Possible opportunity to work/live in Texas

[twostep]

Originally Posted by winty82

Yeh we have two Rottweilers

It's gonna be a deal breaker that they must come with us I think.
My job will involve me spending time away from home around various states,
which will leave my wife and son at home alone.

She will sleep better at night with the two dogs farting and slobbering at the bottom of the stairs LOL

I have read that it'll be cheaper to get the dogs on a flight as extra baggage with us, and that they won't need a rabies jab but it may help with the process at customs go a little more smoothly.

USDA - APHIS - Import and Export
There are several recent threads in egards to shipping animals. LOL - Europass and a full set of short within 30 days prior to departure.
This will put a serious damper on rental options.

[winty82]

Just to update, this is all in motion now and we are visiting Houston in October for 7-10 days to for my wife to get a feel for it.

Whilst there we'd like to look at possible locations to live, my office will be in either Deer Park or Pasadena.

So far I've been looking at places in Sugar Land or League City.

Is there any other safe family orientated places people can suggest, especially as I will be away from home for periods of time its very important my wife and son feel safe.

Many Thanks

[winty82]

Also would $80 to $100k a year provide us with a good standard of living, included in that will be a company vehicle, Phone, and if all goes well bonuses.
My wife will require a vehicle though as obviously getting anywhere in Texas without one is impossible LOL.
We will be renting for the first 3 years and i'm looking at between $1400 to $1800 a month rental.
So with other bills, utilities,insurances etc will that wage provide a good standard of living?

Many Thanks

Gary

[twostep]

Originally Posted by winty82

Also would $80 to $100k a year provide us with a good standard of living, included in that will be a company vehicle, Phone, and if all goes well bonuses.
My wife will require a vehicle though as obviously getting anywhere in Texas without one is impossible LOL.
We will be renting for the first 3 years and i'm looking at between $1400 to $1800 a month rental.
So with other bills, utilities,insurances etc will that wage provide a good standard of living?

Many Thanks

Gary

100k minus 25% = 75k
20-25k housing, medical insurance, car insurance, phone for wife, TV/internet, ... It all depends what you consider a good standard. You will find grocery prices especially dairy, fresh fruit/vegetables and of all things beer rather high compared to Europe.

[stednick]

2012 USA Median Household Income. As per ...

U.S. median household income up 4% at end of 2011 ? USATODAY.com

Feb 9, 2012 ... Inflation-adjusted median household income increased 4%, from $49,434 to $51,413

90k/50k is 1.8 times the average American household income so you will be fine.

Whether this will provide a "good standard of living" depends entirely upon your personal spending habits and definition of "good".

[twostep]

Originally Posted by stednick

2012 USA Median Household Income. As per ...

U.S. median household income up 4% at end of 2011 ? USATODAY.com

Feb 9, 2012 ... Inflation-adjusted median household income increased 4%, from $49,434 to $51,413

90k/50k is 1.8 times the average American household income so you will be fine.

Whether this will provide a "good standard of living" depends entirely upon your personal spending habits and definition of "good".

Those socalled statistics are extremely misleading. To make an expatmove it should improve professional and personal lifestyle. What you can live on in small town MS versus Houston is apples and oranges.

[winty82]

Many thanks for the answers, we're not extravagant so it seems a good standard of living will be had :-)

At the end of the day if we can afford to put a little bit away at the end of each month for a rainy day, have all bills paid and have enough money left over for the odd Beer and BBQ then happy days!

[stednick]

Originally Posted by twostep

Those socalled statistics are extremely misleading. To make an expatmove it should improve professional and personal lifestyle. What you can live on in small town MS versus Houston is apples and oranges.

Houston Texas Household Income | Department of Numbers

The median household income for Houston Texas was $53942 in 2010

[winty82]

Well everything seems to be progressing now.
The company advising visa issues has suggested a E visa as opposed to a L1 visa.

From what I can see online this will allow my wife to work whilst in the USA and
will allow us to stay for 2 years then extend for 5 years and can extend indefinitely i.e every 5 years after.

What I want to know though is whilst on a E visa can I be sponsored for a green card?

I'd like to have that option ideally because if we make a success out of the business it
will be an on going venture and my family may be well settled after so many years.

Many thanks

[Uecker_seats]

%100 sure that with your existing visa, yes you will need a green card in hand BEFORE you start working full time in the USA. Lots of stuff changed after 9-11............