Moving abroad is both exciting and nerve-wracking. You will be starting a new adventure as an expat, but you will also have to face the responsibilities of living in unfamiliar territory. To tone your expectations, here are the top tips to remember when moving to the U.S.
1. Decide Where to Live
The location of your work will primarily determine the place where you will reside. However, when choosing an employer, think carefully about where you want to live during your stay.
The U.S. is a vast country, and as such, you will notice a lot of differences in many things when you go to various places. The time zone, industry, climate, culture, housing, and regulations will vary from one state to another.
When moving to America, you will witness the great rivalry between the East and the West Coasts. You can observe significant variations among the fifty states, including the language dialects, accents, laws, culture, and politics.
You will feel like you are in a different country when you hop from a state like Utah to another like Rhode Island, due to their stark differences.
New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are the areas where expats moving to the United States often find work and accommodation.
The key factors to consider when creating a “moving to the U.S.” checklist are distance, accessibility, neighborhood, culture, and accommodation costs.
If you are moving with your kids, ensure the place is near the school and the area is safe for children. If you are moving to America alone, accessibility and convenience are the primary factors to consider when selecting a house.
2. Decide on the Type of Accommodation Before Moving to the U.S.
Apartments, duplex homes, and single-detached houses are the popular choices for expats moving to America.
We highly recommend renting during your first month in America. Never rent a unit without inspecting it first, whether it is a hotel or an Airbnb room.
Include a rental or lease agreement in your “moving to the U.S.” checklist to have before you reside. Rent terms and conditions, including utility usage, repairs, refunds, security deposit, and improvements, should all be found in the lease agreement.
Non-U.S. citizens can purchase homes in the U.S. So long as you have an Individual Tax Number and a good credit score, you can apply for a loan to buy a house.
Financial institutions openly deal with foreign buyers, so look for those to get all the information you need about your plan to purchase.
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3. Study the Modes of Transportation
There are various ways to navigate large cities, including buses, trains, taxis, and trams. There are also interstate buses with affordable rates, which may be suitable if your job requires frequent travel between offices.
On the other hand, if you live in the suburbs, you have limited options available for transport. It is more advisable to own a car for convenient transportation. However, before you can drive in the U.S., you must have an International Driver’s License.
While taking the train is an affordable and convenient option, it is not the best means of transport in the country.
4. Don’t Forget to Leave a Tip
When moving to the U.S., you must start getting used to the practice of tipping. It is a common practice in America, where people often leave tips for wait staff, cab drivers, bartenders, and hairdressers.
5. Plan Your Vacations
Americans are often described as workaholics, and U.S.-based companies tend to offer fewer holiday leaves compared to companies in other countries.
Employers in the U.S. are not required by law to provide employees with any paid leave. However, many businesses now offer holiday allowances of around 21 days per year – still few, but better than nothing.
6. Prepare Your Stomach
Food servings in the U.S. are significantly larger than the average in most countries. Studies show that Americans consume more calories than any other country globally, averaging more than 3,000 calories per day per person.
Additionally, fast food dining and take-out meals are the usual means of nourishment due to people’s busy schedules every day.
7. Get Connected Online
There are several internet providers in America, but not all will be accessible in your new home. The cost of internet in the U.S. is more expensive than in European cities on average, but nowhere near as fast.
In choosing an internet provider, select one that offers a fast and stable connection and is reliable in delivering customer service.
8. Open a Bank Account
One of the things you must not forget when moving to the U.S. is to open a bank account. It is not hard to create one, even for expats, as most institutions make it convenient for clients to bank with them.
As an expat, you will most likely be required to provide additional documentation and immigration information. Visiting a branch and transacting in person is the recommended option over online applications.
The most common types of banks you will encounter are retail banks, commercial banks, and savings and loans banks. The top banks in the U.S. are Wells Fargo, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase.
9. Apply for Insurance Before Moving to the US!
Getting international health insurance should be at the top of your checklist when moving to the USA. You will need this, and it can save you from financial trouble in the event of a medical emergency.
The healthcare service in the U.S. is very different from the public systems in most countries. It is available to the general population, but it is not universal.
There are two kinds of public health insurance schemes in the U.S.: Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid is provided to individuals living below the average income level who cannot afford medical attention.
Medicare, on the other hand, is for individuals aged 65 and above. Neither can guarantee to help you with your medical insurance as an expat, which is why it is recommended that you get international health insurance from a trusted insurer.
One thing that makes people wary of moving to the U.S. is the prohibitive cost of healthcare services. To many living on an average salary, footing the whole bill is almost equivalent to bankruptcy.
The average cost of an emergency room visit in the U.S. is around $6,000, which is why it is better to pay for expat health insurance than to remain uninsured and face substantial medical expenses.
Most employers provide health insurance to employees, but it is often insufficient, especially for expats with different needs when it comes to medical emergencies. It is best to get additional coverage from a private insurer for your peace of mind.
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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