Moving to California in 4 weeks.

[ChinaRose]

House is under offer (for the second time 😠), both cars sold, my visa is ready to go after a 3 month application with the US embassy, I've started changing addresses to my BIL address in CA, a lot of things boxed up already. We still haven't found a temporary apartment in San Diego just yet. Currently house hunting In Carlsbad area but can't do much till we complete here. I'm sleepless and irritable. Taking anti anxiety medicine which is helping some what. We have 2 DC under 3. So is anyone out In California? Any words of advice? DH will be in his new role straight away, I'll be a sahm for now. We've been waiting months for this move and it's finally starting to materialise but it is SO stressful. Mostly associated with our house sale here.

Hi QueenCity, slightly late to the party on this thread but you’re what came up when I typed in moving to Charlotte! Hope you’re all settled. It’s looking increasingly possible that we may follow suit later this year.... I’m doing the usual school/neighbourhood trawl but feel until we get out for a look it’s just a pile of names! Still it’s very useful to be able to focus a search and Myers Park seems a go to location for families and also I like the look of the South Park area (read somewhere it had the lowest crime rate in the city- possibly something to do with all those Louis Vuitton bag deliveries?) but the air quality looks horrific and wonder if getting away from the hustle and bustle (especially if there’s really not that much to do beyond nice restaurants!) is the answer. I’d really appreciate your insights if you have a moment. Thank you!

Hi Carol, just seen your post. Not got time to reply fully now but will get back to you tonight. We have been here three months now and are pleased we chose the location we are in.

Sorry, that should have said Caro! Where are you going to be working?

QueenCity, downtown for husband and I’ll be doing what I always do- rallying the troops!!.. Schools seem a real mixed bag (probably) like anywhere and hard to read inherent strengths and weaknesses due to the system differences.

Hi ChinaRose,
I saw your post and wondered if you could help? We are in the process of leaving london and moving to California. Both my husband and I have jobs and Carlsbad seems like a nice and logical place to be based on our office locations. Just wondering if you still live there? What's it like? Any areas better than others? I have a one month old son who will also need nursery so any help on that would be AMAZING!! Thanks very much!

I am in a similar situation, got immigration visa last December and entered the US with that big white envelope (dont open it yourself). Got to the US and arranged the SSN, state id, opened bank account and got the US amex card (via my UK amex credit history). Everything was straightforward and you just need to follow the rules & guidelines.

Now returned to the UK temporarily to sort out a few things before making the permanent move. I had to apply for a US re-entry permit (Form DS31) before leaving for the UK, that alone costed me a couple of thousand in fees :(

In the UK, things aren’t looking good for the property market, Thanks to Brexit. Also the £-$ exchange rate is also bad for moving large amount of money across the pond. So i am thinking of letting out the house for a few years. Still apprehensive about the kids school changeover and How will they adjust into a new & different education system....