Moving to the US, a few questions...

[deusexlumina]

I'm really fed up at my current employer and have always dreamed of working in the US, so figure now may be the time to make it happen. I have a couple of contacts over there who may be able to help (although nothing is certain), and had a few questions that I wondered whether you fine chaps could help with.

In my current role I'm performing work under contract with a company I'd consider moving to. Is it a massive faux pas to email them asking about work *while* I'm still completing work for them? I don't want to offend anyone, but realistically this is my best way in.

I have a house, and I'd probably need to sell it. Ill try renting but this comes with a host of issues such as whether my mortgage provider will allow it etc. How long should I plan to get everything together to make a move such as this? I'm currently thinking about 6 months, is this too optimistic?

Any other advice from those who have done something similar?

Thanks a lot for any help. Happy to elaborate on the situation further if needed.

 

[deusexlumina]

Thanks a lot for the comments all.

I should have been clearer that it's a client of my employer that I'm currently performing work for. I'm in research/academia, and as far as I'm aware we do not have any non-compete clauses but I'll look into it.

One of the contacts has said that if I ever wanted a job there to let him know and he'll get hold of me if he finds something. My opinion at the moment is to restart this conversation and start getting a CV up-to-date etc.

My fear is that as soon as I get the wheels turning, there's no going back. If i start asking these questions and it becomes clear to my current colleagues that I'll be leaving, it may be damaging for the future if it turns out I have to stick around for a few more years.