The good stuff

[rlogan 2,036]

You guys own that?

Nope. We lease it from a guy less than a mile from here. I do property development but only occasionally now, so it has been easier for me to lease brand new stuff I don't have to maintain. The only true heavy equipment I have left from my past is the dump truck. The thing you really need on every job for sure is the dump truck. 15 gear manual. 14 yard capacity. A big dinosaur Ford.

So I lease loaders, excavators and 'dozers. They're all way too much fun, and she's been in all of them.

Every spring to get the hard-pack off requires heavy equipment. Our plow truck can't do it, and I'll do it for a bunch of people at the same time so I don't have to pay for it. So that's what she's doing in that picture.

[adiiann 163]

Hello folks,

I've been following some threads on this website about the beneficiaries adjusting to the states. Honestly? I'm a bit scared :-) I keep reading because I tell myself I want to know what to expect, I don't want to be blindsided by these feelings when my son and I finally make the move, plus I've read some very interesting and useful advice about staying busy while waiting for that first job. But it is a tad disheartening and sometimes I almost dread leaving all that's familiar behind. I'm sure not everyone had such a hard time adjusting, right? What are some really positive experiences you had? Things you absolutely LOVE about your new life in the US? Maybe even funny anecdotes from your adjustment? I don't know about you guys, but I would love hearing about those as well :-)

I love the freedom of being "me" here. Like nobody cares if you look a bit different or don't want to follow the social norm as long as you act normal. I love the feeling of be able to drive and not to rely on public transportation to go wherever and whenever I want. Like the diversity of food here.

I didn't have any adjustment issues.

[CaroSL 68]

Oh boy... unfortunately yes :-p BUT he makes it seem a lot worse than it really is. Our government is completely messed up. No denying that. But honestly, there's no better place to lose your job or get sick. You'll always get financial help and medical care, whether you can afford it or not. Granted, many people take advantage of our social security which is one of the many reasons we're doing so badly economically right now but for me it's very comforting to know that, should I get fired or otherwise lose my job tomorrow, I know I can look for a job within a reasonable time frame without ending up on the street... providing I fill in the necessary paperwork :-p

The job market is not too bad (compared to other countries in Europe), Belgians are pretty friendly and outgoing, good food, lots of things to do and visit... I'm happy here :-) But then this is my home.

And you have some beautiful countryside, some amazing food, the best beer (and fries) in the whole world and Brussels is seriously one of the nicest capital to walk through.

This isn't true that there is nothing that Belgium can offer that the US can't offer!! But there are also a lot of good stuff you can find in the US that you won't find in Belgium

I have spent about a year in the US and I know I will miss so many things from home when I finally get to live in the US permanently (family and friends of course, BREAD! and parisian café and bars (this, they really don't have in the US... the atmosphere is so different). )

But

What are some really positive experiences you had? Things you absolutely LOVE about your new life in the US? Maybe even funny anecdotes from your adjustment? I don't know about you guys, but I would love hearing about those as well :-)

I found so many things I love in the US (My fiancé!!! being separated is the worst feeling ever; new friends, soon a new family (it won't replace mine... but this is definitly making me feel good to know that my fiancé's family is going to be my family too... they are real sweethearts. Plus my fiancé and I are going to be a family too... this is worth every difficulty we meet. Those are the most important things, that will make my going away from my country almost easy.

And I also love little stuff. GOOD burgers for exemple, I even have my favorite burger in my favorite pub, and I always order it with hush puppies (if you don't know what it is, you MUST try some). I also love mexican food (we don't get too much of this around here), I loved eating mariland's crab in the season, I love being able to carry my coffee around all day, or pick up a giant caramel macchiato wherever and whenever I feel like one, I love that my fiancé makes me eggs with bacon in the morning (so not french ), I love that this is so easy to talk to people, and that saying what you think is NOT wrong, ...

And if you feel homesick, there are so many ways to stay close to your country. I already know there is an important french community where I am gonna live... they all know each other! I know where to find good bread. I found somewhat decent and affordable french wine, there is a french library I will get a card for (they have books AND movies!! awesome!) And I am bringing stuff from home with me, things I know I won't find in the US (some beauty products, some pan pies of a bigger size, some suggar boxes la dunkerquoise... )

[CaroSL 68]

Hello folks,

I've been following some threads on this website about the beneficiaries adjusting to the states. Honestly? I'm a bit scared :-) I keep reading because I tell myself I want to know what to expect, I don't want to be blindsided by these feelings when my son and I finally make the move, plus I've read some very interesting and useful advice about staying busy while waiting for that first job. But it is a tad disheartening and sometimes I almost dread leaving all that's familiar behind. I'm sure not everyone had such a hard time adjusting, right? What are some really positive experiences you had? Things you absolutely LOVE about your new life in the US? Maybe even funny anecdotes from your adjustment? I don't know about you guys, but I would love hearing about those as well :-)

Where will you live by the way?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Another good thing: Getting text message updates and photos from my husband as he wanders about town exploring, shopping, and eating at various food carts.

And if you feel homesick, there are so many ways to stay close to your country. I already know there is an important french community where I am gonna live... they all know each other! I know where to find good bread. I found somewhat decent and affordable french wine, there is a french library I will get a card for (they have books AND movies!! awesome!) And I am bringing stuff from home with me, things I know I won't find in the US (some beauty products, some pan pies of a bigger size, some suggar boxes la dunkerquoise... )

Will you be living in the Maryland/DC area? If so, you'll love it! I grew up in that area and very true about the great French community there. I loved going to the French embassy for their special events. Depending on the beauty products, you may be able to find them at one of the specialty stores in the DC area or at one of the higher-end department stores, or find them online.

Edited January 2, 2013 by LeftCoastLady

[izola 1]

I got very lucky when I moved to the US the first time, I applied for two jobs and got them both. The one I ended up staying with was IKEA, being a Swede and working for IKEA... I felt at home straight off the bat. People were so nice and inviting. I miss the openess of America and I'm really looking forward to that again with us moving back now. I also looooooved Olive garden, Ruby Tuesdays, KFC and Twizzlers! Needless to say I gained 50 kilograms (yes 50kgs!!) my 2 years in America. Will attempt to not repeat that when I get back now since I have only managed to take 30 of those off.

In general I found that Americans were really inviting and took me in with open arms, my weird mispronunciations and all. And I can't wait to get back to that. What I am not looking forward to is being forced to get a license...

[cassecouilles 3]

I will be living in Camp Pendleton, close to San Diego, for the first year. After that we're moving to Lincoln Park, close to Detroit.

My boss, who's from DC always says: why on earth would ANYONE move to Detroit? It's dangerous, the food sucks, there are no jobs...

I don't know about Detroit but I found Lincoln Park to be okay and some of the best food I've ever had was in Charleston and Detroit. The best french fries ever I ate in the US... though being from Belgium I nearly feel blasphemous for saying so :-p I hope I find good bread though, and get used to cooking. I like making italian pasta dishes but the few times I tried my hand at it in Detroit for my fiance it wasn't edible because I couldn't find the ingredients I am used to :-p He ate it though, even told my dad it was really good afterwards. It must be love.

Can you just send food to the states? I will probably do the same with some beauty products, unless I can find the same products over there. And chocolate. I'll have my family send me lots of chocolate!

[missmissy 38]

Lars has been here 3 years now and he loves it. He loved it the moment he got here. His love affair with Wendy's hamburgers, Walmart, Biglots....he doesn't want to move back to Denmark. He's gotten his real estate license and we work together. His 10 year Green Card arrived last month. He's happy and well adjusted.

[CaroSL 68]

Another good thing: Getting text message updates and photos from my husband as he wanders about town exploring, shopping, and eating at various food carts.

Will you be living in the Maryland/DC area? If so, you'll love it! I grew up in that area and very true about the great French community there. I loved going to the French embassy for their special events. Depending on the beauty products, you may be able to find them at one of the specialty stores in the DC area or at one of the higher-end department stores, or find them online.

Yes I will be living in DC! I love this area too, can't wait to be back there.

Thank you so much for the tip for beauty product, I will look out for this

[Mithmeoi 29]

Can you just send food to the states? I will probably do the same with some beauty products, unless I can find the same products over there. And chocolate. I'll have my family send me lots of chocolate!

My husband's family is always sending us chocolate, candies, and honey waffle cookies... forgot the name. XD I love it! That is one thing I really miss about living there. LOL That and the fries but he makes his own so that kinda makes up for it.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

My husband's family is always sending us chocolate, candies, and honey waffle cookies... forgot the name. XD I love it! That is one thing I really miss about living there. LOL That and the fries but he makes his own so that kinda makes up for it.

The other day, my husband and I were driving around. Somehow the conversation ended up about fries and how we missed heart attack Belgian fry stands.

As to the OP, my husband gets a deer in headlights look on his face if mention going back to Germany. He has about zero interest in it, particularly after moving here to Washington state. He got his GC 5 years ago and he did not have any initial success finding a job. So instead, he immediately started volunteering here full-time in his field, started earning job related certs, went back to school, started working part-time, got his degree, and now has been working full-time at a job he really likes.

He never had any huge adjustment problems. There are random things he misses, but nothing is big enough to cause him to want to call it quits here. Skype and FB are enough contact for him most of the time with family and friends back in Germany. His parents visited us for the first time this summer. He was excited to see them, but by the end of the three weeks was happy to get them back on the plane.

Good luck!

[Marilyn. 340]

I love the fries at 5 Guys. They are so addicting.