Problems living abroad?

[neutrino]

I knew a few Tech's who've moved outside the US, but returned for outrages.  I was wondering if anyone knows of difficulties with this sort of arrangement.  For example, does this cause problems with background checks or clearance?

Also, what about unemployment?

-N

[Austria]

I've been living outside the U.S. since 1994 and have never had any problems regarding my residence and working outages.

For background checks and security clearances, how long between outages is more important than where you live. If you've been out of the business for more than 6 months or a year then you may be subject to more paperwork and a longer waiting time to get your clearance done. Best thing is to be prepared with a printed list of contacts and references who you know will answer the phone during business hours. You may even be able to get some of the paperwork faxed or mailed to you if you are confirming early enough. Bartlett has done that a few times, for example.

As far as unemployment, I can only say that the last state I actually resided in (Ohio) told me I could not collect unemployment if I was living outside the U.S. or its' territories (USVI, Guam, etc). I've never pursued it any further since I've always worked between outages anyways. (Taught scuba in the Cayman Islands for 7 years and currently work as an English trainer and business English consultant in Vienna.) Of course, this brings up the whole foreign earned income and legal residence and where do you file from questions.

The biggest things (I think) to consider are your travel methods, time and expenses. Some places have a cap on travel that may not cover the air fare. Is it better to keep a car in the U.S. or rent? Speaking of driving, will you be able to keep renewing your driving license in the U.S. ? Will you be able to get a license in your new country of residence? Can you use your U.S. license to drive in your new country of residence? Where will you be keeping and spending your money. For example, I would take a HUGE hit right now if I worked an outage and wanted to bring the cash back with 1 Euro costing about $1.28 right now. So for now what I earn in the U.S. stays there.


Anyways, these are just some of the questions I've had to answer for myself over the years. Luckily, they are all pretty easy to answer, given the internet and instant access to information.

Hope this was more help than it was boring. If you have any specific questions I'l be glad to try and help.

[neutrino]

Thanks Austria, that's great info. 

[RADBASTARD]

One good thing about living in brazil the $ is 2.14 reis thats brazilian money.
The bad thing is that 2 years ago it was 2.80 reis to the dollar.
The $ is still good here and can go along way for certain things.

Gas 5+$$$ a gallon  and clothes,shoes are high here,I can't figure why of all thing clothes and shoes are higher here than the US.

Construction materials  and houses are way cheaper here than the US and so is the labor for the work.

1 Bad thing is my satelite dish {SKY TV}only gets some pro football games on ESPN INTERNATIONAL sundays and mondays ,I can't see my EAGLES every week and NO! COLLEGE and american sportscenter 1 time a day 11am brazil time.

1 GOOD THING,I still get FOX NEWS 24-7 for the truth in news.
Thank GOD  for that.

[neutrino]

How is travel pay handled?  I imagine if it's capped you'd get the max - right.  If it's not what happens?

[Austria]

How is travel pay handled?  I imagine if it's capped you'd get the max - right.  If it's not what happens?

Travel pay varies with the utility contract, but you're right; if it's capped I usually get the max and the rest is out of pocket.
Whether travel pay is capped or not, I provide my airline receipts and boarding pass and claim mileage for driving from the airport to the plant. If it is not capped, or my expenses don't reach the max then I get the actual ticket price plus whatever the mileage rate is.