DH is american by birth, has a lapsed US passport, apparantly getting it renewed is no hassle.
We have family in California, and for a while now we have kept going back to the idea of moving there, for a while.
DH's brother has offered him some work there (events management). Details, pay, terms etc etc etc to be worked out but likely that DH will only want to take this on for say 6 months, and then use those 6 months to source his own work. IF it works out with DB then all is good and that won't happen, but it will not be relied on (family, keep your distance at work right?!).
Anyway, this vague idea has slowly slowly become more of a reality. His other DB in NY has indicated he would move to California, and his mother in New Mexico the same. Which means for the first time, EVER, all the family will be in the same place (also have DHs aunts and some cousins in California). DD has two cousins within 6 months of her age and two older ones, would be fab to spend some time with each other.
Not to mention. Er. The weather .
I can get a sabbatical from work for up to a year. So we thought, do a year, if we want to come home, I will have a job to return to, and we will have a home too. If we like it there and want to stay a bit longer we can see what our options are (DH said, we will be coming back to UK though, just in case I fall in love with the place!)
So, two areas I would like to get advice on, English and US side of things.
English (easy)
How long can I, if any time at all, continue to claim CTC/CB when out of the country?
Should we rent out our flat as a formal deal with the mortgage co involved or just through an agent without telling them?
If we do it officially, how much more would the cost be, 5 wise? As it stands we can cover the mortgage and a bit more if we rent it at a reasonable price.
What happens with DDs schooling if we take her out of the country when she is due in school, or if this crosses over with her starting school over here? Will she be required to go to school in USA? Who do we need to tell she is abroad if this coincides.
Anything else I need to think of? VISA side, I think I understand, but anything else that might help?
US side:
What, roughly would be a minimum wage we should expect to earn in California to be able to afford to live (Bay/Nappa Valley area)?
How much would we expect to pay on a house? Or on a nice apartment?
How much would we expect to pay in insurances? (two adults, one child, potentially another child before we go)
What happens if I have a baby there? Is this covered by health insurance?
How easy is it for me to get part time work? I am qualified in criminal justice work, and it has been indicated that I could get work there, but not sure of part time hours?
What other things should we consider before making the decision to move? What have we not yet thought about?