Wanting advice about relocation to california from UK (San Diego, California City: sales, apartments)

[beachboysfan]

Hello!

Am so excited to have found this forum as it seems there are many helpful people on here willing to share their knowledge!

I have lived in UK all my life, went travelling around the U.S when I was 18 and fell in love with Cali..who wouldn't! Ever since I have had this dream of moving there but didn't really know how to fulfill it. I know it's hard to get into the U.S..easier if you marry a citizen but unfortunately i chose the wrong side of the world and married a South African! I have distant relatives..lots of great aunts and uncles, cousins etc in the US but have read it has to be immediate relatives to be an advantage to getting you in.

I am a psychology graduate working with autistic children as a behavioural therapist. A friend of mine who lives in Cali just told me about a place called Star in Ventura County that employ people like me and I'm getting quite excited about this prospect. I am seeing it as possibly my way into Cali and in fulfilling my Californian dream! I had always hoped of living in San Diego but I can make do with further up that coast line!

Enough of the rambling..so if I could get a work visa..and work for say 3 years how easy is the process of then applying for a greencard and actually being successful in getting one? I've also been searching for apartments to rent around the santa barbara/thousand oaks areas and have found plenty of nice one beds for £600-700 a month which seems pretty reasonable in comparison with what I'm paying in England. My next question is how much on average do you think people spend on utilities..in england we have to pay council tax each month on our properties do you have a similar thing? how much monthly would my outgoings be for water/electricity/tv? I would be so grateful for any info or pointers anyone could give me!!!

Thanks for your time!

[aguamarina4u]

Welcome,

Boy I'd be excited too if I lived in England having the opportunity to move to California, that's great.

Here in California, if you rent (let out) an apartment, flat or house you do not have to pay council tax. Just the rent and maybe some utilities, it depends on your landlord. If you purchase a home you pay appropriate County's property tax and maybe HOA fees.

Sales tax on tangible products is different depending in what County you live in. You can obtain the sales tax rate on below:

California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates - Cities, Counties and Tax Rates - Board of Equalization

I wish you much luck getting a work visa - don't give up!

Originally Posted by beachboysfan

Hello!

Am so excited to have found this forum as it seems there are many helpful people on here willing to share their knowledge!

I have lived in UK all my life, went travelling around the U.S when I was 18 and fell in love with Cali..who wouldn't! Ever since I have had this dream of moving there but didn't really know how to fulfill it. I know it's hard to get into the U.S..easier if you marry a citizen but unfortunately i chose the wrong side of the world and married a South African! I have distant relatives..lots of great aunts and uncles, cousins etc in the US but have read it has to be immediate relatives to be an advantage to getting you in.

I am a psychology graduate working with autistic children as a behavioural therapist. A friend of mine who lives in Cali just told me about a place called Star in Ventura County that employ people like me and I'm getting quite excited about this prospect. I am seeing it as possibly my way into Cali and in fulfilling my Californian dream! I had always hoped of living in San Diego but I can make do with further up that coast line!

Enough of the rambling..so if I could get a work visa..and work for say 3 years how easy is the process of then applying for a greencard and actually being successful in getting one? I've also been searching for apartments to rent around the santa barbara/thousand oaks areas and have found plenty of nice one beds for £600-700 a month which seems pretty reasonable in comparison with what I'm paying in England. My next question is how much on average do you think people spend on utilities..in england we have to pay council tax each month on our properties do you have a similar thing? how much monthly would my outgoings be for water/electricity/tv? I would be so grateful for any info or pointers anyone could give me!!!

Thanks for your time!