Living in the US

[turbof1]

Speaking as an European, I think mx tifoso truly and hearthfully is being disappointed with how things run currently in the USA.
I know of this, because we have at our local store someone from the USA, who left there simply to get a better life here. He couldn't take it anymore.
I'm not trying to bash America here; it still is in many aspects the lands of oppertunity, as you yourself found out with this great job proposal. But it isn't an utopia.

[mx_tifoso]

Exactly, I'm not bashing on this country either, but in terms of happiness and quality of life it is very low for me and for most people that I know who are international. I'm sorry to disappoint you Beelsebob, but it's just a matter of opinion and you will soon come to find out whether it applies to you or not. But certainly do your best to enjoy your time here!

And as TurboF1 points out, it still remains the land of opportunity as it has been since for centuries. But to me the income and life that I could live here does not justify the unhappiness that I would have to endure because of the stale culture. Although my perspective is after living here practically all of my life, but since your stay isn't too permanent then it won't matter because you know that you have a proper life to go back to in Scotland.

As for me, I am aiming to move to Europe in a few years after gathering work experience here in the US. I need proper culture for once and I believe that Europe offers it.

[Sig]

"Culture" means many different things to many different people. To speak about America having a single "culture", regardless of whether or not you think that culture is stale, I think does this country a grave disservice. The culture of Southern California, for example, differs a great deal from that of central Minnesota (where I grew up).

beelsebob, your time in America will be what you make of it. I have 3 close friends who are expats (1 kiwi and 2 south africans) who absolutely love America. At least that is what they have told me. This country has it faults, certainly, but given my experience abroad there are very few places that can truly compare. Personally, beelsebob, I think you'll like the area you're moving to (You are going to Cupertino, right?). There are loads of outdoor activities at your finger tips, from hanging out at the ocean to playing in the mountains. That area of California is also home to a strong wine growing region (if that is your thing), and there is an excellent craft brewing tradition in the region as well.

[Cocles]

Talking about restaurants: a 15% tip is virtually obligatory. The people working there to serve you practically life on tips.

20% is the standard for where you'll be living. (Source: I'm native to SoCal.)

Those in this saying, "It is what you make of it!" are right on the money. If you move here and seek out all of the great things the area you live in has to offer, you'll probably enjoy it. Those who "get the hell out" seem to show up and do nothing but compare everything with "how it was back home" and complain that it's different.

Politics-wise, you'll be living in one of the most hard left leaning areas of the country, which will either be Heaven or Hell depending on your own philosophies. Just keep in mind that for better or worse you'll be living in a one party political bubble. That said, California is very different the further you get away from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

And one final word, speaking as a native. There's a saying I heard once that I think is true, "When it comes to geography, Americans don't know where anything is and Europeans don't know how big anything is." I've met more than one European tourist in Los Angeles who thought they were going to take a day trip drive to Seattle (1826 Kilometers away). The worst I met was a foreign exchange student in Los Angeles who asked if their host family could take a weekend trip by car to New York City (4488 kilometers). A lot of Europeans seem to think that the entire US is the size of France or Germany, where it's actually our states that are the size and population of European countries.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3107/2741 ... 54b0c4.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PGvSoaafXiI/T ... e-econ.bmp

My point is, be sure to check your map.

And welcome!

P.S. As far as F1 goes, most of us record the race on our DVR and watch it first thing Sunday morning (although we have the last laugh for Australia and Japan, which air Saturday Night). NBC Sports took over this year and currently broadcast Practice Session #2, Qualifying, and the Race. It's very likely that NBC Sports will start streaming Practice Sessions #1 and #3 online later this season (this is what SPEED, the previous broadcaster, did). As far as our announcers go, people either love them or hate them. I'm in the first camp.

[gixxer_drew]

Ironically, an acquaintance from here in the US is moving to Scotland for 6 months soon! Talk about life-swapping.

And is your stay for a limited time span? Or are you planning on making it semi-permanent? I would advise against the latter.

You disappoint me - my move is indeed semi-permanent. Any particular reasons why you'd recommend against it?

Health care system for starters....

[Sig]

Health care system for starters....

Odd, I have never had a problem with any health care providers here. Perhaps experience can vary by region.

[Cocles]

Ironically, an acquaintance from here in the US is moving to Scotland for 6 months soon! Talk about life-swapping.

And is your stay for a limited time span? Or are you planning on making it semi-permanent? I would advise against the latter.

You disappoint me - my move is indeed semi-permanent. Any particular reasons why you'd recommend against it?

Health care system for starters....

As an employee of Apple though, I seriously doubt beelsebob will have any issues with his care. Hell, I'm self employed and have never had a problem.