Frequently asked questions about moving to the US
Moving to a new country is generally surrounded by some mystery and plenty of questions. While these relocations can be spontaneous decisions, most frequently, they are planned throughout a longer time span. Families that relocate to the US, usually do this due to the positive political and economic context.
But the cultural shock is difficult to overcome by those ill-prepared. The process itself can also prove itself challenging, especially if you don’t consider all the nuances involved. Once you decide to move abroad, you have to carefully plan the whole removal and relocation process. Below is a short list of things you should think of when planning to move to the US.
photo/pixabay user Skeeze
Q: Will my removal involve a lifestyle change?
A: Relocating to a foreign country always involves a series of lifestyle changes you have to adapt to, on the way. Before the big leap, assess the climate, the culture and economics of the country and make sure that you will be able to adapt. If you can afford it, try to explore your soon-to-be home country. Book a week and explore the local lifestyle. See if the reality meets your expectations. This will significantly diminish the cultural shock and it will also allow you to see what lifestyle changes you will have to embrace. A common mistake that expats do when relocating is that they don’t truly experience the lifestyle and customs of the area before actually moving.
Q: Do I need a Visa for moving to the US?
A: Like all foreign citizen that wants to relocate and work in the US, you must comply to all the US visa immigration laws and standards. If you have complex questions that you need to clarify, get in touch with the US Embassy in your home country. Alternatively, visit the US Department of Homeland Security official website. There, you can also fill in online your Visa application. Coming from the EU will get you rid of all the hard visa application process, but make sure to check in with the US Embassy in your country either way.
Q: How should I handle the removal process?
A: Make sure that all your belongings, including furniture and appliances, remain safe during the removal process. Considering their volume, it’s difficult, most of the times, to handle the process by yourself. In your particular case, when moving to the US, search for removals to USA. Keep in mind that not all companies available on the market cover extensive areas. Some are only operating in a small location. Instead of searching for local enterprises, search for international ones.
When hiring a company, make sure that a team comes by to assess your removal needs. Reliable agencies offer free home survey services as part of their removal packages. Full removal processes are usually handled by loading all personal effects and belongings to individual freight containers. These are the services that you what to search for. These are usually safer and more reliable than others available on the market. Keep in mind that some of your personal effects might need proper documentation to enter the US territory.
Approval may be required for:
- Medicine and drugs. For these, you will usually need a prescription and the supply shouldn’t exceed the one necessary for 3 to 6 months.
- All alcoholic beverages require a permit and some of the states don’t allow alcoholic beverage import. Experts recommend checking beforehand.
- Arm, gun and weapon will also need a permit.
You can’t export to the US:
- Foods and meats;
- Seeds, untreated wood or bark;
- Skins and animal fur coming from endangered animals;
- Firearms. These cannot be shipped to the US with your other personal effects. Find an authorised firearm dealer and have them import them for you.
Q: How much will differ the living cost?
A: The living costs in the US vary from state to state, but also from city to city. If you haven’t decided yet where you want to live, there are certain cities across the US with high standard wages and low living costs.
- Dallas, Texas. The average annual income in Dallas is about $77K and the average monthly rent is somewhere around $1.5K. the median cost of the yearly necessity expenses gravitates around $20K. Dallas is a fairly affordable city to live in, according to many experts.
- Tampa, Florida. With similar expenses, but sensitively higher annual wages ($81K), Tampa, Florida is the perfect place to live in the US, especially if you love long, hot summers.
- Omaha, Nebraska. The city has a similar living cost to Dallas, but it’s rather appropriate for those of us that don’t particularly love year-around summers.
- Lexington, Kentucky is a charming city with affordable prices and above average annual wages, so if you haven’t decided yet where in the US you want to move, consider this city as an option.
Q: Should I find a job before or after I move?
A: Generally, the common advice is finding a job prior. This will offer you some stability in the long run and will help you adapt to the US job market easier. Research your future employer and their acidity field This will help you paint a clearer idea of the work standards that you will have to follow. Find out how others in your employer’s team have evolved professionally since they started the collaboration. This might seem unnecessary, but you have to make sure that you leave your home country for a better workplace and lifestyle climate.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions expats usually have before relocating to the US. Make sure to find some professional removal services that operate internationally, for a more fluid moving process. Prepare for the cultural and economic shock, because it is real. Visit the location before moving, if possible and adjust your expectation to the reality there. And most importantly, never leave before finding a stable job.
Author: Cynthia Madison
photo Ged Carroll
