MOVING TO AMERICA
At Worldwide Move Management, we can offer advice on how to make your move to America as smooth as possible
From our offices in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom the management and employees of Worldwide Move Management work alongside partners globally to deliver the best possible moving experience.
It is our aim to ensure total customer satisfaction from the beginning of the moving process to the end, through continuous communication and personal attention at all times.
With the United States being one of the largest countries globally Worldwide Move Management offers a full range of moving and relocation services to the USA, including export packing, full household moving, part load moves, storage, and destination services.
The United States of America is a federal republic of 50 States. The United States is bordered on the north by Canada, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
The United States is the third largest country in the world in area after Russia and Canada. The national capital is Washington in the District of Columbia. The United States contains a highly diverse population that to a great degree has come from an immense and sustained global immigration.
The United States is the world’s greatest economic power, with the nation's wealth partly a reflection of its rich natural resources and its enormous agricultural output, along with it's highly developed industry. Despite its relative economic self-sufficiency in many areas, the United States is the most important single factor in world trade by virtue of the sheer size of its economy. Its exports and imports represent major proportions of the world total.
The United States is relatively young by world standards, being less than 250 years old; it achieved its current size only in the mid-20th century. In the 20th century the United States emerged as a world power, and since World War II it has been one of the preeminent powers. The United States still offers its residents opportunities for unparalleled personal advancement and wealth.
If you’re considering moving to America and you don’t know where to start then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Moving to a new country can be incredibly overwhelming and if you have thought things through, chances are you’ll forget something important. From finding a new job to looking for the perfect place to stay, you need to be sure you’re planning as much as you can in advance. So no matter how bad you want to move, it is very important that you do thorough research before you commit to the move, especially if you are moving as a family.
When planning to move to the USA, you might want to consider the four important points below;
The cost of living varies alot
Real Estate - with the exception of cities like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, real estate tends to be quite affordable in comparison to other developed nations. If you’re happy to live outside the city you may be pleasantly surprised how far your dollar will go. Of course it varies, even within a city or state. Two of the best websites to research property rental and house sale prices across the USA are Zillow and Redfin
Shopping - surprisingly grocery costs do vary from city to rural areas. In big cities fresh produce has to be transported from the farms and this increases the costs. There are some wonderful stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joes who can be found is most states along with many independent grocery stores.
There are also some great grocery delivery services. In fact almost everything can be delivered to your door in the USA.
Transport - it’s more common to drive everywhere, but in the big cities public transport is the best means of getting around because of the traffic. In New York a monthly subway card will set you back $100 USD and trains to the suburbs much more.
Education - In terms of education, there are state and private schools. A lot of parents chose to move out to the suburbs when their children grow up as the quality of education is often (but not always) better in the quieter parts of town. Check online for the school ratings; there are lots of comparison websites, www.insideschools.org is one such example in New York.
The work culture is very focused
For newcomers to the USA the work culture might seem like extreme but in reality it’s really down to the individual employer. Unlike other countries there’s no law setting the maximum hours of work per week. On average a full time employee works 8.5 hours per day, or 44 hours per week. Getting employees to work together as a team is a strong focus in the US, of course it varies from company to company, but in New York for example the work culture is generally very global and very competitive. It is also worth noting that there is no legal minimum paid leave for new parents. Instead it’s up to individual employers to award leave as they see it.
Medical Insurance is a must!!
Health insurance is notoriously expensive and complicated in the U.S. Unlike Canada, most of Europe, and many other countries where universal health care provides a basic level of coverage to all citizens, the U.S. has a mixture of private and two kinds of government-run programs. Basic coverage in California and Florida can cost $450 per month, while similar plans in New York can cost upwards of $600 per month.
The public programs, known as Medicare and Medicaid, are specifically designed for the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income families and individuals. Everyone else needs to obtain private plans, either through their employer or on their own. Without one, you will still get treated in an emergency, but you are responsible for all of your medical expenses—and the bills can be expensive.
Even when you do have an insurance plan, you may still get surprise bills. Most insurance plans require you to make co-payments at every doctor, and co-insurance—the percentage you pay alongside your insurer— can come as a surprise to many foreigners who are not used to this system.
It really does pay to do your research as soon as you can and one of the best resources for this is the US Government website called HealthCare.gov
Eating at restaurants and gratuities in the USA
Tap Water
Tap water is available free of charge at most USA restaurants and public places. Protected by federal law, water in the United States is safe to drink. Americans enjoy one of the safest water supplies in the world.
Dietary Restrictions
Restaurants in the USA are typically very accommodating of special diets and custom meals for religious and other reasons. You may request vegetarian, vegan, gluten- or dairy-free foods, but often these items are marked on the menu. Diners with food allergies or dietary restrictions should request special care with the preparation of their meals. It is important to notify the restaurant of any food allergies.
Meal Times & Etiquette
The U.S. food scene is as diverse as its establishments. From 24-hour diners to five-star restaurants, there are options to suit everyone's wants and needs.
In the U.S., dining times often revolve around work schedules and social or professional commitments. As such, dining times vary, whether you are eating in a restaurant or private dinner at home. Here are typical dining times in the U.S.:
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Breakfast: 7 to 10 a.m.
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Brunch: A combination of breakfast and lunch typically served on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Lunch: 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
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Happy Hour: Many bars and restaurants offer reduced prices on drinks and appetizers from 5 to 6 p.m. for professionals who gather after work
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Dinner: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
While some restaurants offer a casual setting and expect diners to wear casual attire, more upscale ones may require formal attire. Check with the restaurant in advance if you are unsure of its dress code.
Some restaurants may require reservations. You can make reservations by phone, in person or sometimes via a restaurant’s website or websites like OpenTable and Yelp.
Tipping
Tipping is a common practice throughout the United States, especially at restaurants. Tipping practices vary throughout the United States, but always remember that many service employees rely on tips for much of their income and appreciate being acknowledged for their hard work.
Visa requirements for moving to the USA
Importing used Household and Personal Effects to the USA
You can import your Household and Personal Effects to the USA exempt of duty and tax provided they have been in the owner's use and possession for at least one year. It is also necessary for the owner to declare that they will continue to use their Household and Personal Effects in their new residence in the USA.
Customs Documentation - to be completed to allow customs clearance Household and Personal Effects into the USA
The United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Nearly every region of the world has influenced American culture, most notably the English who colonized the country beginning in the early 1600s. U.S. culture has also been shaped by the cultures of Native Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians.
The United States is sometimes described as a "melting pot" in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct "flavors" to American culture. Just as cultures from around the world have influenced American culture, today American culture influences the world. The term Western culture often refers broadly to the cultures of the United States and Europe.
There is no official language of the United States, according to the U.S. government. While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most frequently spoken non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French and German. Ninety percent of the U.S. population speaks and understands at least some English, and most official business is conducted in English. Some states have official or preferred languages. For example, English and Hawaiian are the official languages in Hawaii.
The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who follow America Football, Baseball, Basketball and Ice Hockey, among other sports. Baseball, which was developed in colonial America and became an organized sport in the mid-1800s, is known as America's favorite pastime, although it is believed its popularity has been eclipsed by American Football for the past three decades,
Did you know this about the United States?
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American athletes have won more Olympic medals than athletes from any other country over the years
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The United States is the only country that has all of Earth's five climate zones: tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar
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The United States is the third most visited country by international tourists after Spain and France
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Lake Superior, on the United States-Canada border, is the largest body of freshwater in the world by surface area. The lake covers 31,700 square miles
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The Pentagon – the headquarters of the US Department of Defence – is the world's largest office building by floor area.
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The United States is home to nearly 45 million immigrants – more than any other country in the world.
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Much of the music the world listens to – jazz, rock 'n' roll, hip-hop, country, folk, R&B, soul, and gospel – comes out of the United States.
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The U.S. film industry is the largest, oldest, and most profitable film industry in the world. According to research firm IBISWorld, the American film industry generated about $33 billion in 2019.
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More than nine in every 10 Americans have eaten pizza in the last month. According to some estimates, Americans consume the equivalent of about 100 acres of pizza every day.
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Nearly one-third of all land in the United States – or about 650 million acres – is federally owned.
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On any given day in the United States, about 84.8 million adults – 37% of the adult population – consume fast food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The United States is at the center of global invention. Airplanes, computers, cellphones, potato chips, and the light bulb are just a few examples of American ingenuity.
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There are an estimated 75.8 million dogs in the United States, more than double the number in Brazil, the country with the second most dogs.
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The United States became the world's largest petroleum producer in the last 10 years. The country produced 18.23 million barrels of oil per day in 2019, well above the daily production of Saudi Arabia, the world's second-biggest oil producer. Oil includes crude oil, all other petroleum liquids, and biofuels.
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The United States is one of only three countries that have not officially switched to the metric system. Liberia and Burma are the other two.
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The typical wage or salary worker in the United States has been with his or her current employer for 4.2 years.
Worldwide Move Management provides a high quality professional international moving service to our customers. From initial contact, a dedicated move manager will take care of the complete moving process, to ensure a stress free experience and 100% satisfaction from beginning to end.
Through our affiliation with various industry organisations, our network extends to over 800 partners worldwide, which in turn, means we can offer a most comprehensive service.
There are many different options and modes of transportation used to move your belongings to the United State of America. These options are tailored to meet the individual needs and budgets of our customers.
To obtain your personalised relocation plan and quotation for your move to the USA please click here
