[RGN1]

Originally Posted by suzanne7575

We are doing the disney thing again, bit of luxury this time at the animal kingdom lodge with free disney dining plan. Orlando is one of the areas being offered to me to move to so going to take a day or so to have a drive round and look at the non-tourist areas and get a feel for it all.

Nice!

[suzanne7575]

I'll be 2 stone heavier when i get home from all the food

[cariad]

we have managed on just my wage ever since we came here, it was only after we came stateside that dh and I decided that he should work, but as I was doing travel nurse contracts it was impossible, and he only worked after we decided to settle here in june.
we didnt go mad when we first came over, a cheap car that we bought for cash and we even lived in a mobile home renting momth to month until we decided where we wanted to stay. so after 3 months we moved into our own condo overlooking the sea, it was certainly paradise for 18 months.

[RGN1]

Originally Posted by cariad

we have managed on just my wage ever since we came here, it was only after we came stateside that dh and I decided that he should work, but as I was doing travel nurse contracts it was impossible, and he only worked after we decided to settle here in june.
we didnt go mad when we first came over, a cheap car that we bought for cash and we even lived in a mobile home renting momth to month until we decided where we wanted to stay. so after 3 months we moved into our own condo overlooking the sea, it was certainly paradise for 18 months.

sounds like Heaven!

[RGN1]

Originally Posted by suzanne7575

I'll be 2 stone heavier when i get home from all the food

NO kidding - we used to pile on the pounds when we 1st started going but now we're really, really good & last time I went I actually lost weight! I ate a lot of fruit, didn't touch a single soda & swam everyday & worked out on our gym machine thingy that we got dirt cheap from a neighbour who was moving.

This time I've even managed to find a Shotokan karate club in Tampa who are happy to have us train with them - I can't wait!

[Belinda-wales]

To be fair the tread was to discuss the comparison of pay between the uk and the states. We are lucky that we are both nurses that has been the first time it has ever paid off both being nurses! As I said when we were in the UK DH was a band 8A and I was top of band 6 we both work the same hours in AZ in fact we work a little less and our take home pay per a month after tax and medical insurance is 2.5 times more than the UK andthis is a fact.

[rntraveler]

i am sorry to hear that you people from the UK have had accidents and bad health problems since you have come to the US,but you should know that you can apply for food stamps when you are unable to work adn children can get free meals at school. There is also a program called WIC for Women,Infants and Children where you get coupons for healthy foods,to tide you over when your income isa gone. Also medical bills can be paid over time,very slowly-say $10 a month. They won't bother you if you just let them know that you will pay as soon as you can. Also,if you are unable to work there is sometimes a program that the hospital will forgive your debt. Just be sure to ask.

[suzanne7575]

Originally Posted by rntraveler

i am sorry to hear that you people from the UK have had accidents and bad health problems since you have come to the US,but you should know that you can apply for food stamps when you are unable to work adn children can get free meals at school. There is also a program called WIC for Women,Infants and Children where you get coupons for healthy foods,to tide you over when your income isa gone. Also medical bills can be paid over time,very slowly-say $10 a month. They won't bother you if you just let them know that you will pay as soon as you can. Also,if you are unable to work there is sometimes a program that the hospital will forgive your debt. Just be sure to ask.

Would we as non - US citizens qualify for these things though?

[english_nurse]

free food????
count me in

[madwife2002]

I think us Brits always have lots to say and can always divert off the subject at hand my last wage packet off the NHS was around 2000 pounds and if I translate that into dollars that equates into about $3800 dollars per month. I didnt have my pension taken out of that I felt there was no point.
So when I first came here to the US and worked for an agency my wages were $1200 every 2 weeks. That was pay at $24 per hour
So OGP pay $26 an hour now so that will increase the wages slightly but you will be paid around $1300-$1400 every 2 weeks
IN Arizona you are looking to pay on average $1200-$1500 rent for a decent size house
Electricity around $60 a month in the winter and up to $300 a month in the summer

Gas around $40 in the winter less in the summer


Water $60

Most companies require a deposit of around $100 which you will get back

TV, Internet and Tele $100 upwards for a package
Garbage collection $100 every 6 months

Gas/Petrol $2.69 per gallon

Car tax/tags per year varies older cars cheaper than new cars mine this year $370



This may help you budget your wages