immigration
BEFORE YOUR MOVE: TIPS FOR EXPATS AND IMMIGRANTS
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re you thinking of moving to the U.S. from another country? Have you recently moved to the U.S. and need a little guidance? With the U.S. being such a large country, there is a vibe for every person’s preference. Whether you like hot climates such as California, or cold winters like New York City or Chicago, the U.S. has different seasons. Maybe you’d prefer something quiet in a small town, home to various wildlife, woodland trails, or forest parks like Jacksonville, Oregon. Do you want to be in a large state that’s full of excitement? A place where everything is double the size, like Texas? Whatever your wants and needs, the U.S. has something for everyone. When you finally figure out where to live, there are a few things to know before you pack your life up in a bag. If you will be renting a home when you move, the rule of thumb is usually spending no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. Before you move, determine your necessities and only take those with you. Then, you can sell or donate your other items on places such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or Craigslist. Before you consider using large international moving companies, there are plenty of third-party businesses that use companies such as DHL and FedEx, like mybaggage.com. But they charge a third of the price. The next item on your list is moving your money. If you are selling a property, there is a high chance of being taxed twice. First, when the money leaves the country. Then, when your money enters the U.S. (it will be classified as income). Also, remember that there will be
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PHOTO BY ONO KOSUKI FROM PEXELS
By Kershia Johnson, CIPD a charge for converting your home currency to the U.S. dollar. For large amounts in the thousands, TransferWise is one of the best options. For smaller quantities, it’s worth exploring Xoom (by PayPal) or even your personal bank as they usually charge a flat fee. Always keep a bank account open in your home country, even if you are not planning to move back. Then, when you travel home or want to send money to someone back home, you can reduce your fees on transferring money over. When you move here, you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) ASAP. Once you have this, you can open a bank account. Protect your SSN as if it were currency because not doing so can lead to identity theft. Unfortunately, at least from the UK to the U.S., you cannot transfer your credit history or score. You will need to start from scratch. Good credit in the U.S. is a necessity! If you cannot be an authorized user on a family or friend’s credit card, another route is opening a prepaid credit card. Once they monitor your spending over six months, the company will usually trust you with a small credit amount. Then you can build your credit up from there. Capital One is an excellent option for first-time credit card users in the U.S. Your SSN will be used for nearly everything associated with money. So it’s wise to manage your money accordingly. Give yourself time to adapt to the changes that come with moving to another country. It took me over two years to start enjoying my new home and no longer being homesick. Of course, being homesick comes and goes. There are times where I long for fish and chips. Over time, you will get used to your new culture as you no longer worry about the small stuff. u
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