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Possibly unique thread on returning to the US - SoCal

1K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Sardonicus 
#1 ·
Hi - I'm an American living in Asia for many years, looking to return to the States.

Originally from NY, I want to live where I want to live, and that is not NY.

I'm at a point in my life where I want to live where the weather suits my clothes, and I can continue doing the kind of work I currently do, although I would be open to a similar role in other industries.

The challenges I face are:
1. I've been away a long time, the world and the country has changed

2. I have little to no contacts where I want to live (Orange County or San Diego)

3. I have a non-American wife

4. I am over 50

5. If at all possible I want to find a job before I quit my current one here

Of all of these challenges, I think 4 and 5 are the toughest. But I could be wrong, which is why I joined this forum.

There's more to say of course, this was to see if anyone would respond.

Alex
 
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#2 ·
Of all the expatriate challenges in these forums, yours seem to be relatively simple. What if you had not left the country for a time? You'd still have some of these if you packed up and moved to the other coast. Why is your wife a challenge? She's got you to ease her way into American culture. You're not old (I can say with some certainty, having left 50 behind a long time ago).

Buy the tickets and get on with it, I would suggest.
 
#3 ·
Life begins at 50, especially in SoCal!

50 = Old enough to know better, young enough not to care. :)



As for #1, 2, & 3, I wouldn't look at them as being a hindrance to your return to the US but rather part of the adventure that your life has taken.

Since you've been away for so long, you and your wife can take a look at life in the US through the eyes of a new arrival (as opposed to that of a jaded New Yorker who is looking for a change) and (re)discover the country together (there is so much to see and do all along the Pacific Coast of North America... British Columbia is nice *hint* *hint* and your Greenbacks go a little farther in Canada)... after all, you were a new immigrant in Asia once, so this is your chance to re-live that experience with your wife (the benefit being that you speak the language/know the customs and aren't restrained by visa conditions).


Good luck to you in your quest to return 'Stateside! ;)
 
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#4 ·
I think you're right that 4 and 5 are your biggest challenges.

A non-American wife just means that you will need to wait a while to process a spouse visa and Green Card for her - which could become a "timing issue" if you manage to find a job in the US before you start making the big move back. Or, it could mean some time apart while you move and get set up and wait for her paperwork to come through.

Finding a job in the US (or anywhere) past the age of 50 is definitely a challenge. But it depends on what line of work you're in, and how "creative" you can get with what you want to do. Consulting or teaching in your line of work may be an option. Or, if you can make your time abroad count for something (language, business customs and contacts, cultural knowledge, etc.).

If at all possible, try to start making some "reconnaissance" visits to the area you want to settle in. See if you can start making contacts - professional associations, a good headhunter (if they have those these days - I've been away a long time, too!) and maybe hitting some of the consultancy firms that deal in your area of expertise.

The fact of your US nationality gives you a big advantage, in that if you have something they want, there's no visa sponsorship involved. On the other hand, at your age, you need to have something they can't get from someone fresh out of school (which is where the foreign experience and expertise come in).

One other thing to consider is what your US Social Security status is. You only need 10 years of contributions to qualify for a pension - so you have time if you move now and find a job. (Or maybe you already have some or all the work time in the US - in which case, so much the better!)
Cheers,
Bev
 
#5 ·
Finding a job in the US (or anywhere) past the age of 50 is definitely a challenge. But it depends on what line of work you're in, and how "creative" you can get with what you want to do. Consulting or teaching in your line of work may be an option. Or, if you can make your time abroad count for something (language, business customs and contacts, cultural knowledge, etc.).
I've spend half my life working in South East Asia, and much of my work over the years has been with American and Australian companies, putting all that experience to good use. It's certainly an asset for the OP.
 
#7 ·
Thanks very much for all the responses so far.

Although not technically a Finance person, that is the industry I've been working in, most recently as an IT Project and Program Manager, though I do things that are no longer technical.

This was a change in role for me some time back, then to make me marketable outside the industry as it was going through hard times and I wanted to branch out - still do but also ok to remain in it.

Also that is not the only role I have done so I'm not limited to that.

This is a good industry if one wants to live on the East Cost, and in the NY area in particular, but I believe less so for the West Coast, hope I'm wrong there....

Regarding just moving back with no job in hand, I could but that would put a huge drain on the finances. I don't expect relocation coverage but some people do get that some times.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Per Bev's point, qualifying for free Medicare Part A when you reach age 65 is also quite important in the United States, even after the introduction of "Obamacare." You need non-trivial contributions into the U.S. Social Security system within any 10 calendar years to qualify for that benefit. If you already qualify due to prior work history in the United States before you moved to Asia, fantastic, congratulations. If not, work on getting those remaining years behind you to qualify.

Your non-citizen spouse will qualify once she hits 5 years of residence in the U.S. and meets the Medicare age requirement, assuming you qualify. Or vice versa. If she hits 10, you may be able to qualify through her.

According to Wikipedia, California Bank & Trust (CB&T) is the only significant financial company headquartered in San Diego. And it's not really headquartered in San Diego because its holding company is headquartered in Salt Lake City. (Not that all jobs are in the headquarters city. Far from it.) So CB&T would be on your short list of prospective employers in your industry if you stay with the same industry. In Orange County, looking at a different list, the financial companies with 500 or more employees working in the county include American Advisors Group, Experian, First American Financial Corporation (which is really real estate), loanDepot, and New American Funding.

On edit: Looking again at San Diego County, I see only Intuit as the sole other financial company with 500 or more employees. But it's an incomplete list, I assume, because CB&T isn't on the list I'm looking at. Even so, there you go, there are a few prospective employers to add to your short list.

Think of some reasonable "angle" that would make sense to prospective employers. If, for example, one of these companies (or some other company) does significant business in Asia, they might be able to use someone with your perspective to help with their Asian business out of the U.S.
 
#9 ·
Bev and BBCWatcher, thanks again.

I have been away so long that I have not contributed 10 years, probably only 4, so I'm looking to see if I can do anything retroactively. I meet with my tax accountant soon.

Also good to know about the Medicare, another thing I never considered.

Regarding San Diego, I kinda didn't expect too much outside of the Defense industry. As a PM I can work in different industries, as it is an acumen that can be applied just about anywhere however the discipline has become very specialised.

My primary interest location-wise is Orange County, places like Newport Beach, Irvine, Torrance and the like. I understand that Toyota (they have PM roles) is moving to Dallas in a year or two. It is a good location as there are a lot of Japanese people living there.

Though not my first choice a pretty decent second choice is North Carolina, Raleigh and Charlotte, which seem to have a decent cost of living and buoyant job market. For now I'd like to focus on SoCal - I really need a place I can surf with as few sharks as possible.....

BTW I don't watch the BBC but I have listened to it every day I have been in Singapore. I find a lot of US news grating after the first two minutes.
 
#11 ·
Defense contractor or GS
Assuming you have the respective academic degrees and that your PM certificatios are current most of the actual contracts require employees with clearance. You can read up on GS jobs on jobs.gov.

If you are looking for Japanese enclaves check every Honda plant. We lived in Little Tokyo in Alabama. Honda management commuted over an hour one way to live in the appropriate neighborhood. Check out Duluth, Ga if you have any ties to Siemens.
 
#13 ·
Thanks again and just a quick update, while I am sorely lacking with contacts in SoCal, I did come across one recruiter which I cold-contacted via LinkedIn some time back, who seems quite good but says I really need to be there to put me in front of clients.

While I figured this, ideally, due to the distance, cost, logistics, and odds, getting a role lined up before going would be best, and it has happened, but is understandably unlikely.

The best situation would be to have a few second- or third interviews lined up, following phone- or Skype interviews, and to take a trip there for those face-to-faces.

One of the problems with Singapore is the distance from just about anywhere else. Anywhere worth working anyway. Australia is out die to the taxes.


Is anyone here actually living in California?
 
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