Moving to America – what should we be considering?

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Ms B

I now have loads more questions ranging from the incredibly important stuff like health insurance to the incredibly unimportant like the availability of orange squash. I have been trying to find a good book/internet site that would be able to answer the more important ones, can anyone recommend one?

Hey, how about right here? Ask away - and we'll sure do our best to answer any and all questions you can throw at us.

The health insurance question first needs to be posed to the potential employer. Most folks in the US still get their health insurance through their employer (or at least their primary health insurance). Once you know what's covered, you can decide what you want to do next.
Cheers,
Bev

[Ms B]

Oh thank you, I was just worried about taking up too much of your time. Here are some of the questions I have at the moment minus the visa questions as I think they are pretty much covered in other discussions and I don’t know what they are going to offer us yet:

What should I/can I reasonably ask for as part of a relocation package?
Does health insurance tend to cover dentistry and opticians or would I need something separate?
I have heard that in Florida there is no income tax, if true; are there other taxes to make up for this?
How do people cope with the Florida heat?
I have an English driving licence, would I also need an American one?
Are American employers adopting flexible-working policies or do they already have them?
I plan to keep making National Insurance contributions but what should I do about a private pension?
Can I buy orange squash out there?

Thanks!

B x

[twostep]

What is orange squash???

Of course you need a FL drivers license and appropriate car insurance. Check FL DMWs web site for details.

Medical coverage depends on the individual company's package and what of that package your husband elects.

What do you mean by flexible-working policies?

FL does not have individual income tax but taxes mostly tourism related items rather high.

You either get used to the heat, live inside with AC or spend the summer elsewhere. It is not necessarily the heat but the combination heat and humidity. Depending on the specific location that also means prolific insect life.

[Ms B]

Thanks for the info.

Squash is a bit like a cordial but less sweet and sticky and you can get sugar free stuff, it is basically a fruit-based concentrate which you mix with water, it's great stuff.

Flexible-working varies, where I work I am contracted to work 37.5 hours a week but I can pretty much choose my working hours (eg I work with somebody who is in the office 7:30-3:30) and if people have leave early for some reason then that is fine as long as they make up the hours. Some people have a policy whereby they can save-up overtime hours until they have enough for a whole day and then take that day as an extra days leave.

I have heard that American employers are much tougher than European ones and I was wondering to what extent this was true.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Ms B

What should I/can I reasonably ask for as part of a relocation package?
Does health insurance tend to cover dentistry and opticians or would I need something separate?
I have heard that in Florida there is no income tax, if true; are there other taxes to make up for this?
How do people cope with the Florida heat?
I have an English driving licence, would I also need an American one?
Are American employers adopting flexible-working policies or do they already have them?
I plan to keep making National Insurance contributions but what should I do about a private pension?
Can I buy orange squash out there?

A relocation package for an international move "normally" consists of removal costs (and sometimes the company makes most of the arrangements), some provision for accommodation on arrival (1 to 3 months while you're locating suitable housing) and there is sometimes (often?) an extra one month's salary on arrival to cover the cost of replacing small appliances, televisions, etc. It's also not too uncommon to include a one or two week pre-move trip for the family to scout out the general area, meet colleagues, etc. Some international relocation packages will include a trip back home once a year - but only if you're on an "expat package." Many employers base their relocation costs on the IRS guidelines for those expenses that are deductible for tax purposes, so you could take a look at the official publication on moving expenses: Publication 521 (2007), Moving Expenses

Employer based health insurance may or may not cover dental and eye care. Or there may be an add-on you can elect.

Florida has no individual state income tax, but it does have a sales tax. For more on Florida taxes, try this site: State of Florida.com - Florida Tax Guide (but don't let it overwhelm you - it's a listing of ALL Florida taxes, for businesses and individuals).

The heat in Florida? That's why they invented air conditioning. EVERYTHING in the US is air conditioned - buildings, cars, houses, trailers...

Most states in the US want you to get a local license within 10 to 30 days of moving in. (Figure that is moving into your "permanent accommodation" - not while you're looking to find a flat or house to rent.) Check the Florida DMV (dept. of motor vehicles) site: Obtaining Your Florida Driver License - they require lots of documentation, but basically you may be able to exchange your UK license for a Florida license (once you have your Soc. Security number and can prove you are legally in the country).

Flexible working policies are entirely at the discretion of the employer. Some companies have them, and some don't. You have to ask when you're interviewing. But be aware that labor regulation in the US is very different from in the UK or Europe. In an "exempt" job (i.e. salaried rather than being paid an hourly wage) they can expect you to work extra hours for no additional pay.

Assuming you will be working while in the US (see previous visa discussion) - there are a couple different deferred tax savings plans for pensions that you could participate in - usually either an IRA (which is a savings plan) or a 401K, which is an employer sponsored plan, usually with some level of matching funds. Whether or not to participate in something like that depends a bit on how long you'll be in the US. If you can continue to pay into your private pension plan in the UK while you are gone, that might be a simpler option.

I've heard of orange squash, but I have never tried it. There are online sites where you can have it shipped to you anywhere in the world (I think). And, if you find an enclave of Brits nearby in Florida, there is bound to be a "British goodies" shop open somewhere.

Keep 'em coming....
Cheers,
Bev

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Ms B

Thanks for the info.

Squash is a bit like a cordial but less sweet and sticky and you can get sugar free stuff, it is basically a fruit-based concentrate which you mix with water, it's great stuff.

Flexible-working varies, where I work I am contracted to work 37.5 hours a week but I can pretty much choose my working hours (eg I work with somebody who is in the office 7:30-3:30) and if people have leave early for some reason then that is fine as long as they make up the hours. Some people have a policy whereby they can save-up overtime hours until they have enough for a whole day and then take that day as an extra days leave.

I have heard that American employers are much tougher than European ones and I was wondering to what extent this was true.

If you are moving to anywhere near Mickey, you'll find plenty of Brit shops. Internet Brit shops also abound -- even Amazon stocks some Brit goods. Be wary of ordering in quantity -- the small ones often have close to sell-by date stuff. Failing that, Cost Plus World Market stocks some foreign goods, as does the Kroger chain.

Many US employers would make the Tsar look liberal. They expect total loyalty but often fail to reciprocate. Husband is unlikely to be able to negotiate anything less in weekly work hours but could negotiate better vacation time depending on his position in the company.

Whether (and when) you can work or not, nobody can say since you still haven't told us what visa you will be on. Flexible working time is unusual.

[Ms B]

Thank you, this is really useful info.

We are trying to get out to Florida in June so that I can have a look around. I'll post questions as I think of them and when I know what kind of visa I'll be on.

[twostep]

As already mentioned - your squash will be no problem. Similar products run under syrup. Import stores such as World Market, Whole Foods carry a number of flavors.

I enjoy very flexible flex-hours working from home:>)
Your husband will probably be looking at overtime (expected and delivered), week-ends (expected and delivered), company functions after-hours with/without spouse (corporate cheerleading at its finest) ... It is part of corporate culture. Fighting it will not get you far but having issues at home. Work it to your advantage. Will you try to work or stay at home?

[sunnyhouse]

im sorry to burst your bubble but it’s not easy to buy a house at this time. You need to establish some credit and with the mortgage crises now, its even harder to buy. I can give you more details on how to eventually owning a home if you like.
You might even have hard time renting at this moment without your employer help. you need to consider homestay for now, other than that, welcome to America, you will love it.
Good luck

[Bevdeforges]

Oh yes, one other thing that is standard for a relocation package - that is that your employer should serve as a "guarantor" for your lease once you've found a place to stay. Some employers will engage a relocation agent to at least take you around to view flats, but in all cases, the employer should verify your salary and, if necessary, post the deposit for you on the flat.
Cheers,
Bev