BIG question. The USA has a lot to offer among its 50 States. There are big cities and small towns. Areas of vast rural or unspoilt countryside, or massive vibrant cities with a fast pace of life. There are places that rarely see rain, and there are other places that spend a large part of the year in cold, rainy or weather. So – what do you want. What will suit you?
Obviously if you have family or friends here that will be a great help and a draw to a particular area. Your desired career/work might determine where you should settle, or perhaps religion will play a part in your decision. You might want to find where people from your homeland settle so that you can “fit in” or you might decide to throw yourself into the cultural melting pots of the bigger cosmopolitan cities.
Getting these things settled is about deciding what sort of life you want to lead. That is important. As a new immigrant you are putting yourself through huge change and tearing yourself away from friends and so on. So – you want to choose well, so you don’t have to do that all again when you realize you chose to live in the wrong place for you.
Once you have an idea of what sort of place you want to live in, try and get some possible places. Research those places using the internet. What is the cost of living by state? What is the economy like there? How about the cost of housing? How about unemployment rates in the area, or education, or leisure activities. Really – put some thought into it. America is a BIG country. Many Americans never travel outside of America – and that is partly because you can get a totally different experience just by being in another part of the country!
OK some tools to help with your research.
To find out about salary levels in a given area or type of work – Glassdoor
To compare cost of living from one place to another – CNN cost of living calculator.
To get a high level “review” and information on living in a specific area – AreaVibes
Interesting article on good places to live based on salaries etc – Forbes article
Home search site (rental and sales) – Zillow
I hope that helps!
cost of living by state
March 5, 2019 at 14:20
Hello brit, I trust you are doing well. We have moved to the United States about a month ago. I would like to ask, the address we put on the documents when we were in the process was that of a friend who is a citizen here. But when we came we have been living with a relative who is illegal. Will this cause any problem to us or the relative? Is it possible to use that relative’s address to receive documents such as ss or state ID?
March 5, 2019 at 14:25
No problem.
March 5, 2019 at 14:41
Thank you so much For your prompt response. It is highly appreciated!
October 1, 2017 at 00:33
hi brit i m in us ask ssn our gc latter after atwo month receive how to get food stump & financial benficary
October 1, 2017 at 02:38
Don’t take public assistance if at all possible – that can cause a risk to your status. . Take extra jobs if needed.
August 5, 2017 at 20:11
We cannot afford 160$ per night even in the cheapest hostel.So right now we shower in public pools they have showers ,we are very clean people and this feels like hell to us.We dreamed of USA since we were kids and now we are devastated,dissapointed and exhausted .My husband found his job alone traveling by train more than 7 hours per day ,entering every place that could have a job and i applied online in many stores.You are away from home and you have no one else here .But i know we will make it.Thank you for everything.Your posts helped us to get the visa when we won DV LOTTERY.Hey,the dream continues.
July 23, 2018 at 19:03
Sadness ! Is this the final situation for all DV winners ? I have to think one to hundred times to getting in to US. Medicine /hospital ,job problem, homeless problem ,I think that those are the basic problem when we are getting after US.BRIT,please give us the real status of US,Is it a difficult problem for finding a apartment and job?
July 23, 2018 at 19:07
Everyone has different experiences. Some people make the mistake to go to an area that already has high unemployment, perhaps they go there because costs are low. But, if you move to an area with a good economy you can find opportunities.
August 5, 2017 at 16:16
Hello Simon.We are a couple that has 2 months in USA .My husband just started job and i am in the training phase at a cell phone company.We found job nearly one month ago.The person that said was going to host us kicked us out in the middle of the street.We have been sleeping in the bus terminals and subway stations for the last 3 weeks.I cannot tell you with words what a big sacrifice we are making.We were poor and we did not take much money with us.We cannot afford a hotel since we are in New York .We work and sleep and shower in miserable conditions.We have been surviving because we are very determinated people.We have been looking for renting homes and nobody gives us since we have no credit at all and to build the credit we need as i heard alot of time.What solution do we have?Is there any office we can go and explain our situatio (not homeless departament) because we are trying so hard .It took me alot of courage to write you this message.Thank you.
August 5, 2017 at 17:12
It saddens me to read your post. I just read it to my wife and she has tears to think of this. The “host” system is normally a good thing – but I can imagine it leaves the immigrant somewhat vulnerable to the kindness and good intentions of the host. When the CO interviews people in certain African countries, the host system is a way to be assured that the person will not struggle in the way you are now struggling.
The good news is that you both have found work. Because you have achieved that, your present situation is not hopeless. I know it must be very hard, but things will get better. Do all you can to make sure you are safe, and presentable and above all that you keep your jobs. That is the key to you getting out of your current situation.
I don’t have any specific help in terms of accommodation in New York. It is a notoriously difficult place to find a home – and ridiculously expensive.
In terms of some ideas.
If you are Church going people – talk to people in your Church. Don’t be afraid to discuss your housing problem with them to see if they have ideas on how to help.
Find a community of people from your home country – and again, let them know your problem.
You could look for hostels, but even cheap hostels in NYC tend to be around $70 per night per person.
Best of luck – let me know how you get on.
July 16, 2017 at 18:34
thanks again
July 15, 2017 at 08:10
mr brit1. what was your advice i &my wife goes us next September from Ethiopia both health professional what was your advice getting a job & site of living for new comment
2. is there the same my immigrant visa stamped expire date nov1/2017 calculate from medical exam or not
July 15, 2017 at 12:05
I don’t have advice on that specific job search.
The expiry date on the visa is based on the date of the medical.
July 7, 2017 at 09:10
Hi Brit,
I read this how to find jobs in USA. Actually I am a fluit (Bamboo) player and learning it for 3 years in a training centers. However I am playing it for 20 years. I can jam with the western musical bands. Can you please suggest me how will i find those bands? or which types of other jobs are available in music.
July 7, 2017 at 09:23
I have no idea…
December 27, 2015 at 18:50
I triggered my GC in June 2015 but stayed for only 2 weeks since I had to leave to complete my Msc in the UK (I’m from the Caribbean) I received green card & SSN and I’m planning to migrate to the US by the 2nd quarter of 2016. I’ve narrowed my search to either Austin or DFW, TX or Raleigh/Durham, NC based on the cost of living, job growth etc (My background is in IT more on the networking/virtualization aspect)
My biggest concern however is that I have no credit history in the US. I have a couple of US bank accounts totaling just under $60,000 which represents my life savings but credit trumps cash in the US. With my lack of a credit history is it advisable that I present these bank statements to any potential property manager while offering to pay 2-3 moths rent in advance? Even more problematic I wouldn’t have a job in hand once I arrive to prove to any land lord that I have an income stream which may make them even more reluctant. Can you give any insight if you experienced this and if so how you dealt with any landlords when you arrived?
December 28, 2015 at 03:49
You may be able to get a lease fairly quickly, but you would be better to wait until you have secured a job. In the meantime, you can take a month to month lease like an executive (furnished) apartment. It’s a little more expensive, but the flexibility is helpful.
February 13, 2015 at 06:16
great info, am a dv 2016 applicants, fingers crossed, and i have followed your blog for a while now so thanks for the great job you do, my question is, with out a credit report, no references, which i have found to be required by almost all landlords, how would one get an appartment, and plus can you advice on what to do the first day you arrive in the usa if you have no relatives their, where to stay and how to prepare your self plus the costs you may have too incur in your first week, basically how you should spend your first week and month, thanks
February 13, 2015 at 16:37
That will depend on your situation – it is difficult for me to give you a general plan as it is your plan for your situation. You do need a plan for the first few nights – and perhaps you will be staying in a hotel for a few weeks. The costs of that can vary greatly from about $50 per night in a cheaper area to 150/200 per night in a more expensive area. If you are single and on a small budget, you would do well in getting a room in a shared house. Sites like Craigslist.com offer a way to find homeowners that are looking to rent a room. They will typically expect a 1 month deposit and 1 month or rent up front. Just be careful to deal with genuine people – don’t get scammed. It is important to realize how much money you will need. I spent many thousands of dollars in the first few weeks of being here (family of three and expensive area). Be realistic. You can’t turn up with a few hundred dollars and assume everything will work out.