Anyone moved to the USA? Would you?

[Atla]

My husband and kids have Irish citizenship, I have British citizenship. DH works for a US company and has the opportunity to transfer his role to the US. It would mean a substantial salary increase and better opportunity for promotion. His job would be based in New Hampshire near Maine/Massachusetts border.

I'm a nurse but I feel like it would be a slog to get my state license to practise and appropriate visa but, as with all things, not impossible.

We are early 40's and have 3 small children - 8,7 & 4 - I have all sorts going around in my head and its very overwhelming - choosing where to base ourselves, finding schools, is it fair on kids, sorting out healthcare and insurance, very different tax/expenses, could I work? Would I want to (!).... are we too old?!

Has anyone done similar? How did it go? I dont even know what I'm asking really. I have previously lived in the states (to study) but over 20 years ago and in the mid-west, so very different area.

It would be a huge gamble and potentially a costly mistake but I am somehow up for it? It is an opportunity that has come a bit out of the blue although obviously isnt going to happen in the middle of covid so we have some time to consider. Wwyd?

@IJumpedAboardAPirateShip sorry I'm confused...are you saying that veg from Sainsbury's in UK isn't better than Whole Foods in US, or that veg from non-Whole-Foods US stores (large supermarkets like Shaws) isn't better than Whole Foods?

@Oblomov20

Every thread you read on MN, even before Trump, says it's shit for the wife, expensive and lonely. Unless Dh gets huge huge salary increase to compensate for that, I can't see the appeal. If it was Canada, I'd jump.

TBQH some of these things are about expat issues and not US specifically. The US has its own particular issues such as spouses not always being able to work, but being a trailing spouse is difficult, period: I know enough people in enough countries who have found it that way.

Canada is even more expensive for cost of living than the USA except for health care (Canadian public health care does not cover as much as the NHS either).

I’m saying you can’t compare wholefoods with another supermarket no matter where you are

do you mean Whole Foods Markets, they are just beautiful. I shop there 🌺

I haven't read the whole thread.

But
.please look at your tax status - you are likely to be liable for double taxation
... both UK and USA taxes

Oh and don't become an "accidental american"

You'll need to Google that

There’s a double taxation agreement between USA and uk

Keep in mind that New Hampshire is politically very conservative, always has been. And an American Conservative is going to be Extra compared to a Tory.

It sounds a nice area. I think that makes a difference.

In the 80s, my dad got offered a job in Detroit. Needless to say after a visit out there, he declined. Detroit was pretty rough back then, maybe still is.

I always imagine that New England is so beautiful in autumn. I'd love to go and see the Halloween decorations.

Haven't been to the US for the longest of times, as the posting name suggests we can now go at the drop of a hat, 'aint putting a penny into an economy that has the orange one as a figure head.

When he has moved on, we will show DS, who is now older than he needed to be, to see the parts of America we have seen.

To be on a road trip with M&D @21 might be a tad cringe, but equally he may now be able to have a beer with us.

I just need that man gone.

Long winded post, would I uproot and go there, NO, DH has worked for the Americans all his life, and lot of his colleagues want to work in the UK offices and then stay.

When DH and his management team were made redundant post 9/11 in the UK, the US enforcer, yes Polly S, you know who you are, nearly put her car into a ditch when she realised they were all on six month contracts and entitled to legal fees whilst a solicitor of DH and the management teams choice advised them.

So in essence the at will contract stuff would bother me greatly.

Wow quite a few brits live in New England! I also live in Boston. It’s a great city. Healthcare is fantastic and a million times better than the NHS. I come from the north east of England so to me, it’s incredibly expensive. We live in a modest one bedroom apartment and the rent is £500 a week. Groceries are vv expensive too. Think 2-3x the cost. One tomato costs $1! I do miss home but there are things here that I like. The people are very friendly and it’s easy to make friends here unlike the UK. Last winter was not too bad here. It’s a liberal state so you won’t find many trump supporters. Every state is super different. I would recommend it as you could be earning a much higher salary. Childcare is super expensive though. £30,000 for one child full time a year.

@MadamFlutterby

I haven't read the whole thread.

But
.please look at your tax status - you are likely to be liable for double taxation
... both UK and USA taxes

Oh and don't become an "accidental american"

You'll need to Google that

In practice you're not likely to be liable. It's possible, but there's a tax treaty. I'm an American citizen by descent and so always had to file with the IRS (which is a pain) even before we moved here but never owed a penny. The IRS credits tax paid in the UK and the UK won't tax income earned here.

"Accidental American" is more of an issue for children than you: if you have any kids here they will be citizens.

Also while New Hampshire is conservative by New England standards, it is not Alabama and has been gradually getting more liberal, especially in the coastal area.

That's a beautiful area OP. I love Portsmouth. You should also look at living in Maine - there are many lovely areas there too, and you'll be in a more liberal state than NH with (IMO) on average better schools, although what really matters is what the schools are like in your town.

I'm further north in Maine. Have lived here more than 13 years and love it.

I never felt lonely - I have always worked either self-employed or in a job. DH gets 25 days a year holiday, I got 33 in my last job.

I've found people to be friendly and helpful and welcoming.

My kids have had an excellent education in the local school system, and one went on to a magnet school. One child with a 504 Plan - was quickly diagnosed and school has made all the requested adjustments.

The average class size is 15-20, the schools are well-funded and have continued to teach right through Covid. Every student is provided with a laptop or similar device.

My oldest is now at university and receives a scholarship, so it costs about the same as university in the UK would cost.

Always makes me chuckle that people say US schools are no good. Many of the kids we know have gone straight from US high schools into UK universities with no problem.

DD's US school had a Cambridge-educated principal and an Oxford-educated English teacher. They encouraged DD1 to go to Oxford or Cambridge, but she chose to stay in the US.

Nurses earn good money - you should definitely look at what training is required if you plan to stay longer term.

I agree that the cost of living in higher, but it's not crazy in northern New England like it is in places like DC, NY, California, etc.

We've never paid double tax, and DH is American and has filed his taxes every year as an adult.

We arrived with children aged 2-6, over 13 years ago, and we've all been very happy here.

We spend the summers swimming/paddleboarding/kayaking in the local lakes, rivers and beaches. Hike in the mountains. Winter we ski, snowboard, snowshoe, and hike. Yes it's cold, but it doesn't rain anywhere near as much as in the UK. My biggest gripe is how everything gets so icy in March.

You do need to be prepared to deal with a lot of snow. We pay someone to plough our drive after big storm, we own a snowblower, and after a storm we will dig out the pathways to the house, blow paths for the animals in the garden, around the cat/dogflap, in front of the garage. It can be hard work doing all that before you leave for work.

We have an acre of land and a lot of trees, so that takes a fair bit of management.

We put studded snow tyres on the cars, and for a long time we just had 2WD cars, although we now have a 4WD and a 2WD. The roads slow down briefly during snowstorms then get back to normal within a few hours.

The federal politics are currently horrendous and we're all desperately hoping Trump is voted out.

Most of the politics that will make a difference to your life are state level and even town/city level. For example, our Covid response at a state level has been excellent, which has made up for the lack of a federal response.

I could go on forever, but if you do have questions feel free to PM me.

Great question and one so more importantly with the recent presidential change! I have always wanted to relocate to America but the change of culture has always caused me doubts. First taking my child out of a regular environment will be challenging and the thought of readpting is daunting. Also not knowing the area that well as well has caused some concerns!

You were me 3 years ago and we are now in the midst of packing to come back!

Before you do anything else check out what type of visa you would have and what the chances are of it being approved - there are major restrictions in planed for this right now which is what we’ve come up against. It probably will all come undone with the new administration but you need to be forewarned.