UK teacher (Anaheim, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley: house, pre-k, universities)

[Cyanna]

Tonrob and Sue, as a Welshman and an Englishwoman, could you humor me for a moment and answer a simple question? Do you know what a TB Scratch test is? Don't worry, this isn't leading up to any personal insults

[megasue]

Yes, its the test you have to take to see if you are immune to Tuborcholosis (dont shout if I've spelt that wrong!!).

You have a small 'injection', the only way I can describe it is like a 'round stapler' with little needles. So needles don't go into your skin as such, just scratch the surface.

You then need to go back 2 weeks or so later to see if you are immune or not, if so, you then need a normal injection. Nothing to worry about

Sue

[Cyanna]

Its nice to know that it isn't the Brits who are stupid, just doctor's receptionists, LOL!

Went to the GPs office to day to try and setup an appointment for my hubby to get his TB test. The receptionist said she'd never heard of the "TB Scratch" test. Then when I said it is also called the Mantoux test she STILL didn't know what it was and refused to setup an appointment with the doc for something that "doesn't exist!" I'm going to have to be sneaky now and setup an appointment for something else just so we can get a referral to go to the hospital for the test before we immigrate.

[impala666]

Originally Posted by megasue

Hi,

Sorry if I have set off an argument here.
I do know all about the visa process, if it was to do with visas only, I would be going elsewhere. US is the hardest country in the world to get in in my opinion! and we have looked at many!

However all I wanted to ask in my post was if anyone knew any British people already teaching there so that I could find out more specific info about sponsorship, as this depends on each individual county.
Also if anyone could recommend 'good' areas to work and live, not too expensive as there would only be my wage, husband is not allowed to work on H1b visa and 2 sons would have to go to college then Uni, costing a fortune as International students!
Sue

If it`s that difficult why bother,move to Cornwall it`s just like North CA except with better weather.

[megasue]

Originally Posted by impala666

If it`s that difficult why bother,move to Cornwall it`s just like North CA except with better weather.

Many reasons for moving:

The weather, if you are saying the weather in Cornwall is better than California, I take it you haven't spent a summer there in the last couple of years. Rain, wind, and more rain, with a hint of sunshine every ten days!!

The US way of life - cleaner, more laid back, less swearing as you walk around the streets, no drunken gangs of teenagers at every street corner looking for a fight, at least this is what we have seen of Florida, hopefully other states are similar.

And the main one, to get away from the rise in crime around here.
3 years ago my son got glased in the face for sitting on a bench waiting for his brother. 3 guys walked past asked what he was looking at, and smashed a glass in his face.
Since then it has got worse. At one time crime was in cities, or through gangs, but now, every day there are more and more people being stabbed or shot literally just walking down the street or going to the shops.
I know crime happens everywhere, but I can honestly say that I feel safer going out in Florida than I do at home, and we live in a 'good' area.

Cornwall as the rest of England, a definite no-no

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by megasue

Many reasons for moving:

The weather, if you are saying the weather in Cornwall is better than California, I take it you haven't spent a summer there in the last couple of years. Rain, wind, and more rain, with a hint of sunshine every ten days!!

The US way of life - cleaner, more laid back, less swearing as you walk around the streets, no drunken gangs of teenagers at every street corner looking for a fight, at least this is what we have seen of Florida, hopefully other states are similar.

And the main one, to get away from the rise in crime around here.
3 years ago my son got glased in the face for sitting on a bench waiting for his brother. 3 guys walked past asked what he was looking at, and smashed a glass in his face.
Since then it has got worse. At one time crime was in cities, or through gangs, but now, every day there are more and more people being stabbed or shot literally just walking down the street or going to the shops.
I know crime happens everywhere, but I can honestly say that I feel safer going out in Florida than I do at home, and we live in a 'good' area.

Cornwall as the rest of England, a definite no-no

Really sorry to hear of your awful experiences! Goodness knows there are many, many dodgy areas over here (in addition to many safe ones back in the UK) - the drunken gangs don't hang around on street corners over here as there aren't so many street corners with pavements, and they're off their heads on crystal meth instead of Stella and carry guns (performing some huge generalizations here but you get my drift).

Nontheless the USA's one big adventure for a Brit so I wish you good luck with your move!

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by Cyanna

Don't worry about it, Sue. Just put it down to a minor difference between an American and a Welshman. Nothing new there

Welshman? Aren't we all English to you....?

[impala666]

Originally Posted by megasue

Many reasons for moving:

The weather, if you are saying the weather in Cornwall is better than California, I take it you haven't spent a summer there in the last couple of years. Rain, wind, and more rain, with a hint of sunshine every ten days!!

The US way of life - cleaner, more laid back, less swearing as you walk around the streets, no drunken gangs of teenagers at every street corner looking for a fight, at least this is what we have seen of Florida, hopefully other states are similar.

And the main one, to get away from the rise in crime around here.
3 years ago my son got glased in the face for sitting on a bench waiting for his brother. 3 guys walked past asked what he was looking at, and smashed a glass in his face.
Since then it has got worse. At one time crime was in cities, or through gangs, but now, every day there are more and more people being stabbed or shot literally just walking down the street or going to the shops.
I know crime happens everywhere, but I can honestly say that I feel safer going out in Florida than I do at home, and we live in a 'good' area.

Cornwall as the rest of England, a definite no-no

Without a doubt moving to America is a great adventure and if you do it right you will love every moment of it. I made the move myself a single parent with two kids 12 and 15 as they were when I moved,it has been a fantastic experience for all of us.
However what worries me is that you say you need a safe area but your entire family will have to live on your salary and you will have to put your kids through University.
Would this be possible in the UK on a senior teachers salary,probably yes but not easy.
Would this be possible in a safe location in or around big city's in CA,sorry but I don't think so.
There a four of you who should be able to earn at least $150k pa if you all work, this together with any cash you may have would give you a real chance to set yourselves up.
If you don`t like Cornwall stay away from Northern California.
Do your kids a favor and stay well south of LA.
Good luck.

[megasue]

Originally Posted by impala666

Without a doubt moving to America is a great adventure and if you do it right you will love every moment of it. I made the move myself a single parent with two kids 12 and 15 as they were when I moved,it has been a fantastic experience for all of us.
However what worries me is that you say you need a safe area but your entire family will have to live on your salary and you will have to put your kids through University.
Would this be possible in the UK on a senior teachers salary,probably yes but not easy.
Would this be possible in a safe location in or around big city's in CA,sorry but I don't think so.
There a four of you who should be able to earn at least $150k pa if you all work, this together with any cash you may have would give you a real chance to set yourselves up.
If you don`t like Cornwall stay away from Northern California.
Do your kids a favor and stay well south of LA.
Good luck.

Thanks,

I dont mind cornwall as a place but its in England!!
I do want somewhere 'safe' for my sons, that is the main reason why we are leaving.
We do have money to set the boys up in college, and I would be applying for green card asap. so hubby would then be able to work. Boys would only be working part time on campus hopefully.

I wouldnt really want the big cities anyway, I prefer a more semi rural / town place.
You say stay south of LA. Can you extend on that and tell me some 'good' areas to consider please?
Sue

[impala666]

Originally Posted by megasue

Thanks,

I dont mind cornwall as a place but its in England!!
I do want somewhere 'safe' for my sons, that is the main reason why we are leaving.
We do have money to set the boys up in college, and I would be applying for green card asap. so hubby would then be able to work. Boys would only be working part time on campus hopefully.

I wouldnt really want the big cities anyway, I prefer a more semi rural / town place.
You say stay south of LA. Can you extend on that and tell me some 'good' areas to consider please?
Sue

Tustin,Anaheim,Yorba Linda, San Juan Capistrano(Very Hispanic but nice)
Dana Cove and San Clemente. All these I`ve been to quite a bit and I like them but at the end of the day you will need to check potential places out for yourself.
There is plenty of info on this site you just have to find it or ask.
Good luck with your venture.