Would you move to Texas for USD 5k more a month

[Constance17]

DH has been offered a job in U.S, we have children aged 6 & 8. What concerns you most?

I'll just leave this picture here. Taken yesterday in Galveston, Texas. The man was handcuffed and arrested for trespassing and paraded between two armed mounted police officers. And they put a rope on him. They could've radioed for a car...
Say no more. It's NO to Texas if only for its racism.

Depends where in Texas, what visa your DH would be on (and could you work if you wanted to), health insurance and schools. We lived on the East Coast previously and loved it, so like anywhere, i’d make my judgement on the area you would move to

No. Texas is too religious, too right wing and too pro gun.

Oh ffs, Texas is massive. It's like someone saying "I wouldn't move to Britain because of all the knife crime" when the job might be in Chipping Norton or Lerwick.

I've got Muslim friends and atheist friends, both couples living in Houston having been relocated from the UK, and both couples loving it.

Loopytiles, disagree. It's 5k more per month, isn't it? Health insurance will usually be covered by the employer (unless it's not? which would be unusual). Other costs are actually much lower compared with the UK. I lived in the US for 10 years and close to 10 years in the UK now and could afford much more in the US on a similar salary

I wouldnt move to Texas, full stop. A very nice cousin of mine relocated, shes got involved with one of those god squadding anti abortion churches. Lovely girl. Wish she'd shut up about other peoples bodies though.

Theres good and bad everywhere and children can and do get shot here in the U.K as well.You find your people wherever you are.I'd rent my house out here if it was on a mortgage or you own it outright.

No way. America is an absolute cesspool.

What, all of it? Rural Alaska is quite different to East Central L.A., and the plains of Wyoming are different to Manhattan.

Hi OP,

Would the extra 5K be swallowed up by medical insurance and rent?
Is DH's company paying for a total relocation package which includes private school for DC's?

Part of me would jump at the opportunity because it's an experience, but I'd still have concerns. Can you discuss it with any other Ex-pats?

Hi OP,

Would the extra 5K be swallowed up by medical insurance and rent?
Is DH's company paying for a total relocation package which includes private school for DC's?

Part of me would jump at the opportunity because it's an experience, but I'd still have concerns. Can you discuss it with any other Ex-pats?

Hi OP,

Would the extra 5K be swallowed up by medical insurance and rent?
Is DH's company paying for a total relocation package which includes private school for DC's?

Part of me would jump at the opportunity because it's an experience, but I'd still have concerns. Can you discuss it with any other Ex-pats?

Hi OP,

Would the extra 5K be swallowed up by medical insurance and rent?
Is DH's company paying for a total relocation package which includes private school for DC's?

Part of me would jump at the opportunity because it's an experience, but I'd still have concerns. Can you discuss it with any other Ex-pats?

No. I’d rather be poor than have to wonder every morning if my kids are going to get shot at school today.

Out of all the places I have lived, England is the place I feel least safe.

With zero offence to Texans (hopefully) but Texas is a really strange place, their water is very often contaminated and as an Brit will likely make you sick. They struggle with extreme weather and $5 really is not a lot

I've read over quite a fee of the comments and as a mom I can understand some of the concerns brought up, especially those about gun violence in our state. I've lived in Texas my whole life, born and raised here. Things have gotten extremely scary in this country, that I'll not argue with. The gun violence has been a big concern for me and is the main reason I've had my son in private school since his preschool years. He's 11 now. Texas, however, is no worse than any other state in that aspect. Yes, Texans are avid gun lovers, but primarily due to a big percentage of our population being farmers, ranchers, and hunters. I don't own any guns personally, but my entire family does. I don't condone any sort of violence or agree with the possession of military grade weapons by private citizens, but that's just my own beliefs. The US has become a dangerous place to live, but these days that seems to be true in more than just this country. As for the expense of living here, Texas is actually one of the least expensive places to live in the US. Insurance and childcare are quite affordable as well, you just have to do your homework when looking for an option that best suits your needs. I'm a single mom raising a son on a single salary. We live in a nice home, he has an excellent private school education, has had health insurance his entire life, and has everything he wants and needs. Don't let not knowing the real facts scare you into giving up a good opportunity. A $5000 per month increase in pay can afford you all of the things you're concerned with possibly losing should you move here. The US is in a not so good place at the moment, I agree, but there's still some good left in this country.... and God willing we'll have a fresh start in the upcoming election, and the necessary changes will be made to turn this country around. Until then, please don't judge us by the negative news coverage or the idiot's running our country.

Nope. Not for any amount of money.

Nope. I wouldn't want my kids to grow up being influenced by the gun culture, the right wing religious culture or the current politics. I think the extra money could be eaten up easily with medical insurance. For sure the houses are bigger but other than that I don't see any advantages.

I would. No doubt the company will provide healthcare and medical. Yes, there are Gov concerns, but equally we have BoJo You'll still have your GBR passports, you'll still be protected British Citizens, so you can come back. It's a fantastic opportunity that you'll regret if you don't. I went overseas for 2 years and the wages were so amazing that I was able to buy my house. Do it.

California might be a yes, but Texas, no way.

At risk of repeating others, it really depends where in Texas. Austin is a lovely, liberal city with a thriving cultural life. Houston and Dallas are oil and gas towns and has very little to offer beyond business. There’s a lot of small towns in Texas that are pretty grim.

I’ve never lived in Texas but visited regularly and have lived in other states, so my rundown of things to worry about are:

• healthcare. This must be extensive, you get into all kinds of issues around co-pays and in/out of network physicians, etc. Needs to cover EVERYTHING and could easily swallow that $5k per month
• education. The system is different to the U.K. and it’s not easy to move between systems. Most good schools are private so there are fees to consider
• housing. I’m not sure about comparative costs these days but don’t forget property taxes as these can be substantial
• getting around. Texas is big! Everything is a long way away, (eg Houston is 60 miles across) and traffic on the freeways round the city can be horrendous
• guns. Obviously the horrific events in El Paso are front of mind. But consider that Texas is an open carry state (I think). You will see people with loaded deadly weapons every day in the most mundane of circumstances. It was something I hated and disturbed me when I lived in the USA.
• Racism. Is it worse than the U.K.? Yes, I think it is but I suspect we’re catching up.
• work. Obviously you have a business reason to go, but Texas has suffered massively from the oil slump and work is harder to come by for expats.
• weather. You’re in the hurricane belt.

So, my conclusion is that, for the right job/money I would go with a DH but I would be very wary about taking kids with us.

Out of all the places I have lived, England is the place I feel least safe.

Yes, all the school shootings in England are well-known. And you never can be sure when there'll be a workplace shooting or one in a shopping centre or nightclub.

Oh wait, that's wrong, isn't it?

But consider that Texas is an open carry state (I think). You will see people with loaded deadly weapons every day in the most mundane of circumstances. It was something I hated and disturbed me when I lived in the USA.

This is why I wouldn’t go. Open carry incites (deliberately) fear and and a sort of fear-based pseudo respect. I wouldn’t want my children to grow up within that culture

Journalist looking for British opinions on Texas in the wake of the El Paso shooting?

There's 30 million Texans- it's a huge place with massive variables in climate and culture. San Antonio was one of my fave US cities and Austin is one of the safest places in the US. There are leafy progressive University towns- its not all cowboys and rednecks.

Never been but my cousin is from there (Auntie was a GI Bride) . You should be fine but if you meet a loud, narcissist woman named Diana just give her a wide wide berth OP

Getting a pint of milk when you need may take 30 mins or more

Sounds a bit like Norfolk then, and I don't mean Virginia!
You will need to consider the whole package of employment, not just the salary, it may include Health insurance for example or a relocation allowance.
I wouldn't reject a move to the US simply based on the high profile shootings, education for my children would be my main negative concern. American service personnel whose children attend local schools during UK postings tell about returning to the US a year in advance of their peers. You will probably find yourself paying for a half decent education.