Moving to the U.S of A : Pro and Con
06-26-2014, 12:23 AM
#1
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Moving to the U.S of A : Pro and Con
Yes, I got you with my very descriptive title.
It gets complicated.
The idea has been there for a while. I'm cultivating it, yo.
I am thinking of leaving this cold barren waste land that is Canaduh for a much warmer place. With guns. And watery beer. WBBC. Rednecks.
Pffeww.
I can't even begin to think of all the questions I have for you Muricans. I'll just tell you my story so you know where I'm standing so you can better answer my questions.
I recently learned that with the course that I'm currently taking ( auto tech, almost done), my diploma is recognized everywhere in the states and is highly valued. My course is basicly a complete, year and a half long formation to become an automotive technician. We do EVERYTHING.
Last I heard, in the states to get a formation like this it would cost tens of thousands OR you can only get specific classes such as brakes and suspension, hvac and stuff alike. That, logically just makes the number of certified technicians less than it would normally be with an unexpensive education such as ours up here, right?
Which means more jobs... right..?
As I'm gathering experience and finishing up my formation, I'm seriously looking to move and experience what it's like to leave everything behind and start anew.
People won't pay 15 000$ to go to a school for a job that pays 10$ an hour at first. Logic yo.
Knowing that, moving somewhere where rust and snow isn't all you see year long suddenly becomes more and more appealing when you're told you can take that diploma, and go work under the sun.
Now I get to my first questions :
If anybody has experience in garages, dealerships or any shops :
how is it like working there? are you paid by the hour, or for the job for the most part?
What are the working conditions?
What was your education like and how complete or not was the class you took?
Do employers value education in this field? experience over education?
How competitive is the automotive business atm in the states?
How hard is it to find a job in the states, generally speaking?
I think I'll start off with those as far as the job aspect of moving is concerned.
Now off to the living part.
What states would you guys recommend ?(while I'd like the sun and heat, I'm not that big on tornados or hurricanes and such. So any place with nice landscape and no snow is fine)
Do you like living down there? What's the culture like?
What should I expect if I move down there?
If you could change things in the USA what would you change?
Places that you do NOT recommend at all?
Would you recommend the usa AT ALL?
Anyways, I know it's a very vast topic.
I'm just looking to get your thoughts on the USA, living there and all.
I know that you can never know until you go yourself, but usually the people living there have a pretty good idea how things work. Usually.
My only experiences for the USA are about 10-12 week long trips mostly along the east coast. I loved it there but it's too close to home. I wanna get away.
It gets complicated.
The idea has been there for a while. I'm cultivating it, yo.
I am thinking of leaving this cold barren waste land that is Canaduh for a much warmer place. With guns. And watery beer. WBBC. Rednecks.
Pffeww.
I can't even begin to think of all the questions I have for you Muricans. I'll just tell you my story so you know where I'm standing so you can better answer my questions.
I recently learned that with the course that I'm currently taking ( auto tech, almost done), my diploma is recognized everywhere in the states and is highly valued. My course is basicly a complete, year and a half long formation to become an automotive technician. We do EVERYTHING.
Last I heard, in the states to get a formation like this it would cost tens of thousands OR you can only get specific classes such as brakes and suspension, hvac and stuff alike. That, logically just makes the number of certified technicians less than it would normally be with an unexpensive education such as ours up here, right?
Which means more jobs... right..?
As I'm gathering experience and finishing up my formation, I'm seriously looking to move and experience what it's like to leave everything behind and start anew.
People won't pay 15 000$ to go to a school for a job that pays 10$ an hour at first. Logic yo.
Knowing that, moving somewhere where rust and snow isn't all you see year long suddenly becomes more and more appealing when you're told you can take that diploma, and go work under the sun.
Now I get to my first questions :
If anybody has experience in garages, dealerships or any shops :
how is it like working there? are you paid by the hour, or for the job for the most part?
What are the working conditions?
What was your education like and how complete or not was the class you took?
Do employers value education in this field? experience over education?
How competitive is the automotive business atm in the states?
How hard is it to find a job in the states, generally speaking?
I think I'll start off with those as far as the job aspect of moving is concerned.
Now off to the living part.
What states would you guys recommend ?(while I'd like the sun and heat, I'm not that big on tornados or hurricanes and such. So any place with nice landscape and no snow is fine)
Do you like living down there? What's the culture like?
What should I expect if I move down there?
If you could change things in the USA what would you change?
Places that you do NOT recommend at all?
Would you recommend the usa AT ALL?
Anyways, I know it's a very vast topic.
I'm just looking to get your thoughts on the USA, living there and all.
I know that you can never know until you go yourself, but usually the people living there have a pretty good idea how things work. Usually.
My only experiences for the USA are about 10-12 week long trips mostly along the east coast. I loved it there but it's too close to home. I wanna get away.
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06-26-2014, 01:31 AM
#4
Cpt. Slow
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Look up Portland. Beer, hardly any snow (less than 7 days/week), nice people. Stay out of California, Washington is ok. Colorado isn't bad, or Austin Texas. Idaho and Montana are boring, Utah is scary with Mormons and ****. Those are really the only places id consider moving outside of the mid to north east. My only experience there was 0-4.5 years of age, distant memories.
This is all person preference of course.
This is all person preference of course.
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06-26-2014, 01:46 AM
#6
Slowest Progress Ever
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Since I was born in Pennsylvania, I never see myself leaving it. I've been to Nevada, The entire state of NY, all of NJ, DE, MD...a bit of Florida, VA. I drove from my house to Detroit once. What a waste of time.
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06-26-2014, 06:05 AM
#8
I'll answer as best as I can in bold.
Now I get to my first questions :
If anybody has experience in garages, dealerships or any shops :
how is it like working there? are you paid by the hour, or for the job for the most part?
Depends. Entry-level will almost be hourly, and it's usually not very much. If you want to get an idea, check Craigslist Jobs in various cities. Full-techs generally get paid book hours. In my experience from doing work in various automotive settings back in the early 00's, there were a lot of shop politics- getting along with service mgr. and service writers, who you made friends with, how fast you worked, how many other "issues" you found to be addressed to the customer etc...
What are the working conditions?
Varies. Smaller-sized chain stores are mostly exposed to the elements, generally have heat but no a/c. Larger shops and dealerships will generally be climate-controlled...except the older ones. Work-flow ALWAYS varies...and you might work next to someone who you may/may not get along with.
What was your education like and how complete or not was the class you took?
No formal schooling, just general mechanical abilities. I can do most work other than actual machine work ) i.e. decking a head or honing a block...stuff like that.
Do employers value education in this field? experience over education?
They really want experience. Education is seen as 'book smart', but they (for the good jobs) want to know you've had your hands dirty and have been in the field for some amount of time. Expect to do basic stuff at first- oil changes, mounting/balancing tires, brake system work, air filters etc...
How competitive is the automotive business atm in the states?
Depends on what you do. General work? Not at all. Know how to work on exotics or tune cars? Fairly.
How hard is it to find a job in the states, generally speaking?
Not very.
I think I'll start off with those as far as the job aspect of moving is concerned.
Now off to the living part.
What states would you guys recommend ?(while I'd like the sun and heat, I'm not that big on tornados or hurricanes and such. So any place with nice landscape and no snow is fine)
No hurricanes or tornadoes? That eliminates the entire middle and most of the east of the country- such things happen in all of the plains and the south-east. Landscape in the east isn't bad, same with the Pacific NW, central and southern California are mostly brown and ugly.
Do you like living down there? What's the culture like?
What should I expect if I move down there?
I recently left Atlanta and moved to Portland, OR and love it. You really have to visit a few places to answer those kind of questions as everyone will have a different answer. I will say, humidity is a terrible thing.
If you could change things in the USA what would you change?
Stop the stupid people from breeding. Get rid of Wal-Mart.
Places that you do NOT recommend at all?
Would you recommend the usa AT ALL?
Coastal Texas to the Southeast.
Anyways, I know it's a very vast topic.
I'm just looking to get your thoughts on the USA, living there and all.
I know that you can never know until you go yourself, but usually the people living there have a pretty good idea how things work. Usually.
My only experiences for the USA are about 10-12 week long trips mostly along the east coast. I loved it there but it's too close to home. I wanna get away.
Travel to other places around 'Murica and form your own impression...that's the only way to do it.
I've been drinking...don't mind me.
Now I get to my first questions :
If anybody has experience in garages, dealerships or any shops :
how is it like working there? are you paid by the hour, or for the job for the most part?
Depends. Entry-level will almost be hourly, and it's usually not very much. If you want to get an idea, check Craigslist Jobs in various cities. Full-techs generally get paid book hours. In my experience from doing work in various automotive settings back in the early 00's, there were a lot of shop politics- getting along with service mgr. and service writers, who you made friends with, how fast you worked, how many other "issues" you found to be addressed to the customer etc...
What are the working conditions?
Varies. Smaller-sized chain stores are mostly exposed to the elements, generally have heat but no a/c. Larger shops and dealerships will generally be climate-controlled...except the older ones. Work-flow ALWAYS varies...and you might work next to someone who you may/may not get along with.
What was your education like and how complete or not was the class you took?
No formal schooling, just general mechanical abilities. I can do most work other than actual machine work ) i.e. decking a head or honing a block...stuff like that.
Do employers value education in this field? experience over education?
They really want experience. Education is seen as 'book smart', but they (for the good jobs) want to know you've had your hands dirty and have been in the field for some amount of time. Expect to do basic stuff at first- oil changes, mounting/balancing tires, brake system work, air filters etc...
How competitive is the automotive business atm in the states?
Depends on what you do. General work? Not at all. Know how to work on exotics or tune cars? Fairly.
How hard is it to find a job in the states, generally speaking?
Not very.
I think I'll start off with those as far as the job aspect of moving is concerned.
Now off to the living part.
What states would you guys recommend ?(while I'd like the sun and heat, I'm not that big on tornados or hurricanes and such. So any place with nice landscape and no snow is fine)
No hurricanes or tornadoes? That eliminates the entire middle and most of the east of the country- such things happen in all of the plains and the south-east. Landscape in the east isn't bad, same with the Pacific NW, central and southern California are mostly brown and ugly.
Do you like living down there? What's the culture like?
What should I expect if I move down there?
I recently left Atlanta and moved to Portland, OR and love it. You really have to visit a few places to answer those kind of questions as everyone will have a different answer. I will say, humidity is a terrible thing.
If you could change things in the USA what would you change?
Stop the stupid people from breeding. Get rid of Wal-Mart.
Places that you do NOT recommend at all?
Would you recommend the usa AT ALL?
Coastal Texas to the Southeast.
Anyways, I know it's a very vast topic.
I'm just looking to get your thoughts on the USA, living there and all.
I know that you can never know until you go yourself, but usually the people living there have a pretty good idea how things work. Usually.
My only experiences for the USA are about 10-12 week long trips mostly along the east coast. I loved it there but it's too close to home. I wanna get away.
Travel to other places around 'Murica and form your own impression...that's the only way to do it.
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06-26-2014, 07:19 AM
#9
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Location: Huntington, Indiana
Posts: 2,885
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I agree with pretty much everything Doppel says. I've been to all 50 states, and there is something to appreciate about every one. Except Nebraska.
If I had to pick one to live in other than good old Indiana, it would be Oregon. Though with the amount of Californians moving there, I might change my mind in a few years.
If I had to pick one to live in other than good old Indiana, it would be Oregon. Though with the amount of Californians moving there, I might change my mind in a few years.
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06-26-2014, 07:48 AM
#10
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thank you guys for all the answers! it's much appreciated.
Yes, I would be from Montreal, quebec. Pardon my use of the word formation even though it'S appropriate.
I've read recently somewhere that Portland was rated the city with the best quality of life in the USA. But to me it feels very very hipsterific and too cold (You heard me) Also, our city has been compared to Portland quite a few times. I don't want to move somewhere and feel right at home, right away.
Seriously though, Texas? I've heard horror stories. so many, about that state. Even after the stories I'm still considering it - Lot of space, warm weather, towards the north-ish I don't have to worry about hurricanes too much. What's the big difference between Houston and Austin?
I've been considering doing a second FORMATION (yes ******* deal with it) either welding or machining to improve my chances (and hopefully my salary) to find work when I move.
Yes, I would be from Montreal, quebec. Pardon my use of the word formation even though it'S appropriate.
I've read recently somewhere that Portland was rated the city with the best quality of life in the USA. But to me it feels very very hipsterific and too cold (You heard me) Also, our city has been compared to Portland quite a few times. I don't want to move somewhere and feel right at home, right away.
Seriously though, Texas? I've heard horror stories. so many, about that state. Even after the stories I'm still considering it - Lot of space, warm weather, towards the north-ish I don't have to worry about hurricanes too much. What's the big difference between Houston and Austin?
I've been considering doing a second FORMATION (yes ******* deal with it) either welding or machining to improve my chances (and hopefully my salary) to find work when I move.
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06-26-2014, 08:07 AM
#12
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I'Ve had a friend move there and he came back as quickly as he could. He couldn't handle all the... ''people''. He also had a drunken midnight face-off with an alligator which resulted in him calling his mom almost crying.
No florida, no thank you sir
No florida, no thank you sir
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06-26-2014, 08:26 AM
#14
Portland - very hipsterific - big city traffic with small city feel - worst of both worlds. I expect california to complete it's practical annex of oregon in the next 10 to 15 years.
I think if I wanted to leave Columbus, my first choice would be Cincinnati. But I'm probably biased based on sports teams and having a general understanding of the area. I do like my own city. I like that I can drive from home to farmland in 10 minutes, or from my home to farmland on the complete opposite side of the city in 20-25 minutes...during rush hour. There aren't many other cities in murikuh that have as high of a population with as short of a commute.
I think if I wanted to leave Columbus, my first choice would be Cincinnati. But I'm probably biased based on sports teams and having a general understanding of the area. I do like my own city. I like that I can drive from home to farmland in 10 minutes, or from my home to farmland on the complete opposite side of the city in 20-25 minutes...during rush hour. There aren't many other cities in murikuh that have as high of a population with as short of a commute.
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06-26-2014, 08:56 AM
#16
Houston - its like Florida without the beaches, shittier traffic, and completely red. Oil industry is huge there and I bet if you could work on fleet vehicles or heavy equipment you could do well there.
Austin is the liberal Capital of Texas. I have never actually been there so I don't know the industries or much else about it.
The cost of living in Texas outside of the Metropolitan areas seems rather low which is nice.
I personally love the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I probably wouldn't want to live elsewhere in the state except for maybe a few cities on the east coast. **** Miami. Its expensive, touristy, terrible traffic, and I feel like english is the second language.
Other states I have been to and would consider moving to would be the Carolinas (the mountains and them roads) and Colorado. I thought Nothern California was beautiful but its California so **** that.
Austin is the liberal Capital of Texas. I have never actually been there so I don't know the industries or much else about it.
The cost of living in Texas outside of the Metropolitan areas seems rather low which is nice.
I personally love the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I probably wouldn't want to live elsewhere in the state except for maybe a few cities on the east coast. **** Miami. Its expensive, touristy, terrible traffic, and I feel like english is the second language.
Other states I have been to and would consider moving to would be the Carolinas (the mountains and them roads) and Colorado. I thought Nothern California was beautiful but its California so **** that.
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06-26-2014, 09:08 AM
#19
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Technically I'm an hour away for the lines... So I'm not that far. I'd just love to move further down south.
How's new mexico and arizona? haven't heard a lot from them.
How's new mexico and arizona? haven't heard a lot from them.
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