Moving to the USA

Living in the USA as an expat

With the world’s largest economy, cities that are bustling hives of commercial and cultural activity, and plenty of job opportunities, moving to the USA is an attractive prospect to many. With 50 states and an area size of nearly four million square miles (nearly 10 million km²) that covers a massive swath of North America, the United States is a country as diverse as it is enormous. Its diversity in its varied landscapes and topography is matched only by the diversity of its population, which is what makes it a favourite among expats from all over the world.

Since the country’s founding, the USA has found success through immigration, attracting thinkers, leaders, businesspeople and workers from around the globe. Now with its own distinct identity, the country is a melting pot of colours, flavours and ethnicities of all kinds living the American Dream in their own pursuits of happiness. More than a million people move to America each year.

Some of the benefits of living in the USA include high wages, rewards for those with a bit of go-it-alone pioneer spirit, excellent and varied accommodation options, and a mostly safe and child-friendly environment for the family-oriented expat.

Moving to New York City 
Moving to San Francisco 
Moving to Los Angeles

Working in the USA

East Coast cities are strong financial players, while the Midwest heartland claims sectors relating to agriculture and natural resources. West Coast metropolises are famous for technology and entertainment development.

The USA is particularly interested in skilled professionals for areas in which it competes for part of the global market, such as IT, healthcare, and STEM fields. The demand for employees in the medical profession – such as nurses, medical assistants and technicians – is on the increase. Jobs relating to care for older people are also growing as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement.

New arrivals should expect a rigorous schedule often exceeding 40 hours a week. There’s far less holiday time than what’s given in Europe, with 10 to 14 days of annual leave typical for first-year employees in many positions.

Finding a Job in the USA
Doing Business in the USA

American culture

Perhaps more than any other country in the world, America is a melting pot. While the USA is made up of a huge variety of different ethnic groups, each bringing their own distinct traditions to the country, a shared sense of patriotism unites Americans.

The West Coast tends to be liberal, with cities such as San Francisco and LA being home to large artistic, bohemian communities. Big cities like New York, Chicago and Boston are also progressive.

Business culture in the USA is individualistic. The workplace rewards ‘go-getters’ while those who lack independence, initiative, and self-reliance will lag behind. The notion that time is money permeates American business culture, and business associates may get annoyed with those who waste time and beat around the bush.

Local Culture in the USA
Diversity and Inclusion in the USA

Finding accommodation in the USA

There’s plenty of variety when it comes to accommodation in the USA, ranging from everyday options such as apartments, duplexes, condominiums and single-family homes to extravagant, luxurious mansions. A large portion of the high cost of living in the USA is due to high accommodation prices, a burden you can somewhat alleviate by choosing to move to a smaller city rather than a major one.

Most newcomers typically choose to rent initially and consider homeownership once they have settled in the country and found a city they want to call home for the long term. Credit and background checks are commonly carried out on prospective tenants. Producing a credit record can be a problem for expats who don’t yet have a credit history in the USA.

Renting Accommodation in the USA

Cost of living in the USA

The cost of living in the USA varies from region to region and city to city. The chief cosmopolitan centres, such as New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, are the most expensive places in the USA, and some of the most expensive in the world. In fact, the cost of living in a major city can be 50 percent or more above the national average. To compensate, wages in these cities do tend to be higher, but competition for jobs in urban areas is intense.

Cost of Living in the USA

Living in the USA with children

Most of the USA is ideally suited to families, with safe neighbourhoods and parks aplenty. Besides getting a good education, there is plenty for children to do, and American society generally invests a lot in their youth’s safety, happiness and future.

As a downside, the USA does tend to have a thin safety net and limited aid for those in need of monetary assistance. Healthcare is still a contentious issue, and only those who can afford private insurance are able to access the best medical staff and facilities that the country has to offer. Most healthcare coverage in the USA is employer-based, and the system of deductibles and co-pays takes adjustment for those from countries with universal healthcare.

Healthcare in the USA
Safety in the USA

Finding a school in the USA

Parents can opt to send their children to a public, private or international school.

While the standard of public education in the USA varies dramatically, there are a number of advantages for expat parents who opt to utilise this public education system. Firstly, costs are minimal and much less than the cost of private or international school education. Secondly, as school placement is determined by geographical location, the public school system allows children to attend a school close to home, meaning they tend to interact more with local children in the neighbourhood.

Schools and Education for Expats in the USA

Getting around in the USA

There are many ways of getting around in the USA, from driving your own vehicle to using various forms of public transport. Your choice of transport will depend not only on where you’re based but also on your budget, how much time you’re willing to spend commuting and how much you value comfort.

Driving in the USA is a way of life for most Americans, although you may not need a car if you’re living in one of the larger metropolitan areas, such as San Francisco or New York City. Highly urbanised areas usually have extensive local and regional transit networks.

More than half of American states have passenger railway services in some form, with underground train services usually described as subways. While some large cities and towns have their own rail or subway service, smaller towns or suburbs may only have public bus service available.

Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available in most US cities and have largely overtaken traditional taxis in popularity.

Public Transport, Driver’s Licences and Driving in the USA

Climate and weather in the USA

When it comes to the climate in the USA, the country spans multiple climate zones, from arctic conditions in Alaska to tropical weather in Hawaii and southern Florida. Most regions in the continental US have four distinct seasons, although the intensity and timing of these seasons differ considerably.

The West Coast enjoys mild, Mediterranean-style weather, particularly in California, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The East Coast experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters with significant snowfall in the northern states. The Midwest and Great Plains see the most extreme temperature swings, with bitterly cold winters and hot summers. The South is characterised by hot, humid weather for much of the year, with mild winters.

Weather and Climate Charts for the USA

All in all, the United States is a fantastic destination for expats, be they single, career-driven go-getters or families looking to raise their children in a safe and prosperous environment.

Fast facts

Official name: United States of America

Population: Around 330 million

Capital city: Washington, DC

Largest city: New York City

Other cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia

Neighbouring countries: The USA shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south.

Geography: The United States is one of the world’s largest countries. It has diverse geographic features, ranging from the grasslands of the Great Plains to the harsh desert terrain in the southwest to the Great Lakes in the north. The country’s coastlines stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico.

Political system: Federal presidential constitutional republic

Major religion: Christianity

Main languages: English (official in practice). Spanish is widely spoken, and over 350 languages are spoken across the country.

Money: The US Dollar (USD), divided into 100 cents. Opening a bank account in the USA typically requires a Social Security Number, proof of address, and valid identification. Building a credit history can be challenging for newcomers.

Tipping: Standard 15 to 20 percent in restaurants and taxis. Tipping is expected for many services, including hairdressers, delivery drivers, and hotel staff.

Time: The USA spans six time zones, from GMT-5 (Eastern) to GMT-10 (Hawaii-Aleutian). Daylight saving time applies from March to November in all states except Arizona and Hawaii.

Electricity: 120V, 60Hz. Standard plugs have two flat blades, but three-pin plugs are also used.

Internet domain: .us

International dialling code: +1

Emergency contacts: 911 (police, ambulance, fire)

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road. Major cities like New York and San Francisco have extensive public transport networks, but smaller cities and rural areas often require personal vehicles. The country has a well-developed interstate highway system.