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Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

So the short version is that I have the opportunity to move to the US for a couple of years through my work (Pharmaceutical company) and I would very much like to do so as the pay/opportunities are better and I really want an opportunity to explore the country more, previously i've basically done a month long East coast road trip and a few buisness meetings but I really want to get out into the national parks and stuff, somewhere warmer than the miserable rainy horror of the UK would be nice as well.

However the main problem is I would like to bring my girlfriend of about 1.5yr along.

There are two issue with this 1) Visa for her and 2) Convincing her is a good idea. I'm in no way ready to get married yet so that's out im afraid.

Relevant facts are, she's Irish, a science teacher (biology) at the top end of secondary school (high school?). We are both 27-28, I have dual NZ/UK citizenship and we both live in London at the moment. My work is happy to sort visas etc for me, they do it all the time and have no issues with it. My company has offices in NY, SF, Boston and San diego so moving to one of those cities is easiest but at a pinch I can work totally remote.

Basically I need to know about any programs for foreign teachers to teach in the US and what the pay, conditions etc are like. She's convinced if we go she would end out having to work in some sort of urban hellhole of a school where the kids are basically tiny terrorists and the pay and conditions would be terrible and I really dont know enough about US schools to counter this belief. Googling aroundturns up a lot of fairly suspicious websites and US immigration is a bit of a maze, I havent been able to find any appropriate Visas for her situation (are there any?) She previously went over on a J1 while at university so thats also out I believe.

So um yeah help me goons.

Saros fucked around with this message at 15:47 on Apr 4, 2016

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KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22
I have no idea about relevant certification or anything like that, but the hell-hole concern is a bit silly. We have an extensive system of private primary and secondary education which is for rich people who want to send their kids to a place where they get ahead in life and don't interact with the wrong kind of poors.

Of course if she got a job at BPS (doubt this is possible anyway?) working in Dorchester, that's a different story.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Unfortunately I dont know what that is, im gonna assume BPS Dorchester is some terrible type of school where the kids roam the halls packing AR-15's and hunt the teachers in packs like wild dogs. This unfortunately (fortunately?) appears to not be far from what she imagines American schools to be so uhhhhh I can probably point out its a big country and they're not all like that.

Turns out you actually can get a second J1 visa for a different category and a teacher exchange is one of them. There are a bunch of other things like the fullbright program but just not for the Irish. This reminds me of the time I wanted to do a working holiday to the states only to give up because of the sheer amount of bullshit you had to wade through.

Now for this teacher exchange you just have to pay some dipshit 'sponsor organisation' (not the school!) thousands of dollars for the ability to try and get a job you have to find completely on your own, from overseas, and you cant apply for the visa before you have a job offer, which nobody will give you because you dont have a visa.

:ughh:

Snatch Duster
Feb 20, 2007

by FactsAreUseless

Saros posted:

Unfortunately I dont know what that is, im gonna assume BPS Dorchester is some terrible type of school where the kids roam the halls packing AR-15's and hunt the teachers in packs like wild dogs. This unfortunately (fortunately?) appears to not be far from what she imagines American schools to be so uhhhhh I can probably point out its a big country and they're not all like that.

Turns out you actually can get a second J1 visa for a different category and a teacher exchange is one of them. There are a bunch of other things like the fullbright program but just not for the Irish. This reminds me of the time I wanted to do a working holiday to the states only to give up because of the sheer amount of bullshit you had to wade through.

Now for this teacher exchange you just have to pay some dipshit 'sponsor organisation' (not the school!) thousands of dollars for the ability to try and get a job you have to find completely on your own, from overseas, and you cant apply for the visa before you have a job offer, which nobody will give you because you dont have a visa.

:ughh:

Depends on the state and school district, but in many places all you need is 4 year degree to teach as a substitute. I'm not certain if you need a visa to sub though. However, from what I hear it is a bitch to get your name high up on school districts call list. Out here in Portland, Oregon there is certification I think to be a sub and the daily pay is around $350 - $500. She might get lucky and land a semester sub job.

I'm not 100% on any of this since my parents are teachers and a few of my friends.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Well she has a BSc and a teaching bachelors I forget the name of as all that's required over here to teach at all so the qualifications aren't the issue. I think theres some equivalency thing baked into the J1 as its a 'exchange' and probably only certain schools/districts/whatever are approved for it. You definitely need a visa for any work at all, they wont even let her in the country otherwise and im not inclined to play games with US immigration and come in on a visa waiver program. Being deported and banned from returning would royally gently caress things up. The J1 Teacher process seems to require you to have both a sponsor organisation and a school prepared to take you on.

Unfortunately the US is not friendly to people wanting to come in and work but then again nowhere worthwhile is. Wish you guys had a not-poo poo working holiday program though.

Is there a teacher thread around somewhere? I remember one at some point but after looking I couldnt find it.

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22
BPS = Boston Public Schools (since you mentioned Boston as a potential destination) and Dorchester = not a great neighborhood in the City of Boston.

BPS is one of the better urban school district in the country.

1337kutkufan6969
Feb 13, 2010

Oh, Yian Kut Ku!
Where have you been all my life?
Let me break your head.


Grimey Drawer

Snatch Duster posted:

Depends on the state and school district, but in many places all you need is 4 year degree to teach as a substitute. I'm not certain if you need a visa to sub though. However, from what I hear it is a bitch to get your name high up on school districts call list. Out here in Portland, Oregon there is certification I think to be a sub and the daily pay is around $350 - $500. She might get lucky and land a semester sub job.

I'm not 100% on any of this since my parents are teachers and a few of my friends.

HA! No, subs aren't going to make $350 - $500. A sub could work half of the year (90 days) and make 30,000 bucks.

In Oregon, it looks like they get $173 a day. The Portland district knocks that up to $183.

litany of gulps
Jun 11, 2001

Fun Shoe
The urban public I school work in hires a pretty large number of foreigners, although I have no clue what the process they went through might have looked like. Even the absolute worst bottom of the barrel urban public schools probably aren't anywhere near as bad as your girlfriend is thinking they are, although they are certainly heartbreaking in many cases.

Being certified to teach science here is basically a guarantee of jobs wherever you want, as a native. I don't know if that translates for foreigners, but I suspect it makes the process significantly easier. Biology, at least where I live, is a subject with a high-stakes standardized test, which puts it even more in demand.

There's a US teaching thread in the Science and Education forum, as well as a foreign teaching thread.

Protongle
Jul 24, 2007
when in danger or in doubt run in circles scream and shout
Certification requirements and processes can differ greatly from state to state. My suggestion is to have your gf contact the state department of education in those states to find out what she'd have to do in order to be hired. She may have to take some tests - the Praxis II is a common one, or fulfill some other sort of proof of knowledge/competence. Before she does this, she needs to make sure she has all of her information ready. Transcripts, test scores, relevant information from her career thus far.

Concerning pay, major coastal cities tend to have pretty decent pay scales for public school teachers. Mostly. Private schools would likely be much easier for her simply because they don't have to follow the same certification/hiring guidelines as public schools. They also tend to have better working conditions. The catch is that the pay is almost always significantly less than it is in public schools.

litany of gulps posted:

The urban public I school work in hires a pretty large number of foreigners, although I have no clue what the process they went through might have looked like. Even the absolute worst bottom of the barrel urban public schools probably aren't anywhere near as bad as your girlfriend is thinking they are, although they are certainly heartbreaking in many cases.

Being certified to teach science here is basically a guarantee of jobs wherever you want, as a native. I don't know if that translates for foreigners, but I suspect it makes the process significantly easier. Biology, at least where I live, is a subject with a high-stakes standardized test, which puts it even more in demand.

There's a US teaching thread in the Science and Education forum, as well as a foreign teaching thread.

Also, this.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Looks like the certification stuff is handled by the sponsoring body and they are responsible for screening etc. For example the California Dep of Ed does it. A number of public bodies are on the sponsor list and they seem a lot less predatory/dubious/expensive than the companies that do it.

Saros fucked around with this message at 13:52 on Apr 5, 2016

Hawkperson
Jun 20, 2003

School districts like hiring people that stick around, so even with a science degree I don't think she's going to get to teach at the best schools. And honestly, her view of US public schools isn't far off. Yeah, a lot are good, but a lot are awful and first-year teachers get little to no support no matter where you are. Could probably find a nice private school job with mediocre pay.

Protongle
Jul 24, 2007
when in danger or in doubt run in circles scream and shout

Hawkgirl posted:

first-year teachers get little to no support no matter where you are.

I would disagree with this. I received lots of support during my first year in teaching. I had regular meetings with my department chair, administration, and with a veteran teacher in my school. Also, I was assigned a Consulting Teacher who would observe me and provide feedback and support. Many school districts have realized that most teachers leave the profession in their first 3-5 years and are working to provide support structures to keep people from burning out. This obviously isn't happening everywhere, but it is a growing trend.

Back to the OP's question, you might also have her contact the teachers' union in that district. They often have advice for people looking to be hired.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

She's not a freshly qualified teacher, this would be her third year of teaching. It sounds like the first thing to do is figure out where to go then figure out which sponsors cover the area in question. As for getting a job/sticking around it sounds like its very difficult to change jobs and it woud probably be 2 years at least, plus she's won a fairly prestigious teaching award this year and has some fellowship teaching thing (im pretty vague on the details) from Cambridge which all looks pretty impressive on a CV.

Soooo SF, NY, San Diego or Boston? I've only really spent time in Boston of them and I loved it but I dont know if I could handle the winters they sound horrific, I didnt even know where SD was until I checked now to be honest.

I think the primary offices of my company are NY and SF so probably those would be best, plus I really want to go see Yosemite.

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22
Boston winters are not bad at all. It snows sometimes, and it doesn't snow very much (mean is like 40" a year?).

You work in Pharma, right? Do you know where your actual offices would be located? Because someone could say to a foreigner "It's in New York" and it's actually in Rye, or "It's in San Francisco" and it's actually in Vallejo. These things make a big difference, especially if you actually want to live in the city proper.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Well the San Diego one is right next to University of California San Diego in the north but I have no idea about the rest unfortunately.

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22

Saros posted:

Well the San Diego one is right next to University of California San Diego in the north but I have no idea about the rest unfortunately.

Might want to do a bit of research, then.

I wouldn't consider La Jolla to be "San Diego" exactly but it's close enough that you can get in to the city and there's stuff going on out there so it wouldn't be too bad.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Hmm looks like the NY office is right by Grand central station but I can't find the others for some reason, I think there's a few sites around SF but no idea which one i'd work at.

As for heartbreaking times at schools, at least in the US the chances of your students leaving to fight/be brides in Syria should be wayyyy down.

Saros fucked around with this message at 14:25 on Apr 6, 2016

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!
I don't understand how you're ready to move across the world and chance the fact that you could break up in the middle of this situation and like, send her back??? or both be stranded in the states if anything goes wrong with the relationship. Like that's the risk you're willing to take but not marriage.

I'm not trying to say you should DEFINITELY GET MARRIED but the topic should be on the table if the plan is to stay together and do this crazy trip thing.

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22

Saros posted:

Hmm looks like the NY office is right by Grand central station but I can't find the others for some reason, I think there's a few sites around SF but no idea which one i'd work at.

As for heartbreaking times at schools, at least in the US the chances of your students leaving to fight/be brides in Syria should be wayyyy down.

This is why I say you need to do more research. Where are the offices that contain the roles similar to yours or the ones you plan to fill in the US? What are those offices like? What is the actual opportunity? Or is this a vague "we're a big MNC so you can totes move to Dubai/SF/Paris if you want!!!"

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Okay sorry if I havent been too clear about this stuff.

With the teacher exchange thing she'd have her own visa so theres no issues with staying even if we break up, not sure how either of us would be stranded as we would both have jobs there so it wouldnt be any more difficult than any other breakup. It's not like she's a dependent or anything we are both taking different opportunities to move to the US for a couple of years and just trying to co-ordinate this. Plus I dont really see how this is a crazy trip? It's not even the first or second time i've moved continents and i'd even be keeping the same role which is definitely a step up in ease from the other times.

Basically we have four major offices in the states that I could work at very easily, my role is also possible to do totally remote, hell my boss lives in rural MA and I see her about twice a year. The SF and Boston locations are under different company names (offices of other ones we acquired at some point) so googling doesnt work and all the official stuff in the US directs to the NY office so i'm a bit fuzzy on the actual addresses involved.

The actual opportunity is this; move to the US, flights and partial moving expenses covered to do the same role but work with the US side to closer co-ordinate and cross train between products. Also having someone in the US timezones for our product to answer any questions for clients would be a great benefit as right now all the appropriate analysts are UK based. Our VP/head of division is trying to break down the barriers between different sections of the company and these opportunies are part of that. Salary would likely be something like 70k-90k USD plus benefits, no hard details on that yet however.

Basically this is the research stage, im figuring out what is possible and soliciting feedback from people who know the areas in question. The move would be likely around the end of the year if I decide I want to pursue it.

[e]My motivation is basically its quite hard to get a job in the US as a foreigner and i've always wanted an opportunity to properly explore the place. While i'm drat good at my job i'm not super specialised or top of the world or anything so getting hired on something like a HB is difficult. The selling point is my knowledge of the company and our products coupled with the fact im not yet senior enough that relocation causes a whole lot of other issues with people reporting to me now being across the atlantic etc. ALso living on the west coast means a visit home (NZ) goes from a 24-30 hour flight to about 12 which would be nice.

On the girlfriends side her job here sucks a lot (workload and the aforementioned special east London issues) and she wants to move somewhere else. She's lived around NY previously so wuld like to see the west coast a bit.

Saros fucked around with this message at 16:54 on Apr 6, 2016

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!
You really don't see moving across the world with your girlfriend as something that may have risks involved? Especially the part where you might move to a very expensive city where if you broke up she'd be on a teachers salary and trying to make it on her own.


I'll phrase it this way and maybe we'll meet eye to eye on what I'm saying. I do fairly well in business, and I live in an area with low cost of living. My girlfriend is finishing up school to become a computer engineer, and we may have to move for her job, much like you want to move. She'll end up making more money than me, but truth be told I'd have a hard time, with a job that's more transferable first moving to a different state. Then, if we broke up I'd have a hard time living on my own on a reasonable salary. This is me throwing a lot away, in my home country, to go move out with my girlfriend so she can develop her career. I have to imagine the same thoughts are going through your girlfriends mind, and I'm confused how this is so casual for you.


Not attacking, just confused. I don't know why someone would move across the world to make possibly upwards of 45k a year, and risk being dumped and having to live in NY/SF/Boston/SD on my own on that salary with zero security. 45k a year is poo poo in that area btw in SF you could literally afford a box.

Literally a box.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Well that's really her call, it doesnt seem too outrageous to me but i've always been a bit of a wanderer. Of course there's risk involved but like I said she's sick of living here and wants to move anyway, i'm not a monster so i'ts not like i'm gonna turn her out on the street if we break up and in the absolute worst case she simply has to return to Europe.

Plus London cost of living is simply obscene, we live in victorian boxes right now so neither of us are strangers to living in high cost of living areas, she makes about £30k a year now which due to the dire state of the pound is slightly less than $45K.

I think the casualness is just a cultural thing., I've done big moves like this twice before and its not even slightly unusual for Kiwi's to go wandering the world for the better part of our 20's and the Irish are pretty similar. I suspect it's due to living on small slightly isolated islands, rather than big continents.

How expensive is SD anyway, I know SF is totally bonkers but have the impression SD is relatively more affordable.

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!

Saros posted:

Plus London cost of living is simply obscene, we live in victorian boxes right now so neither of us are strangers to living in high cost of living areas, she makes about £30k a year now which due to the dire state of the pound is slightly less than $45K.

No I mean LITERALLY a box

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ds-living-room/


Saros posted:

Well that's really her call, it doesnt seem too outrageous to me but i've always been a bit of a wanderer. Of course there's risk involved but like I said she's sick of living here and wants to move anyway, i'm not a monster so i'ts not like i'm gonna turn her out on the street if we break up and in the absolute worst case she simply has to return to Europe.

Plus London cost of living is simply obscene, we live in victorian boxes right now so neither of us are strangers to living in high cost of living areas, she makes about £30k a year now which due to the dire state of the pound is slightly less than $45K.

I think the casualness is just a cultural thing., I've done big moves like this twice before and its not even slightly unusual for Kiwi's to go wandering the world for the better part of our 20's and the Irish are pretty similar. I suspect it's due to living on small slightly isolated islands, rather than big continents.

How expensive is SD anyway, I know SF is totally bonkers but have the impression SD is relatively more affordable.

Not much better http://www.payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator/California-San-Diego/California-San-Francisco/Head-Teacher


Also I get that it's her call but I don't think you've all really explained how big of a risk this is and what it really means to the two of you. You're choosing some of the most expensive places to move to in the country and potentially really hanging her out to dry. You'll be fine as a pharmacist but teachers don't make money and really the wages should only be supplemental. Also can you explain the differences between getting married and divorced vs being ina relationship and breaking up if you plan on financially helping her in the immediate anyway? From a financial perspective.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Veskit posted:

No I mean LITERALLY a box

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ds-living-room/


Not much better http://www.payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator/California-San-Diego/California-San-Francisco/Head-Teacher


Also I get that it's her call but I don't think you've all really explained how big of a risk this is and what it really means to the two of you. You're choosing some of the most expensive places to move to in the country and potentially really hanging her out to dry. You'll be fine as a pharmacist but teachers don't make money and really the wages should only be supplemental. Also can you explain the differences between getting married and divorced vs being ina relationship and breaking up if you plan on financially helping her in the immediate anyway? From a financial perspective.



£804/month and not even close to the city, London is just as comically unaffordable as SF at times. That box would be a bargain, here its not unusual to share rooms with people (not as a couple) in multi bedroom houses.

I wouldnt do a marriage purely on a financial basis and I wouldnt be prepared to marry someone after two years (about the time in the relationship when the move would be) anyway, although this relationship is probably heading that way eventually.

I get what you're saying, being married would be more security for her as divorce would arguaby be worse than a breakup as I dont think they're that cheap and the hassle involved would be enormous. This is really getting a bit E/N though. She's not an idiot though, she's aware of all these possibilities and if she decided it was too risky for her we would have to consider other places.

Saros fucked around with this message at 18:20 on Apr 6, 2016

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22
Oh you sweet summer child.

A buddy of mine was just advertising A Single Room in a house in SF (Pacific Heights) for $2,000 not including utilities or parking or any sort of amenities.

The amount of money you're being offered is:
SF - laughably low
NY - bad
Boston - mediocre
SD - decent. you will probably need to own a car, though.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Pacific heights is like the most expensive place to live in all SF though? Its not like I live in Mayfair or Chelsea over here where a two bedroom apartment costs twenty million pounds. Median SF country income was like 78k in 2014 (from a quick goodle) and its not like I have kids to take care of or anything.

Here I pay £600/mo plus utilities etc for a bedroom in a 6 be/3 br house all the way out in zone 3 and its basically a steal.

Saros fucked around with this message at 19:05 on Apr 6, 2016

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22
i had a longer post here but gently caress it, do whatever man, just don't underestimate how expensive the bay area is

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!

KYOON GRIFFEY JR posted:

Oh you sweet summer child.

A buddy of mine was just advertising A Single Room in a house in SF (Pacific Heights) for $2,000 not including utilities or parking or any sort of amenities.

The amount of money you're being offered is:
SF - laughably low
NY - bad
Boston - mediocre
SD - decent. you will probably need to own a car, though.

Jeeze i didn't even see his wages he'd be moving for I assumed they were pharmacist wages not that. That's awful you can't live in SF decently on that.


Saros posted:

I get what you're saying, being married would be more security for her as divorce would arguaby be worse than a breakup as I dont think they're that cheap and the hassle involved would be enormous. This is really getting a bit E/N though. She's not an idiot though, she's aware of all these possibilities and if she decided it was too risky for her we would have to consider other places.

Did you look at it from the perspective of yourself where if you fly this lady out with you to San Francisco she has every right to live in a place as you do so you'd be totally stuck if anything went wrong, and could be forced into paying two different rents? The rental laws in SF are really crazy sometimes.

Look you can say she's smart all she wants but that doesn't mean people make good or rational decisions. This seems like a really bad and risky plan for 90k a year in san fran of all places. You can end up paying 2k a month for a poo poo apartment in San Mateo or Oakland at this point, and you won't have the funds.



How do taxes work? Don't you have to pay taxes to both the US and the UK? I know some of the indians who work here have to do that.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Yeah I know, the bay area is bonkers. Honestly if I was to go to SF i'd have to do a lot more digging to see if it was worth it or talk them into paying more money.

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!
Are those the only places you can transfer to or the only places you're considering transferring to?

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Basically the only places we have major offices that work in the same area as me are those four cities and while I can work remote it kind of defeats the purpose of moving me there if I do.

Just got an email saying SD would be the best office for me with NY second so looks like bay area is out for now anyway.

Anyway the current plan is thusly;

-Look into J1 Teaching visa sponsors for GF.
-Confirm details with company.
-Actually decide this is definitely a thing we want to do.
-Apply with J1 sponsors.
-Find teaching position and if sucessful confirm with my company
-Move.

This is over 6 months or so so there's no rush.

Saros fucked around with this message at 19:30 on Apr 6, 2016

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!
Alright well, research the tax implications of working overseas and keeping your citizenship and how it all works with the us. I wouldn't move to SD for less than 100k, especially while the pound is in decline so you can make more money to bring back home. I wouldn't bring your girlfriend along unless you were married. A lot of risks with little to no benefits of going both single, and really if you can uproot a life and bring her along then you can make the next step. It's the easiest way to bring her too because the plan of getting a visa to teach overseas is shaky at best.


If you're considering doing this and it's more important than your girlfriend coming along, well i mean.... That kind of says it all right?

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Veskit posted:

Did you look at it from the perspective of yourself where if you fly this lady out with you to San Francisco she has every right to live in a place as you do so you'd be totally stuck if anything went wrong, and could be forced into paying two different rents? The rental laws in SF are really crazy sometimes.

Look you can say she's smart all she wants but that doesn't mean people make good or rational decisions. This seems like a really bad and risky plan for 90k a year in san fran of all places. You can end up paying 2k a month for a poo poo apartment in San Mateo or Oakland at this point, and you won't have the funds.

How do taxes work? Don't you have to pay taxes to both the US and the UK? I know some of the indians who work here have to do that.

No dual taxation, I think the US is one of the very few countries that tries to tax its expats and the UK does not. Honestly the opportunity to move up within the company and live in the US for a couple of years is the motivator not the money, I have a good bit stashed away from a Pharma startup that got bought out for ££££ a few years back. I do the drug development side of things i'm not a pharmacist or anything healthcare related.

Veskit posted:

Alright well, research the tax implications of working overseas and keeping your citizenship and how it all works with the us. I wouldn't move to SD for less than 100k, especially while the pound is in decline so you can make more money to bring back home. I wouldn't bring your girlfriend along unless you were married. A lot of risks with little to no benefits of going both single, and really if you can uproot a life and bring her along then you can make the next step. It's the easiest way to bring her too because the plan of getting a visa to teach overseas is shaky at best.

If you're considering doing this and it's more important than your girlfriend coming along, well i mean.... That kind of says it all right?

Not sure how i'd ever lose citizenship and I have no intention of going for US citizenship or permanent residency, like I said its a move for a couple of years not permanent.

We are gonna go somewhere next year anyway, we are both sick of London and have considered a few options but the possibility of the US wasn't on the radar until this thing with my company. Its good to know there is at least options for both of us and if we cant make the numbers work then we'll look somewhere else.

Saros fucked around with this message at 19:38 on Apr 6, 2016

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!
Just because the motivation is to move up doesn't mean you shouldn't be fairly compensated, and shouldn't be able to be comfortable where you live.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

What sort of salary is reasonable in your view then because it seems comparable to what others in the industry and area make. From talking to co-workers who live there there and at company meetings its not like they are destitute or anything.

Median salaries etc are surprisingly hard to find data for though and it tends to be years old.

Saros fucked around with this message at 19:46 on Apr 6, 2016

Veskit
Mar 2, 2005

I love capitalism!! DM me for the best investing advice!
What does glassdoor say? Check out what your position pays within the company and look at some competitors also

spwrozek
Sep 4, 2006

Sail when it's windy

If they are together for two years and both have jobs coming over I can't really see the risk. If he signs a year lease with her in London and they break up it is really no different. (Someone moves out, get a roommate, still have those jobs...)

You probably are under paid for where you are moving though (any of the options honestly). I would make sure you understand the compensation package because the US is pretty bonkers compared to other developed places.

Saros
Dec 29, 2009

Its almost like we're a Bureaucracy, in space!

I set sail for the Planet of Lab Requisitions!!

Oh hey I forgot about glassdoor, hmm not many reviews but it says 75-85k for the SD office at my level and a single salary of 95k for the next 'grade' which I should hit around middle of next year sometime. Certainly more than the UK equivalent pay at the current exchange rate!

I don't know specifics on benefits but its considered "very good" by all my US co-workers, I think the company underpays a touch but encourages people to stay with the benefit package. All the health insurance and crap sounds like a nightmare and i'll probaly have to adapt to less holiday time (32 days paid leave plus bank holidays over here for me).

Saros fucked around with this message at 19:58 on Apr 6, 2016

KYOON GRIFFEY JR
Apr 12, 2010



Runner-up, TRP Sack Race 2021/22
You will want to know about:

Vacation / sick policy
Health insurance and vision
Dental insurance
Retirement contributions

Also make sure you have your total tax burden figured out.

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Hawkperson
Jun 20, 2003

Protongle posted:

I would disagree with this. I received lots of support during my first year in teaching. I had regular meetings with my department chair, administration, and with a veteran teacher in my school. Also, I was assigned a Consulting Teacher who would observe me and provide feedback and support. Many school districts have realized that most teachers leave the profession in their first 3-5 years and are working to provide support structures to keep people from burning out. This obviously isn't happening everywhere, but it is a growing trend.

That's nice to hear. I was thinking of it from the perspective of a district that would be willing to hire a person who might not be in the area long, though. Like, San Diego USD probably has awesome teacher support. But they're probably also not desperate for teachers, even science teachers.

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