Relocating to US for Work

LElement AZ on 11/02/2017 - 14:17
Last edited 11/02/2017 - 14:17

Hi,

My employer has offered me the opportunity to relocate to San Francisco for a period of 2 years (or more if things go well).

The offer includes:
- sponsored E3 visa
- a significant bump in salary
- US healthcare
- career advancement opportunities for me
- full relocation costs for our family, including storage for items here in Australia
- travel opportunities

Me and my fiancee are excited about the idea as we've always thought about living abroad.
But we've already started to root ourselves here in Canberra and so we're a little uncertain how to proceed.

We have a baby girl, who is almost two, and is currently in day-care/early learning. We're OK with her being in day-care in the US, but perhaps not in their school system. If we were to move back to Australia after 2 years, it'd still give us time to enrol her into an Australian primary.

My fiancee is auditor/CPA account and 6-year employee of the APS, and would possibly have to resign which means she'd miss out on long service awards. She is looking into the possibility of applying for extended leave-without-pay, but has concerns that if she were to get a job in the US that it'd potentially conflict with her terms of employment with the APS.

We have a mortgage on a new house that we've started to make our home. We've done work on the garden. We have most of the furniture we need. We just bought a new fridge.
We're worried that if we rent out our home that it'll never be the same. That whoever we get to rent wont take care of the garden or the house as well as we do.

Have any ozbargainers ever been through a similar relocation and have any advice?

Education & Work

Comments

  • kawinuyo on 11/02/2017 - 14:29

    Not much advice but I do know once you hit 5 years you get long service leave pro rata if you leave.

    • thatonethere on 11/02/2017 - 15:10
      +1

      She could also request LWOP with permission to work outside the APS due to you getting an overseas role for 2 years. It will depend on the enterprise bargaining agreement for her workplace though.

      SF is very expensive rent and food wise too - so the salary bump won't be too much visible. You'll have a great time though.

      As long as you don't have any grass you should be fine rental wise. Could hire a gardener.

    • Conka on 11/02/2017 - 15:59

      it appears to be 7 years pro rata in ACT (like QLD).

      Didn't read the whole doc… page 14
      http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1976-27/current/pdf/1976…

    • derpdeder on 11/02/2017 - 20:22

      What is going on with this board and the poor advice on it? That is not the case, these are the cases where you can claim pro-rata LSL: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/lsla197617…

      You don't just get pro-rata LSL under the entitlement date.

      • kawinuyo on 11/02/2017 - 20:27

        Missed the bit about Canberra sorry about thst, I am in nsw http://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/oirwww/Employment_… so if they were in nsw I would say uprooting is a necessity

        • derpdeder on 11/02/2017 - 21:18

          The NSW act is very similar to the ACT act in this regard. "Domestic or other pressing necessity" is the part of the Act you're relying upon. Reading\advice about cases where pressing necessity is discussed is required - you don't necessarily just get it because you're moving.

  • altomic on 11/02/2017 - 15:47

    didn't have the house to think about but I moved to Japan with job for 4 years.

    this is an awesome opportunity for you. I wouldn't hesitate - especially as your child is young i.e. no interruption for schooling.

    as to your house -yes, you have put a lot of effort in to it but the house will be there when you get back. the offer to live in the states and gain that experience for 2 years is a once off. your house could burn tomorrow (all 3 of you are safe) and you'd be upset but you would rebuild and move on.

    • pandabun on 12/02/2017 - 11:06

      And in case your house doesn't get burned to the ground, you can always renovate and do up the garden when you come back. it'll feel like a brand new home.

  • Randxyz123 on 11/02/2017 - 16:01
    +3

    DO IT. Seriously how many opportunities like this do you have?

    Your Fiancee should start looking at jobs now. She should be able to find something in SF or could she look into working remotely for a bit?

    You may want to sell your fridge as it will have a warranty and if it sits in storage that isn't the best. Of course you could leave it in place though. Up to you…

    but has concerns that if she were to get a job in the US that it'd potentially conflict with her terms of employment with the APS.

    She needs to read through her contract carefully. Probably get a lawyer to have a look as well. If everything is ok get full clearance from HR and her boss in writing.

    I DOUBT it would be a issue but worth checking.

    As for your garden… Add in the cost of a Gardner into the rent. That is the gardener comes and does the garden once every 2 or so months whether the tenants want them to or not. Oh and for god sakes use a real estate agent to manage everything.

  • thedriver on 11/02/2017 - 17:24
    +1

    Plus one for knick007.
    If you're both on the same page… Do it!

    Don't worry about long service leave. Some potential (and in the scheme of things minor) benefit is not worth holding onto instead of taking the opportunity that is infront of you now.

    Get a real estate agent, I'd refer you to Distinct Property Management in Fyshwick.
    Get a gardener of you're worried. Yes, it won't be looked after as well. But if you change your mindset about your house and look at it now as an investment.
    If you haven't paid much off it, there might be some good tax deductions available to you as well. Talk to an accountant, get a depreciation report.
    If the rent went cover the mortgage, consider putting it on interest only loan for a few years.

    I'm sure you'll find some good schools in SanFran. Some that don't fit into the norm schooling curriculum.

    The experience for yourselves and for your daughter is more valuable than any asset you have.

  • RockyRaccoon on 11/02/2017 - 17:30
    +2

    I cant comment on the Australian issues like renting out the house etc. You could be lucky or unlucky.

    As for the US education system, dont believe all the BS that those who probably have never lived outside Oz have of that, our kids had a ball there. We went for 2 years then stayed 7. Our kids had far better grounding in educational basics than friends who stayed here. The US (California) system tends to go behind us when it gets to high school.

    I think our kids find it much easier to adapt to changes as they had to when changing countries. That has helped them to be more outgoing.

    Big thing is getting credit as in cards etc. An Amex card will be essential, as they can assist with gettinga US version. Likewise get your 28 degrees card (or BankWest) so you minimise charges on OS transactions. You might find getting a US credit card will take some time (maybe your employer can help)

    • Randxyz123 on 11/02/2017 - 20:19

      Their employer should help them sort out bank cards and all that. Sometimes you can't get a bank account till you have started working so it may be worth you flying over by yourself early, meet your new boss, sort out a sim card , sort out credit cards , kid day care , find a place to stay if your employer isn't doing that.

      Then come back, say your goodbyes to family , move out of your house and go!

      You'll love San Fran.

      Also I am with Rocky Raccoon what is wrong with US schools?

  • PJC on 11/02/2017 - 17:57
    +1

    I recently read the cost of living in San Francisco is USA's highest, so be certain this is worth your while.

    • Randxyz123 on 11/02/2017 - 20:13

      No it isn't. Compared to New York for example.

      I'm curious though where did you read this? Is it from a trustworthy source or just some blogger having a moan?

      • PJC on 11/02/2017 - 20:38

        Daily Mail but I can't find it now. Probably sourced from this …

        https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/index/north-americ…

        … you are right, but San Francisco is 2nd on the list.

        • Randxyz123 on 11/02/2017 - 21:15

          Daily Mail

          Yeah reliable source right there.

          I disagree with that source as well. It was a little pricey but not too bad.

      • WT on 12/02/2017 - 11:05

        2 uncles live in SF, it is expensive! A food blogger I follow on YT moved from NY to SF and he said it was more expensive, from rent to cost of food

        On the other hand there is a site that shows cost of living for pretty much the entire world and NY is 1 in the US and SF is like 4 so I guess it depends on which parts you are going to frequent. Here it is https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/index

        On another site, NY is 1 and SF is 3 so take it as a rough guide

  • onetwothreefour on 11/02/2017 - 19:31
    +1

    I'm from the UK, been in Oz since 2004, I didn't relocate with work, I came as a backpacker and ended up staying.

    I think moving overseas has been great. I don't think I'll be in Oz forever but I'm never going to live in the UK again. I would love the opportunity to move overseas with work even though I've got 3 young kids and recently bought a house.

    I say go for it.

  • Bluberry on 11/02/2017 - 21:33

    Hi Op. Congrats on the position. I have lived in states and in multiple places in Aus. Really things are more similar than different (other than driving on the wrong side of the road).

    I would rent out the ACT house. Its quite simple to repaint a house and fix up the garden if your tenents are bad. Just get a good agent. Majority of tenents are fine. If you sell and houses prices go up it may cost you a lot more in the ling run.

    Most places in States is great to live in despite what you see on tv. Have a great time.

    Addit: opening a bank acoount and getting a credit cards is no big deal provided you have a decent deposit. Just show the bank your contract.

  • matrix83 on 12/02/2017 - 08:35

    Where in Canberra are you? That may impact my decision.

  • ROTJ on 12/02/2017 - 11:03

    On a separate issue, if you have a self managed super fund, you'll probably have to close it because you can't be out of Aus > 2 years.

  • MrBear on 12/02/2017 - 22:27
    +1

    Hi Element AZ,

    I did this exact thing in 2009. My partner and I got E3 visas and transferred with our company from Sydney to the US (we both work for the same company) and stayed for 6 years, so 1x E3, and 2x E3R (E3 renewal).

    We own our home and ended up putting all our stuff into storage for 6 years and then rented it out (note: rented it for just under the 6 year CGT allocation). Yes, it won't be the same at first when you get back since no one will care for you place like yourselves, but, you'll get it back in shape no problem.

    Don't worry about your fridge, it was an expense, but it will survive storage, ours did.

    Note that San Francisco and the Bay Area is very expensive to rent. We were lucky that we were in the midwest, but we would have much preferred a big city like SF.

    If you can, see if they will still pay your super-annuation in Australia. And if they agree, get it in writing. Also ask them to accrue your long service leave as if you were in Australian. Ask for it to be considered a secondment if possible. Our company was good and did both things.

    Ask for lodging when you arrive (it may take a month to find a place to live) and also a car rental. When, if, you do get a car, consider getting a lease from the dealership on a new car for a 2 year period. They usually offer 3, 4 5 year periods, but you can ask for what you want. Leasing is kind of different in the US, you don't have to novate it like you do here, you just say how long you want it for, and the average mileage per year you estimate you will need (this is hard at first). This will allow you to just hand the car back at the end of your 2 year visa. If you renew your visa, just get a new lease on a new car. Don't get a 3 year lease or 4 year, because it is possible (although unlikely) that you won't be renewed for another 2 years (either by work or US customs).

    Also make sure you ask for a return to Australia for your family once a year or at least at the end of your visa, particularly if you are going to renew. You really need to return to Australia to renew your E3 visa if you get it here. People will tell you otherwise, and it is possible to get it from Canada but why risk it, or you could request US Customs to do it, but that may take 6 months rather than a few days in Australia. Plus you get to see family.

    If you are gone longer than 5 years, make sure you visit Medicare when you get back. They just up and cancelled our medicare cards because we hadn't used them in 6 years. WTF Medicare you bastards.

    Also ask for the company to pay for an accountant who specialises in tax returns for people with foreign incomes. If you have shares, the rental income, etc, you have to declare all that to the IRS. And it gets very complicated when our FY tax year is June-July and the US is Jan-Dec.

    You can declare any costs and interest and tax paid in Australia against your return in the US, but also have to declare any Australian income. It's complicated and beyond my understanding…

    Credit scores are the big thing in the US and you will not have one when you get there. You will need to open a bank account and get a credit card asap. Ask your company to write you a letter stating your contract term (likely 2 years) and your annual salary. If possible, visit the branch of the bank that the company uses and ask your accounts person to introduce you. This will go a long way to getting an account and credit card. Buy everything on your credit card and pay it off immediately (or when it is due). This will show you can pay stuff off but love to buy stuff, so they will see if you want an increase in CC limit and up your score.

    Enjoy your time there and enjoy the culture shock you won't expect you would get. SF may be a bit more understanding than the midwest was. Often people would just listen to your accent and not listen to what you are saying, and then you'll get "the look" - a blank look that you soon realise they don't understand you.

    Join Amazon Prime and enjoy that sweet sweet free 2 day shipping and free returns.

    Let me know if I can help with anything else as I'm sure I have confused you and/or forgotten something.

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