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Moved to the USA - My 10 week update
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iusedtoknow wrote: »Get an apple tv. It runs netflix, hulu and itunes all rolled in. It connects to your wifi network. Comcast have unlimited data DL so you'll never need cable. We have cable so we can watch european sports, which for us is worth it.
I hadn't thought of that. Thanks!iusedtoknow wrote: »For us this was one of the major stresses. We were lucky that my company were paying for and organising everything to move our cat over. She was picked up the morning that the movers came. She was in a kennel for 1 night, shipped to Frankfurt and overnighted there and flew direct to San Francisco. She arrived one day after we did. We were worried about her the whole time.
She arrived slightly hungry, but was none the worse for it. She settled in pretty quickly. They are pretty adaptable.
We had looked at shipping the cats with a pet shipping/cargo company (with a route similar to what you've mentioned), but it seemed so expensive. We got quotes of 850 - 1000 euro for the two cats. So even with buying the crates ourselves (about 40 euro each) and the AA pet fee, it was so much cheaper to bring them on our flights (though, if it was the only option, we would have paid for the pet cargo company!). The worst thing was the uncertainty with the airline - what if the weather in Chicago just changed last minute and it was too hot to fly? We had some friends on standby in case the cats couldn't travel, but we really didn't want that to happen! One of our cats developed a nervous nose-licking habit, and his poor little nose was so pink when they finally arrived.
They spent the first evening & night under the sofa, but they were eating fine the next day and were back to themselves in a couple of days. 0 -
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Hey everyone,
My husband and I moved to the US just under four weeks ago, and this thread was a great resource for me, so I thought I'd pay it forward.
Background/rationale for moving:- I always wanted international experience, I've worked at my company for over seven years and knew it was possible, so it was great to pursue this. I actively pursued a relocation opportunity for more than two years. It was always part of the plan, and it's great that it has materialised for us.
My package was a lump sum + visa processing fees etc. What this means; we had to organise flights, shipping, temporary accommodation etc. ourselves. We downsized, we took eight suitcases (brought 6 with us on Aerlingus - not allowed over three each) and paid a company called sendmybag.com -> cheapest rates!
Visas
It's an internal transfer from Dublin -> New York. Work uses a third party company to collect & collate information. It took a lot longer than we expected, all of the documentation required. We received our supporting documents the day before the visa appointment, we were exasperated.
Flights
We booked one way and flexible tickets since it's the summer the tickets were more than we envisioned.
Social Security
My husband did J1, so they found him on the system. Although he's waiting for his EAD - which now takes even longer than usual (up to 6 months).
We got there early, 8 am and were #1 on the queue
the only downside is, I should have used work/mates address for them to post my SSN to. Because we were staying at a hotel, I had to go back to pick my card.
Car/Driving license - no need yet. Not getting a car but we'd probably rent cars, so it'd be good to sort something out.
Accommodation
Airbnb is somewhat illegal in NY, we were not 100%, and we didn't want to risk it. So we decided to stay in a hotel, for ten days and hope to find a place then - too ambitious!
Apartments typically go on the 1st/15th of the month; there's usually more available for the 1st of the month than the later. We targeted to move on the 1st. We viewed over 23 apartments in 2/3 days, we decided on one in Manhattan, East Village. Technically more expensive than we wanted to pay, but it was cheaper as we didn't pay the realtor's fees and didn't require Insurent (US guarantor company, great for people with no credit. Usually one month rent, not refundable).
The process of renting was somewhat new, needing verified/certified checks, and we had to go to the bank to arrange this.
It could have been easier with an online payment/payment at the leasing office.
We're delighted we found a place, navigating a new city in the NY summer heat was an experience that I don't want to relish.
Our apartment came with an offer: electricity, cable & internet = free. The only additional fees we have to pay is Air conditioners so happy days.
Bank
We went with Bank of America, and we booked an appointment online, which was a good idea. We spent nearly 2 hours there, opening bank accounts and setting up a credit card - I got a secured card, Mark got a credit card (due to J1).
With BOFA, they enable Pay, i.e. you can use a Digital card to withdraw money from your bank account and also enable Pays - a great idea (however we couldn't download the app).
Phones
We had good Android phones and weren't looking to buy new ones. We got T-Mobile plans then realised that we weren't receiving calls, turns out our phones were not compatible with the US network - yes, crazy! We also tried Verizon and AT&T sim cards and nada. So we both bought new phones (unnecessary expense). We both have the Google phones so may move to Google Fi, nearly unlimited data/calls (have to look into it again).
Also, you can't download American apps when your Google Play store is Ireland, you can only change your country once a year, and it takes Google up to 72 hours to change your country. (Husband has to wait one year to change again, which is frustrating) As he's limited in applications that he can download due to his Play country selection. And it's also crap that you can only change it once a year.
Healthcare
The mind boggles! Took me a few tries to understand the policies available, my company uses a tool called Alex to help you decide on which policy is best for you. For now, we're on the basic/entry level. We can opt to other plans later in the year, November.
Weather
July is hot as f***. Dublin summer vs. NY summer = huge difference! It's been really hot and humid and we're adjusting.
Furniture
We rented in Dublin, so we didn't have too much then with the different plugs, etc. we didn't bring much. So we had to buy, we're still buying.
Ikea - overwhelmed and packed! Irish cards got declined a few times, that wasn't fun. We went to Ikea 3 times, once/twice our orders were cancelled after the trxns were processed. Sigh.
We bought a bed and sofa from Bob's furniture - the best quality for the price we found. The couch was cheaper than what we wanted from Ikea.
Bought a mattress online - Tuff & needle. The first thing we got delivered, and we slept on the floor.
We bought kitchen stuff from Ikea, Target etc. Some were delayed, our first night we ate pasta with our hands as we had plates but no cutlery!
Other things
Wine & alcohol is cheaper than Dublin in the shops.
We found Costco overwhelming, dunno if it's needed if it's just for two people. Bought the wrong rice, wrong coffee and now they're just sitting there, and we don't know what to do with them.
Pasteurised milk and unpasteurized milk, go figure...
Ground mince = minced meat
Grocery: farmers markets, Trader Joes - can't do a full shop here, dunno why. Wholefoods - went in for the first time on Thursday, love the fact that they have a butcher and fishmonger - new fav.
Food is inexpensive, or you can find good food at great prices.
Uber/Lyft regularly is the norm, get used to it.
It's hard to keep in touch. Everyone's gone to bed when you head home from work
It's been the small things that make NY home, for example cooking our first meal, buying lamps in the apartment or making a roast chicken. Maybe finally having a bed frame, that whole mattress on the floor was tough.
I'll add to this over the next couple of weeks.0 -
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