that lol
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I don't drink tea :)

Prophet said:
What Visa does your partner have. You're not automatically allowed to work int he US just because she has a Visa.

If you're not married when her Visa is granted it may not entitle you to any right to move to the US.
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Not sure of the exact visa. Our circumstances were discussed and she was informed the info had been sent to the relevant person to put in motion. Was told it will not be an issue.
 
R-evans said:
Not sure of the exact visa. Our circumstances were discussed and she was informed the info had been sent to the relevant person to put in motion. Was told it will not be an issue.
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Find out what visa it is ASAP. You may be able to work but there are a number of visa's and a number of conditions.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago an eventually didn't move because of all of the red tape.
 
I am doing a postdoc in San Francisco now actually.

She will get a J 1 visa and you'll get a J2 visa. You won't be allowed to work on that I'm pretty sure so I hope you have cheap hobbies or maybe kids to look after ??
 
campbell said:
You'll miss bread. Take bread or learn to bake.
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Surprisingly its not that uncommon to find places with an aisle or two with a good stock of foreign foods including proper British foods - walked into a Meijers in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Michigan and they had an entire shelf full of British stuff including tea - it is usually quite expensive but surprisingly often well stocked.

Not sure if it is still like it today but 15 years ago or so when I was out there parts of Michigan were a bit weird - it was like walking into 1970s England (people's outlooks/way of life, how shops were laid out, commercial vehicles like trucks, etc.) but with some more modern stuff like cable TV mixed in.

Oh and the first time I said "cheers" to someone in the way we use it in the South here in England they honestly weren't sure how to take it and almost thought I was insulting them.

If you ever get stopped by the police when driving make sure you turn off the engine, turn off the radio and keep your hands in view on the wheel and whatever you do don't open your door, approach them or reach into a pocket unless asked... (yeah I've screwed up on that one).
 
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Prophet said:
What Visa does your partner have. You're not automatically allowed to work int he US just because she has a Visa.

If you're not married when her Visa is granted it may not entitle you to any right to move to the US.
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This needs checking on.

it is quite liekly your wife is getting an H1B skilled immigrant visa. This visa wont apply to you, you will end up getting an H4 spouse visa which allows you to live in the US while your wife is employed with the visa sponsor, but does not give you the right to work.

You will also have to be married before filling for the visa (although not in the first stages, it has to be done well before the final submission). This will typically require an interview in the US to check it is not a shame marriage.
 
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