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10 Things to Know About Moving to the U.S.

There’s more than paperwork to think about when moving to the United States. A lot of things in the U.S. work differently than elsewhere and you’ll save a lot of time and frustration if you know what to expect before arriving. Here are 10 things immigrants wish they knew before moving to the U.S.

Should you rent or buy a home in the U.S.?

The process to buy a home is the same regardless of citizenship. Permanent residents even qualify for low-cost mortgages like FHA loans.
If immigrating with pets, read up on local pet regulations and search for pet-friendly rentals. Note that most apartments charge pet fees so it may be advantageous to buy a home if you have pets.
If you do choose to rent, learn how to spot housing scams and never pay a deposit before visiting a property in person and signing a lease.

Insurance in the U.S. is complicated

Whether you rent or buy, be sure to purchase insurance. Homeowners insurance or renters insurance isn’t just smart to have — it’s often required.
The U.S. doesn’t have public health insurance except for the low-income, disabled, and elderly. If your job doesn’t provide health insurance you’ll need to buy individual coverage.
Insurance is also required to drive a car. Before driving, get a state-issued driver’s license, buy and register a vehicle, and purchase car insurance.

Homesick? Use these tips to avoid travel hassles

Short trips typically don’t present a problem, but there are risks to traveling internationally as a permanent resident, especially trips of six months or longer.
It may be easier to fly loved ones to visit you. B-2 visas last six months with the option to extend. Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program only need a visa for stays over 90 days.

What about sending gifts and remittances?

International parcel delivery is slow, especially when mailing to remote areas. Consider shipping to a courier depot to avoid surcharges and delays.
Sending money, meanwhile, is much faster than in the past. If you have family in Nigeria, as an example, you can send money instantly via direct deposit or arrange cash pick-up at over 3,600 locations.

There’s a lot to learn when moving to a new country, but knowing these tips up-front will start your U.S. experience off on the right foot.

Need help buying a home in the U.S.? The Knowledge Base Real Estate Group has the expertise to help find and buy your Southwest Florida home.