JackOfAll

cletus, thanks for the wonderful post. It has lots of information and i will read it multiple times to soak it all in. Regarding location, I would definitely prefer a place where people can walk/use public transport heavily/etc rather than rely on cars. Not only it saves money, but i personally feel that seeing fellow people and having a good level of interaction with different people is really the KEY to a happy life. You would never feel isolated and when in stress, it lets you see things in the correct perspective.

for now i have some queries regarding your comment, please indulge me if you can spare few minutes: - not sure about the terminology, but by sublet you mean a very temporary accommodation before moving into a rented place? - can you please clarify a bit more on why 2 years is preferable than 1 year? does re contracting every year has a recurring expense? - Is it possible to get H1B visa while having a L1B visa as you have suggested? I thought that would not be possible? In case it is, will the H1B sponsor be the same company that is my L1B?

Also, your last point is entirely valid and it makes perfect sense. Thanks for that.

thanks dewiz... apologies cantrevealname...

While typing GC, i could'nt help myself adding that... thought i was being smart :)

thanks noname123 for your comments....

Rogerbooyou, Thanks for your comments.

Am i reading the market incorrectly? since you mention that i might get somewhere around 75K - 100K ! For a 10 year experienced guy in C++ and Java, i was expecting a range of 130K-150K.

That does put a wrench in the works !!

TKM, Thanks for the wonderful reply. I have now more options to consider than just NJ. Thanks once again.

The problem is i am working in IT. For an IT guy moving slowly from low cost center to medium cost center and from medium cost center to high cost center is equivalent to a successful career progression.

Being in NYC means that i would be working on really interesting projects and i will have more freedom with my work and the decisions that i can make while programming.

Thanks techsupporter. I am not sure if i would be applicable for EB1, since i would be functioning as a senior developer (of some critical SW). I guess it would more likely be EB2. However, maybe in a year or so if my profile expands, then maybe i can re negotiate and try to get an EB1.

By the way, do you by any chance know what are the likely time frames of getting a LPR for both EB1 and EB2 given that i would apply for LPR as soon as i join office?

Thanks for all your comments. Here is what i have got 1. Might not matter, should auto-correct itself in a year or so. 2. Still not sure about my expectations wrt asking for 130K-150K ? I don't want to miss the boat while i do not want to get in at a low, since getting rises is really hard nowadays. 3. Thanks for all the wonderful information about neighboring places. Wow, I have a lot of options and not just NJ. 4. if 130K-150K works out, then i should be fine with the after tax savings. Whew!! 5. Might have to do some long hours in the beginning, might tail off as i get more exposure. 6. Will follow up with my company's lawyers.

Also, I remember reading a blog about a person's experience while moving to USA. He mentioned about SSN, DMV license, Moving his savings to USA, Credit ratings, etc. Can someone point me to the url again or send me appropriate urls where this information has been already mentioned.