You've moved - how is the transition

[ascorpiana 0]

I thought I'd jot down how our progress has been since I entered the US.

So let's see SSN - was issued two days after i crossed. Unfornately, it got lost in a move. After the 3 weeks passed I figured judging by other posts I should give them a call. Well the phone service is one of those that you want to pull your hair out - when you don't have the Social Security Number it is hard to bypass the system to speak to a customer service rep. On the 3rd phone call attempt - I finally got past "Gertrude, as I'll call the computerized female voice" and was put in a que for a real person, haha. After a patient 30 minute wait I found out the card was issued on day 2....she couldn't tell me where it was sent but of course i could to our old address. She told me to go to the local office with my passport stamped (visa) and someone at the office would right down my number and reissue the card. So the next business day I went and it was as simple as stated. The original card had a typing error on my name so at least this card will be issued correctly.

In the meantime, the original card worked it's way to my husband new temporary digs as well as my Green Card. Whooohooo both cards within less than 4 wks.

Oh this may be confusing so I'll clarify......After so careful consideration of the economy and individual states we decided I'd do my job hunting on the East Coast were the costs are lower than on the West Coast (Socal). Hopefully, all being equal.....we'll all be together on the EAST by summer when school is out.

Also, my first week I was able to open a bank account. In Canada,TDCanadaTrust was one of my banks, and on the East Coast as well as Florida and possibly a few other states TD Bank (US) are located. This seems to be great for me. TD has bordless accounts you can open in Canada and you can uses both sides to your benefit, especially at first. Now apparently, US credit is dealt with as well......We'll see I'm not at that point yet.

Ah a cell phone: Now that one really was frustrating because no credit history shows.....so as a new customer the best deal for an account that monthly bills was with AT&T and you have to pay a good deposit which after one year they will credit back to your account. (We'll see ....) Ouch that was painful.

Next: Driver's License which I have to go to a city about an hour away. Apparently they will swap out my Canadian license for a NH one. Then I'll need plates for my vehicle, and tags from the local town office.

Most Important: Job - nothing yet.... a few good bites...but nothing concrete. I've decided to volunteer at the local hospital to acclimate myself to the differences in healthcare.

Note: i would have just liked this to go on a timeline somewhere rather than a topic but I'm still new to this. The point of this is How are we making out? Just like the immigration steps the landed and what next steps are important as well. Like math with the order of operations so to are these steps. The SSN number is crucial for most steps.

So to quote Joey from Friends......"how you doing?"

[X Factor 1,112]

I purchased a phone with unlimited minutes, text and internet for my spouse for MetroPcs since she has no credit. She loves it here and has Philipino friends.

Waiting for EAD to start work. Right now she is studying for her drivers license.