[usbound]

Originally Posted by sundancer

Im not sure of the age of your children but the Huron Valley school system is offering the International Academy just for high school kids. They had so much interest in there school and wanted to expand. It is only available for 9-12 grade at this time, it is free to school district families through a lottery system. And the drive from this area to the plymouth area would be about 30 mins. The Huron Valley district covers the folliowing cities and townships, Commerce Twp, Highland Twp, White Lake Twp, Milford and Milford Twp.

my two would be 16 & 13. In UK terms one would have completed her GCSEs and the other would have 1,5 years to go before she took hers.
I nned to understand better how this relates to US system of grades 9-12
thanks for the info

[sundancer]

I also have two kids 13 and 16. The 13 year old is in middle school 8th grade, the 16 year old is in high school and 11th grade.

[gordonandpeggy]

USBOUND: Am considering a move to Michigan (Farmington Hills) for a position as well. I currently live in St Petersburg FL. Can't help you much with the local stuff in Michigan, but came to the states from UK 7 years ago on an L1 visa. If you have questions regarding the transition to the states. I'll try to help with any info.

[usbound]

Originally Posted by gordonandpeggy

USBOUND: Am considering a move to Michigan (Farmington Hills) for a position as well. I currently live in St Petersburg FL. Can't help you much with the local stuff in Michigan, but came to the states from UK 7 years ago on an L1 visa. If you have questions regarding the transition to the states. I'll try to help with any info.

Hi there,
Was suprised that there were not more people that had gone from UK to MI on this site.
What industry are you in? same one you started out in USA?
Do you have any uneasy feelings about MI given the negative comments here, and the state of MI economy?
Did you take children to USA, if so what did you think of USA v UK schooling.
Any reason for picking Farmington Hills ?
I've lived across Europe, so moves are not new, but 1st time for over the pond.
for now thanks.

[gordonandpeggy]

I came over to work at the corporate site of a global electronics manufacturer. I worked for the same company back home and they invited me over. I am looking at MI because of better job prospects in my field, than in the area I currently live, and its too expensive to live in Silicon Valley :-)
We have looked at the following things when we considered the offer in MI.
House Prices - Around the same as Florida, but more house for your money
Crime Rate - Lower in the "leafy" suburbs than in Metro Tampa Bay
Climate - Nice summers, cold winters. Florida has nice winters and unbearable summers.
Job Prospects - They don't look too bad in my field - we could always move again within the USA it is a BIG country
Cost of living - Is higher than Florida by about 12% (Local Income tax and property taxes- No local income tax and cheaper property taxes in Florida)

I did not bring any kids, my son wanted to stay and already lived away from home. From what I can see education is pretty good here, there is much more of a school culture and it always amazes me to see thousands of kids at a high school (American) football game. When I played football (Soccer) at home, there was nobody there watching us. Kids here seem to grow up slower here, not so much under age drinking and partying! I think if the kids are motivated they will fit in, it is competitive but in general kids seem to have a good standard of education.

Farmington Hills is one of the best cities to live in the US according to surveys
see link
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...PL2627440.html

It was a huge decision to come here but I have never regretted it and have a fantastic lifestyle. I drive a Jag, have a pool and have one of those huge Motorhomes. It's the American way of life :-). Of course it is not Nirvana and takes some getting used to and I would kill for a pie and chips.
Hope I am of some help and please feel free to ask any more questions you may have.

[usbound]

thanks for the info.
I'm expecting to come in on an H1B visa, and if all goes to plan my family will come over by mid 2008
L1 is an inter-company transfer visa ? So if after 7 years are you allowed to look at other jobs. Is not the visa tied to the original sponsoring company ?
Is this also the case with H1B.

[gordonandpeggy]

You are tied to one employer on these visas, but most companies will sponser the "green card" process, after all this is a country of immigrants :-) If you are good at your job and settle in, its really is in their interest to keep you here. Once you have a green card you can work for anyone.

[Alltaurus]

Plymouth and Northville (right next to Plymouth) are lovely. They have a lot of charm. You will find them less crowded, lots of trees, larger lots and more unique than some of the other surrounding areas. They have great little shopping boutiques and eateries and are close to the "Mega" shopping area's such as and Novi where you will find all your other conveniences.

A lot of people from the Subs don't know a lot about Detroit and fear it, although there are plenty of places in Detroit I would never go to. I grew up in the Northville/Plymouth area and now live in downtown Detroit and love it. The downtown area is pretty safe with a lot of restaurants, we are boaters so love having the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair nearby.

[usbound]

[quote=Alltaurus;
A lot of people from the Subs don't know a lot about Detroit and fear it, although there are plenty of places in Detroit I would never go to. I grew up in the Northville/Plymouth area and now live in downtown Detroit and love it. The downtown area is pretty safe with a lot of restaurants, we are boaters so love having the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair nearby.[/QUOTE]

As someone from UK, all we ever hear about Michigan is the "badness" of Detroit, with sound bites of information that reflect the negative comments constantly running in this forum.

As someone who watches this forum with an potential eye to come to Michigan it seems the important aspect is to look 10 miles outside Detroit and it is a whole different story.?

I very much hope so as I would feel terrible to commit my family to something that turns into the negative comments usually expressed here.

[M TYPE X]

Birmingham and Manchester and other British industrial cities sound pretty "badass" to me, too.