Moving to CA but not sure! need advice

Hi londonboy1981 and welcome to Expat.com!

Do not hesitate to browse through the different threads of the forum, it may help.

Harmonie.

you will have to flip burgers, i'm afraid. the usa is a place where u have to be very qualified to work. and even, nowadays, in this terrible job market, there are people with college and master's degrees out of work ( like myself). but if ur wife has friends over here, she'll be able to find a job for you. unfortunately, all the above, posted by u, is true. come over and give it a try, if it doesn't work, go back to your previous job, if it is possible.
another aspect, you should keep in mind is the systems are totally different, usa does not have universal healthcare, and this capitalist system they have here is one of the most difficult ones i've encountered. i also don't want to offend anyone over here for i'am not an american born citizen. however, truth never offend anybody. good luck, and u should try it for her. the weather is awesome in CA.

thanks anabellasea

well thats the problem i have, the land of opportunity, it isnt!

i know all too well about the health system, the lack of holiday time and the worst of all, not being qualified to do anything other than a minimum paid job even though i work in a specialist dept and have had promotions in my time, i currently earn close to £30k, no way would i be able to do a job that would pay less, especially if we have any kids by the time we move, its all a bit worrying really! ill be there in 3 weeks for a wedding so i can see how the land lays

thanks again

Hi Londonboy, I am in the same situation as yours.  Got married to USC and submitted all the papers for status adjustment.  Well, I have to give it a try for him.  I think everywhere is difficult but life is short, give it a try.  If you need more info about the changing status, I can help you as mine is under processing.

I agree with Ana, the weather in CA is awesome.

I think I'd stay in England, and invite the in-laws to live there after they retire.

right, i just got back and i have to say, things dont seem as bad as we are told

cars seem to be running, shops open, dennys still serving, you wouldnt think there was any kind of recession going on. we took a few days in SF, i fell in love with it, which is rare for me to do as its another city but it reminded me a little of London, some public transport, a sense of History but still with all the space and convenience CA affords!  we have now made a plan to move there within the next few years, my plan is to try and get a job similar to mine (ive seen on craiglist) or buy a van/truck and be in independent house mover. Twp polish guys helped me move last year and they have done the same thing, bought a van and advertised and they said they are doing really well, o i thought why not!?! does anyone know what the process is for setting up a small business within CA?

i know one thing for sure, after 30 years born and bred in London, im really fed up with it!

londonboy1981 wrote:

took a few days in SF

Lovely city. But also one of the most expensive cities to live in California.

londonboy1981 wrote:

does anyone know what the process is for setting up a small business within CA?

https://www.expat.com/en/guide/north-am … e-usa.html

Hiya, I've lived here for 35 years. I've always intended to go back to Scotland for good, but life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans. Been happily married here for three decades. Two lovely daughters and two smashing grandchildren. 

I share your anxieties about the direction of US society. Everyone seems more negative nowadays. The old American optimism has gone. The political system sucks and is swinging steadily rightward. Americans love their right to express an opinion, which means everyone has a right to sound very stupid and too many people take advantage of that.  I sound sour, I know, but I'm trying to be honest.

California lacks culture, wit and pubs. But the weather is nearly always fine and it is also one of the wildest, loveliest places in the world. The mountains and beaches are matchless. The weather and the outdoors, plus my immediate family, are what keeps me here.  When I fell ill i was lucky enough to have insurance -- without it you may as well die --  and I'm sure I'd have been much more miserable if I had to endure Scottish wind and sleet at the same time. That said, I'm always homesick for intelligent and witty talk, live trad music and the craic in the pubs.

I wouldn't make California my home if I had to do it all again. I'm glad I spent a few years here, however. My advice would be to give yourself a year here, get what you can out of it and then decide if you'll stay.

Unemployment is high here. It's a good place for entrepreneurs and a good place to get further education, if you can afford it.

Good luck, 

Sgriob

Hello All,

I am looking for some much needed advice on moving to california from sunny scotland in the uk:),

My fiance has a trade , Dental nurse, and i own/run my own construction company in the uk.
I am also a carpenter to trade, at present i am a company director of uk construction company.

We were wondering how moving to california from the uk is?

I also am a professional musician, and have regular gigs in the uk, which i would continue to persue in california,

What are the average salarys for a dental nurse fully qualified with uk paperwork.?

I would be looking to continue various projects in the uk and travel back on average every 6 weeks.
Also what contruction/new build/development sites are availible in california, or as i have researched is the construction industry in the usa as bad as the current uk property market?

What advice do you have on visas etc?
I have read if you run a company valued at more than $150k then there is a different visa that can be applied for,?


The main reason for moving is the change of lifestyle the good weather would bring, and to further a career as a musician.

Thank you for taking the time to read the post.

Gavin

Gavins wrote:

We were wondering how moving to california from the uk is?

What advice do you have on visas etc?
I have read if you run a company valued at more than $150k then there is a different visa that can be applied for,?

To have permanent residence and work in the US, and usually to work in or run a company while living in the US, you need a green card.

Short term work visas (a few months) are not the same as long term work visas (three years). Most work visas that are for longer, but still temporary, time in the US are applied for by a US based sponsor such as a US citizen relative or US business. For example, a H-1B Visa for skilled professional workers. Construction experience would not qualify for a H-1B Visa, for that you would need to get sponsored for a H-2B Visa. To work at your own business in construction you would probably need a green card as mentioned above. Or invest heavily ($0.5 to $1 Million minimum) in a US company and try for a investor visa. The US Government does not care much about a fully foreign company's income for a residence visa. However, there are only 10,000 investor visas available each year.

Your fiancée may have more luck getting a sponsor if her qualifications as a dental nurse are in need, and supply of such qualified persons are lacking in an area. But that may mean the  job and visa might be for Ohio, not California.

More info at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants … _1326.html

Gavins wrote:

The main reason for moving is the change of lifestyle the good weather would bring, and to further a career as a musician.

A missing piece of information is what type of music? Different regions of the US have different musical styles. For some musical venues, New York may be a better option if the musical scene is correct and music is the real life goal. Seattle and Portland are also newer and growing musical destinations to consider.

If a life style change is the preference, do remember that the US is a huge country. Go and be a tourist and travel around different regions and states. You may find a hidden gem you did not anticipate. I might suggest looking especially at South Carolina and Florida, both also have good (but different than California) climates and lifestyles.

Thank you for your reply, I would be continuing my Buisness in the uk,
However the main goal in La would be to break into the entertainment industry, I am aware of how competitive and tough this market is.
How safe is La also?

Thank you

Gavins wrote:

However the main goal in La would be to break into the entertainment industry, I am aware of how competitive and tough this market is.

Los Angeles and New York are the heavy hitters for music, which means everyone goes there. The market is certainly saturated, but if you are good one might rise to the top. But also see:

http://livability.com/portland/or/attra … lle-nyc-la

Gavins wrote:

How safe is La also?

Similar to asking how safe is London: There are simply places that are safer than others. I grew up in LA, and there were places in LA city I would never, ever, go; and others I was completely comfortable walking around in any time of the night. Knowing which is which is, to some extent unfortunately, local knowledge.

I couldn't agree more with the statement, the key fact is speaking to the right people in any new town who would advise on where to go, and where not to go.
Will look at the link to Portland just now.
Thanks again for all the help.
When my fiancé looked on craigslist there were over 3000 jobs as dentists assistants in California, plus I have a few friends who have travelled around the us and recommended California, on top of the fact I have always wanted to visit there, again I'm awAre a holiday/vacation is totally diffrent from living in a place.
Just think california/la seems to be a place with great things happening and great weather.

If your fiancee has a cool English accent she will be much in demand.  My advice for gigging and session work in the LA area is stick to the stuff you do best and love best and hook up with like-minded musicians. When I first came here I met an Old Time string band playing on the street in Venice Beach. They invited me to sit in and I learned more banjo in a month than I had in three years. That led to paying gigs that helped keep me alive until my green card kicked in.  The Old Time band played at my wedding, and also at my daughter's wedding 30 years later.

California is a still a wonderful place for the young and enthusiastic.  There are districts you wouldn't want to stroll in at night, but the same can be said for London, Birmingham or Glasgow.

Thank you very much for the reply. And everything on here is only confirming our desire to try and live in California, as the saying goes, better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all.
I have been to Florida and found it nice, however I believe the demand for the type of industry (entertainment/music) I am looking to "make it" in is based in LA, as is the dental/cosmetic world of the "Hollywood Smile" my dental assistant fiancé is in.
Any tips on renting etc?
We are looking to go over in January of 2013 to secure a work place for my fiancé and accomodation to stay in till we become established

Thanks again for all the feedback and info, it is much appreciated.

Of course you should go for it.  IF you come with both eyes open and if your only Hollywood dream is to get by somehow and enjoy the weather, the beaches, the mountains etc... then you'll do fine.  Send me a personal message nearer the time and I'll have more specific advice.

My niece and nephew, both as London as mushy peas, have lived in San Francisco for nearly ten years and are doing great. San Francisco is in many ways a more 'manageable' place than LA. It's smaller, smarter, easier to get around (you're dead without a car in LA) and has a hopping pop and culture scene.

I wish I had stayed in SF, but that's not how it worked out. I was a journalist when I came over here and so Hollywood was the place to be.

Gavins wrote:

We are looking to go over in January of 2013 to secure a work place for my fiancé

To legally enter the US for employment you should review the following site for options. You have almost a year before 2013, so learning the most you can before then is a good idea:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ … 2ca60aRCRD

Your fiancé probably would fall under Third Preference EB-3 for employment immigration status (for which there is a large backlog). Good luck:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ … 2ca60aRCRD

Hi.  My name is Lisa;  I currently live in Californa.  I'm chiming in on this conversation a bit late as I just joined a few weeks ago and just now had the time to review the site fully.

One of the things I'd like to share with ANYONE who is thinking of making an international move is to LISTEN to advice AND then, throw it out the window.

I've always appreciated the advice/warnings of others, but I never OWNED those things...meaning, it may be well-intended, but my fate, is separate from everyone elses! Some people gripe about being out of work while having Masters Degrees, others are employed without a degree at all!  You simply have to believe in yourself and PLAN....

The facts/stats don't lie..the economy is bad, but that does NOT mean a qualified person will be flipping burgers, unless that's what they want to do..AND so what, if you have to flip burgers for a few months...remember, things are NOT permanent unless you stop trying!

I am thinking of moving to London from California...it's cold and from what I've experienced, it's very different, but I'm up for the challenge!  I'm preparing...I suggest anyone else do the same and go for your dream!  IF that dream is to live in LA, do it!!

I agree with you Lisa.

Our economy is bad (I'm in Pasadena, Calfornia) but it's relative. Like you said, there's work for those who seek work and are qualified. Opportunities abound and it favors the prepared.

Good luck with the move.

PS: I moved from Europe many years ago.

Any updates from anyone who has moved to CA from the UK...??

hiya...

are you able to give me some details on what/where to live in CA----hubby has a job in Sunnyvale?

appreciate any advice??

Hi bsydney > I invite you to start a new topic with an introduction on the California forum. Thank you.

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