Name, job, part of the San Francisco Bay Area you live in
Peter Williams, Commercial Director, Sunnyvale
When did you first come to the Bay and what’s the backstory there?
I moved here 2 1/2 years ago – I was working in Doha, and received a phone call out of the blue asking if I wanted to move to California! The decision wasn’t difficult… I am working for a real estate company, creating office space for a very large Tech Company. I am used to moving around the world – we have lived in 14 different cities, and moved 25+ times in the last 20 years.
Hardest thing about moving here?
It was relatively easy – getting services sorted out was unexpectedly difficult, compared to the rest of the world. And the banking system – cheques / checks? 🙂
Favorite Bay Area memory to date?
So many – cycling through Golden Gate Park, whales at Half Moon Bay, the ability to be at Lake Tahoe in 4 hours.
What impact has being Australian had on your life here? In dating? In work?
The reason I got the job was being an Australian, while being a specialist in what I do! It was easier to get an Australian here on an E3 than any other visa type.
Dating = not applicable – I am here with my wife of 29 years, my kids are back in Australia.
In work, I am a novelty, and get to talk about crocs and roos a lot.
Most American thing you’ve experienced in your time here?
The formality of Thanksgiving – and having to eat the stuff as a pudding! It’s bad enough as a vegetable.
Best advice for anyone who is thinking of coming over?
Just do it (apologies to Nike…) – bringing a different viewpoint to the workplace can provide many opportunities.
Any additional thoughts?
My wife wasn’t expecting to take so long to (1) get the SSN / E3D sorted out, and (2) find a decent paying job. After almost a year, she opened a home daycare – which she finds huge fun and pays far better than any formal employment she could find.