So how expensive is life in the States, really? [relocation advice thread]

[Ben Kenobi]

I can afford to eat on $20/week and have enough left over to pay the chef

You're also not stateside. More of a challenge here.

[TCO]

Kitty gave u solid info. additive:

1. look at health care coverage. there are a (very few) programs like Yale that will cover dependents. Most not. consider obamacare or going uncovered. (in any case, you will be covered...issue is family).

2. what r u studying? chem or computers? interests? bizness?

3. consider to go into best program (if bizness or law, prestige is key; if tech...than also consider tuime to completion)

4. do reserves if u can. xtra bucks make a big difference

P.s. you can make it work...and come to usa. it is not perfect, but is special and brave.

[Ben Kenobi]

it is not perfect, but is special and brave.

America is a wonderful country.

[Dinner]

Yes, you should take Oerdin's advice on thrift. Hawaii is an amazing place to be if you're trying to save money.



California is so ****ty it didn't even merit closer examination.

Dumb ass. No one said Hawaii was cheap though I did say they have to lowest cost health care which is entirely true. Every day you draw breath makes the world a worse place.

[Ben Kenobi]

Dumb ass. No one said Hawaii was cheap though I did say they have to lowest cost health care which is entirely true. Every day you draw breath makes the world a worse place.

It's a good thing then as they say the good die young.

[Az]

KH: I am not planning on any fancy dinners. this is good to hear. Abt rent - can I pay with commute time for a nice neighborhood that won't send me 2k back every time?

GP:

Kitty gave u solid info. additive:
1. look at health care coverage. there are a (very few) programs like Yale that will cover dependents. Most not. consider obamacare or going uncovered. (in any case, you will be covered...issue is family).

I won't be able to go uncovered, I am interested in the possibility of *cough* expanding our family during grad school

2. what r u studying? chem or computers? interests? bizness?

an MBA

3. consider to go into best program (if bizness or law, prestige is key; if tech...than also consider tuime to completion)

I have applied to HBS, MIT Sloan, Booth, Wharton, Columbia, and Yale SOM. I haved also applied to LBS in the UK.

4. do reserves if u can. xtra bucks make a big difference

Yep.

P.s. you can make it work...and come to usa. it is not perfect, but is special and brave.

I know. I know, I am just taking on a mortgage in student loans, and am 29 and married. If I was like 25 with that student debt I wouldn't have a care in the world.

[Az]

Added info:
- We cannot go on Obamacare - not a resident of the US, interested in options for pre-schools and other ****.
- Wife is a SW engineer with ~6 years of experience ( worked for a small company, and then for Hewlett Packard) I will probably be sponsored for a J-1/J-2 Visa so she'll be able to work. How much will she be able to bring in?

[OneFootInTheGrave]

So in principle everything is dirt cheap expect for rent in wrong places.

also on topic of expensive rent - how much would be something like 2-3 bedroom house in bay area (SF)?

[Patroklos]

I am currently out of my house while renovating. We are staying with my sister and I am cooking to pay my way (to say thank you) so not until I move back in. I don't want to force my internet challenges on others. Should be done in two weeks.

[pchang]

So in principle everything is dirt cheap expect for rent in wrong places.

also on topic of expensive rent - how much would be something like 2-3 bedroom house in bay area (SF)?

Depending on neighborhood, $2500 - $3750 per month. Assumes you don't want to live in a crime infested crack hole.

[Ben Kenobi]

You're going down, Patroklos!

[Imran Siddiqui]

A lot of it has been answered, but I haven't seen this answered yet: pregnancy is NOT a pre-existing condition exclusion.

[Az]

Imran: Something that I never really got, to be honest. I get a lot of the arguments for the American healthcare system, but this is harsh. So me and the Mrs. cannot have a kid until we are actually in the states, ensured... hmmm.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Harsh? Maybe you misunderstood - Pregnancy is NOT a pre-existing exclusion. It means that health providers CAN NOT treat the pregnancy as a pre-existing condition.

[Az]

The nice lady over here seems to think otherwise:

http://www.insubuy.com/forum/showthread.php/27702-H1B-visa-pregnancy-1st-month