Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations IDS on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Give up business and move to USA with another company? 1

Status
Not open for further replies.

Airforce2

Mechanical
Dec 30, 2004
67
I am faced with a HUGE decision here and I need to make an informed decision fast...

For 4 years now (2003-present), I have operated my Mechanical Design (HVAC) business from home. It was a struggle in the early years, but this year I finally feel that all the hard work is paying off and my confidence and place in the market has grown. I love it and the projects are rewarding.

In 2001-2003 we lived in North Carolina and I worked for a good Consulting Engineering Firm. I didn't want to leave the US, but having a baby there and Visa issues forced us back to Australia.

I now have this opportunity to join a Firm in Denver with a wage of $65K. The Firm has also offered to pay for me to go back to College for further education as well. It is a very good opportunity and I would learn a lot. I have the Visa and everthing is ready to go...

The thing now is that I am having very big second thoughts. I am in my early 30's with a great wife and 2 great kids. My outlook is now different to what it was when I was 25. I know that a lot of pople may not know this, but the whole Visa thing means a life of uncertainty until you obtain permanent residency or leave the USA. Basically, you are at the mercy of the US Government and the Company that you are employed by. The other large factor to consider is that if employment ceases, you have 10 days to leave the USA as the Visa is terminated.

I LOVE the USA. I love the industry there. I see the benefits of going back.

However, I am frozen like a deer in the headlights and am not sure what to do. I do understand this is a decision that I must make, but I am hoping that there are some Engineers out there a little further down the road in life than I with the wonderful thing called "Hind-Sight".

It is a tough call giving up a successful business with a life that is familiar and comfortable to go back to the USA where things will be "uncertain" for a minimum of 4-5 years...

 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

Airforce2:
I moved from Europe to Southeast Asia 5.5 years ago. By then, I was fresh married (one condition for me to come here) and no kids. By that time it seemed an excellent deal. Huge increase, bigger comapny, bigger responsibilities, everthing perfect.
After 5.5 years , one kid and another one coming and a depreciation of USD of 40% against Euro, the deal doesn't seem so good.
Of course I have a lifestyle and quality of life that I wouldn't be able to afford in my home country, but the main reason to come to the other side of the world was mainly economic and the ability to save big $$$ (aside the development on the career). This is still happening, but not at the rate that I was expecting.
Either way, if it was today, and knowing what I knew back then I wouldn't come in these conditions, if I knew what I know today, I would have come either way as the deal is still in the positive side for us. Remember one thing though, life changes when the little ones come to this world, and a place that is a paradise for young couples without kids can be a very difficult place to live when you consider school, babysitting, maids, safety, etc.
On top of that, you have your business and according with you is finally taking off. How much does this worth for you? Your new position has to factor this out and your conditions have to include the cost of opportunity.

The best of lucks with your decision
 
Sompthing Guy,
Don’t bash the US health system till you try it!-Just Kidding- I spent Wednesday having my wife drive me around trying to find a doctor that would take my insurance, I didn’t have a medical emergency so I didn’t go to the hospital, but i needed to see a doctor...then I had to wait 3 three hours till I could get to see a doctor. Then he gave me some good pain killers and gave me a referral to see another doctor, which i know will send me to see another doctor. I think this is a wonderful system!!?? I am really happy they take $120 out of my pay check for insurance.

The best part is, I took a day off with out pay, and then came to work Friday even though I shouldn’t have, all because I used up my 5 “personal” days and I have already put in for my vacation time. I guess it was good to sit here drugged up all day and read this forum, Dilbert, and the news ? cuz it would be a waist/pointless/unethical for me to do engineering cuz I was in a daze. Although I could have just been home but coming into the holiday season, I need the money, and I also need the money cuz im sure the insurance is still going to want me to pay 20% of what ever cost incur from the injury.

Luckily you get great care if you have an emergency... and you also pay a lot for it…
 
I had a "bizarre gardening accident" last week (tripped over my lawn mower in the darkness of my garage) and gave myself quite a big cut above my eyebrow. Two hours later and I'm stitched and home again - no bill either. People knock our health system but I pay for it and like paying for it.

When I had an RTI in America all the ambulance staff cared about was my signing of their "no thank you I'm fine" forms.
 
Gymmeh, Keep us posted on the subsequent bills that dribble in. My father had some treatment a few years ago. The bill didn't seem big enough to claim on his (UK travel) insurance so he didn't. Then came the bill for the nurse; for the bed; for the cleaning of the bedding; for the electricity used; for the air breathed .. exaggerating now, but not by much.
 
SomptingGuy

You must have been to A&E. quick and good care in emergency.
But if your need is essential but not emergency then you are hanging in the system.

recently one of my acquiantance was admitted in hospital for 4 weeks without efficient diagnosis. All tests done cause he was from third world country. Common sense didnt prevail and finally at home he had the renal failure. Then wife made wise decision to send him back to home country and get treatment. And now he is fine healthy and coming back.

Its free, doesnt means its efficient. Actually its not free as we pay every month. Wonder if anyone has dental problems?

One of my colleagues is having very bad teeth so it would cost him thounsands pounds in private dental practice and as such wont be treated quickly in NHS, so he is better off with bad teeth now.


Siddharth
These are my personal views/opinions and not of my employer's.
 
Hijacking the thread somewhat, but hey, RF me if you like...

My biggest concern with the US medical insurance deals was the fact that they were limited. Once you've spent your allowance on doctors, nurses, drugs, beds, etc then touch luck - it's your own money now. Until that runs out.

Unlike the NHS where the service may be crap, but at least it's not finite and means tested.
 
To Airforce2:
I am not sure how these last posts helped you, but please let us know your final decision.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor