Living in America 2014

[rootypig]

Shiny new thread. After an epic visa fuck up we are starting out (again!) in LA in a few weeks. I am English, DH is American (from southern California), DD is 21mo. I am going back to work after several unintentional years out and terrified. No clue what I want to do, which doesn't help.

Come chat about all things American!

Hello! how is everyone cracking on with Christmas prep? I started making Christmas cards today (ink stamps, nothing elaborate), I suppose I should get the ones for home into the post stat.

It is raining in LA, actually chucking it down, which is making everything feel much more homely. I immediately ran out to Trader Joe's to buy hot chocolate and stollen

oooh Math meant to ask - what was the mincemeat you mentioned upthread?

(and where can I get it )

I found mincemeat in shoprite here in hoboken, nj. I added brandy and it's lovely now. Previously I did the nigella recipe and it was lovely.

Brandy in everything!

Hi everyone. Has anyone come across descent cocktail sausages?

I found Robertsons mincemeat in Whole foods yesterday. Haven't used it yet but it looks pretty good.

America is a sausage black hole. I think Math said upthread that she took to making her own. Did the Robertsons mm cost a bomb?

I thought as much on the sausage front. The mincemeat was around $6 I think and it is a big jar. I was surprised. I will probably make some mince pies this weekend and report back. I also ordered some suet from amazon to make my own mincemeat. I think my husband thinks I am mental.

Where are you? We have a british shop in Houston that sells pork frozen pork chipolatas, Cumberland sausages etc from the UK. Not very easy to send unfortunately.....

I am in Maine. I saw some chipolatas in my local farm shop so I am going to test them out.

Hi everyone, I wanted to say hello.. DH has a final meter view tomorrow for a job in Silicon Valley. He is really keen if the salary is good (haven't received a proposal yet) and I'm suddenly panicking! We have a 7yo girl and a 4yo boy, both at a village primary school that they love. I am currently studying which I would have to put on hold. Is anyone else in the Bay Area?

Argh! Interview, not meter view!

I have a job offer $70,000 ... Single mum of 4 in Houston, any thoughts on whether this is doable please ? Thank you

Hi all - hope you're well. Just wondering if anyone is based in DC?

Good luck to your DH Soozm

Sorry Shenton, I have no idea, but congratulations on the job offer.

I know this topic was covered a bit a while ago, but can I please ask about ripping again? We live in a services apartment in Jersey and aren't quite sure who/ how much we need to give Christmas tips to. Obviously, we will tip the cleaners who come fortnightly (as part of package), but do we tip each member if concierge team individually/ how much? Also, we read that we are supposed to tip our building manager, but we've never met them. Can we leave that one. Thanks

New to MN, been living in TX for just over two years on a 3 year adventure from northern England. Those in search of a half decent sausage, I use breakfast sausages from any supermarket when making sausage and mash, or wrapping in bacon for a roast. Not quite the same, but passable.

Equi The cleaners I would def tip but give them $20 each. For the concierge team you have I would tip them too. Ask their manager what they would like. I have previously gotten breakfast for everyone and one time gave them $50 to go towards their Christmas party. I would not be tipping the building manager.

I tip our mailman too. They are so underpaid and work no matter the weather. I normally give them $20. Teachers (including classroom assistants) will be getting $50, although they should get more after having to deal with DD throwing tantrums where she pulled all her clothes off 4 times now and ran around the classroom naked.

Shenton $70k a year with 4 kids is going to be cutting it close but not doable if you have kids in daycare (expect at least $1000 a month for kids under 2). Be prepared for longer working hours too. Housing costs can be lower but check the school district. I think a lot of people send their kids to private schools in Houston because public schools are not great. School information is on greatschools.org.

Shenton How old are your children and what would your relocation package be like? For example, would there be any rent payments on top of the base salary? Would they pay for your furniture to move here or would you be starting from scratch? Is there a decent healthcare package? All of these things need to be taken into consideration. If they're paying your rent, medical and $70k is the salary you're taking home for everything else, it's very doable.

Does anyone else have a Senior applying to college and is dying a little at the idea of how much it's going to cost?!

My kids are 14,12,10 and 4.
I'll try and negotiate a couple of months rent and not going without health care. I would like a car hire too. I'd literally sell everything and start again it think everything is so expensive to move from Australia

I'm on a $100,000 here and we live like church mice

So, that's around $82k USD so you would be taking a pay cut.

If I was you, I would start looking at the school districts. There are some really good public schools in the Houston area. Take a look at this place You need to check out elementary, middle and high schools scores. The high school scores are the most important, tbh.

Cypress Fairbanks is very well renowned, but I don't know the real estate well enough to know if you could afford to live there, but that's a place to start.

Car leasing is a good way to start your credit history but you will need a decent deposit.

Good luck!

Thank you ... They are saying the lower cost of living counteracts the pay cut by a decent amount and my ote would be $100,000 USA which is not bad