Heading to work in LA...

[Junius]

Ok... Looks like the 2.5k budget is starting to get stretched quite thin.... With regards to the theory test, it's mostly questions requiring common sense. Other than that, I'll just have to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road (Yes, I come from a country where we drive on the "wrong" side of the road... Haha)

Question is, will I have a social security number within 10 days of getting to the US?

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Junius

Ok... Looks like the 2.5k budget is starting to get stretched quite thin.... With regards to the theory test, it's mostly questions requiring common sense. Other than that, I'll just have to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road (Yes, I come from a country where we drive on the "wrong" side of the road... Haha)

Question is, will I have a social security number within 10 days of getting to the US?

For the practical part, just read the manual available on the web site. Allow an hour's study time and you'll be fine. The practical test is a non event if you can already drive. (BTW, you come from a RHD country because you were invaded by the Brits rather than the French! Swapping over is no great problem. Just be extra vigilant for the first week or so)

The answer to your ssn question is probably no -- which will cause you hours of endless frustration with the bureaucrats at DMV. In fact, you shouldn't even go to apply for your SSN for at least 10 days after arrival to allow the info from immigration to filter into the social security database -- going earlier delays issue of your number since they have to run a manual check instead.

Rock and a hard place, eh?

[Junius]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

For the practical part, just read the manual available on the web site. Allow an hour's study time and you'll be fine. The practical test is a non event if you can already drive. (BTW, you come from a RHD country because you were invaded by the Brits rather than the French! Swapping over is no great problem. Just be extra vigilant for the first week or so)

The answer to your ssn question is probably no -- which will cause you hours of endless frustration with the bureaucrats at DMV. In fact, you shouldn't even go to apply for your SSN for at least 10 days after arrival to allow the info from immigration to filter into the social security database -- going earlier delays issue of your number since they have to run a manual check instead.

Rock and a hard place, eh?

Ok... Looks like I'm gonna have heaps of fun with red tape. I believe this is only the tip of the iceberg. LOL...

I'm very grateful for all the info you've kindly shared with me. Relocation is not new to me, but at least I was still in an Asian country (Shanghai). Furthermore, their bureaucracy was no problem since they have far too many loopholes in their system to manipulate... :P

I should be more optimistic about working in US, and I believe I will enjoy working there. It's just that I've been groomed by society here in Singapore to worry about every single detail. Haha...

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Junius

Ok... Looks like I'm gonna have heaps of fun with red tape. I believe this is only the tip of the iceberg. LOL...

I'm very grateful for all the info you've kindly shared with me. Relocation is not new to me, but at least I was still in an Asian country (Shanghai). Furthermore, their bureaucracy was no problem since they have far too many loopholes in their system to manipulate... :P

I should be more optimistic about working in US, and I believe I will enjoy working there. It's just that I've been groomed by society here in Singapore to worry about every single detail. Haha...

It doesn't get much lower than the DMV, really! Perhaps the HR department in you company could give them a run for their money......but that's about it.

Having applied for driver licenses in communist countries before, the only advice I'd give you was that in the US it can't all be solved with a kilo of coffee and a couple of bottles of scotch! The last time I tried that in a just ex-Communist country, I ended up with a license for everything including big rigs and buses since the police officer was so happy he decided he could translate my English license himself without an official translation (he knew all the Beetle's lyrics!) and was rather generous in the categories he stamped on the card.

In America you just have to persevere without this, I'm afraid. One thing I have noticed, however, is that they seem to make some of it up on the spot and really have no idea when it comes to foreigners . Be sickly sweet (yes ma'am, no sir) and if you hit a brick wall, just try another office or the same office at a different time so you get a different person. Consistency is not strong. Also, if you're sure of your ground, insist that they pass it up to their superiors.

Good luck!

[synthia]

If the US has a tax treaty with Singapore, the tax setup is not dodgy at all. When my friends were in Germany working for a US company, they paid US taxes, not German taxes (a good deal for them, as the taxes were much lower) even though the money was paid into a German account. And Filipinos working for my company in the US had a similar deal under a tax treaty. Their salaries were paid to accounts in the Philippines, and they lived on expenses in the US.

It sounds like they are covering the parts that would be most expensive and difficult for you: housing, car, medical

Getting a driver's license shouldn't be a problem. And there is a chance that they have an insurance policy that will cover you. They might deduct something from your pay.

Even if your salary in Singapore is significantly below what you would get for the same position in the US, it may not make a difference to your standard of living.

Just don't expect a live-in maid. That's something that is fairly common in Singapore that isn't in the US. Even luxury apartments don't come with maids quarters.

[Junius]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

In America you just have to persevere without this, I'm afraid. One thing I have noticed, however, is that they seem to make some of it up on the spot and really have no idea when it comes to foreigners . Be sickly sweet (yes ma'am, no sir) and if you hit a brick wall, just try another office or the same office at a different time so you get a different person. Consistency is not strong. Also, if you're sure of your ground, insist that they pass it up to their superiors.

Good luck!

Haha... I like that bit about the officer knowing the lyrics to the beatles... Well, it's definitely very different where US is concerned except that I realized they had something in common with China. That is, some officers makes new rules on the spot as they have no idea regarding the foreigners. I'll be a good boy and remember my manners... LOL...

[Junius]

Originally Posted by synthia

If the US has a tax treaty with Singapore, the tax setup is not dodgy at all. When my friends were in Germany working for a US company, they paid US taxes, not German taxes (a good deal for them, as the taxes were much lower) even though the money was paid into a German account. And Filipinos working for my company in the US had a similar deal under a tax treaty. Their salaries were paid to accounts in the Philippines, and they lived on expenses in the US.

It sounds like they are covering the parts that would be most expensive and difficult for you: housing, car, medical

Getting a driver's license shouldn't be a problem. And there is a chance that they have an insurance policy that will cover you. They might deduct something from your pay.

Even if your salary in Singapore is significantly below what you would get for the same position in the US, it may not make a difference to your standard of living.

Just don't expect a live-in maid. That's something that is fairly common in Singapore that isn't in the US. Even luxury apartments don't come with maids quarters.

Hi Synthia,

I do believe there's a tax treaty between our countries. But the tax in US is a lot higher than Singapore... I'll just make sure that the company pays up for all taxes regardless of the account that is being credited (both of which is mine, of course)

They are giving me a car and covering medical, but I'm left to my own devices where sourcing out a good apartment is concerned. As advised by Fatbrit, I wouldn't want to go too low on the rent since it's relative to the living conditions and the safety. I'll try to juggle the cost of rental with food and utilities (though I know some places have utilities inclusive but capped at a certain amount).

I definitely won't be expecting a live in maid... Anyway, if I can afford the serviced apartment that I was looking at in the Oakwoods website, there is absolutely no need since they provide cleaning 3 times a week.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Junius

They are giving me a car and covering medical, but I'm left to my own devices where sourcing out a good apartment is concerned. As advised by Fatbrit, I wouldn't want to go too low on the rent since it's relative to the living conditions and the safety.

As a further thought, you could try out a share to save money -- these are common in big cities in the US.

craigslist: los angeles classifieds is worth a look. Also a good place to pick up stuff you need on the cheap -- furniture, etc.

[Junius]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

As a further thought, you could try out a share to save money -- these are common in big cities in the US.

craigslist: los angeles classifieds is worth a look. Also a good place to pick up stuff you need on the cheap -- furniture, etc.

I did think about sharing, but there's a possibility of my wife joining me in the future. Furthermore, I don't think she's keen for me to share a place with someone else. Guess who's paying the price? Haha...

But the website is very helpful. I have heard of it before, but it didn't come to mind till you mentioned it. Thanks!

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Junius

I did think about sharing, but there's a possibility of my wife joining me in the future. Furthermore, I don't think she's keen for me to share a place with someone else. Guess who's paying the price? Haha..

She can work on an E2 after a little extra bureaucracy. That'll solve the cash problem.