Hi

I can't help you with the move, but maybe with some other info...

You will be able to send your child(ren) to public school - no fees involved...but keep in mind the school year is different - school year starts in Sept and ends in June - but your child can start at any time. However, which school depends on where you live so when choosing where to live, you want to take into account quality of schools...unfortunately, I don't know how you go about finding this info but I'm sure it's out there and US real estate agents who you will meet in your search for a rental will be able to provide you with info as well. By the way, with the way the property market is going there, you should get a good deal on rent.

OH - make sure that in your DH's employment (and since it sounds like it is not an expat package) if they terminate him early, they pay for your move back home plus any "early termination" costs (i.e., of lease). Employment laws in the US are very different...2 weeks notice is norm and there's no statutory right to any kind of payout - only what you negotiate in the contract and giving what you are going to undertake to move, this isn't unreasonable.

As a prior poster said, health insurance is key - so much so that it it's not part of the package, I would not go (however, I'd be shocked if it wasn't)...just make sure there are no waiting periods for anything - the HR representative should be able to provide this info. Make sure it starts from day 1 of move even if DH doesn't start work until day 10 (if you know what I mean)...if you can't get it from Day 1 because DH isn't starting work on Day 1, then make sure you have travel insurance for the gap. You don't want to be in the US without insurance - not even for 60 seconds.

Bring all your children's immunization records - the public schools may want to see this --- or they may want a letter from your GP or a doctor there who would take into account your Aus history.

Keep in mind that things are much cheaper in the US - you will be shocked about how much less cars, furniture, white goods, clothing, shoes, shampoo, make-up, sheets, towels, etc. etc. are....if you are curious as to say how much a car would cost - think of a car, and go to their US site - you should be able to find the "sticker" price - NO ONE pays the sticker price! but it is a start for comparison as well as costing.

Hope this helps somewhat - what area of the US would you be living in?