Packet 4

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2006

When you first come here you translate from dollars into pounds and then after a while-a dollar is the same as a pound so when I say $1200 it is like saying 1200 pounds. I dunno if that makes sense?

You earn about $1200 in your hand every two weeks so that is the rent. Then the next $1200 is living expenses I just mentioned. Then you need to eat. Just a guide.

I pay $550 health insurance $287 car loan $259 car insurance all per month

english_nurse · Aug 6, 2006

when you said gas did you mean in the house or in your car?

i forgot they are the same word over there lol

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

Gas for your car runs at about $60 plus to fill your car each time. Gas is cheaper but all cars are bigger so drink more fuel and the gallon is smaller here. I own a liberty jeep 3.4litres so u can judge for yourself

Owain Glyndwr · Aug 7, 2006

No pool which is a big mistake I was trying to keep costs down and I looked in the winter, otherwise I would have had a more sensible head on and got a pool house.

Like English Nurse, we have always stated that a pool is a must have.

Any idea of the costs of heating/maintaining an average (non-Olympic!) size pool?

And what's the best deal on Internet/Phone/Cell phone (using the terminology already!)and/or TV package - or is it easier to get separate deals?

Is cable better/cheaper than satellite?

What came first, the chicke......? Enough!

Cheers

OG

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2006

Like English Nurse, we have always stated that a pool is a must have.
Any idea of the costs of heating/maintaining an average (non-Olympic!) size pool?
And what's the best deal on Internet/Phone/Cell phone (using the terminology already!)and/or TV package - or is it easier to get separate deals?
Is cable better/cheaper than satellite?
What came first, the chicke......? Enough!
Cheers
You can learn to maintain the pool yourself, if you use maintanace guys anything from $50-100 per month. You do not need to heat your pool it is warm from the sun, but if it does cool in the winter it costs about $300 a weekend. We think. If you lease a house with a pool the landlord pays for the maintance, but you will pay for your yard to be kept clean and bug treatment of the house.
Bug treatment monthly is aprox $50 per month or again you can do it yourself.
It is difficult to keep the weeds from the garden they are real hard to kill so you may have to have your whole garden weed sprayed ever 6 months-again your choice, remember you cant garden here in the summer the sun will kill you.

geordiegirl2 · Aug 7, 2006

You'll be able to rent one for about $1500-$2000 a month. Here they talk about sq feet of a house, we live in a house about 1956sq feet so that is a good size. We dont use it all. No pool which is a big mistake I was trying to keep costs down and I looked in the winter, otherwise I would have had a more sensible head on and got a pool house. My house is $1200 a month so not bad but other utilities are more expensive
TV, Internet, Phone $200
Electricity $70 winter and $350 summer ( rent a one storey house cheaper)
gas $50
water $60-$70
Garbage $100 per six months

Our utilities are a little less our phone, cable and broadband are usually about $150-170 but i do a lot of calling to the UK and Australia

Electric in the winter is $40 the highest we've ever had in the summer is $170 and we live in a two story house, Gas is $25-30, water $20-30, we don't pay for garbage collection but is probably included in the proerty tax which we pay with our mortage.

We have a bug man who comes every other month and thats $69.

My OH maintains the pool.

arys1075 · Aug 9, 2006

To madwife2002 and aprjan,

I have read all your messages and congratulations on the speedy processing of all your paperworks for US immigration. I just want to know if you could help me. My atty. has paid all the visa fee, submitted DS230 and filed with the NVC on 24th July according to NVC automated voice service. How long will it take to forward our packet 3 from NVC to London, the interview and medical schedules? Like you guys we are also eager to know roughly the waiting timeframes. Is London gonna inform us the next procedure? Thanks a lot!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2006

I believe once packet 3 has gone to London it takes 3-4 months for interview. You will know the interview date about a month prior, and then have to organise your medicals. I have heard that this is the only part of the whole process which is predictable.

English nurse is more informed about this than I am as she has jusy gone through this stage.

english_nurse · Aug 9, 2006

hi right here goes

my packet 3 was sent to the embassy on the 7th of July 2006

i recieved an email from the embassy yesterday stating that my packet 4 will be sent to me in September, my visa number will be available for use in October, whic is when my interview will be

so 3-4 months is about right

ann h · Aug 9, 2006

To madwife2002 and aprjan,
I have read all your messages and congratulations on the speedy processing of all your paperworks for US immigration. I just want to know if you could help me. My atty. has paid all the visa fee, submitted DS230 and filed with the NVC on 24th July according to NVC automated voice service. How long will it take to forward our packet 3 from NVC to London, the interview and medical schedules? Like you guys we are also eager to know roughly the waiting timeframes. Is London gonna inform us the next procedure? Thanks a lot!

I am in the same position my visa bill and DS230 were sent middle of June.

I have not heard anything i have asked atty for my case number so that I can ring NVC to see if case is complete but they hav not got back to me yet.

arys1075 · Aug 10, 2006

Hi Guys just found out on the 24/7 answerphone service (with the help of English nurse) That my case is now complete (July31)
Yippee:monkeydance: lets hope it's now on it's way to the UK.

Hi Ukrn2,

how did you know your packet 3 was forwarded to London? when did you submit your ds230 in NVC? Thanks Im just curious.

arys1075

apriljan · Aug 10, 2006

Hi, I had an email from the attorney via my agency on 3rd May saying that NVC had finished processing our file and that it had been forwarded to London. Received packet 4 on 20th June and interview was on 17th July.