6 month update on life in the US

MYVYSS · 11-10-2007, 05:46 AM

Six month update.

Well I have been States side for about 6 months now, (how time flies). And I guess I am over the honeymoon period so thought I post my experiences and points of difference.

Mostly it’s about what I am bloody missing from home…but also what I like about being here...

In no Particular Order more as they come to my mind...

Pre Mixed Cans – No Jim Beam and cola cans here – although 2 liters of Bourbon in a bottle its only 17-18 bucks and I can get a slab of coke for about 4 bucks lol..So it’s pretty cheap...

Fish N Chips – I would kill for a chiko roll, Dim Sims and a decent souvlaki. Am yet to actually find a decent shop (if at all)

Chicken Snitzel sandwich my god I never thought it would be something I miss but I would love one…

Snacks just normal snack stuff I was used to at home, like kettle chips, I am missing sweet chilli sauce, its hard to come by here. Sweet Chilli philly, they have strawberry jam flavour here but no sweet chilli….Go Figure…

I am in love with In N Out burgers and fries OMG they are so nice, I will never eat maccas again ever!!!!... Should point out just about everywhere here does FREE refills of soft drinks and MY god the medium sizes here are bigger than the larges back home, they have a HUGO size which I swear is like 69 cents for I think around if not more than 2 liters of drink.

I really like Mexican as its everywhere here.

Bacon Oh how I would love some middle rasher bacon, they have the worst bacon in the world here…

Chocolate, I am yet to find anything even close to the lovely taste of Cadburys here. Hershey’s would make you vomit.

Ice Cream where do I start its WONDERFUL, OMG Ben and Jerry’s flavour’s Chunky Monkey, Chubby Hubby, and about 15 others are just so so yummy, when I start I have to eat the entire tub (1 Pint)..that brings me to measurements …. WTF is a Gallon, Yard, Mile, OK I know what Ounces are but that’s a whole other story!!! :P, Seriously I mean I hear the weather on the news its going to be 85 degrees today…I am like OMG we are going to die…then have to run to the laptop for a conversion….why cant the USA come into line with the rest of the world and go Metric…LOL

So not missing the speed cameras back home, you can speed everywhere here…Probably explains over 25000 deaths on the roads here last year (I think that’s only teens as well).
Water Restrictions…well what are they, lol firstly Water isn’t metered where I live, its like 15 bucks a month and that’s for as much as you want to use, its wasted so much here, it actually makes us MAD, they all seem to water at noon on the hottest days and people literally just leave taps running, Starbucks (oh yeah missing decent COFFEE) for instance have a tap run the entire day to keep clean water on the spoons used to stir the coffee’s lol…waste waste waste…I would have said cheese but now we get Australian cheddar at the local supermarket, along with Tim Tams!!!

Internet and TV here, OK I don’t know where to start….12mbps connection, unlimited downloads 30 bucks a month….TV I have like 220 channels and then 4000 movies or something stupid on Demand for like 60 bucks a month or something, including 4 connections in the house and 3 digital HD DVR’s, Local telephone is about 30 bucks a month including every call in the US and Canada, I can basically call anywhere here and its all included. It’s about 6 cents a minute back to Australia. Cell phones are 60 bucks a month for 2 phones and we get 1000 minutes each…However you do lose minutes on Incoming calls (go figure) but still pretty cheap. I have downloaded over 200 gigs since being here LOL….

Having to pay at the pump and or pre pay for ALL fuel, it sucks but I suppose I am used to this now, you basically just run your credit card/debit card in and start to fill, if you want to pay cash, you pay first and they credit the pump with the dollar amount, its really annoying when you want to fill up, you either pay not enough, or have to make a second trip in for some change.!!

Smokes OK I smoke, so the price here is about 4 bucks for a pack of Marlboro Lights 20’s I am missing my PJ Super’s (lol you get free matches basically every time you buy smokes here)…

Cars, Clothing and Electrical are so much cheaper here than HOME…I still really can’t work out why…it’s by far more than the exchange rate; seriously I feel I was being so ripped off on prices of things back in Australia…..

Medical, we haven’t had to use it much here, but it seems OK waiting times appear to be a little less, BUT we have brilliant health insurance (company provided). I seen a bill for a health check up for my son and nearly died, it was like 370 bucks for a 25 minute consultation!!!.

Housing is pretty good and similar to home, a decent home in California will set you back between 400-well millions of dollars, However I was told Cal is the most expensive places to live, I have seen really really nice houses on large allotments for sale in other parts of the USA for pretty cheap prices. It appears here no one does there own gardening as everyone has a gardener (we do they come twice a week, its included in our rent). Gas and Electricity appear to be similar to home.

Tipping, its annoying really, you tip for just about everything, Haircuts, Meals, drinks…what ever…it’s crazy….

I haven’t really experienced any Crime and or scary things, I live in a pretty affluent area, with a low crime rate, I also personally live in a Gated Community so its safe…Even in my travels I haven’t been anywhere that I thought my god put the windows up and lock the car (actually all new cars here now lock the doors automatically when you go over 5 MPH). I did actually have a sort of run in at Blimpy, a subway type store within Wal Mart once, some moron decided it was a nice time to belt his missus whilst I was inline, so I picked up a chair and hit him across the head with it…..he stopped…..the police arrived and I left LOL….

I think that’s all that’s about on my mind at the moment if I think of anything else I will add to this post...

Working life is great am learning heaps and adjusting to the change, I like the people I work with and they appear to like me. I scored a few invites to parties and events so we have a decent social life as well now.

Lachlan, my boy started off pretty upset and not waiting to stay here, but now he is in school has friends and everything, he is loving it here, also he has grown and developed so much in the time we have been here, he adapted to the US way of life well, and now catches the bus to school all by himself and home, (my little boy is growing so fast…). He loves the adventures we have taken him on so far, but arghhhh is starting to use Americanism’s for things…Dad can I have some candy!!...NO they are bloody lollies son and until you call them lollies you are not getting any!!!!! Can I have a SODA….No its Coke, Its Lemonade…its bloody soft drink…..Soda is what you mix with Scotch…. :P

Any questions or feedback are welcomed.

Envious · 11-10-2007, 06:59 AM

Excellent read Craig, glad to hear you and your family are enjoying themselves. Sounds like you are on a pretty good wicket, well done.... Now, can you get me a job?? :P

Oh, and nice work keeping on top of the Americanisms, i hate those... lol

Nick

mowog · 11-10-2007, 07:41 AM

If you stay too long your son will develop an American accent. Its a great country its just a shame it full of Yanks...

SHIFTN · 11-10-2007, 07:40 AM

long read!

but still very interesting

**gregaust** · 11-10-2007, 08:12 AM

Mate i've read all your updates ,love it. I been there 4 times now and will again soon i hope.. Lets see a few more things that different names are used
Trunk,hood ,sourdough(bread) ,jelly(jam) ,rest rooms,(my mate asked one day where the dunny was then ****er then Sh__ter was then loo.. Poor guy didn't know any of those till he said rest room) a tractor is a semi trailer, cream (milk for coffee) ketchup, and there's plenty more.... Keep the updates coming..
Hey if you're getting homesick i'm sure a bunch of us could come stay with you .(only joking)

cuz · 11-10-2007, 08:21 AM

Hi Craig, that sounds like the best place in the world to me!! Any jobs for carpenters??? LOL Keep th updates coming and all the best.
Cuz

**gregaust** · 11-10-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuz351

Hi Craig, that sounds like the best place in the world to me!! Any jobs for carpenters??? LOL Keep th updates coming and all the best.
Cuz

I bet there is ,everything is made of wood over there ...

cuz · 11-10-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregaust

I bet there is ,everything is made of wood over there ...

...and is powered by 460 big blocks

:

MYVYSS · 11-10-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuz351

...and is powered by 460 big blocks

:

Thats actually pretty true, I am blow away by the number of rumbling V8's you hear.

MYVYSS · 11-10-2007, 08:27 AM

Guys and Girls the Diversity Visa opened for 2009 this week, if you wanted to think about moving/living here thats a good place to start...

http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/

**Polyal** · 11-10-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYVYSS

Lachlan, my boy started off pretty upset and not waiting to stay here, but now he is in school has friends and everything, he is loving it here, also he has grown and developed so much in the time we have been here, he adapted to the US way of life well, and now catches the bus to school all by himself and home, (my little boy is growing so fast…). He loves the adventures we have taken him on so far, but arghhhh is starting to use Americanism’s for things…Dad can I have some candy!!...NO they are bloody lollies son and until you call them lollies you are not getting any!!!!! Can I have a SODA….No its Coke, Its Lemonade…its bloody soft drink…..Soda is what you mix with Scotch…. :P

LOL Nice thread. Good to see your son is feeling better, LOL at the terms aswell.

Ringo · 11-10-2007, 08:40 AM

Great read....enjoy the updates on someone doing something different (and kinda interesting) in life

*Ringo opens the wrapper of Fish n Chips and cracks the top off a VB and keeps surfing....

sfr rob · 11-10-2007, 08:48 AM

Very interesting to read how life is over there, I bet you miss seeing/driving Aussie Fords??
What do you get around in over there?

MYVYSS · 11-10-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr rob

Very interesting to read how life is over there, I bet you miss seeing/driving Aussie Fords??
What do you get around in over there?

LOL I just miss driving on the right side of the car, on the other side of the road...

And I am proud owner of a VW Passat Wagon, with Luxury pack 2..

MotherNatureVer2 · 11-10-2007, 08:49 AM

So glad to hear Lachlan is doing well now ;)

Sounds like you guys have fallen onto your feet over there. Congrats on making the most for your family.

Tote · 11-10-2007, 09:08 AM

Glad to hear all is going well. Try Lindt chocolate for your chocolate fix, it's the same stuff we get here which is as good as Cadburys.
Regards,
Tote

TheSneakiness · 11-10-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYVYSS

I did actually have a sort of run in at Blimpy, a subway type store within Wal Mart once, some moron decided it was a nice time to belt his missus whilst I was inline, so I picked up a chair and hit him across the head with it…..he stopped…..the police arrived and I left LOL….

Someones taken this WWE thing a bit far. You do know they say "Don't try this at home".

**Full Noise** · 11-10-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYVYSS

Local telephone is about 30 bucks a month including every call in the US and Canada, I can basically call anywhere here and its all included. It’s about 6 cents a minute back to Australia.

I can’t understand this either. I have a friend in Atlanta, Georgia that I can call on a mobile phone, cheaper than making a local call from a mobile here.

Venomous · 11-10-2007, 10:02 AM

Wow sounds awesome!
How much does rent set you back over there?

MYVYSS · 11-10-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venomous

Wow sounds awesome!
How much does rent set you back over there?

Its all relative to where you want to live, I am in a 2350 square house in a gated community in a pretty affluent area, I have gardeners so I never need to touch the lawn or garden and twice a week they come around and clean up leaves and sweep up the driveway and everything, so its $1995.00 a month, you can get a 1-2 bedroom place in a apartment complex with pool, gym and home theatre room you share for between 800-1600 a month....But thats California and its much more expensive than just about anywhere else in the US. Having said that, Schools are FREE, My son gets a bus ride to and from school and if we choose to he can get a Hot meal for lunch, with fruit and milk for around 2 bucks a day...the bus is free. It basically picks him up and drops him off right out the front of the house. Where I live I am about 45 minutes from the ski fields, 2 hours from San Fran, 20 minutes from Sacramento airport, 2 hours from Reno and 90 minutes from Lake Tahoe, I can drive to Seattle in about 9 hours (planning this trip at the moment) I drove to Vegas in 12 hours, but could be done in a lot less, I went thru Yosemite National Park. LA is about a 4-5 hour drive, planning that one two, I won a trip and accomodation to Disneyland last week :P. San Jose is about the same as San Fran and then you have basically all of Southern California at your fingertips. Mexico is about 10 hours away!!!!...

Venomous · 11-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYVYSS

Its all relative to where you want to live, I am in a 2350 square house in a gated community in a pretty affluent area, I have gardeners so I never need to touch the lawn or garden and twice a week they come around and clean up leaves and sweep up the driveway and everything, so its $1995.00 a month, you can get a 1-2 bedroom place in a apartment complex with pool, gym and home theatre room you share for between 800-1600 a month....But thats California and its much more expensive than just about anywhere else in the US. Having said that, Schools are FREE, My son gets a bus ride to and from school and if we choose to he can get a Hot meal for lunch, with fruit and milk for around 2 bucks a day...the bus is free. It basically picks him up and drops him off right out the front of the house. Where I live I am about 45 minutes from the ski fields, 2 hours from San Fran, 20 minutes from Sacramento airport, 2 hours from Reno and 90 minutes from Lake Tahoe, I can drive to Seattle in about 9 hours (planning this trip at the moment) I drove to Vegas in 12 hours, but could be done in a lot less, I went thru Yosemite National Park. LA is about a 4-5 hour drive, planning that one two, I won a trip and accomodation to Disneyland last week :P. San Jose is about the same as San Fran and then you have basically all of Southern California at your fingertips. Mexico is about 10 hours away!!!!...

Wow, not as expensive as i was thinking. I'm in grade 12 at the moment, and i have myself a full time job set up for next year. Planning on working the year then moving to the US for maybe 6 months, then going to europe for a few. Just not sure what i could do over there haha, or where i could get a job.

**DJM83** · 11-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Top read Craig sounds like your having fun over there.

fiery · 11-10-2007, 10:55 AM

Awesome read especially since you guys seem quite settled there. Fantastic news that Lachlan has settled in and happy.

Sounds pretty amazing the differences of prices.

jaydee · 11-10-2007, 12:13 PM

Yeah, their bacon is crap, absolutely disgusting.

XCSEDAN · 11-10-2007, 03:07 PM

mate it sounds great over there!!!!!
i might go there next year if i can save up some cash!!!

just a quick question, is there much of a demand for aussie muscle cars??

oh yeah heres a solution to your bacon issue, start a pig farm, slaughter the pigs, and make a couple of mil out of it!

[Tonko] · 11-10-2007, 03:42 PM

Sounds fun, I have a good friend in NJ and it sounds pretty similar...
How could you get bored with 400 TV channels and superfast internet?
I wonder what the deal is with no Pre-mixed drinks though...
Good luck mate, Heres to another 6 months.. :baby bott

Riksta · 11-10-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MYVYSS

OK I don’t know where to start….12mbps connection, unlimited downloads 30 bucks a month

I got angry reading that bit - I wish Australia could have deals like that!

LOL sounds pretty good though, glad you're enjoying it, I'd love to be able to do that kind of thing myself but wouldn't know where to start!

SHIFTN · 11-10-2007, 04:35 PM

is the $30 a month in AUD or USD?

sfr rob · 11-10-2007, 06:16 PM

ohhh.. nice ride mate, very swish! Can you tell me what the price of Diesel is over there, it is still hovering around the 130c+ P/L mark here in Melbourne.

MYVYSS · 12-10-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfr rob

ohhh.. nice ride mate, very swish! Can you tell me what the price of Diesel is over there, it is still hovering around the 130c+ P/L mark here in Melbourne.

Most of the fuel is floating around 2.80-3.10 a gallon, although I managed a few times with a discount voucher to get it for 2.54 a Gallon :P.

Shiftn - Unless I specify AUD over here It will always be USD