r2i forum

I am exploring an opportunity with a company near Oxford (10 miles). It gives me an immediate opportunity to work on projects in India and Europe. There is also a chance of opening an India office in a few years.

I have lived in the US for 15 yrs including edu. My wife works as a programmer and we have a 3 yr old boy.

Could you any of UK residents provide some comments on the following?

1. Will it be a bad move financially? How do UK salaries (enginnering) compare with the US salaries?

2. My wife will be looking for IT developer jobs. How is the opportunity near Oxford?

3. We are all USCs. Is work visa a big hassle? Are companies easily willing to do that?

4. We have adjusted well to the US life. Will there be a big cultural adjustment to live in the UK?

Thanks.

1. Will it be a bad move financially? How do UK salaries (enginnering) compare with the US salaries?

>>For salaries in UK, u can try www.jobserve.co.uk

2. My wife will be looking for IT developer jobs. How is the opportunity near Oxford?

>>Oxford is approx. 25 miles from Reading(Berkshire).
>>All majors IT cos (Oracle, Microsoft, Sun etc) are based in/near Reading
>>but max IT jobs should be in London.
>>I don't think currently biggies like Oracle, Microsoft are hiring in large >>numbers
>>in UK, they would prefer hiring someone in India for same work.
>>There are many other cos which are based in/near Reading.

3. We are all USCs. Is work visa a big hassle? Are companies easily willing to do that?

>>Only one of u needs workpermit.
>>Spouse can enter UK on dependent visa and can apply for jobs without >>any issues.
>>Finding a local employer (for IT jobs) who can sponsor Workpermit is >>getting difficult. I know many cases wherein candidates(in UK via desi IT >>cos) having very good skill set and exp are finding it very difficult to find a
>>good co which can sponsor WP.

Great info. As I have mentioned to my previous posts, me and my 3 kids will be moving to the UK next month to be with my husband and I am not sure if I can handle the cost of living there. But I am excited though.