Update from NJ

[OBX 51]

Haven't been on VJ for a while. We finally made it into our house and things have been hectic. Just wanted to update my experiences so far. Hope it's not too boring.

SSN: Card was received 6 days after I applied. Was informed at the local SS office that they do not recommend applying until you have been in the US for 3 weeks. I had the application form already filled in and the process was painless despite the hour wait.

Green Card: Arrived a month after POE in regular mail. I have had no problems receiving mail at my husband's old address or our new house. We did not provide USPS with my name but mail is arriving just fine.

US Health Care: I sliced my thumb while packing up my house in Canada which still had not healed after a week and a half. My husband's HR department confirmed I was covered so off to the MD I went. After handing over the $20 co-pay (boy that was weird!) and confirming my ID with my Ontario driver's license (the receptionist was from Brampton and wanted to show everyone my "pretty" Canadian license) I saw the MD. Despite the pain, inflammation and discharge I was told it was not infected but was given a RX for antibiotics (oral and cream). The MD recommended seeing a surgeon if it did not heal and there was a lot of talk about my responsibility to find a surgeon that would be covered under our plan. So off I go to the pharmacy where I am told I am NOT covered under my husband's plan. So the pharmacist provides an estimate before he processes the RX. For my "non-infected" thumb the MD has prescribed a $188 antibiotic and a $122 cream!! The thumb can fall off for that price!! Thankfully the pharmacist suggested calling the MD to see if the RX could be changed to something cheaper...end result $9 antibiotics and $30 cream. The pharmacist is now my best friend! And surprise, surprise the wound is healing well despite not being infected!! I only hope that if I need to return to that clinic I get another MD!

NJ Driver's License: Only a written test is required but I found it difficult. THe NJ motor vehicle site has online practice tests, good idea!! If I had not done these I would have failed for sure. The test is on computer; the best way to pass is to skip any questions you are not sure of and they will be be recycled until you answer 40 out of 50 correct. NJ requires "6 point ID". They accepted my green card, a credit card (I have a US VISA under my husband's account and they took that but they would have accepted a Canadian credit or debit card with my name) and for proof of address they took a Canadian bank statement mailed to my US address. They asked to see my Ontario license when I applied to write the test and then after I passed (I was asked how long I had been driving) but they did not keep it or invalidate it in any way. They also asked me if I would like to take the test in french..NON! Total cost $25.00

Back and Forth from Canada:

I returned to Canada 2 weeks after POE and came back to NJ a few days later with one of my sons. He was driving down with me and flying back. I had a load of household items in my car and my dog. I crossed at Buffalo and was asked why I had returned to Canada so soon after my POE! Gee I was only out of the US for 3 days; didn't think it would be an issue. I had returned for my other son's graduation and the agent was satisfied with that. I had a typed list of my household items which she was happy with. She asked my son what he did (university student) where he went to school, who he lives with in Canada and how he was getting home. He showed his flight itinerary and we were on our way. I then returned again a few weeks later to close my house . No issues coming into Canada. I told the agent I was in the process of moving from Niagara to NJ and his only comment was "You are going in the wrong direction!" Returning to the US I had my 2 cats and dog and a few household items. Only question this time was whether or not I had imported my car. I told the agent I did it at POE and off I went. The trip with the cats was uneventful, thanks to Feliway!

Life in NJ:

Despite all of the warnings to the contrary about NJ I have had nothing but positive experiences so far. (OK the MD was a bit frustrating. She wasn't unpleasant, I just wasn't happy with her diagnosis.) Missing family and friends is difficult at times but the stress of the immigration process seems so far away now. I can relax until 2011 and removal of conditions.

Edited August 14, 2009 by OBX

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Welcome to the US - I'm so glad things are going so nicely for you- with the exception of the thumb, of course. I'm glad you are settled in - cats, dogs, belongings and all. Thanks for the update.

[trailmix 77]

Not boring at all OBX!

Thanks for sharing that update, nice to know you are settling in well

[TimandJoyce 1]

Glad your thumb is healing well, and that you got a good pharmacist. Nice that you can drive back and forth across the border to get the rest of your belongings.

[Carlawarla 1]

What a great update OBX! Very concise as well! I'm so sorry about your thumb. I'm glad though that you did go see about it. Welcome to the U.S.!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Great review! No need to complain about the thumb, I mean you have 2 after all!

[Sprailenes 47]

Good to know your settling in nicely. Hey we're in the same state *waves*

[JillA 2]

Hi OBX, OK so wierd but I always thought you were the husband, not the wife writing

If you have insurance under your husband, how come the pharmacist said you're not covered?

Anyhoo, glad to hear it has all gone relatively well!

[carslo 0]

Greetings from southern California. So glad all is coming together! Nice to hear from you also

Janet

[thetreble 19]

Life in NJ:

Despite all of the warnings to the contrary about NJ I have had nothing but positive experiences so far. (OK the MD was a bit frustrating. She wasn't unpleasant, I just wasn't happy with her diagnosis.) Missing family and friends is difficult at times but the stress of the immigration process seems so far away now. I can relax until 2011 and removal of conditions.

It all depends on where you decide to settle in this state...if you lived where I lived, you might have a different opinion!!!

Glad you are settling in though and I hope it continues to go well.

[essjay 0]

Thanks for the update. I still can't get used to the whole different medical thing....

But here's a big "thumbs" up to you...

[OBX 51]

Thanks for all the hellos and good wishes everyone!

Great review! No need to complain about the thumb, I mean you have 2 after all!

Hi OBX, OK so wierd but I always thought you were the husband, not the wife writing

If you have insurance under your husband, how come the pharmacist said you're not covered?

Anyhoo, glad to hear it has all gone relatively well!

The pharmacist said I may very well be covered but not in the system yet. Either way for that day no coverage, so it came out of pocket. I'm going to try not to injure myself again until I have my own health card in hand. Yup, this medical insurance issue really makes me think twice about going to the doctor!

It all depends on where you decide to settle in this state...if you lived where I lived, you might have a different opinion!!!

Glad you are settling in though and I hope it continues to go well.

I am very familiar with the area as we moved less than a mile from my husband's condo but I was still pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of our new neighbours. Within the first few days I had received home-made bread, a blueberry loaf, an evening of wine and cheese and best of all an unlimited pass to the backyard pool next door.

Well I did get yelled at by a "lovely woman" when I didn't move through an intersection fast enough for her! After my experience with my $185 speeding ticket last month in NY I just let it slide right off me and kept on at the speed limit. Maybe she was yelling at the slower person in front of me

[SomberCat 0]

It's nice to hear things are going so well, minus the thumb of course. Best wishes and thanks so much for the update.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Glad to hear from ya Happy to see your'e getting settled

[thetreble 19]

I am very familiar with the area as we moved less than a mile from my husband's condo but I was still pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of our new neighbours. Within the first few days I had received home-made bread, a blueberry loaf, an evening of wine and cheese and best of all an unlimited pass to the backyard pool next door.

Where are you living? I think I should move there.