Another brit hopefully moving to Minneapolis (Eagan, Minnetonka: 2011, renters, amusement park)

[ISV]

Hi Guys.

I know I know not another Brit coming to the USA..

I have been offered and accepted and job working for a Minneapolis based firm who have just won a major project for a large news media company based in eagan.

The company are willing to sponsor me for my H1B visa, which is brilliant, and in the mean time I can work from here in the UK at the Medias London offices.

We have been doing some research into areas, we have 2 young boys aged 3 and 5 so need good schooling, not too worried about the commute as hopefully I can work from home as I can access the companies network via VPN.

I have seen some houses around the Shakopee area which really look stunning, is this area or the surrounding areas a great place for schools and to bring my family up. I would like something rural but with a community, is that something I should stay away from as when snow falls rural areas are a no go area...


Also whilst writing, I know a H1b visa is hard to come by, but how hard is it.

Many thanks for your help.

[Jade817]

I have not been to MN since Dec '07, but Shakopee is nice, the snow plows do come through there like any other city. The major roads get done first like 169, 494, 94, 35W, 35E and 280 (These are highways that you will have access to in that area, some are not direct access, but not far off from you either.) The amusement park (Valleyfair) is also in Shakapee

As far as the visa, I am not sure since that is something that I haven't dealt with

Good luck with your move and welcome to the US

[Kebinminn]

We have family in a Shakopee development that came up about ten years ago. They seem to like it but not love it. The house is built where there was farmland. The development is full, has winding streets. Not much for trails. This is only one section of Shakopee though. My sister-in-law is OK with the schools but not in love with them and has open-enrolled her oldest child into another district.

[Chandler85]

To be honest look into Eagan - it has great schools! Also check Minnetonka and Edina if you can afford. Shakopee is ok. I just feel that they are better places in Minneapolis.

[oconnorcm3]

Hello,

Congratulations on finding a company to sponsor you for your H1B visa. You've gotten over one of the biggest hurdles. I would assume that the sponsoring company will help you with the paperwork. I have included the link for wikipedia information on H1B visas.

H-1B visa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Because of the economic climate throughout the world, I wonder if you've considered renting, rather than purchasing, a house in the Twin Cities? Because of my husband's job, we move every 3 or 4 years. We've learned that it is much easier to 'cut and run' by renting a home, or allowing the Embassy to rent a home for us. We have instead purchased a home (and rent it out) in an area that we intend to move back to. You may want to consider doing the same. While a home in the UK will be very expensive, you could have renters in it, helping you to pay the mortgage while you're overseas. Renting a home in the Twin Cities means that you can easily depart at any time. Many folks who can't sell their homes are now putting them on the rental market. Finding a decent rental has never been easier, especially in the rural areas around the Twin Cities where rural properties are more difficult to sell. Insure that you have a good contract, hopefully allowing you to remain in the same house for the entire time that you are in the U.S.

Welcome to America! You're going to love learning about the differences between Minnesota and the UK, going to local festivals, meeting 'natives' and enjoying having more space around you than is normal in the UK.

Mari

[ISV]

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it..

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by ISV

Hi Guys.


Also whilst writing, I know a H1b visa is hard to come by, but how hard is it.

Many thanks for your help.

I got my H1B in 1995 and obviously things were quite different back then, but it took about 4 months to come thro despite EVERYone (including the HR director of my employer) telling me I wouldn't get it. Basically it's up to your employer to prove that no-one else but you can do the job and believe me, there are ways to do that. Hopefully they have a competent immigration lawyer on retainer. My employer's lawyer was based in downtown Minneapolis and he was VERY good.

Once the paperwork is approved you'll need to make a trip to the US Embassy in London to get the stamp in your passport - they should send you an official appointment letter. Be prepared to wait ALL day, possibly longer. With mine we had to stay in London an extra day just to go back and pick up my passport the next morning.

If you have any more questions about being a Brit in the Twin Cities or moving here, feel free to PM me.

[oconnorcm3]

Quote from chilaili:
"Basically it's up to your employer to prove that no-one else but you can do the job and believe me, there are ways to do that."

ISV,

The law seems to have changed since Chilaili got his H1B visa. Good news for you, your employer doesn't have to prove that no American can do the job. I have copied from Wikipedia the portion that pertains to Chilali's statement below.

Mari

From Wikipedia:
Employer attestations to protect U.S. workers
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is responsible for ensuring that foreign workers do not displace or adversely affect wages or working conditions of U.S. workers.

The Department of Labor states that the H-1B law doesn't require employers to seek local talent before recruiting abroad for their US job openings, except in limited circumstances when the employer is considered H-1B dependent:

The DOL's [Strategic Plan http://www.dol.gov/_sec/stratplan/st...2006-2011.pdf], Fiscal Years 2006-2011 (pg. 35) states: "... H-1B workers may be hired even when a qualified U.S. worker wants the job, and a U.S. worker can be displaced from the job in favor of the foreign worker."

The [Federal Register http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/fedreg/f...006005740.pdf], dated June 30, 2006, Section II, paragraph 4, "the statute does not require employers...to demonstrate that there are no available US workers or to test the labor market for US workers as required under the permanent labor certification program."[/i]

[chilaili]

Sweet!

What do you mean "his"?

[WannaBeinBoston]

ISV, I have sent you a private message