Removals to USA

Why move to USA?

As a country founded by immigrants, it will perhaps come as no surprise to find that the USA continues to be one of the most popular expat destinations in the world. Nationalities from all over the world come to the USA in search of the ‘American Dream’ of greater economic opportunities and a better life for their families.

The USA continues to be the world’s largest economy by GDP and Americans continue to have the highest average household and employee income among developed nations.

The sheer size of the nation means that climate, communities and living standards can vary drastically depending on which US State you are in. This increased size also tends to mean property sizes are far bigger and cheaper compared with most developed nations in Europe.

Social integration is said to be made easier for Brits thanks, in part, to shared history and values. However, there are some important differences be aware of.

Religion and patriotism play a massive part in American society for one. The mix between high educational fees and the absence of free universal health coverage is also unsettling for many.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of independence however, the USA continues to entice expats from all corners of the globe.

US Property

As a general guide you will find property prices are influenced by location and demand with your choice of location influenced by your place of work. Rental and property prices will always be higher in major cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The process of buying any type of property or land in the USA is strictly regulated. It is advisable to recruit the services of local agents to guide you through the process. Your estate agent should be able to give an estimation of all fees and the property charges the buyer must cover.

Zillow has a handy site with plenty of information about the buying process.

As for cost. You can expect to pay US$ 15,776 (£12,690) per square metre for an apartment in the New York City suburbs. A similar property in San Francisco would cost US$ 11,397 (£9,167) per square metre.

Well before you arrive in the USA, you must carry out some investigations in the area you are looking to move to.

The following realtor site may be of use: Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

American Schools & Education

The US boasts some of the most successful educational institutes in the world. The Ivy League institutions of Yale and Harvard are two of the most prestigious and well-regarded universities in the world. Obtaining a place is highly competitive, not to mention incredibly expensive, unless a place is awarded through scholarship.

There are a large number of good local public schools for English speaking expats to send their children. These schools are free, and it gives expat children the opportunity to have more interaction with children in the local neighbourhood. Competition for places is also fierce however and is usually determined according to geographic location.

There are also a number of international schools and colleges that offer a very good education for all. Students at international schools in the USA can be taught in English and a foreign language and can follow the curriculum back home. However, good international schools can often have long waiting lists and are expensive, costing on average around US16,000 per year.

Currency Conversion

The official currency in the USA is the Dollar ($).

The United States of America is a society of credit.

Most merchants in American cities are set up with the infrastructure for card, contactless and mobile payments. If you’re travelling to the States, you can use your Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards everywhere. Banks are common and ATMs are inside most corner stores as well.

For those who are emigrating to the USA, it is relatively easy to open a bank account. To find out how, just click here.