Cost of living

My advice is NEVER rent a place to live, its just throwing money away.
Buy a used travel trailer, live in a respectable park,or buy a manufactured home and a small piece of rural property.

Up here in Alaska we have some of the highest rental rates in the nation but ironically there is plenty of property to buy with little or no down payments, I bought a 1 acre lot years ago with no down and $125 a month payment and eventually found my current home of 8 acres and a 2 story sizable house for $55,000, it will be totally paid for next may, no more payments ever! just the yearly property tax, and its an investment.

Usually the best deals are foreclosures and even property siezed by the state or government because of many reasons like a drug raid, IRS siezure, bankruptcy etc. Its even possible to rent a small office in many business districts at a very affordable rate, some have minimal facilities for washing, cooking etc, but if it has a small inside shop bay you can easily park a trailer inside to have more comfort and security.

My property was a bankruptcy case, I picked it up with no credit history on my part but thats cause I NEVER use credit cards, I occasionally use a debit card but I pay everything off immediately and in cash. And because of that I have never been in debt.

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quote:Originally posted by esprit

Agree totally!!! The first few months in particular are hard and you haemmhorage money at an alarming rate. We went through $20,000 in a blink of an eye and that didnt include my house deposit or the vast part of my business insurance!!! The utilities take deposits off you if you are unknown to them. That includes your mobile phone. We are due large amounts of money back bext year!!

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We never had to pay any deposts for utilities in Mass.....we just had to pay a larger deposit for both the cars.....we had a house.. cars credit card in weeks of getting here.... we were very lucky so it seems......we spent $20k in a few weeks too....so I'd say....$50k for a house if you don't have one here already......$10k for closing....$20k for household things you can't bring over.....$6k for cars.....always have $10k savings spare in the bank......bills will come to around $500 a month over the year.....tax in FL on your home can be high....I budget for $3k a year......food is very costly here.....I had to double my food bill from England.....also always be a month ahead with bills....you can have a bank foreclose on you for being behind in a payment even if the amount is very small....I don't know if thats the same in all States.......I was told that just last week...I don't know how true that is.....but better safe than sorry......

Thanks for all the replies.

Okay, from what I am gathering is that the cost of living in many ways greater than in the UK and not in fact cheaper, as is comonly considered. From other posts it would seem fair to say that people, especially perhaps immigrants, work exceptionally hard, perhaps harder and longer than they did previously.

But, you all love it and wouldn't go back, so what is it that makes this the case?

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quote:Originally posted by MTP

Thanks for all the replies.

Okay, from what I am gathering is that the cost of living in many ways greater than in the UK and not in fact cheaper, as is comonly considered. From other posts it would seem fair to say that people, especially perhaps immigrants, work exceptionally hard, perhaps harder and longer than they did previously.

But, you all love it and wouldn't go back, so what is it that makes this the case?

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Madness....[:o)][:o)]
I've wanted to live in the USA since I was a kid.....I love the people....the country is beauiful....when the living is good in the USA its very good......this is home now.....:D

I was born and raised in the US. And I'll tell you this, that most who were born here take this country for granted. They want everything they see on TV and for free. They don't want to work yet expect to be made president of the company tomorrow. They forgot their European, Asian or "immigrant" roots!! I find that the "immigrants" (and I mean this kindly, for lack of a better word) to this country seem to make it. Whether you're a poor immigrant, middle class immigrant or upper class immigrant - you seem to do better over the course of a couple years than those at your same level who were born here. This is my perception.

The USA, I believe, is the best country on earth!!! Opportunities abound for anyone willing to go after their dreams and stop complaining. If you can't make it in this wonderful land of opportunity - then where are you going to make it? There are 52 states covering 9,809,155 sq km with different economic and social offerings for the taking. Do you like hot weather or cold? Do you like mountains, valleys or the wide open plains of the midwest? Do you like high tech, tourism or farming? It is all here and it's riches are also here for those who want them bad enough. Education and dedication are the key, and the doors are waiting to be opened by such a key.

Euan, come here and make it happen for yourself. Just like all these people who have bought homes here and running their businesses. Sure it takes hard work and in these economic times much harder work. But they are living their dreams. And you can too.

You have one big advantage. You weren't born here so you'll see things more clearer than we who were. We are spoiled by everything this great country has given us - and you aren't (at least not yet). And I'll bet you come with that "European Work Ethic" that has been the backbone of what made this country so great over the past few hundred years.

I personally know young men from Mexico that work in an aluminum recycling plant. Aluminum comes in and they sort it and place it into bailers to be sent off to smelters. It is hard and very dirty work and pays very low wages - well that is how I see it (remember I was born here). When I ask them about their experience - the tell me with a huge grin on their face - that they can't believe they are getting "paid" to do this work. They could never make this much money back in Mexico for "this easy work" here, they tell me. They would be lucky to get farming work for peanuts as pay. I couldn't live on what they make (or so I think and say) yet they live on half of what they make (raise their families here and send their kids to public schools and then on to college) and send the other half of their money to family in Mexico - who live a much better life now that these family members have the "easy" jobs here in the US. It is all relative to what you know, what you think, where you've been and where you are going and more importantly what you dream!

See http://www.bls.gov/ - U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics for some mind boggling statistics on what the US has. The GDP of the US is expected to exceed $8.6 trillion (yes, trillion) by 2006. Your piece of the pie is waiting. Come get some.

Arnie

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Next question linked to this is: once we were over there and fully qualified and working full time, going by the national statistics, the average combined income that we would earn would be $130,000. We have no way to judge what lifestyle this sort of income would give, could I impose on you kind people to give opinions on that kind of income level.

Thanks,

Euan

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quote:Originally posted by MTP

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Next question linked to this is: once we were over there and fully qualified and working full time, going by the national statistics, the average combined income that we would earn would be $130,000. We have no way to judge what lifestyle this sort of income would give, could I impose on you kind people to give opinions on that kind of income level.

Thanks,

Euan

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Most people earn nowhere like that kind of money....on Cape the Average income with 2 people working is $30k to $40k....

And people here pay some of the highest rents in the country.....around $1500 a month....

In FL we could half the amount we need to bring into the house then we need now....my friend was told she would be earning $80 a hour nursing over here...so far she makes $10...I'd not count on national statistics...in FL I'd say if you bring in over $50k you should be OK...

Euan,

Making $130K per year, you'll have a great life. If you are a good saver and don't go into debt, you'll qualify to buy a very nice home. You'll own two cars. You'll send your kids to private school. They'll grow up and by that time you'll be making even more to send them to a good college. Then you and your wife will buy a Vacation STR Villa in the Orlando area and you'll find yourself answering other people's posts asking if they should come to America.

Prove every naysayer wrong. Come to America and make it big!!!!

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quote:Originally posted by asbaum

I was born and raised in the US. And I'll tell you this, that most who were born here take this country for granted. They want everything they see on TV and for free. They don't want to work yet expect to be made president of the company tomorrow. They forgot their European, Asian or "immigrant" roots!! I find that the "immigrants" (and I mean this kindly, for lack of a better word) to this country seem to make it. Whether you're a poor immigrant, middle class immigrant or upper class immigrant - you seem to do better over the course of a couple years than those at your same level who were born here. This is my perception.

The USA, I believe, is the best country on earth!!! Opportunities abound for anyone willing to go after their dreams and stop complaining. If you can't make it in this wonderful land of opportunity - then where are you going to make it? There are 52 states covering 9,809,155 sq km with different economic and social offerings for the taking. Do you like hot weather or cold? Do you like mountains, valleys or the wide open plains of the midwest? Do you like high tech, tourism or farming? It is all here and it's riches are also here for those who want them bad enough. Education and dedication are the key, and the doors are waiting to be opened by such a key.

Euan, come here and make it happen for yourself. Just like all these people who have bought homes here and running their businesses. Sure it takes hard work and in these economic times much harder work. But they are living their dreams. And you can too.

You have one big advantage. You weren't born here so you'll see things more clearer than we who were. We are spoiled by everything this great country has given us - and you aren't (at least not yet). And I'll bet you come with that "European Work Ethic" that has been the backbone of what made this country so great over the past few hundred years.

I personally know young men from Mexico that work in an aluminum recycling plant. Aluminum comes in and they sort it and place it into bailers to be sent off to smelters. It is hard and very dirty work and pays very low wages - well that is how I see it (remember I was born here). When I ask them about their experience - the tell me with a huge grin on their face - that they can't believe they are getting "paid" to do this work. They could never make this much money back in Mexico for "this easy work" here, they tell me. They would be lucky to get farming work for peanuts as pay. I couldn't live on what they make (or so I think and say) yet they live on half of what they make (raise their families here and send their kids to public schools and then on to college) and send the other half of their money to family in Mexico - who live a much better life now that these family members have the "easy" jobs here in the US. It is all relative to what you know, what you think, where you've been and where you are going and more importantly what you dream!

See http://www.bls.gov/ - U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics for some mind boggling statistics on what the US has. The GDP of the US is expected to exceed $8.6 trillion (yes, trillion) by 2006. Your piece of the pie is waiting. Come get some.

Arnie

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Bless ya Arnie,
I have always wanted to live in the States and about to have my dream come true and the age of 44. Hard work and determination in a land of humungus opportunity. Man I can't wait.
bless ya mate

Jim:D

If you work for a state like me then your healthcare is free and the best (but we do pay separately for Dental). But to get a state job here is tough or any job here is tough. Living in New Jersey is tough as well and we have been thinking about moving to Pennsylvania where it is a little cheaper. LOL We pay for utilities, mortgage, two car payments (which is our fault because we like new cars), very high car insurance because car theft is very high in our state, private school bills, school uniforms, supplies, food, other expenses, house insurance, TAXES! I find that in southern states (excluding Florida) is cheaper to live but the pay is not so good. I guess it all balances out. We make 100% more here and we also pay 100% more here.

It's a catch twenty two. Work hard and make the best of it. Never be discouraged. I think moving to the USA from France was the best decision Anderson and I have ever made. Nobody said it would be easy or it will get easy.

I also think it's unfair to say that immigrants work harder than US natives. I'm an immigrant from Egypt living in the USA and I think that we all work together to make the United States what it is.