Expat Community > England

BBhawk
Joined 2008
Posts: 3

Second option: Des Moines to London assignment

16 years ago

This is a follow-up to the below message:

I have been offered a second option for my expat position. Instead of the situation outlined below, my alternate option includes:
* Husband will move with me (still must find his own job)
* Travel to/from provided for both of us
* Base salary is 40k USD
* Daily per diem of 40 USD
* 10-month assignment
* Storage and shipping is offered
* Paying for a pre-visit
* Housing provided in a serviced apartment within walking distance of my office (near St. Paul's)
* Tax equalization - if this is even necessary with a 10-month assignment

Overall, this option will yield more benefit financially, but I am not sure how I feel about living in 'the city', in a serviced apartment. It'll be great to/from work, but evenings and weekends we will have to travel. Any thoughts??
Is it worth giving up the extra 2 months in London and the choice of where to live?

*********************
I've had the chance to read a lot of the posts on this forum and have found them to be very helpful. I'm hoping you experts out there can shed some light on my situation.

I work for a Fortune 500 company and will be relocating from Des Moines, Iowa to London. I'm a junior level position (only 2 years of experience) in the financial services industry.

* Husband will move with me (he must find a job on his own - first year attorney..any tips on this one??)
* Travel to/from provided for both of us
* One trip one during the year for company meeting
* Base salary is 40k USD
* COLA $3,802 annually (this is what majorly concerns me...)
* 1 yr assignment
* Storage and shipping is offered
* Paying for a pre-visit to look at apartments, etc.
* 1x $2500 relocation allowance
* Paying for up to GBP 25,000 annually for rent
* Tax equalization

The company is also considering a separate public transportation allowance as well as a gym membership.

My husband and I are young, recent graduates who are just looking to 'maintain' our standard of living. We currently live in an apartment, so we're not worried about the smaller space. It's the adjustment figures I'm being offered that concern me - especially given my drastic cost of living adjustment (Des Moines to London?!).

I know my adjustment figures are low because they are based on salary, but I don't want to be a severe disadvantage. What are your thoughts?

Thank you for the help!

SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
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SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

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SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

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Expat Community > England

Second option: Des Moines to London assignment

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