Possible 3 yr move to US with 1 yo. What do I need to consider?

[33goingon64]

DH has been invited to apply for a job in the US for 3 years, probably NYC. We got quite excited thinking about this when it first came up as a possibility a few years ago when I wasn't enjoying my job much and we were childless. Now it seems a bit different as there is so much to consider.

DH's career
Obviously would be a good move for him

My career
Am just about to restart work after mat leave and am quite excited about it. I would be unable to work in US so even if I did voluntary work I would probably be less employable on returning to UK, having been away from work so long. Would also have to search for new job. Ugh. Am not a hugely ambitious person but get a kick out of doing my job well.

DS currently nearly 1
would be 4 when we return so actually ideal for starting school here. Assume we would have no problem finding a nursery for him in US. He might have an American accent but I guess will otherwise not be affected much by the move and moving back in 3 years

Hopeful second DC
We plan to ttc DC2 in about 2 years so would be born in US.

Our parents
are not getting any younger although all in good health currently. Would miss DS terribly but could visit prob twice per year and we would come back twice.

Social
Have really settled in well to current home town and met tons of nice mum friends, two of which I would hope will be friends for life. I would miss them a lot but feel optimistic we would make new friends.

Anything major I have missed? Anyone have experience of trying to do unpaid work in the US - is there any?! Am thinking especially in the arts or charity sector. Is it straightforward to get a nursery place for a pre schooler over there or is it a red tape nightmare?

Has your DH been offered a job with a new company rather than transfer in existing company?

If transfer then you could work on L1/L2 visa

Very easy to get nursery places - but there is what's known as "day care" which would be babies and up, some areas (not many) may only have preschools which take from age 3. We lived in a town where this was very much the case, but there were plenty of "mom's groups", storytime at the local library each week,playgrounds, soft-play places and so on. It really will depend on the town.

My son is nearly 6 and has been here since he was 2. He speaks with a perfect little English accent, but I have no idea why.

I don't think you missed much off your list. There is a cultural shift here which takes a little getting used to - socially, with other mothers its a bit different sometimes as an "outsider" especially if you're perceived as "temporary". But if you're in the NYC area you can get home to the UK in 6 hrs, the time difference doesn't rule out phone calls / skype calls with family and its cosmopolitan enough for you to find interesting things to do and multicultural influences around you. Sounds great!

Damn it, the job has already gone, but there might be another in the pipeline... Thanks for the advice.