Moving to the USA: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Immigrating

Moving to the USA: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Immigrating 10 CRITICAL Things to Know Before Immigrating to the USA. Is the USA still the land of dreams? For many, yes—but the reality of moving here involves a lot of red tape and cultural adjustments. In this comprehensive guide, I'm sharing the 10 most important lessons I learned during my first year as an immigrant in the United States. 1. CREDIT HISTORY IS KING: You start at zero. Without a US credit score, you'll pay higher deposits for everything. I wish I had known about 'Secured Credit Cards' on day one. 2. HEALTHCARE IS A BUSINESS: Understanding co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums is essential. It’s a steep learning curve but vital for your financial health. 3. TAXES AREN'T INCLUDED: The price you see on the shelf is NEVER the price you pay. Sales tax varies by state (and sometimes city), so always keep that in mind when shopping. 4. TIPPING IS EXPECTED: In the US, service workers often rely on tips. 20% is the standard for good service. 5. THE SCALE OF THE LAND: Everything is bigger here—the roads, the cars, the houses, and the distances between cities. 6. REGIONAL DIVERSITY: The South, the Northeast, the Midwest, and the West Coast all feel like different countries. Research the local culture before you pick a state. 7. THE LEGAL PROCESS: Keep every single document. The path to a Green Card or Citizenship is long and requires meticulous record-keeping. 8. HOUSING COMPETITION: In popular cities, the rental market is cutthroat. Have your documents and 'proof of funds' ready before you even start looking. 9. NETWORKING IS EVERYTHING: In the US, 'who you know' is often just as important as 'what you know' when it comes to job hunting. 10. EMBRACE THE CHANGE: It will be hard, you will feel homesick, but the opportunities for growth are unmatched. CHAPTERS: #USImmigration #MovingToUSA #AmericanDream #ExpatTips #LivingInTheUS #USAImmigrant #NewLifeInAmerica #USACulture #ImmigrationProcess #USHealthcare #CreditScoreTips #RelocationGuide #TravelToUSA #InternationalStudentUSA #H1BVisa #GreenCardJourney things i wish i knew, moving to usa mistakes, immigrating to usa, moving to usa 2024, us green card, settling in usa, american dream reality, first year in usa, new life in america, usa relocation #immigrating#newlifeusa#americandream#movinghacks#viral