Starting new life in the US, any tips?

S

soleil3012

Registered Users (C)
Hi everyone!!!

I was lucky enough to win the DV-2008. I've already finished all the processing and have the envelope to present at the port of entry. I must enter the US before August 1st and will be travelling in July.
I know there is some paperwork and an interview that will take place at the airport where I should provide certain info in order to them to mail me the GC, right? This is all I know, does anyone have any tips about the questions that are important or helpful and I should ask in that interview in order to make things easier for me when I start my life in the US right after I leave the airport?
When I was at the embassy the consul told me and encourage me to ask questions there but I have many and none. Is there something imortant that I shouldn't let pass asking?
I have concerns (more like lack of info) about taxes, health insurance, and many other issues but I am not certain if those are questions that I should ask there.
If i get a job right away waitressing for instance or a temp job? do you pay taxes for that? can you get health insurance for that?
I don't know, I am happy with this new stage that will start in my life but a little disoriented, can anyone help??? What is really important to know about living in the US that I should know? I have noone to ask.
Thanks so much!!! I will be eagerly waiting for answers and advice!!! :eek:
 
Jobs that don't require much education (waiters, gardening, sales) often don't offer health care plans and its very expensive to get private health insurance. Worse, the wages for such jobs are extremely low in comparison to other western countries. Of course you pay taxes on any kind of income (20% give or take for singles, depending on income).

The US is a great place to live if you have a good educational background and specialized skills. Otherwise its a pretty though place.
 
To what city do you plan to move? Are you staying with someone or do you have to find a place? There's a website called couchsurfing.com where you can ask to stay with people who are members. It's cool, so check it out. It's perfect for a new place.

Job wise, it's true that most people don't get health insurance included. I know Trader Joe's gives you benefits after a few months of working for them, and they pay well compared to other supermarkets. As a waitress, though, if you work at a busy place, especially at night and ESPECIALLY on weekend nights, you'll get TONNES in tips. That's always helpful.

Also, maybe if you take course at a community college, as a resident (show your card :) you can get basic healthcare, like doctor visits and cheaper medicines. There are also city or county health centres that may give you free insurance if you have no income and can prove it. You'll have to ask someone (maybe at a police station?)

I don't know what else to add.
 
US is rich man's paradise, poor man's hell.
The onus is upon you what is want to be, there are ample oppurtunities for the taking.
 
soleil3012 said:
Hi everyone!!!

I was lucky enough to win the DV-2008. I've already finished all the processing and have the envelope to present at the port of entry. I must enter the US before August 1st and will be travelling in July.
I know there is some paperwork and an interview that will take place at the airport where I should provide certain info in order to them to mail me the GC, right? This is all I know, does anyone have any tips about the questions that are important or helpful and I should ask in that interview in order to make things easier for me when I start my life in the US right after I leave the airport?
When I was at the embassy the consul told me and encourage me to ask questions there but I have many and none. Is there something imortant that I shouldn't let pass asking?
I have concerns (more like lack of info) about taxes, health insurance, and many other issues but I am not certain if those are questions that I should ask there.
If i get a job right away waitressing for instance or a temp job? do you pay taxes for that? can you get health insurance for that?
I don't know, I am happy with this new stage that will start in my life but a little disoriented, can anyone help??? What is really important to know about living in the US that I should know? I have noone to ask.
Thanks so much!!! I will be eagerly waiting for answers and advice!!! :eek:
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haa man you are the luckiest person ...I must tell you that America is not bed of roses....
 
armie said:
US is rich man's paradise, poor man's hell.
The onus is upon you what is want to be, there are ample oppurtunities for the taking.
Click to expand...

I think people in a lot of countries would disagree with that statement.

mdh
 
I know it will be tough, specially when you're moving by yourself and start a new life in a new place alone. I am aware that there are advantages and disadvantages about living in the US, I share some of the thoughts expressed in this thread.
I am an educated person with a college degree in Communication and Journalism and I know the beggining it won't be easy and I will have to start doing any kind of job and little by little try to find somehting I know I am good at and I like to do, but because I have never lived there I have concerns, health insurance is probably the biggest one, I cannot understand how the richest country int he world does not have a public health system (this really stress me out, not being able to go to see a doctor if I do not feel well or I have a little accident unless I have $300 or more to pay, and let's not even think about something more serious) I guess I will find my way around as I make my life happen but other people expiriences sometimes are really more than helpful.
Thanks!!!
 
soleil3012 said:
I cannot understand how the richest country int he world does not have a public health system
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The American public health system covers more people than most European coutnries' systems do. It is, however, limited to the poor and the old. Personally, the lack of a public health system is one of America's attractions to me. The government has show itself to be pretty abysmal when it comes to housing, education, food and pretty much else. There's no way I'd trust it to cover my health care, especially after living in Canada for 25 years.

(this really stress me out, not being able to go to see a doctor if I do not feel well or I have a little accident unless I have $300 or more to pay, and let's not even think about something more serious)
Click to expand...

You should research "health insurance". Last time I took my daughter to see the doctor, it cost me $15 which was paid out of my tax-free HSA.
 
soleil3012 said:
I know it will be tough, specially when you're moving by yourself and start a new life in a new place alone. I am aware that there are advantages and disadvantages about living in the US, I share some of the thoughts expressed in this thread.
Click to expand...

The health insurance issue has really been overblow by the media. Most people who want health insurance in the US have it. Of course, there are those who fall through the cracks. And there are those who choose not to have it and then complain when something happens.

Hell, Walmart offers health insurance to their employees and anyone with a work ethic can find a job there.

For myself personally, I absolutely love the US. Sure it has it's faults, but the opportunities in the US are simply endless. I love to travel, but I can't seem myself settling down anywhere but the US.

One has to remember, the US system is based along personal responsibility. It's like Vegas, you can win a lot, but you can also lose a lot, no one is going to hold your hand or bail you out if you fail.

mdh
 
A couple of tips:

1. Get an individual health insurance policy ASAP. Don't wait around for a job to give you one. If you don't have a serious health condition in your medical history, you should be able to get a catastrophic insurance policy (i.e. high deductible like $5000) for under $100/month (spouse and children not included). Look at ehealthinsurance.com for starters. Yes, a deductible of $5000 is high, but would you rather pay $350/month for the privilege of a low deductible?

2. Start building some credit history as soon as you can. Once you have an SSN, get a credit card or two, even if it is just a store credit card or a secured card. Your ability to rent an apartment, buy a house or car, get a phone and other utilities without paying a deposit, and other activities in life are greatly affected by your credit history. The better your credit history, the lower the interest rates you pay, and the lower the chances of rejection.

3. Keep your expenses well below your income and save your money. When you fall on hard times due to joblessness, illness, or whatever, the US provides less for you than most other developed countries. For the most part, you're on your own, and you could end up homeless if you haven't saved enough.
 
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Soleil,

It may help if you tell which region or city you are planning to land in. This way people who know that area might be able to provide you with better tips.


Stoned!
 
Thanks for all your input guys!

Jackolantern, excuse my lack of knowledge about this but the deductible part means that I have to pay medical services for a value of $5000 until I start to get covered? Is there any particular HI company that you recommend?
I will check that site and try to see if it's possible to sign up even from the beginning while I am still looking for a job, less than $100 a month doesn't sound too bad and to be able to have health insurance for me is the most important even if I have to eat stones.

Other questions: if you get a job that covers you and you already signed up with a health insurance company, do you get transfered? how does that work? What is the difference between an HMO that provides a health plan and a Health Insurance company that provides health insurance?
I am sorry, for most of you these might be dumb questions but I've been having trouble to understand this part of the system and maybe I haven't been looking in the right places.

I will be moving to New York City, I know is not an easy city to start, the reason is I know some people who live there and I have a place to stay for a couple of months (free of rent) wich give me time to be settled while looking for a job, so that will be my POE to America...
 
soleil3012 said:
Jackolantern, excuse my lack of knowledge about this but the deductible part means that I have to pay medical services for a value of $5000 until I start to get covered?
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Basically yes ... you pay out of pocket for up to $5000/year. But even the high deductible policies will pay for some services at least partially before you hit the deductible. And if you are very young and very healthy (under 30, normal blood pressure and cholesterol, not overweight, don't smoke, no serious disease or major injury in your medical history) you might find a deductible for under $3500 and still pay less than $100/month.

Is there any particular HI company that you recommend?
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Having been covered by my employer, I haven't really searched and compared insurers. Through my employer I've had Blue Cross and Aetna and they've been OK.

Other questions: if you get a job that covers you and you already signed up with a health insurance company, do you get transfered? how does that work?
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No, you don't get transferred when you join an employer, but sometimes conversion from employer to individual coverage is possible when you leave the company (if the employer's insurer allows it under the terms of the contract). Unless you find a job that is very steady, or are in a profession where most employers provide health insurance, or your employer's coverage allows guaranteed conversion to an individual policy (i.e. you can't be denied because of medical conditions) when you leave, I would advise against taking the employer's coverage. If you have your own policy, it stays with you when you lose your job or change jobs. There is a provision called COBRA that allows you to continue under your employer's coverage after leaving/losing your job, but it is expensive and you can't keep it forever. If you got very sick while covered under your employer, you may find it impossible to get an individual policy after that.

HMO is basically another form of health insurance, but they keep costs down by more tightly controlling what services you can get and which doctors you can see. Avoid them if you can.

NYC is a really expensive place to live in. Unless you have qualifications that can land you a job for $60,000 or more, you might want to set your sights on somewhere else (even if you still use NYC as your initial launching pad).
 
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If anyone in the NYC area has any other suggestions about resources that can be helpful for a new inmigrant or about important issues in general they would be greatly appreciated, especially health benefits provided by the state or city.
Thank so muchhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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