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Hi Everyone
As I have mentioned before we are in the process of applying for a visa (O-1) to be able to live in Florida. I dont want to tempt fate, but was just wondering, if anyone has already made the move can you please tell me:
1. Moving furniture etc. Shipping agencies ? How long did it take to arrive, best way, safest way etc.
2. Timescale, Insurance ?
3. Health and dental Insurance in the U.S.
4. Anything else I have forgotten.
All advice would be greatly appreciated,
Many thanks
SheilaF
You need insurance from day one. Don't even tempt fate by not having it. If you get sick you'll bankrupt yourself.
Obviously I don't know your work situation. Most employers will have a plan you can get into. I pay around $50.00 a month.
I've been here since the mid 80s. Anything I can help with, feel free to ask.
Sheila, if you have a search through the topics here http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/forum_56.asp you should find the answers to most of your questions.
1. Moving furniture etc. Shipping agencies ? How long did it take to arrive, best way, safest way etc.
<span style="color:red">went private and used our own container and shipping, cost 1500 pounds there and 1800 dollars back for a 40' container.</span id="red">
2. Timescale, Insurance ?
<span style="color:red">around 5 weeks each way, insurance is around $300 per 20k/</span id="red">
3. Health and dental Insurance in the U.S.
<span style="color:red">
Used blue cross for us 2 adults, paid around $700 per month. This was for a no messing around polcicy, you can buy chaper but you will have to pay for all sorts before they cough up. We were lucky to get Florida kid care for the kids, this was excellent at $15 per month, but we had a big claim and the wangled there out of it (after a legal battle) and we had to leave the USA as the cost we astronomical (5 week stay in intensive care, ongoing after care at just under half a million)</span id="red">
4. Anything else I have forgotten.
<span style="color:red">Car insurance is expensive, looking at around $1800 every six months for 2 vehicles until you have had a florida license form 12 months)</span id="red">
<span style="color:red">Deposits on utilities add up, no credit for ages is a killer but did us good as we owed nothing when we left.
The red tape will drive you nuts, you never get used to it. That said we enjoyed our time in Florida and dont regret anything</span id="red">
<span style="color:red">Make sure you take out personal liability insurance, if neighbour trips over your rake, they will sue you</span id="red">
All advice would be greatly appreciated,
Many thanks
SheilaF
[/quote]
Morning Everyone
Thanks so much for all your replies. Wow definitely food for thought. Health insurance sounds astronomical and something we have to adjust to. Taking into consideration the high cost of insurance in general etc. do you think you live cheaper in the U.S. than the U.K. ? just curious obviously that has no bearing on our decision to apply for residency.
Jeff and Amy - thanks for that, I am sure I will be in touch again. It seems quite a daunting task ahead of us.
Blott - Thanks, I know I should trail through the forum but most of the ones I looked at seemed to apply to people buying businesses, I will go back to it though ...........
Florida4sun - scary !!! does that really happen with the neighbours? Even with paying $700 a month you still had to return home ? It has really opened my eyes but thats good we need to go into this fully aware and informed. Was it worth it ? ...............
Thanks for all the info we now have a rough idea what to expect to pay. Will you return to the US?
Goes off to print everything ............
SheilaF
If you go through all the pages in the topic section, you'll find moving, health insurance, etc with some info and suggestions.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
do you think you live cheaper in the U.S. than the U.K. ? just curious obviously that has no bearing on our decision to apply for residency.
[/quote]
Sheila...
Thats the $20.000.000 question! I'd say yes. Your big saving is property. When I left the UK in the 80s a three bed house in SW London was around 90k. Thats risen to over 250k (pounds). I mean, thats just crazy!
Here in Central Florida you'll be paying around 250k (dollars) for a 4 bed, 2 bath, with a pool!
After a visit from my sister last summer when we compared living expenses, I'd say your monthly bills should be around the same. Of course that depends on weather you want full HD cable and high speed internet!
Another thing you have to realise is banking here. In the UK if you go over you just get a letter from the bank informing you of your overdraft. At least thats how it used to be. In the USA you don't go over unless it's pre-arranged. If you write a bad check here it's regarded as fraud and you can be arrested for it.
Good luck with the move. Belive me it's worth it in the end!
Jeff and Amy
Firstly let me congratulate you on Chelsea's success last night. My hubby kept calling me in to watch "this fantastic goal" !!!!
Thank you sooooo much for your advice, I am sure it will be worth it, just a little scary. My hubby is retirement age (has an idea to work out there), I am of working age and we have a 17 year old son. We just need to make sure that the right decisions are made. Do we keep a property over here? do we use all the money from the sale of our house to buy one over there, do we rent, do we use half the money and invest the other half. So many decisions, in the words of Scarlet of Hara "I'll think about that tomorrow" !!!
We darent let ourselves get excited yet, the application has been submitted (premium processing) so we should know in a couple of weeks and then its the dreaded Embassy visit but we find ourselves drooling over the properties for sale in Orlando, as you say we can get so much more for our money.
Thanks again, no doubt will "bother" you again if you dont mind.
Blott - I WILL find the time to go thru the boards, thanks.
SheilaF
Here's my advise, for what it's worth.
If you intend to move here for good, sell your UK house and buy a house here for cash. That'll save you thousands in closing costs and mortgage costs. Sell your cars, unless they're over 25 years old. Then you can import them here. And anything that uses 240 volts needs to be sold! They won't work here. Your TV and VCR won't work here as the USA has a different system. If you plan to move here permenently look at your UK pension. I'm looking into mine right now. It's a minefield dealing with good old British beuracracy <sp>. Pay off and close all your bank and credit card accounts. Again useless here.
Your 17 year old needs to be ready for college. Look into community college to get him started on the core classes. Then look into one of Florida's colleges or universities to get his batcherlers <sp> finnished. He'll need his graduation papers from his UK high school. Don't let him come here with the idea of not going to college. Without a degree he'll find it hard to find a job flipping burgers.
I missed the last 30 minutes of the Chelsea game yesterday. I had to pick up my dsaughter from dance class! Aaaahhh, the joys of parenthood! We had the game live on ESPN. Tell your hubby than we also have the 'Fox Soccer Channel' now. Regular premmiership games including some live! No lower division games though. I try to follow Brentford but it's not easy here.
Hi again
We need to look into the pension issue, my husband has a private pension that will initially be our only source of income. Problem with son is he left school after GCSE's and is working in the IT dept of a local company (has a factory in the US I think). My husband is looking into a business venture which will involve our son.
Not having a mortgage is an idea my husband and I both favour, having paid the UK one off years ago. We would just ship over furniture, we have plenty of family to give the electrical stuff to and the two cars will be sold.
We have been looking at properties, but can't do anything at all until we get the all-clear (IF)...
Hubby is thrilled to hear of Fox Soccer Channel, we spent last summer in Orlando and he really missed the footy. Spent Saturday nights glued to the laptop trying to find the results.....
I am sure you can get results online but if you need any info or a quick score, let me know.
Thanks again for your help
SheilaF
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Here's my advise, for what it's worth.
If you intend to move here for good, sell your UK house and buy a house here for cash. That'll save you thousands in closing costs and mortgage costs. Sell your cars, unless they're over 25 years old. Then you can import them here. And anything that uses 240 volts needs to be sold! They won't work here. Your TV and VCR won't work here as the USA has a different system. If you plan to move here permenently look at your UK pension. I'm looking into mine right now. It's a minefield dealing with good old British beuracracy <sp>. Pay off and close all your bank and credit card accounts. Again useless here.
Your 17 year old needs to be ready for college. Look into community college to get him started on the core classes. Then look into one of Florida's colleges or universities to get his batcherlers <sp> finnished. He'll need his graduation papers from his UK high school. Don't let him come here with the idea of not going to college. Without a degree he'll find it hard to find a job flipping burgers.
I missed the last 30 minutes of the Chelsea game yesterday. I had to pick up my dsaughter from dance class! Aaaahhh, the joys of parenthood! We had the game live on ESPN. Tell your hubby than we also have the 'Fox Soccer Channel' now. Regular premmiership games including some live! No lower division games though. I try to follow Brentford but it's not easy here.
[/quote]
I don't think keeping your UK bank account active is useless......we still have a few Brit credit cards...and our Bank account....and we've been here 5 years...a better way to pick up your credit again if you have to go back to the UK.......my family use it to put in money for our kids for Christmas and birthdays.....
I would suggest holding on to some UK property which will give you the most options. If it is possible to buy a smaller house (perhaps with a friend or relative) that can be a rental property while you are in Florida in the event you decide to return to the UK.
I echo the comments about insurance. It is a source of many, many problems. My mother was in hospital in Florida for a little over ten days in 2000 and the bill was over $120,000. Even with good insurance, it is very common for the health insurance carrier to attempt to get out of paying bills. Right now in Florida, there is a shameful spectacle of homeowners insurers trying to get out of paying for hurricane damage - offering five thousand on $100,000 claims. So finding a reputable insurer and recognizing that there is no "cheap insurance" are important goals.
Also, and you may know this, be aware of visa issues for your son. When he reaches 21, what will be the basis for keeping him in the US?
Hi Again
Seminole - thanks for your post. Insurance scares me soooo much I only seem to hear of negative stories. I mean we expect to pay a lot but it seems that even with high premiums there is still a huge "excess" to pay too....
Re my son - This may sound niave (right spelling?) but our Lawyer never mentioned anything about there being a problem when he reaches 21. I will call and ask her to clarify the situation. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. She did say that the O-1 visa would be for the family and not just hubby.
Oh well I guess its another sleepless night worrying about insurance ahead.......
SheilaF
Sheila, from what I can see from the US Embassy website, 0-1 visas apply for individuals for a particular event only?
Only individuals qualify for the O-1 visa category. In order for a group to qualify, each member would be required to meet the extraordinary ability test. The visa is granted for a specific event, such as a tour, lecture series or project.
Although it goes on to say that partners and children under 21 need to apply for an 0-3 visa. 0-3 visas mean that you're not allowed to work.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web...iv/ability.htm
Like most other visas which are dependant on a parents visa, his dependants visa is only until 21 years old and then he will need to apply for his own visa, whether he change status to F1 if he is going to university, or E2 if he purchases a business.
Cost of living == petrol and comsumer goods and restaurant meals cheaper, everything else dearer.
Morning All
In the letter from our Lawyer it says that the best approach is to seek permanent residence in the first employment based category - "EB-1", because this process will take several years (2-3) it is recommended that we file for the 0-1 which is a temporary visa......
Nowhere does it say that myself and my son have to file individually nor does it refer to our son requiring an individual visa at 21.
This is something I need to confirm with our Lawyer, will keep you all informed......
Thanks a lot
SheilaF
Best of luck with all this Sheila - I and my family are following your story with great interest, as we're likely to be going through the same thing in the not too far distant future...Please keep us posted!
Once again, this thread demonstrates the enormous value and benefit of having access to so much collective experience and I thank the generosity of those that are prepared to share their hard-won knowledge with the rest of us.
Regards
Paul
Absolutely Paul,
I always tell my husband the people on this board tell it how it is, that is why I value their opinions highly. I think its just sinking in the enormity of what lies ahead. We all desperately want to live in Florida but its a daunting road ahead.
I will keep everyone posted, fingers crossed that we can get over the first hurdle.
Best wishes
SheilaF
Sheila, the 0 1 Visa is actually for demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment (worthy of national or international acclaim) in the arts, sciences, education, etc. Are you sure your lawyer has you applying in the correct category (don't mean to offend if you or your husband fall into the category) - it's that your comment that your husband was thinking of starting a business with your son raised the question to me.
Sheila isn't around at the moment but I can tell you that the family are applying for the right visa. Sheila will probably be along later and may tell you more herself.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi again
We need to look into the pension issue, my husband has a private pension that will initially be our only source of income. Problem with son is he left school after GCSE's and is working in the IT dept of a local company (has a factory in the US I think). My husband is looking into a business venture which will involve our son.
Not having a mortgage is an idea my husband and I both favour, having paid the UK one off years ago. We would just ship over furniture, we have plenty of family to give the electrical stuff to and the two cars will be sold.
We have been looking at properties, but can't do anything at all until we get the all-clear (IF)...
Hubby is thrilled to hear of Fox Soccer Channel, we spent last summer in Orlando and he really missed the footy. Spent Saturday nights glued to the laptop trying to find the results.....
I am sure you can get results online but if you need any info or a quick score, let me know.
Thanks again for your help
SheilaF
[/quote]
Shelia... your son's GCSEs are not worth the paper they're printed on here. Belive me I've been through it. I came here with a bunch of CSEs, a few O levels and a year at Twickenham Poly. The US university I went to told me none of it counted torwards a degree. I had to take basic math and english clases to just get into the program.
I disagree with keeping UK property unless you want to still pay taxes in the UK. Remember all property you have in the UK is liable for the apropriate taxes.
Banks. I never kept mine, but I agree if you go back to the UK a lot they can be useful. But in this day of Intl. commerce a Vias card is a Visa card, wherever you are!
Later!!!!!!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
You need insurance from day one. Don't even tempt fate by not having it. If you get sick you'll bankrupt yourself.
Obviously I don't know your work situation. Most employers will have a plan you can get into. I pay around $50.00 a month.
I've been here since the mid 80s. Anything I can help with, feel free to ask.
[/quote]
Flyrr, could you elaborate on this a bit? With the "average" employee Health Cover provided in the US (if there is such) and the small premium that you mention, excacly how much health and dental cover would you receive? For example, does it cover all eventualities like the NHS does in the UK?
The $700-a-month Blue Cross mentioned by Martin is expensive, but does that give full cover?
Most employers insurances are fine but you usually have to pay some towards costs. The problem with employers cover is that of you move jobs, more than likely any existing conditions would not be covered. For instance we new someone who worked for 'certain' burger chain. Hated his job but was stuck there due to his reliance on their health care for his wife who had a long term illness.
The $700 a month we paid is probably around $300 more than a 'standard' policy. I did this because a freind who had standard coverage, went into hospital with a suspected heart attack. It was just stress and he spent 2 days in hospital. Each dept billed him seperately and had had to pay the 'co pay' amount for each bill. This still cost him around $7000!!! Scarey stuff.
Florida4sun - scary !!! does that really happen with the neighbours? Even with paying $700 a month you still had to return home ? It has really opened my eyes but thats good we need to go into this fully aware and informed. Was it worth it ? ...............
<span style="color:blue">We enjoyed our time in Florida and I would not have changed it for the world. It is mainly the sun we miss, waking up to that every morning does lift your spirits somewhat. I think overall Florida is more expensive than the UK (if you want live well and enjoy yourself).
The $700 just covered my wife and I, it was florida kidcare we had trouble with. Even so, any insurance company will look long and hard at trying not pay a claim. Its not nice having to battle when you or a family member is ill.</span id="blue">
Thanks for all the info we now have a rough idea what to expect to pay. Will you return to the US?
Would we go back? Not to live full time, I would certainly spend 3 or 4 months out there each year. First I think I would give Spain or France a chance. As long as there is sun we would try it:)
Just for a refence I honestly think a family of 4 setting in Florida needs in excess off $100,000 income per year to have a good standard of living.
Morning Everyone
Yes the 0-1 visa is correct, for persons of exceptional ability. Hubby has to work, not full time but nevertheless he has to be seen to do something. He has an "idea" which is only that at this stage to do something in his field, which would involve my son. Still waiting to hear back from the Lawyer regarding my son working.
Medical insurance is horrific, we paid £90.00 a month and thought we'd overpaid !!! I think I need to draw up a budget list, approx how much it would cost a month to live. For insurance quotes do you got to a broker who will advise the best deals ?
Wow £100,000 a year, not what I wanted to hear, sounds like he will HAVE to work !!!!
Many thanks again to all (Hi Angela, hope you are feeling better)
SheilaF
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Most employers insurances are fine but you usually have to pay some towards costs. The problem with employers cover is that of you move jobs, more than likely any existing conditions would not be covered. For instance we new someone who worked for 'certain' burger chain. Hated his job but was stuck there due to his reliance on their health care for his wife who had a long term illness.
The $700 a month we paid is probably around $300 more than a 'standard' policy. I did this because a freind who had standard coverage, went into hospital with a suspected heart attack. It was just stress and he spent 2 days in hospital. Each dept billed him seperately and had had to pay the 'co pay' amount for each bill. This still cost him around $7000!!! Scarey stuff.
[/quote]
This is something like what I guessed it might be. A relative in California had work related health insurance which covered part of his expenses when he had a heart attack. But when he changed jobs 2 years later, there was a fortnight 'between jobs' during which time he had no health cover. He was so stressed that he sat at home doing nothing for 2 whole weeks! But he is very reluctant to discuss the details of what his policy covered and did not, but Martin's post gave me an idea.
Health Cover issues are the major deterrant in the option for applying to move to Florida after my wife and I retire. For that matter, it is a factor to be considered while moving anywhere out of the UK, even back home to India.
Sheila, you can get ex-pat insurance for the first year or two so try http://www.imglobal.com/ which provides quite comprehensive cover which you can purchase online if you wish. Generally, no insurance company covers pre-existing conditions, at least for one or two years if you haven't required treatment for them in the meantime.
If you already have UK private health insurance, companies like BUPA and PPP also provide ex-pat policies.
It's not just the health insurance monthly costs, you also have a deductible (or excess) which you may be able to choose by paying a lower or higher insurance premium, which adds additional costs to being ill, sometimes quite high ones. It's best to be fit and well if you're going to live in Florida!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Florida4sun - scary !!! does that really happen with the neighbours? Even with paying $700 a month you still had to return home ? It has really opened my eyes but thats good we need to go into this fully aware and informed. Was it worth it ? ...............
<span style="color:blue">We enjoyed our time in Florida and I would not have changed it for the world. It is mainly the sun we miss, waking up to that every morning does lift your spirits somewhat. I think overall Florida is more expensive than the UK (if you want live well and enjoy yourself).
The $700 just covered my wife and I, it was florida kidcare we had trouble with. Even so, any insurance company will look long and hard at trying not pay a claim. Its not nice having to battle when you or a family member is ill.</span id="blue">
Thanks for all the info we now have a rough idea what to expect to pay. Will you return to the US?
Would we go back? Not to live full time, I would certainly spend 3 or 4 months out there each year. First I think I would give Spain or France a chance. As long as there is sun we would try it:)
Just for a refence I honestly think a family of 4 setting in Florida needs in excess off $100,000 income per year to have a good standard of living.
[/quote]
I don't think you need anywhere near $100k to have a good standard of living....we have nothing like that and in 5 years we own one of our two houses almost outright...2 cars and we have 4-5 hoildys a year......and we are a family of 4...with a daughter living at home in a low paying job right now waiting to go back to school.....and a son at school.....we came over with $60k.....in that time my husbands also been out of work.....in FL we could half our income ....its always nice to have more.....but if you know how to handle money...you can do very well in the USA on a lot less then a $100k......
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Most employers will have a plan you can get into. I pay around $50.00 a month.[/b]
[/quote]
Flyrr, could you elaborate on this a bit? With the "average" employee Health Cover provided in the US (if there is such) and the small premium that you mention, excacly how much health and dental cover would you receive? For example, does it cover all eventualities like the NHS does in the UK?
The $700-a-month Blue Cross mentioned by Martin is expensive, but does that give full cover?
[/quote]
My employer enrolls into a group insurance plan. We have around 3500 employees. So we get a substantial reduced rate. As I said I pay around $50 a month. That gives us full coverage with different deductables depending on what we have done. Also that gives us a perscription plan. I think we pay around $20.00 for a bottle of pills. My wife just had her gall bladder removed and we ended up paying around $300. That included deductables to the hospital and the surgon's office. A little better than the $10,000 it would have cost without insurance!
This also gives us eye cover. I think we pay $100 flat fee for an exam and basic eye glasses if needed.
Dental is seperate. My employer pays that. Again we have a deductable. I think it's around $50 per procedure. Different procedures have different deductables.
So, understand, insurance is something you gotta have, wherever you get it. If you plan on retireing here look into senior's plans. The bigger the plan you get into the lower your premiums should be. Be sure to have all and any documentation concerning any pre-exsisting conditions you may have. And it's better to be a non-smoker!
Also, any medical bills over (I think) $5000 are tax deductable. Remember as a US resident you will be liable for all US taxes. No breaks just because you aren't citizens! Nice thing about Florida is we are one of around 3 or 4 states (Tennessee, Nevada, Delaware, Florida) that has no State Tax. In Ohio we had to pay around 7%-8% income tax to the State as well as the regular Federal income taxes.
Phew. Is it worth it? Absolutely! I came here in the late 80s with $10,000 and my guitar. I now have a 4 year degree. I'm an airline captain. I live in a big house with a pool and drive a convertible Mustang.
Eeeewww, by 3 year old just pooped! Gotta go change him.
Have a great weekend.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Most employers insurances are fine but you usually have to pay some towards costs. The problem with employers cover is that of you move jobs, more than likely any existing conditions would not be covered. For instance we new someone who worked for 'certain' burger chain. Hated his job but was stuck there due to his reliance on their health care for his wife who had a long term illness.
The $700 a month we paid is probably around $300 more than a 'standard' policy. I did this because a freind who had standard coverage, went into hospital with a suspected heart attack. It was just stress and he spent 2 days in hospital. Each dept billed him seperately and had had to pay the 'co pay' amount for each bill. This still cost him around $7000!!! Scarey stuff.
[/quote]
This is something like what I guessed it might be. A relative in California had work related health insurance which covered part of his expenses when he had a heart attack. But when he changed jobs 2 years later, there was a fortnight 'between jobs' during which time he had no health cover. He was so stressed that he sat at home doing nothing for 2 whole weeks! But he is very reluctant to discuss the details of what his policy covered and did not, but Martin's post gave me an idea.
Health Cover issues are the major deterrant in the option for applying to move to Florida after my wife and I retire. For that matter, it is a factor to be considered while moving anywhere out of the UK, even back home to India.
[/quote]
With my husbands first company we paid no payments towards healthcare...or dental the company paid everything........then it went to $150 a month for a family of any size with co payments after a company buyout....now we are back with a smaller company its $90 per family a month no co payments for health for kids... $10 per illness for us....so much for dental in some cases.... with free cleanings and check ups......that follows us for 9 months if my husband leaves his company for any reason....then we pay $200 a month for 18 months after that....
Thanks both '100's. I think I now have a reasonably good idea of what to expect in terms of health insurance if we ever consider that option of retiring to Florida. This 'Senior's Plan' that Flyrr mentioned looks interesting and we'll look into that closer to the time.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
Thanks both '100's. I think I now have a reasonably good idea of what to expect in terms of health insurance if we ever consider that option of retiring to Florida. This 'Senior's Plan' that Flyrr mentioned looks interesting and we'll look into that closer to the time.
[/quote]
Let me know and I'll look around, see what I can find.
Chrizzy I think I'd have to agree with Martin about annual income to live comfortably in Florida now. I heard that same number from a Kissimmee based UK businessman. So much has changed in the Orlando area in the last two to three years. House prices, whether new or used, have rocketed out of sight. I was talking with an owner in Lindfields who was marvelling that certain older villas that owners were trying to sell for $140k a couple of years ago are now in excess of $250k - an that's without any renovation work! Many local counties are radically increasing taxes on new construction - fees of up to $10k per house. Local paper mentioned that gasoline prices are expected to go up another 25 cents a gallon shortly. So the cost of living continues to go up.
Maybe I should re phrase that. If we were to go back to Florida we would need $100k per year minimum to live to standard that we would be happy with.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Florida4sun - scary !!! does that really happen with the neighbours? Even with paying $700 a month you still had to return home ? It has really opened my eyes but thats good we need to go into this fully aware and informed. Was it worth it ? ...............
<span style="color:blue">We enjoyed our time in Florida and I would not have changed it for the world. It is mainly the sun we miss, waking up to that every morning does lift your spirits somewhat. I think overall Florida is more expensive than the UK (if you want live well and enjoy yourself).
The $700 just covered my wife and I, it was florida kidcare we had trouble with. Even so, any insurance company will look long and hard at trying not pay a claim. Its not nice having to battle when you or a family member is ill.</span id="blue">
Thanks for all the info we now have a rough idea what to expect to pay. Will you return to the US?
Would we go back? Not to live full time, I would certainly spend 3 or 4 months out there each year. First I think I would give Spain or France a chance. As long as there is sun we would try it:)
Just for a refence I honestly think a family of 4 setting in Florida needs in excess off $100,000 income per year to have a good standard of living.
[/quote]
I don't think you need anywhere near $100k to have a good standard of living....we have nothing like that and in 5 years we own one of our two houses almost outright...2 cars and we have 4-5 hoildys a year......and we are a family of 4...with a daughter living at home in a low paying job right now waiting to go back to school.....and a son at school.....we came over with $60k.....in that time my husbands also been out of work.....in FL we could half our income ....its always nice to have more.....but if you know how to handle money...you can do very well in the USA on a lot less then a $100k......
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
Thanks both '100's. I think I now have a reasonably good idea of what to expect in terms of health insurance if we ever consider that option of retiring to Florida. This 'Senior's Plan' that Flyrr mentioned looks interesting and we'll look into that closer to the time.
[/quote]
To me...living in England for the summer and FL for the winter is idea.....and something we will look into doing....I think thats the best of both worlds......I miss the clean summer air and the birds singing... we get beauiful birds in the garden.....but I miss the spirrow song.......and I don't like having to keep my windows closed to keep out the humid air.....
Hi Everyone
Thanks Blott for that link, I think now is the time to get some quotes.
Medical Insurance - bewildering. It helps having an employer to pay towards the premiums. I really hope we are able to work.
I have so much info now from this post, its made me realise that I must not wait until we get the ok (IF we get the ok) to start putting some figures together.
Have a good weekend, fingers crossed for Spurs on Sunday !!!!
SheilaF
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi Everyone
Thanks Blott for that link, I think now is the time to get some quotes.
Medical Insurance - bewildering. It helps having an employer to pay towards the premiums. I really hope we are able to work.
I have so much info now from this post, its made me realise that I must not wait until we get the ok (IF we get the ok) to start putting some figures together.
Have a good weekend, fingers crossed for Spurs on Sunday !!!!
SheilaF
[/quote]
We did it with no help or idea about what we were walking into...and we are still here......[msnsmile2]
Having a plan and figures to work with will be very handy....I was shocked at the cost of food.....and heating/cooling......but its a lot cheaper in FL than here in the cold north........you can knock a $ off of most items....like milk and bread etc.....keep letting us know how you get on......[msnsmile2]
Hi Chrizzy and everyone
Thats encouraging. Someone said to me "thats the price you pay for living in paradise" !!!
Will keep you all informed, should hear from our Lawyer next week.
Thanks again
SheilaF
Sheila...
I'm not trying to burst any bubbles, but..... It's not paradise. It's home. When you visited here it was paradise. You were in the sun. You ate out all the time. You were at Disney all the time.
I live here and I come home, have dinner, watch some tv, put the kids to bed, maybe some quiet time with Amy, and go to bed. Same as you do there.
I disagree with Chrizzy about the cost of living in Florida. We moved here from Ohio and the only thing cheaper is our income tax. Groceries, gas, utilities all cost more.
We earn around 120k between us and we live ok. We don't live month to month but we aren't rich by any means. We have two car payments, a mortgage, three kids to feed, clothe, entertain! If you earn less that 100k and want a good standard of living you need to think about living in another area of Florida. Try the panhandle or even Georgia or the Carolinas. Central Florida is going crazy right now. Have you heard about the condos going up downtown? Over a million each!!!!!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Sheila...
I'm not trying to burst any bubbles, but..... It's not paradise. It's home. When you visited here it was paradise. You were in the sun. You ate out all the time. You were at Disney all the time.
I live here and I come home, have dinner, watch some tv, put the kids to bed, maybe some quiet time with Amy, and go to bed. Same as you do there.
I disagree with Chrizzy about the cost of living in Florida. We moved here from Ohio and the only thing cheaper is our income tax. Groceries, gas, utilities all cost more.
We earn around 120k between us and we live ok. We don't live month to month but we aren't rich by any means. We have two car payments, a mortgage, three kids to feed, clothe, entertain! If you earn less that 100k and want a good standard of living you need to think about living in another area of Florida. Try the panhandle or even Georgia or the Carolinas. Central Florida is going crazy right now. Have you heard about the condos going up downtown? Over a million each!!!!!
[/quote]
You best never move to where I live if you think it costs a lot to live in FL......[msnscared]
We only have one wage coming in...just over half what you have I think....most times with a large bonus but we never count on that...... but we run two homes both with home payments and taxes....two cars one still being paid for...have two kids....both still at home ......and we have what I called a very good standard of living for the USA anyway.......4 holidays plus a year.....we go out 4-5 times a week to eat.....in one year we had to buy everything for the new house in FL...plus do up the one we live in......and so far we've not had to break into our savings....so it can be done....