Annabel recently caught up with one of her candidates, who she relocated to San Francisco, to find out how things are going on the other side of the pond. Here's how it went…

How are you finding life in the U.S.? Any unexpected cultural differences?

"Amazing! Life is amazing, better than I could have imagined. The vibe in San Francisco is so chill, relaxed, and comfortable. Whenever you hear about the US and the work-centered lifestyle, you could feel a bit worried about it, but I haven't experienced that at all. I work hard, of course, but I don't feel pressure - there's always an underlying chilled vibe. The public transport is also great, and of course, the weather is the best.

An unexpected cultural difference is the tax when you go shopping: 3 dollars in the shop, and 5 dollars at the till! I'm having to get myself used to that."

Why did you want to move to America?

"There are many reasons. I've always wanted to move to America specifically. It's partly for the experience and to see more of the world. Career-wise, there's a boom in the cost management and QS market here so it worked for me. I was also looking for a change from the UK work routine and wanted to experience new things, even if it was challenging. The USA has always been appealing to me with its culture and opportunities. I'm so glad I moved."

What has been the biggest challenge of relocating, and how did you overcome it?

"I'd say there were two main challenges. I slightly underestimated the weight of the change initially. The first night here, jet lagged and exhausted, I remember having a panic at 3am that I had made a mistake! But I think I was just feeling overwhelmed by the big change. Step by step, starting the job and getting support from colleagues and friends helped overcome that and I'm loving it now, I just had to give myself a bit of time to adjust.

The second challenge was dealing with all the little things like setting up a bank account, getting Wi-Fi, and obtaining a social security number. Everything relies on having your social security number, but you can't get it until you're here and you need to turn all of that around quickly! My employer was really helpful and supportive with sorting that out but I also did a lot of my own research."

How did you find the job hunt process?

"It was really easy, thanks to Annabel and Capstone. You made it so straightforward for me. Capstone found the right role for me rather than just trying to fill a seat. Having a solid foundation in my UK job also helped, as I wasn't desperate to leave, which gave me time to find the right opportunity."

Please can you tell us about your current role and how does it differ from the UK?

"I am a cost manager at an amazing consultancy. My company have a modern approach to quantity surveying, and there are a lot of high-profile clients and tech companies. I role work with an amazing tech client and much like the UK, its managing, monitoring and reporting costs. My time is split between my office and the client's campus and I am always using the most up to date tools, processes and systems.

There are a fair few differences. The main difference is that here we start from zero-dollar contracts, and everything's treated as a change. In the UK, you typically start with a sum and try to minimise changes. However, the foundational principles of cost management, forecasting, and value engineering are similar in both markets."

What was the visa process like for you?

"I found it really easy, the lawyer was super supportive, going to London to the embassy was an experience. I was definitely more nervous than I needed to be. Pro tip - get there early! It was odd, you're standing across from someone on the other side of a glass screen asking you about what you'll be doing in the USA, but as long as you know your details (which the lawyer will go through with you) it really is dead easy."

How did you find looking for accommodation? Any tips?

"My husband and I brought our dog so our situation was a bit different. We had to sign straight on and rent an apartment for 12 months as it was a bit more difficult to find pet-friendly accommodation. Thankfully we love the place and the location but it was a risk, so I would recommend using the temporary accommodation that your employer gives you initially and maybe do your research as much as you can first. I would do a lot of research on different neighbourhoods and understand how your salary relates to rent prices here."

How have you found the cost of living in San Francisco?

"It's less extreme than I expected as I know San Francisco has a reputation of being particularly expensive. Rent is expensive, but because salaries are weighted differently, it feels relative. Food and other costs are slightly more expensive than in the UK, but it works out to a similar percentage of your income. Some things, like public transport, are actually cheaper than in UK cities. There's no council tax here either. Overall, it's expensive but absolutely fine with the adjusted salary."

Would you recommend the move to others in the industry? Why or why not?

"Yes, 100%! My most common reaction when I saw people moving to the States was 'I wish I could do that!' You definitely can, especially if you reach out to Capstone, as they were so helpful and supportive and talked me through the whole process.

The new experiences have been unbelievable. It's a great time to come, especially with companies like mine growing so much. It's also amazing to get some broader experience on your CV in such an exciting market. I really can't fault it."

What advice would you give to other people considering a USA move?

"Research thoroughly. Make sure it is something you would be absolutely willing to do. I'd also say don't overthink it or let it intimidate you - it's a big move, but the positives pretty much always outweigh the negatives. Make sure it's right for you, and if it is, reach out to Capstone and get things started! Above all, if you go for it, enjoy the experience. It really is fantastic."