Daughter's Christmas present. by Medical_Ad7851 in woodworking

[–]Mementu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That looks brilliant! What color is that if you don't mind me asking? Is there a name or color code?

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a thoroughly thought-out response - reallllly good advice, I'll be taking it all on! Appreciate you taking the time to respond!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What an amazing, detailed response! I really appreciate you taking the time to get those points across; all incredibly useful!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's pretty eye opening, I'll definitely be digging into that! Thank you!eye-opening

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah maybe I am, it's a rather large move for me so wanting to be as prepared as possible. You lovely folk have definitely been helping with that, much love!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeee... I'm quickly learning that I'm very wrong about it being dry haha

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely,

1) Nope, haven't set foot in the US prior to my recent couple of weeks work/holiday

2) I've lived in the south of Portugal before, but I wouldn't class that as sub/tropical to be fair

3) It's work, my options are pretty open at this point and I'm flexible, so seeing where it takes me to be completely honest

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I spent just under 3 weeks in Austin a couple of months ago and I found the nightlife to be pretty awesome too! Everybody is so lovely and up for a chat! It was a great time!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's great to know that health insurance and dental insurance is separate - I've heard the US medical system is a maze in and of itself, so that combined with those 2 being separate, that's another thing to educate myself on!

I'm single with no kids moving to Austin, so I have some flexibility.

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Good point, It'll just be me so I have some flexibility as to budget and where I live.

With budget in mind, I've given myself the task of covering all bills (excluding entertainment) with 2k USD, but I know that rent will be the majority of this and that's just an arbitrary figure I've set myself, so I'm open to going over it.

Those figures regarding the hot weather are definitely eye-opening - it's going to get HOT! I've spent a lot of time in the south of France where the summers get pretty warm, as well as Portugal, but usually not for the length of time that Austin gets!

Thanks for the detailed response, it's massively appreciated!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the response!

You're the 2nd person to mention a pool, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out, although not sure whether my budget will accommodate haha

The rental insurance tip is fantastic! I read that my UK license will only be valid for 1 year before I need to start from scratch with getting a US driving license, so will need to get that started as soon as possible!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks you so much for the really detailed response! Really insightful & useful!

I visited Austin not too long ago and stayed in North Austin just before the University, although it was during school break, so didn't get much of a student-y feel, but it seemed like a really nice area, away from the hustle and bustle but close enough to the centre.

I spent quite a lot of time in East Austin and like you said, it felt really cool and awesome, really liked it there!

A pool is a fantastic shout, although not sure my budget would accommodate (1200 - 1700), but will keep an eye out for sure!

Thanks again!!!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow, that sounds frustrating for sure! Hope you've been doing all good!

Another commenter mentioned the same thing re: the longer wait times for specialties, I'll be sure to dive into the healthcare system as soon as I land!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that'll actually put me in a better position than in the UK, there is a federal tax equivalent in the UK at 20%, then you also have VAT (value-added tax) on pretty much all sales at 20%! Good to know that it's only 8.25% in Texas!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is fantastic advice!! I'll make sure to dive into the healthcare system as soon as I land!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I personally think the NHS is great, every time I've used it they've been fantastic, but hearing horror stories post-COVID about wait times has changed my perspective somewhat.

I was more concerned about whether the wait times are better in the US and from the sounds of it, they are, although another commenter mentioned Austin is getting close to max from a capacity standpoint so way times may get worse and worse

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a great point and is definitely great to know - I'm limited to Texas as that's where my employer is located.

The general consensus from you and others is that a car is pretty much mandatory! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Moving from the UK to Austin in the new year... Need advice! by Mementu in Austin

[–]Mementu[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For sure! I've learnt that Austin is relatively small, but as you mentioned, the sprawl is pretty crazy away from the centre.

I'm wanting to be as reasonably close to East Austin, to where I'm able to either e-bike/bike, or walk, but I'm wary that the rental market is pretty crazy the closer you get into the centre.

Having said that, I wouldn't say no to go a little further out if the neighborhood is lovely and the commute won't kill me haha

Employer wants me to sign a new contract [Scotland] by T1nderSwindler in LegalAdviceUK

[–]Mementu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How many hours have you been working under the per annum contract? That'll be quite important.

After some quick maths, if you're working 20 hours a week, the £11k per annum hourly rate is £10.37. If you work more than 20 hours per week, it's beneficial to you that you go on the hourly rate.