Made the Move to the US

[braveheart1 0]

I'm sitting here in Califoria after moving from the UK to marry, which we did, 8 days ago. Wow! What a change! Everything feels a bit surreal at the moment. Has anyone else made the move recently? How are you coping?

[MrsCat 6]

Congrats on the big move and your new marriage!

I moved about 6 weeks ago. Its been a big adjustment, even being from Canada. Once I got my bank account, SSN and cell phone number, it felt like things were slowly coming together. Its getting those small pieces of independence back that really made the difference for me.

[braveheart1 0]

Thanks for the reply, Mrs Cat and the congrat. I've only been in the States 12 days so the process of adjustment has only just begun. Next week I'm gonna sort out my ID and SSN documents. Yes, becoming independent is quite important to me but I know that will come once I start working.

[Welshcookie 17]

I have also been here about 6 weeks. I have been so busy unpacking and moving but am starting to get into "normal" life. I find it strange being so warm in November and it took me a while to get used to air con....soon I start to learn to drive

Congrats on the wedding!

[Ian + Anne 0]

LOL -- braveheart1,

Welcome to the USA

I've been here since Sept 2007 and I can tell you it was a pain in the butt sitting on my ### for such a long time before I was able to work.

I waited 2 weeks before getting my SSN, that was a breeze, but as for ID / driving licence, that was a different story, I had to wait til I had my Green Card in hand, that took 8 months from the day I entered the US !

Just be patient and take the upcomming break / rest period as a long holiday, all will be fine at the end of it all, in a years time you will be wondering what all the fuss was about !

My time here has been an eventful one to say the least, but it's been worth it with all the ups and downs. I managed to get out and about and took time to look around the city where I live so I could build a mental map of the area (after living in London, the mental map had to be erased from my mind). There will be times where you will feel like your climbing the walls, itching to go to work, get out of the house, be some other place etc, I know been there done it !

All I can say, is take one day at a time, and learn to find your way around where you live. I found that by going out and looking around places took my mind of other things until it was time to see to them (ie the wedding followed by the AOS).

Do not sit at home all day every day, you will become sad and that will not help.

Once again, welcome to the USA, and good luck with the adventure of a lifetime.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

in the words of Lou Reed -

it's the beginning of a great adventure

there are certainly ups and downs when you move countries... this is my second international move within a four year period so it's starting to feel sort of normal to me! I'm still unable to work, but I hope to hear about my EAD soon

my single biggest piece of advice, based on my experiences here so far (well, apart from not living where there are hurricanes ) - volunteer

find something you're interested in, and gets you involved with people, and offer them some of your time... I've been volunteering at a free literacy centre almost since I arrived, and it's been SO good; I'm meeting people, using some of my skills, helping the community, getting US work experience... I have never regretted it

and best of all, you don't end up sitting on your butt all day feeling like you've got no focus

whatever you end up deciding to do, enjoy the ride!

[Jon&Lindsey 0]

Congrats on your marriage and making the move!

I've been here a year now, and we just got my green card. welshcookie, I know what you mean about being strangely warm in Florida in November, compared to Wales! I'm really happy right now as I can finally go back to visit my family, I'll be going back for Christmas (hopefully both of us will be able to go, if not, I will go alone).

Unfortunately, I still can't work here I have to do exams to work as a foreign-trained vet here, and have the last written one coming up next month, so am studying full-time. After this one, I should be able to get a Florida vet license, and finally be able to get out of the house. I am going crazy sitting around studying! I definitely agree with the advice to get out and volunteer, it's not good to just sit at home all day. Since I have had to spend so much time studying (and money to pay for taking the damn exams!), I still don't go out much and haven't made any friends outside my husband's family. I'm really hoping I can change that once I have finally passed the exam next month.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Welcome to California Braveheart, we are in the bay area, My wife been around here for awhile but we live through that adjustment stage when she 1st got here. now she can' wait to come back when she goes home visiting, but the 1st few months can be difficult but understand it's just a stage. Specially for someone whose independent, drive around, had their own jobs, and having to stay at home can get boring, but look at it as a little vacation, and do all kind of stuff or activities you wanted to do or didn't have time to.

[julietom 0]

i've been here for less than a month and so far everything is progressing well. a week after my arrival, i went down to sort my SSN at the local office and got my new card a week after. i have sat down for my drivers permit and have scheduled my road test nx week. I recently got a offered a job that will start in january (yeay!!!!!) so right now i'm just lounging around the house. i have an international drivers permit so i do drive around - to get to know the area more. i have yet to make friends, apart from my husband's co workers and his family but that will change once i start working....so in the mean time its good to get to know the area more, and find out what it has to offer...

[vanee 13]

my single biggest piece of advice, based on my experiences here so far (well, apart from not living where there are hurricanes ) - volunteer

find something you're interested in, and gets you involved with people, and offer them some of your time... I've been volunteering at a free literacy centre almost since I arrived, and it's been SO good; I'm meeting people, using some of my skills, helping the community, getting US work experience... I have never regretted it

and best of all, you don't end up sitting on your butt all day feeling like you've got no focus

I second that advice. Volunteering made me feel part of the community, gave me focus here, provided a way to get to know people, and helped give my life here a sense of normal. When VJers come to the US and are waiting to be able to work, it's common to feel feel disconnected, bored, and useless. Volunteering solves all of that and more.

[braveheart1 0]

Vanee, any useful links to help locate volunteer opportunies?

[braveheart1 0]

Charles, that's good advice! I'm feeling so restless after such a short period of time as staying at home does not come naturally to me. But like you say, I need to focus on activities and like other people have mentioned, find volunteering opportunities. By the way, is your wife from England?

Stillthepretties, thankyou for that sound advice. I'm gonna try to identify volunteer work.

[braveheart1 0]

Lindsey, I gonna have problems in my field too because of qualification that don't 'translate'. And it would be dreadful not to continue in my chosen field...Hmmm. By the way, good luck with your exams!

[vanee 13]

Vanee, any useful links to help locate volunteer opportunies?

Here are a few ways. Other people might suggest other methods.

1. Do an online search for volunteer and the name of your city or town. The first results will probably be for organizations that match volunteers with suitable volunteer opportunities.

2. Look for organizations in your areas of interest or work. For example, I love animals, so I looked at the websites of local animal rescue groups and ended up getting involved with the local SPCA. If you work in the health field, the Red Cross and perhaps your local hospital may be looking for volunteers.

3. Do a combination of the above: search for volunteer, your city or state, and keywords related to your interests.

4. Read the local newspaper. That's how I found out about Girls on the Run looking for volunteer coaches. They were my first volunteer experience in the US.

Have fun!

[braveheart1 0]

Julie, I don't drive so its a bit difficult walking around in the California heat but I do make an effort armed with my brolly and sunblock. Walking around does make me feel less 'restless' and a bit more comfortable with the 'foreign' surroundings...plus makes me feel a little less dependen on my new husband whose at work during the day.