Settling in and how you did it

[britbird 4]

I moved to the US permanently nearly three years ago now. I would say that the only annoying thing was not being able to work until I got my EAD. In a very short time after that I got a great job, started law school, have a bunch of friends from doing that and volunteering etc etc.

I think the opportunity to start over in a new place is a wonderful one to have - it's really liberating actually. As long as you are open to trying new stuff then you should have a great time.

Sure, there are things that are done a little differently, but give yourself a little time and approach it with an open mind and you'll soon forget it's different.

I would caveat all of this by saying that I have a very supportive family in England who are really happy for me and were totally cool with my moving over here. I am also a big fan of US history/culture etc etc etc, so that makes it even easier to like being here. I think it's a very good idea for anyone contemplating moving to the US to have an appreciation for the history and development of the society you are moving to - makes it much easier to feel a part of.

[DJ+Ten 0]

I can offer an anicdote for what it's worth. I once rented half a duplex and a couple moved in on the other side. He worked for a big engineering firm and the family transplanted often to be where the project was. She was from Spain. The way they moved around would seem to be an obstacle to making friends. But she had a habit of contacting the spanish community in every new location. I can tell you that she had dozens of friends, to the point she always answered the phone with "Diga!" or "Talk to me!." So in a way, she didn't so much leave her home, rather she brought her home with her.