Move to the US?

[jaye944]

you need to find an ex-pats site (I did for Canada)

and ask all these questions, to people who are going and gone through this,
trust me no-one else can give you good advice on this, no disrespect to anyone here

Originally Posted by Attuale

Hi guys,

I thought that this might be the place to ask for opinions on this. I am currently 32, and have been debating about moving to the US for a few years now. My reasoning? Here goes..

I was born in Sydney, Australia and whilst Australia is a great country to live, I always feel like I am missing out on something. I've been running my own business for five years, and I feel as if the harder you work in this place, the more the government just takes, takes and takes. Our system seems to be that, if you're a complete moron and don't wish to succeed and laze about all day, the government looks after you. Further to that, the operational cost of a business here is very high coupled with a high cost of living.

We also miss out on a lot of things that the rest of the world gets, because we're too damn far away and unimportant. Travelling is also ridiculously tiring and expensive because of the great distances.

I've visited the US four times. 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Each and every time I have been there, I get this great vibe and energy that I don't get here in Australia. So whilst I am still relatively young and do not have a family, I want to have a go in the US otherwise I will regret it, and life is too short for regrets.

In regards to advice, what I am looking for is what is the American business culture like and what is it like to run a business over there? Is it a take take take culture like here or do you actually get to put money away rather than always be crushed by the system? What are employees like? Is there a lot of red tape to conducting business? I've always seen the US as much more capitalist than Australia, but in saying that I've had zero experience in anything relating to corporate law, consumer law or any other areas about running a business in the US.

Would love to hear some general feedback.

[jaye944]

brief back ground

sold my house (took over 200kcan) quit my job, left my family, church and a massive social scene, got married over in can before I immigrated, wife had a house, good job and car

wont bore you with the pros and cons personally, in hindsight I should NEVER have done it

Decide in haste repent at leisure

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by jaye944

brief back ground

sold my house (took over 200kcan) quit my job, left my family, church and a massive social scene, got married over in can before I immigrated, wife had a house, good job and car

wont bore you with the pros and cons personally, in hindsight I should NEVER have done it

Decide in haste repent at leisure

Wow. 3 separate posts. You are bitter!

[jaye944]

when I was about 20, wanted to immigrate to oz, have family, that would have been the best time to do it, could not sponsor me in family criteria, as all dad's family, was about £200 for an application, and had no money etc,

so I left it

I think a couple of years later auzzie had like 150-or 200 year anniversary,
they gave EVERYONE who had landed in the country and was there on that day, the chance to immigrate for free no questions asked (except for criminality)

Originally Posted by Attuale

Hi guys,

I thought that this might be the place to ask for opinions on this. I am currently 32, and have been debating about moving to the US for a few years now. My reasoning? Here goes..

I was born in Sydney, Australia and whilst Australia is a great country to live, I always feel like I am missing out on something. I've been running my own business for five years, and I feel as if the harder you work in this place, the more the government just takes, takes and takes. Our system seems to be that, if you're a complete moron and don't wish to succeed and laze about all day, the government looks after you. Further to that, the operational cost of a business here is very high coupled with a high cost of living.

We also miss out on a lot of things that the rest of the world gets, because we're too damn far away and unimportant. Travelling is also ridiculously tiring and expensive because of the great distances.

I've visited the US four times. 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Each and every time I have been there, I get this great vibe and energy that I don't get here in Australia. So whilst I am still relatively young and do not have a family, I want to have a go in the US otherwise I will regret it, and life is too short for regrets.

In regards to advice, what I am looking for is what is the American business culture like and what is it like to run a business over there? Is it a take take take culture like here or do you actually get to put money away rather than always be crushed by the system? What are employees like? Is there a lot of red tape to conducting business? I've always seen the US as much more capitalist than Australia, but in saying that I've had zero experience in anything relating to corporate law, consumer law or any other areas about running a business in the US.

Would love to hear some general feedback.

[bbbbmw]

Originally Posted by ASAP

A couple of things I would highly recommend you know about our country-

1) This is not a socialist country and there are virtually 0 support services unless you are below the poverty line and have like 6 kids. In other words; no government service will help you with anything if you get into a predicament.

2) Healthcare is the most expensive in the entire world. If you don't have insurance, you are screwed... a single ER visit can easily cost $50,000. Again, anything that you have heard about Obamacare or only govt assisted healthcare, I would forget about it. With a business, you will have to self insure... expect up to $1000 a month out of your pocket for such a service.

3) This is the most competitive jobs / business market in the entire world. Virtually every single business line, market and industry exists here. There are players in virtually every single existing business and usually lowest cost wins here... not necessarily highest quality or best product / service.

4) If you need to find a job, it will not be quick... unless you know someone and / or someone can guide you. If you are truly starting a business; make sure you have a lot of cash to sit on that can get you through difficult times until your business picks up.

None of the above is meant to scare you; its meant to provide a realistic scenario of our country as it currently exists. This is no longer the 1980's where everyone comes and creates the American dream; those days are long over. Otherwise, this is a beautiful country with a lot to offer and see, albeit don't base anything on what you see on TV. By the way, LA, LV, San Fran and Ny are very poor representations of the USA as a whole. One is a party destination, the other 3 are the some of the wealthiest areas in the USA.

2. Healthcare isn't cheap here, but when you look at the generally lower tax rates, it's far less expensive than it appears.

3. Not sure what you mean by 'the cheapest wins over quality?'

[jaye944]

Jobs/buiness's in the UK and oz run fairly similary

job hunting in NA, is very different, it's ALL about networking,
your resume or CV, if it ever lands on a desk, will end up in the trash, unless someone knows you,

I'd hate to even thing about running a business in another country, people of course do it,

The similarity between NA and oz ends with the language, and the "Oh I love your accent" wears thin very quickly, especially when your competing for jobs.

IF you moved with a bona fide job offer with FULL benefits, that would be different. 32, isn't old, but not young. trust me from a dude that knows

Originally Posted by ASAP

3) This is the most competitive jobs / business market in the entire world. Virtually every single business line, market and industry exists here. There are players in virtually every single existing business and usually lowest cost wins here... not necessarily highest quality or best product / service.

4) If you need to find a job, it will not be quick... unless you know someone and / or someone can guide you. If you are truly starting a business; make sure you have a lot of cash to sit on that can get you through difficult times until your business picks up.

[jaye944]

If your really serious, save your money, get a working visa, go over and work and live in NA for 6 months, at 32 you have the time. DONT sell up, go live in the country.

I will bet you, when you get back to OZ, you'll kiss the tarmac and head to a shop and get a pie and a fosters

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

nsjames lives in an area of the world I'm very familiar with. I've lived in Port Clinton, Sandusky and Bryan, OH. Mother was born in Cleveland, Grandmother lives in Dayton with family living in Cincy, Columbus, Medina. It's not ok to insult where I live out of ignorance. I have plenty to insult or compliment from my experience of OH, however nsjames appears to put others down to make his viewpoint look better to himself and I don't care to enter into his level.

I never suggested Attuale move to Illinois. I merely spoke about a place with lower taxes(OH and IN), higher taxes and more services worthy of my favor(Chicago, IL). I suggested to Attuale "You've been to the states so move where you've wanted to or been encouraged to move to."

Attuale if you do move to the states, Chicago is a great place to conduct business and our many Pubs celebrate Australia Day. When you want to explore our nation, air travel in and out of ORD direct flights for both domestic and international is the Best. BMW's finest Chicagoland dealership is 10-15mins from ORD and we have an incredible New M selection instock including M5 2-M5 comp, 1st edition frozen dk Red M5, 1-M3 CS, 2-M2, 4-M3, 2-M4. Above all I hope you find the love of life I enjoy where you end up!

43. Illinois
1-yr. real GDP change: +1.0% (15th smallest growth)
Avg. salary: $57,505 (8th highest)
Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 34.0% (13th highest)
Patents issued/100,000 people: 39.3 (15th most)
Working-age population change, 2020-2030: +3.9% (5th largest decrease)
Compared to other states, Illinois’ new businesses and those looking to expand may find it more difficult, as the state’s working-age population is projected to decline by 3.9% between 2020 and 2030, the fifth largest decrease of any state. The state’s declining population is indicative of many other economic problems that reflect a poor business environment. Illinois has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, a below average GDP growth rate, and the fifth fewest building permits issued per 100,000 people. Illinois also has the worst credit rating of any state from both Moody’s and S&P. Its BBB- rating from S&P is just one level above junk status. A state credit default could have serious and wide-reaching effects on Illinois’ private sector.

yeah, it's great for someone looking to open a new business.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...ess/376783002/

[Run Silent]

OP - How do you plan on immigrating? I believe this is probably the most important question to ask, before anything else is discussed. My wife is an immigrant, currently with a green card, and in-process of obtaining citizenship. It isn't easy.

Unless you have a family or employer sponsor you, there really isn't a way to come into the United States and work, unless you are attempting to obtain an EB-5 VISA, which will require a minimum investment of one million USD, or half that if moving to and investing in a depressed area.

Have you spoken with an immigration attorney? This is probably the first step, rather than asking a bunch of yahoo's (myself included) on a BMW forum.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

2. Healthcare isn't cheap here, but when you look at the generally lower tax rates, it's far less expensive than it appears.

3. Not sure what you mean by 'the cheapest wins over quality?'

its a cost driven environment... whatever makes the books works best for any given company wins the business... not always but almost always


As far as healthcare... in Oz he doesnt have to worry about it; here he does... set aside the potential costs.

[Captain Blood]

US is great! Are you married? Chicks will dig the aussie accent.

If you want a good job, and a climate hot like Australia......go to Dallas! Or Austin or San Antonio if you like the great outdoors.

If you want a beautiful place to live, and have money to burn. Northern Cali.

Overall, I'd love to move to Colorado myself. For an Aussie, the that might also be a great place. You get something different (mountains) and the cost of living is not nearly what N. Cali is, though it is a lot more than Texas.
But there are lots of great spots to live in the US.

But USSHELENA is right, you need to talk to an immigration lawyer before you do anything.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by jaye944

If your really serious, save your money, get a working visa, go over and work and live in NA for 6 months, at 32 you have the time. DONT sell up, go live in the country.

I will bet you, when you get back to OZ, you'll kiss the tarmac and head to a shop and get a pie and a fosters

I am pretty sure Fosters isn't actually Australian.

[Sea-Tac]

Welcome to the USA is all I'll say...and bring me some Vegemite and Dirty Annie

[///M-pressed]

Wow thanks for the responses and sorry that I haven't replied. I've been out of action for a few days. I sincerely appreciate the advice from all of your posts and will reply accordingly.

Originally Posted by ASAP

A couple of things I would highly recommend you know about our country-

1) This is not a socialist country and there are virtually 0 support services unless you are below the poverty line and have like 6 kids. In other words; no government service will help you with anything if you get into a predicament.

2) Healthcare is the most expensive in the entire world. If you don't have insurance, you are screwed... a single ER visit can easily cost $50,000. Again, anything that you have heard about Obamacare or only govt assisted healthcare, I would forget about it. With a business, you will have to self insure... expect up to $1000 a month out of your pocket for such a service.

3) This is the most competitive jobs / business market in the entire world. Virtually every single business line, market and industry exists here. There are players in virtually every single existing business and usually lowest cost wins here... not necessarily highest quality or best product / service.

4) If you need to find a job, it will not be quick... unless you know someone and / or someone can guide you. If you are truly starting a business; make sure you have a lot of cash to sit on that can get you through difficult times until your business picks up.

None of the above is meant to scare you; its meant to provide a realistic scenario of our country as it currently exists. This is no longer the 1980's where everyone comes and creates the American dream; those days are long over. Otherwise, this is a beautiful country with a lot to offer and see, albeit don't base anything on what you see on TV. By the way, LA, LV, San Fran and Ny are very poor representations of the USA as a whole. One is a party destination, the other 3 are the some of the wealthiest areas in the USA.

That's the thing. I want to test myself against the best whilst I am still relatively young and can do it. I'm not going to sell my business here and it is in a position that allows me to step away and have minimal input and it can generate me money. I certainly would not sell up, move overseas and if then if it didn't work out, start over again. Way too risky.

Strictly speaking about my industry, I can see that the dominant players don't necessarily do it the best, but then again, in a country of 340million people, it is a numbers game.

In regards to healthcare, I'm paying for private health insurance here in Australia, but I can appreciate that it isn't as expensive as the US. I'm currently paying $80USD a month with basic benefits as a single male, and from what I can see, it's about triple that over there.

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

What exactly do you plan on doing here? Need this info to determine how useful you will be.

Start a company, I already have ideas and am setting plans into motion. I can't work for anyone else.

Originally Posted by Rewted

Come visit Canada to see if that would fit your standard of living.

Certainly will! I've only heard good things.

Originally Posted by irishbimmer

I think it would be very bold to pick up and move to the States without employment. How about answering some ads from companies you'd like to work for first and lineup some interviews at least try to set something up where you can make money and get your feet wet. And of course right now, probably hard to gain citizenship which is needed.How are you going to go about that?

I wouldn't be working for anyone. The visa I would be going for is the investment visa, but I know that won't allow citizenship. The E2 visa seems like the one to go for, but I will check with an immigration lawyer first.

Originally Posted by Caduceus

Exactly. You can't just "move to the USA". You will either need family there, a job-offer already in place or be a student. Otherwise you are on a tourist visa or as an Australian, on a visa waiver which means you can't work.

Find a job with a US employer first and get them to sponsor you for a visa. This may then lead to down the path to permanent residency and/or citizenship but there are a lot of hoops to jump through and a fair bit of luck required.

Or just arrive illegally then claim asylum..........good luck with that with the Don in charge.

I lived and worked there for two years (ADF exchange with the USAF). Time of my life, living in Virginia

I would be applying for the E2 visa. That's really my only ticket in, unless I decided to work for someone and go for the E3 visa, but I can't see why they would hire Australians over local talent. Einstein I ain't.

Originally Posted by P1et

Question for the OP: are you thinking of selling your business, then obtaining a visa with the intent of taking $500K with you and opening up a business here, and employing US citizens?

If not, one of the most important things you'll need to ask is how you'll immigrate.

Definitely won't be selling the business here as itwould still fund me for a while and it can run without me being here. But yes, I'd be bringing money in and that's really the only way I'll be able to get in. There is the E2 visa for us Australians which looks like the one that would perhaps work for me.

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

2. Healthcare isn't cheap here, but when you look at the generally lower tax rates, it's far less expensive than it appears.

3. Not sure what you mean by 'the cheapest wins over quality?'

Originally Posted by jaye944

If your really serious, save your money, get a working visa, go over and work and live in NA for 6 months, at 32 you have the time. DONT sell up, go live in the country.

I will bet you, when you get back to OZ, you'll kiss the tarmac and head to a shop and get a pie and a fosters

Lol I hate Fosters. But like I've said, Australia is a great place to live, but I want to test myself against the best in this lifetime. Australia doesn't have the best entrepreneurial environment unfortunately.

Originally Posted by usshelena725

OP - How do you plan on immigrating? I believe this is probably the most important question to ask, before anything else is discussed. My wife is an immigrant, currently with a green card, and in-process of obtaining citizenship. It isn't easy.

Unless you have a family or employer sponsor you, there really isn't a way to come into the United States and work, unless you are attempting to obtain an EB-5 VISA, which will require a minimum investment of one million USD, or half that if moving to and investing in a depressed area.

Have you spoken with an immigration attorney? This is probably the first step, rather than asking a bunch of yahoo's (myself included) on a BMW forum.

One of the first things that I plan to do. Immigrating to Australia is tough, and I am sure that the US isn't much easier. It looks like the E2 visa is my best bet.

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

US is great! Are you married? Chicks will dig the aussie accent.

If you want a good job, and a climate hot like Australia......go to Dallas! Or Austin or San Antonio if you like the great outdoors.

If you want a beautiful place to live, and have money to burn. Northern Cali.

Overall, I'd love to move to Colorado myself. For an Aussie, the that might also be a great place. You get something different (mountains) and the cost of living is not nearly what N. Cali is, though it is a lot more than Texas.
But there are lots of great spots to live in the US.

But USSHELENA is right, you need to talk to an immigration lawyer before you do anything.

No not married, hence the reason why I have nothing tying me down here. There are certainly a lot of places to live in the US, but me being from Sydney originally, I've always liked L.A. Must be the weather..

Definitely will be hitting up an immigration lawyer.

[Alfisti]

To the OP, forget it.

I'd move back home (Sydney) in a heartbeat and Canada has the US beat on almost every front bar the weather.

It's just another place, likely with worse weather, worse food, worse sports and without your family and friends.

Stay the fuck home.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Caduceus

LOL. Income tax on $200,000p.a. in Australia is $67,000. You can add another $5000 to that if/when our idiot Labor opposition win the next election.

Then there's 10% GST on everything, "luxury car tax" on nearly every model in the BMW range and a whole lot of other BS taxes.

Don't be fooled, the USA is the mother of all "hidden fees and charges". The municipalities and states have way too much power and charge you for everything, add healthcare and education and you're back where you started in Australia.

[Alfisti]

No I am 100% correct.

For starters, average cost of living is lower in the USA all things considered but you are looking at a sample size of 1 in your example, not to mention comparing a world class major Tier 2 city (Melbourne) to a back water in Charlotte.

Outside of the big cities the USA is likely to offer a better cost of living BUT the gap is nowhere near as big as it seems. Not to mention my focus was on the hidden charges in the USA vs Australia's transparent pricing.

- Land taxes are 3 times that in Australia
- Tipping and taxes adds a solid 30% to most restaurant meals
- tipping culture in general adds costs to other services that are baked into the australian cost
- Hotels, add a solid 30% to the advertised price
- Healthcare and Education are utterly obscene for equivalent service in Australia
- Municipalities and states in the US have the power to charge you income taxes and random other fees
- There's no compulsory pension as there is at home (superannuation)

Not to mention he wants to run a business, the US is a fucking minefield because AGAIn the states and municipalities have way too much sway, all three layers have their own red tape, it's a fuckig nightmare how obver governed the USA is how many reporting lines need to be taken care of.

Add your obsession with guns in the best cost of living states and meh, stay home man.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

No I am 100% correct.

For starters, average cost of living is lower in the USA all things considered but you are looking at a sample size of 1 in your example, not to mention comparing a world class major Tier 2 city (Melbourne) to a back water in Charlotte.

Outside of the big cities the USA is likely to offer a better cost of living BUT the gap is nowhere near as big as it seems. Not to mention my focus was on the hidden charges in the USA vs Australia's transparent pricing.

- Land taxes are 3 times that in Australia
- Tipping and taxes adds a solid 30% to most restaurant meals
- tipping culture in general adds costs to other services that are baked into the australian cost
- Hotels, add a solid 30% to the advertised price
- Healthcare and Education are utterly obscene for equivalent service in Australia
- Municipalities and states in the US have the power to charge you income taxes and random other fees
- There's no compulsory pension as there is at home (superannuation)

Not to mention he wants to run a business, the US is a fucking minefield because AGAIn the states and municipalities have way too much sway, all three layers have their own red tape, it's a fuckig nightmare how obver governed the USA is how many reporting lines need to be taken care of.

Add your obsession with guns in the best cost of living states and meh, stay home man.

I'm not going to debate the merits of this country versus another with you, especially as you are so blind in your ways that you appear unwilling to consider other opinions.

Land taxes are no where near 3x that in Australia. On a $200k piece of property in my town (my house), the total property taxes are $1,176 per year. In OZ, the same property would be approximately $4,100 ($100 + 1.6% of value). My state also has no income tax of any kind and no personal property tax of any kind. Oh, and I like my guns.

Tipping in the USA is no where near 30%, it is realistically between 15%-20%. In most of metro OZ locations, tipping in restaurants is becoming more and more common place for around 10%.

Finally, I would hardly call Charlotte a backwater location, in that it is in the top 25 largest cities in the United States with a metro population of 2.5 million people and is home to the headquarters of the largest bank on earth. It is also the second largest capital market in the USA, behind NYC. Pic of Charlotte below:

[img]https://images.fineartamerica.com/im...ris-austin.jpg[/img]

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Add your obsession with guns in the best cost of living states and meh, stay home man.

Oh, look...another pearl-clutcher who thinks guns will just randomly kill you at some point if you live in the United States.

Yawn...

Try not to believe everything the media spoonfeeds you. Go educate yourself.

[Caduceus]

In most of metro OZ locations, tipping in restaurants is becoming more and more common place for around 10%.

If by “more common” you mean extremely rare then you might be right. As an Aussie living in state capital I can tell you practically nobody tips here. For anything. Ever.

Fair dinkum Aussies will resist this idiotic custom until they die, no matter how hard hipster baristas getting paid $19 an hour and double that on a Sunday try and get it going.

[P1]

Interesting thing is that I have many Australian friends living in the US, and they are all talking or thinking about moving back to Australia. They truly, truly miss it.

[P1]

Originally Posted by usshelena725

Just a couple of points to note - also, please feel free to PM me if you wish. I have a lot of experience dealing with this during my wife's immigration process.

1) An E-2 is extremely difficult to obtain. While technically there is no minimum investment and it is based on a sliding scale, in reality, your chance of approval is near zero with an investment of less than $150,000 USD. Typical wait times on this VISA are long as well, frequently exceeding a year or more.

2) Please note that with respect to the E-2, you need to have an approved business plan in place, with pro-forma financial statements for 5 preceding years, that have been reviewed and approved by a licensed CPA or CA(AU). These typically take the average applicant about 2-4mos to correctly generate.

3) The EB-5 VISA is much easier to obtain if you are from AUS, however, the minimum investment is higher, at $1,000,000 or half that if investing in a depressed area of the country.

4) Keep in mind that being self employed, you will have to pay both shares of the taxes due, and full amount of your health insurance. On either an E-2 or EB-5, you will be required by law to carry certain levels of insurance coverage. The average cost of single coverage insurance for a male under 40yo in the USA is $393 USD per month with an average annual deductible of $4,457. Your total expense for the USA mandated government pension (Social Security) and mandated government pensioner health coverage (Medicare) is 15.3% of your net income as a SP, or your gross wages as a C/S-Corp.

OP also needs to keep in mind the E2 isn’t a dual intent visa. The second the work on the enterprise is done, you are supposed to go back home country again.