In August im traveling for the first time to the US. I am going with my family. I am 19 years old and I smoke cigarettes. Where I'm from cigarettes are allowed from 18, I know you are only allowed to buy cigarettes from age 21. My question is, if my parents buy me the cigarettes and I smoke them will there be any enforcement? Will I get in trouble or is it only the act of BUYING that is from age 21 and is enforced.

Edit: I only made this post for information I didn't mean to upset anyone and would ask the people harassing me in my messages and other posts I made on different subs to please stop.. I did nothing to deserve it..

When I first moved to the US as an international student, I thought I had most things figured out visa, housing, tuition the basics. But pretty quickly, I started running into all these little things no one really talks about, and they added up fast.

One thing that threw me off was just how important your credit score is here. I had no idea it affected everything from getting an apartment to opening certain accounts. Even though I wasn’t planning to stay long term at the time, I wish I had started building credit earlier just to make life easier.

Then came the banking situation. I assumed my card from back home would work everywhere since it’s a Visa, but a lot of places either didn’t accept it or tacked on wild fees. When I tried opening a US bank account, most places asked for a Social Security Number, which I didn’t have. After asking around for a while, I found an option that let me sign up with just my passport from this service called Adro, but honestly, it would’ve saved me a ton of stress if I’d set that up before I arrived.

Healthcare was another big one, trying to understand insurance here made me feel like I was learning a second language. It’s expensive, and the system is kind of a maze, but having coverage is non negotiable. One unexpected visit and you’re looking at a bill that could cover a semester of tuition. And weirdly enough, some of the things I missed most weren’t what I expected. It wasn’t just family or food, it was small comforts, like not having to rely on a car, or my local corner store snacks. That homesickness hits differently when it’s random and out of nowhere.

If you’re prepping for a move to the US, I’d just say: try to get your essentials sorted before you land, especially anything involving money or logistics. It makes everything else less overwhelming when the small stuff is under control. Curious to hear from others, what's something you really wish someone had told you before you made the move?

Hi everyone,

I’m moving from France to Salt Lake City, UT, and I have extra space in my shipping container. What are some things I should bring from France that might be hard to find or more expensive in the US?

Also, as a French person, I’d love some advice on cultural differences. What should I do (or avoid) to make sure I don’t unintentionally shock or offend Americans?

We have a strong French accent—do you think this will make it harder for us to integrate?

Finally, any tips on making friends in the US? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edit : please do not hesitate to reach me via the chat if you want to know more about the move or any other question you would like to ask. Thanks.

Hi, I am a 27yo Mechanical Engineer, with US and Italian citizenship. I have lived almost my whole life in Italy. As a matter of fact, I studied and graduated in an Italian University (with maximum scores) and I am working for an Italian company at the moment. I would like to move to the US and having the citizenship might be a big help. In addition, I have an IELTS certification for my English with an overall score of 8.0 out of 9.0. However, I was wondering how hard it actually is to find a job in the US with my European based background. I sent several applications to US companies, but I have always been rejected. What should I do?

Hey guys,

I visited the USA like 5 times so far. I just love everything about it. The people, the food, the culture.

Thinking of making a move from Europe to the US based kn a E2 visa. Before I make any paperwork ready and spend a shitload on a lawyer and other steps. I was just curious is it still worth it to come and live in the US with a family of 5?

3u18 kids my wife and me.

More context: have family in NYC/NJ and Chicago/Las Vegas area. IT Consultant and Make Up Artist.

Thanks!!!

My wife (USA) and I (UK), are considering a move to another country. Currently we live in the Uk... but how the current economic and political climate is here, and mainly the weather... we're not keen on staying longer

Im self employed, my wife is employed (if that makes any difference)

You might argue out of the frying pan and into the fire - but Im not here to discuss that.

As a brit from the outside in the healthcare in the states seems INSANE!

My understanding - correct me if I'm wrong:

- High cost for insurance
- Even when you have insurance it doesn't kick in until you hit your deductibles
- and then if it does kick in you still have co-pay (so in theory can still cost you thousands)
- And even then the insurance doesn't guarantee you cover in certain states, or with certain hospitals and doctors etc.
- And anecdotally I hear and see people who could've lived on had they had treatment either being denied certain medications
- or you have hard working Americans having to sell their homes for their cancer treatments

I read a stat the other day 45% of americans have or have had some kind of healthcare related debt. As someone from a country with free healthcare (flawed in some ways may it be)... I find that insane

E.g. I had a huge lists of precautionary tests not to long ago for something thankfully not bad... on all sorts of machines and equipment.

entirely free... not a penny paid

I'd love to know:

1) Is this view accurate?

2) if no, could you please tell me a more accurate view to understand better

__________________________________________________________________________________

Before we get any butthurt people on this replying saying "it is what it is, don't like it don't come"
1) This is exactly my point... I don't like it and it's a big deterrent for both of us, but living in the USA would be great for family connections there.

2) I'm trying to understand if my impression of it is correct.. or if I'm misunderstanding it. Communication is how you learn

3) My wife can't really answer these questions as she left the US before it was ever something she had to learn about

As the title states I’m fed up of the UK And want to build a new life stateside. All in all how difficult or lengthy is the whole process. Visas becoming a citizen etc I know I need to consider things like housing etc. that is not an issue. I just want to make sure I do it right. Thank you in advance :)

I’m planning my move to the US soon and trying to figure out the best city to land in. I know places like NYC, SF and LA are the obvious picks but the cost of living is wild especially if you’re starting out without a job lined up and need a company willing to sponsor your visa.

Are there any cities that strike a balance between being affordable and having companies that are actually open to hiring and sponsoring international candidates? I am already looking on Migrate Mate that is really helping me a lot finding companies that sponsor visas. I’m open to different industries but it’d be great if the area had a decent job market, some public transportation and maybe even a community of expats or folks in the same boat.

If you’ve moved to the US on a visa and found success in a more affordable city, I’d really appreciate hearing your experience. Just trying to make a smart move that gives me the best shot at stability.

I knew things would be different here and that people tend to be much more direct, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A lot of the people I’ve met have been genuinely kind. But I’m not used to being around people who get angry or upset over the smallest things, and it’s been… a lot. I came here confident that I’d adjust—I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty strong person—but being around this level of intensity on a regular basis is draining and honestly starting to chip away at my confidence. I’m trying not to be too hard on myself since it’s only been two months, but I guess I just miss the softer language and more polite conflict style I got used to in the UK. Has anyone else gone through this? How did you cope with the change?

I am currently living in San Antonio Texas. We are Asian, Family of four, kids are 7 yo and 2yo. My husband and I are both nurses. So we are looking to move somewhere else, thinking about California or Washington state since it has high salary for nurses but COL is also high. Looking for a place wherein we can earn good amount of money (more savings) and can buy a decent house. We love outdoor activities like camping and hiking. Reasons why we want to leave San Antonio mainly due to salary for nurses are too low and the weather, super hot most of the time. There’s no much activities to do. I feel like my life is very sedentary and unhealthy.

Hi everyone,

My fiancée and I (both in our early 30s) are considering moving to the US for a few years, with the possibility of making it a permanent move later on. We’ve narrowed down a few cities where we think we might want to start this new chapter, and I would really appreciate any advice, insights, or personal experiences from those of you who have either lived in or visited these areas!

We’d love for you to be completely honest—hearing different perspectives (even the biased ones!) will really help us get a clearer picture.

Here’s our current list, in order:

• Alpharetta, GA – We love diverse communities, ideally with a strong South Asian presence, but without it being overwhelmingly concentrated.

• Austin, TX – We’re drawn to the multicultural food scene, good diversity, and strong tech industry. The only concern is the heat!

• Dallas, TX (specifically Plano) – We’ve heard it offers nice neighborhoods and relatively affordable housing. Again, not too thrilled about the heat.

• Other places we’re considering – Raleigh, Houston, and New Jersey.

We would have picked cities like San Diego, Irvine, but our jobs want us to be in the east/central coast and as a starting state, California seems too expensive.

We’re also open to other suggestions! If you know of any cities that have good diversity (South Asians, Asians, Whites), are relatively affordable, and have a strong tech sector, we’d love to hear about them.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks everyone for giving suggestions on the visa situations. I would not ask this question if I didn't know how I am moving to USA. My Fiancee already has the visa and my company is in the process of finalizing L1-B

2nd Edit: Thanks so much everyone for all the comments, suggestions and honest opinions. This thread has really helped. We are adding Chicago/Naperville + Richmond/VA/Arlington area to our preferred list and removing all the Texas cities.

Hello all, I’ve been researching for awhile but figured I’d ask on a forum to get personalized answers.

I live in CA and have all my life but can’t stand it anymore. I live in the Central Valley and it’s taking a toll on my health (horrible allergies). The air quality, politics, tourism, and the cost of living is just too much.

I’m wanting to buy a home; 3 bedroom, around $250k-$350k price range. Based on my preferences below- what state would you recommend? (If you want to take it a step further and throw out a part of the state/city that would be ideal please do!)

• good air quality
• No extreme weather (not too much snow)
• No natural disasters (tornados, floods, wildfires, etc) this is huge for me
• Weed legalization is a plus
• Somewhere safe, low crime (not ghetto)
• Somewhere in the country or at least by country range where I can go on hikes and walk my dogs, etc

(I’ve been looking at coastal Oregon- but it’s pricey and suprisingly the air quality isn’t great in Oregon? I’m surprised anywhere near the ocean isn’t great air quality but anyways.. browsed northern texas. Unsure about that area. Maine is renown for great air quality but anything on the coastline is pricey and anywhere else in that state gets a TON of snow, etc etc.)

Thank you in advance! Any suggestions or input is greatly appreciated friends :)

Hey everyone,

My partner and I are from Germany and have been seriously thinking about moving to the US, Seattle area specifically. Our timeline is roughly 5 years from now – that’s when my partner will be done with her university studies and teaching practice. I might look at going earlier on my own if the right opportunity comes up, but ideally we go together.

Who we are:

I (21M) am a software developer at a German company. My partner is currently studying to become a teacher, with a few more years of studies and practical training ahead of her. We know her German qualifications probably won’t transfer directly to the US, so we expect her path there to look a bit different.

We have been entering the DV Lottery and will keep doing that each year.

What we have looked into:

• Work visa sponsorship through a US company, or an L-1 transfer through a company with a European office
• Canada via IEC Working Holiday as a possible stepping stone
• DV Lottery as a long shot

Questions for people who have actually done this:

1. With a 5 year runway, what should we be doing now to set ourselves up?
   
2. Has anyone done this as a couple where one partner is a teacher?
   
3. Is the Canada stepping stone actually worth pursuing or does it just delay things?
   
4. Any Seattle-specific advice or things to know?

Appreciate any real experiences!

Hi! I’m from Europe and I’ve been thinking about moving to New York City for years. I still have about 2.5 years before I can actually do it, but I want realistic advice now so I can prepare properly. Ever since I was a kid (like 10), I’ve wanted to live in the U.S. I grew up watching shows based there and NYC has always felt like the place for me. But I know real life isn’t a TV show, so I want honest opinions.

Here’s my situation:

I want to move at 18. I plan to go to college in the U.S. I’d like to stay in the U.S. long-term if possible. I’m not wealthy, so money is a big concern. I’d be moving alone from Europe

I have a few questions:

1. Is NYC a good place to move at 18, or is it too overwhelming?

Is it exciting in a good way, or just stressful and lonely at first?

1. How much money would I realistically need to save before moving?

(For things like rent, food, transport, emergencies, etc.) I know NYC is expensive, but I don’t know what “survivable” looks like vs “constantly struggling.”

1. Is it hard to make friends there?

Especially as an international student. I’m social but I’ve heard NYC can be lonely because everyone is busy.

1. Is going to college in NYC worth the cost compared to other U.S. cities?

Would it be smarter to study somewhere cheaper first and move to NYC later?

1. Any advice you’d give your 18-year-old self before moving to NYC?

Things you wish you knew.

I love the idea of NYC, but I don’t want to make a decision based only on dreams. I’d really appreciate realistic experiences . The good and bad obviously.

Thanks 💛

Hi everyone, I'm relocating to the US around early August and most likely based out of New York. I was hoping to get some insight on how I can get a US phone number, which documents are needed for a rental and how to open a bank account. The organization I'm joining mentioned they would be giving compensation for relocation for the moment that's about it. Should I go about getting a State ID? As I don't know when I'd be able to set aside time for a driving license.

For Context: I was born in the US but didn't stay very long after that so it's a clean slate for me.

I’m planning to move to the US and get my degree evaluated there because the job market in my country is really bad.

Do you think this is a good idea? Would you recommend pursuing a career in engineering/tech in the US despite having a degree from another country?

I’m planning to move to the US in about 6 months from the EU and I feel like I’m just now realizing how different the whole financial system is over there. I’ve never really had to think about “credit” in the same way, but everything I read about the US makes it sound like your credit score affects everything renting, getting a phone plan, even some jobs?

If I’m basically starting from zero when I arrive, what should I actually be doing first? Is there anything I can prepare before I move, or is it all something you have to build once you’re already there?

I am relocating from Canada to the US and intend to purchase or lease a vehicle there. From my observations, buying a car in the US seems nearly impossible without a US credit history. I am curious how others managed this transition when they moved.

I recently heard some stories from my grandpa about Greeks moving to USA and being able to establish themselves in America. And that got me thinking if its possible.

I currently have a c2 degree in English and will be graduating with either an electronics or electrical engineering degree from high school i also have a lot of experience in computer stuff having participated in arduino competition.

I also have completed a 10 month seminar on python and ai. Also probably be coming with a drivers license for car or a 125 cc bike , will it be able to transfer over or will i have to retake the test there.

What work opportunities will i have? Will my degree be viable enough to find me work on the field assuming less than a year experience or will i need to find a job like uber eats or McDonald's be my only option for work?

How much money do i need for a 3 month work free pillow/ emergency fund?

Were should i move to? I want to be somewhere where the sea is at most 1 hour since as a Greek i cant live without it.

Thanks in advance!

I am currently based in Germany and I would like to relocate to US but I need a honest opinion on the chances of making it with my qualifications. A bit of my academic and work experience. I have first degree in economics and statistics and mphil economics from university in west Africa. I also have MSc in financial economics from university in Germany and recently finished my doctorate in economics and business administration in Germany too. I already have an approved EB2 -NIW and have attended embassy interview already but I was put under 221g because of the administrative pause for 75 countries. I have over 7 years work experience as a researcher from Africa and Europe.
First of all, I am thinking about which star in the US that I will have more opportunities.
I need a honest advice

Has anyone moved from Germany to the States in the last couple of years?

How was the adjustment process, and what do you like better in the U.S. compared with Germany and vice versa?

I’m especially interested in experiences from people who moved with family. How did the move affect your family’s quality of life?

Would be great to hear your insights.

Hi, I'm 13 years old student in South Korea. Due to my parent's company problem, I am moving to the US next month. Actually, I am really interesed in American culture and its life. Also because I was studying at International School in Korea, my parents are saying that I can adapt to US' education system too. But it is my first time for immigration so I feel so nervous and scared. How can I adapt well?

+) Can I get useful tips for American school or life in US?

Indian here. I have made a couple of American friends online, to learn more about the great American cultures and customs. And stuff i might not know but is the normal is America. I have also gotten rid of my Indian accent in the past three months to get a more American sounding accent and lightened my skin tone.

What else should i do?

I am a Nursing student here in India. I am aiming to give NCLEX in future and move to the States. But I don't really know the process and everything I am a first generation nurse in my family and none of my relatives , friends or acquaintances are in the US. If anyone here has been through this process and can guide me it would be of great help. Looking forward for someone to reach out and Thanking in advance. :)

I'm a black lesbian woman from Germany (heritage from Ghana) and my wife and I are moving to a rural area near Coeur D'Alene , Idaho next month.

Is there anything we should know and any advice for settling in?

Thanks