DH is possibly relocating with his job from London to San Francisco. It hasn't got as far as package negotiations yet but is at the 'positive chat' stage and we'll know more over the next couple of weeks. I'm trying to gain an idea about what we need to be considering. We've spent all weekend reading various ex-pat forums and blog posts about living there, but as usual I figured Mumsnet will help me out (am a long standing poster on an identity-saving namechange).
So the situation is: DH works in IT for a company who are located in SF itself rather than Silicon Valley. We have a three year old DS and no plans for any more DC. I'm Australian, have permanent UK residency but haven't got around to applying for citizenship (am eligible). I think DH's company will arrange a green card for me so I will be able to work, but I need to investigate whether it's better for me to go/apply as a Brit or an Aussie, or if in fact it makes any difference at all. I've been to SF about ten years ago, when I spent a few months doing some post-grad work experience there but have never been back, and when I was there in my mid 20s had no concept of what life would be like with a family etc. I was certainly not taking any notice of family-friendly areas, playgrounds, schools or softplay! When I wrack my brains now trying to think back to those days all I can remember is eating out a lot and shopping. Life is a little different now!
So my questions for any SF-knowledgeable MNers are: what areas should be looking at rent in? A quick look on Craigslist seems to indicate rents are scarily high but we have no idea of where we should be looking. When I was last there I was living in menlo Park/Palo Alto, which was nice, but I don't think would be close enough for DH to commute to central SF. Or maybe it would? I'm guessing though, with all the tech expansion which has happened in the last decade, that that area is probably ridiculously expensive now. Is there such a thing as a pleasant, family-friendly area with a decent commute for DH (his office will be in the Tenderloin district). Is the cost of living sky-high? Bearing in mind we're used to London costs, will be find it comparable to UK prices? What is it like for living with small children? WHat is the childcare/early years education structure? DS goes to nursery two days a week here. Is that something I'll be able to easily sort out for him over there? Everyone tells us it's very important to make sure we get health insurance as part of the package. How do I know what 'good' means - is there a list of what I should expect? What is the norm to be offered in terms of housing/banking/shipping assistance, and trips home? SHould we be thinking about bringing all our furniture and worldly goods, or are most houses fully furnished? We don't own a house to sell or manage here, and wouldn't be looking to buy for at least a couple of years, by which point we may very well have moved on, probably to Australia.
I have some more esoteric questions/worries too, and some which probably seem really silly. I feel like, after almost ten years here in the UK, that I'm pretty good at being British now. I know lots of the secrets of British socialising, have many British friends, can function perfectly well in England. It did take a while though; Australia and the UK may speak the same language but are really very foreign from each other in terms of many social communication issues and unwritten laws. Has anyone who's moved to the US had any trouble learning the social 'rules'? Or do you always feel like an expat? Is there a large expat community? Are there many Brits/Aussies? And this one will seem pathetic, I'm sure: does anyone worry about the gun culture, school shootings, pervasive right-wing media influence etc.?
Thanks for reading my ramblings - any words of wisdom very helpful.
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San Francisco - tell me anything about living there
28 replies
Wobblestones · 17/08/2014 23:13
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quakerbaker ·
22/08/2014 06:17
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