Living in America 2013

[smartieknickers]

Howdy y'all! I was a long time lurker on the Living in America 2012 thread and in the spirit of my new year's resolution to 'get involved in more stuff' I thought I'd start a new thread, what with it being a month into 2013 and all that... So who's with me?

Link to previous thread

Brief introduction: I initially moved from Scotland to Houston, TX with my DH and DS (now 2) in 2011, but we moved to Dallas in September last year. We never really felt quite at home in Houston but for some reason we really like life in Dallas, even though it's pretty similar in a lot of ways. We have just today finally dispatched with the last of our Christmas visitors (we've had parents and in-laws here back-to-back for 5 solid weeks!!) so I'm feeling like I deserve a large and a medal

Hi all!
just discovered this section and thread. I am moving in a week from tomorrow to Los Angeles from London (I'm originally Belgian but grew up in Canada). ugh that sounds complicated doesn't it?

Anyone in California?

I'm stressing out slightly as my DP is there already (started a new job), I'm 28 weeks pregnant, and I have to wrap up everything at work and at home. My mom is coming this morning for the whole week to 'help' but I'm really worried that she may just be something else I need to think about.

Anyways just wanted to say hi!

I'm in Michigan, not California, but wanted to say hi.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Everyone's mum is different, but how about giving her a specific list of tasks you'd like her to do? That would have worked well with my mum, she would have felt she was being useful. As it was, we had packers, so they just required tea and biscuits

I was in Canada at the weekend, about an hour outside Toronto. Our DDs school mountain biking team take part in an 8 hour relay race every year. DDs look out for the 'eh' and oldest came back from one lap telling us how a guy has told her 'I'm just going to pass you, eh'. Another guy told her he loved her fluorescent yellow socks. We like Canadians!

Hi Roselau! I just moved to LA two weeks ago, from London. We have an 11 month old daughter, and are on the west side, in UCLA family housing. If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to help. My DH is a southern California native, so anything I don't know, he probably will. There are a couple of other people in LA / SoCal too.

Where in LA will you be living? Good luck this week!

Hi rootypig how exciting that you moved to LA from London!
we don't have a permanent place yet (currently in corporate housing in playa del rey), but my husband is working in Culver City, so we're looking around Marina del Rey / Venice / Santa Monica. Not sure we can afford it so may have to go a bit more inland.
I may send you DMs as I get there and have questions on everything :)

thanks peppermint
yeah you're right, i've been trying to make sure she has a to do list and feels useful. She is really helpful to run errands, clean, etc, but lacking on the mental support front, which is what I need most in this high stress time. She managed this morning to casually tell me that she really doesn't see me as a mom. So that's a bit hard but I just try and ignore it.

go Canada ! :)

Oh we are on the edge of Culver City! Santa Monica side. Do get in touch, yes

Just wanted to pop in and say hello. My family will be heading off to the US (Pittsburgh) at the end of the year. DH will actually be going at the end of November, as that's when the job starts, but I want our older two children to finish this term's schooling before we make the move as a family. DH is coming back over for Christmas - he's been allowed a few days for that - and then we'll all be making the move on 27 December.

Oh that is exciting Freedom I remember your thread!

Congrats Roselau! Nothing my mother says can rile me these days. I keep my mother busy with nothing stuff so she stays out of my hair. You are a brave girl having your mother 'help' you while you move.

Hi! We have recently moved to the Bay Area in California, is anyone else nearby? My children start school tomorrow and I am a bit stressed, OK a LOT stressed! Just hoping they will be happy.

Hi miroam, we are in San Mateo! When did you move over? Whereabouts are you?

If you need anything let me know. I know how hard the beginning can be!

will do rooty. i also read above and see you've been having SSN issues. I'm also going in as a non-immigrant spouse visa with basically absolutely no rights or working privileges. I'm actually still a UK resident as I'm getting my mat leave benefits here. Technically we are only in the US for a year - the time of my mat leave - but we'll see how things go. Thankfully I got a UK license, and DH bought us a car and put me on the insurance so I should be ok. I hear LA would be impossible to live in if you don't drive so I feel for you. I can come pick you up and we can go drive around together :)
The thing that's been more stressing me out because I can't get an SSN either is that I have to give birth in 2.5 months. DH says it's no problem, he's put me on the insurance, and we don't need SSN at the hospital or anything. I totally trust him, but I just hope everything goes smoothly. I have a Dr. appointment when I get there next Thursday so hopefully everything gets sorted then.

yeah want2b I'm trying to keep everyone happy because I know it's breaking their hearts to be so far when I'm going to have their granddaughter so soon. But I don't think she realises that letting her 'help' is actually a big effort on my side. I'm trying hard.

thanks natashabee ;)

Woo, after a morning at the DMV I am the proud owner of a permit! the written test was so easy - now I know why half the people on the roads here are muppets. And I didn't need the bloody SSN letter of denial - they didn't even mention it. Typical pointless US bureaucracy.

Hi Californialiving! We are in Saratoga and arrived 4 weeks ago. It's all up and down to be honest, everything seems to be so much more complicated than you think it would be! I am also in the position of being here with my husband and having no SSN. I will also have to deal with the DMV soon too. So far hubby has been ferrying me around when needed but now the kids are in school that's not going to work! Will be sure to ask if I need any advice

Hi Californialiving and miroam! I think I'll be moving to south san francisco easrly next year and have earmarked San Mateo as a possible place to live. What's it like? I imagine it must be nice otherwise you wouldn't have chosen it :)

Roselau, I am on my husbands H1b and don't have a SSN. We had our second DC Here.

Not having a SSN didn't make a difference at the hospital or any OB/GYN appointments. Your DH is right, all you need is insurance!

It was nice having my DC here, I felt very spoilt! I had my other son in the UK so it was completely different experiences!

Miroam I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of a SSN. You can't open a bank account or any credit cards or any sort of account.

The DMV don't really care as long as you have your passport. Just be ready for a long wait! It really is a mundane place!

It is kinda crazy when you first get here and you find your feet. I remember what that was like. The mums groups here are fabulous and really helped me out!

Just let me know if there is anything you need.

Supremepizza, we lived in San Carlos when we first moved here. It was really lovely. It has a cute downtown and very friendly people.

My husband worked in Palo Alto so the commute wasn't too bad. It also doesnt take too long to get into the city.

We stayed there for two years and then looked to move again. We love San Mateo. It's a little more multicultural, feels a little like back home.

But to be honest, we were happy to move to Redwood city, Belmont, San Carlos, San Mateo or Burlingame. All very good for families, good transport. If you need any help, let me know!

Hello West coasters! Rose Health insurance in NJ covers dependents so as long as the person with the insurance is here legally (ie they have a legit SSN) you are fine.

There seem to be a lot of Brits moving over. In my office there are a bunch of English people that just arrived, about 10 of them in total. It is quite exciting for me to have English people around but it freaked me out that I didn't notice their accents.

Hi all! Supremepizza - not really familiar with the areas you are looking at beyond knowing roughly where they are. Hope your search and move goes well if you do make the move. Californialiving, thanks for the advice. Have joint bank account and card through husband so that is not a problem. Have heard lots of stories about the joys of the DMV though On the plus side, wasn't it a lovely weekend? We went to Great America and if anything it was a little bit too hot. On a much more lighthearted note, can't believe how big a thing Halloween is here! How much candy will I need to give out? Think the most people I ever had come to the door in the UK was 2!!

miroam I just had a brilliant time at the DMV. The staff were lovely. Make an appointment online before you go, bring your passport, and print off your I-94 (arrival record) here.

Good to hear something positive about the DMV rootypig and well sone on getting your permit

It was a GREAT weekend. I still find it strange that it's October and we are in shorts and t shirts! Though last Christmas eve we were on the beach with some friends! The weather makes it so nice and much better with the kids!

Halloween is huge here! People really do go all out with decorations and costumes. We have five different days to do trick or treating and a costume parade at DS1 preschool. We did buy lots of candy last year and will do again. And if we aren't at home on Halloween we just leave it on the porch. If you have any leftover, someone will be able to tell you where you can donate it, unless you want to eat it!

Christmas is also great! People's decorations here are amazing. You really do feel the Christmas spirit!

Rootypig, it must just be our local DMV! I might be a tad biased, I just got a $500 fine in the post!