Both of us never been lived in America !!

[Ba3lwi 3]

Hi VJ,

My wife is US citizen, She was born and raised in Yemen her father never take her to US . Now where about to get our approval very soon we hope .

My concern is which state we should live in first ? I am telecommunication engineer ( recently graduated ), Our best choose until now is Seattle, WA. Any Advise from you will help us a lot.

How much money should we have before coming to US until finding a decent job ?

What we have to put in our check list ?

[lil2be 11]

Do you have any family members or friends in any state? It is easier to have someone you know to settle in with.

If you don't, then

Do some research first.

1.How much housing - normally renting an apartment required 2-3 months deposited and good credit. Otherwise, you might need a co-signer.

2. Do you and your wife like to live in the city or more rural area? Living cost will be different.

3. Do you drive or have a driver license of that state? If not, living in a city is easier in term of transportation but higher living expenses.

4. You said you graduated with telecommunication engineer. Maybe try to look online for job first. Apply and see. As for my experience, it is easier for most engineers, doctors and nurses to find a job.

5. Do you like warm, snow? Most people I know dislike snow days.

Good luck.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Without being a USC yourself you may have a hard time finding a good technical job quickly. Many such jobs are exported ro countries where the labor is cheaper. Big cities tend to be expensive. Do you have a sponsor that is in the US or assets to make up for no sponsor ?

[Ba3lwi 3]

Do you have any family members or friends in any state? It is easier to have someone you know to settle in with.

We have family members in Michigan (Currently have weak economy) and others in California (Costing a lot of money), However in any city I'll choose in the first I'll work in anything anywhere until I find a job in telecommunication filed. I have a friend who live in Seattle he give me this information :

1.How much housing - normally renting an apartment required 2-3 months deposited and good credit. Otherwise, you might need a co-signer.

Since only me and my lovely wife

1. Renting an apartment (studio or 1 bedroom) will cost you by average (800-1100 $ / month). since my wife is USC we can use here social security to minimize the deposit. why you think I need a co-signer?

2. (500 $ / month) grocery is enough.

3. bills for electricity and water near to 100$.

4. tow transportation card for public bus 180$ / month.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please based on your experience how much money you recommend that I should have before moving to US ? that can cover all living cost until I find supporting job?

[Ba3lwi 3]

Do you have a sponsor that is in the US or assets to make up for no sponsor ?

My father friend how live in Detroit is the sponsor. How you think he can help us?

[lil2be 11]

Regardless of your immigration status or even you are USC, if your credit score is poor, the apartment may require a Co sign or higher deposite.

Your relatives can help. But don't know how since you will be in different state.

[Kajikit 65]

A lot of places want to do at least a basic background check before they'll sign up a new renter... and you and your wife are starting from scratch. You won't have any US credit history, employment history, references from previous landlords, or bank account/income and nor will your wife, so it might be hard to persuade a landlord to rent to you without a co-signer/sponsor to guarantee that they'll get paid, unless you have enough cash to pay a large security deposit and several months rent up-front (money talks!). Which is why you might need to live close enough to family members for them to act as guarantor for your first US home.

[EmigratingSwede 16]

I would recommend that you start by moving somewhere where you can live with family so you don't spend a lot of money while you are trying to find a job. You may need to get other jobs at first to build credit and improve your English. It can take a while to get a job in your field. I got the first job I applied for, but it took three months before I could start because of all the interviews, paperwork and background checks (During that time we lived with family). I had almost a decade of telecom experience and flawless English. Since you are fresh out of college it will likely be harder.

Even if you live with family in California you can still apply for jobs all over the U.S. Start somewhere safe and move to where ever you find a good job.

[JIJourney 96]

To get the full experience of America you need to go to Disney Land! Good luck!

[Fan_Dancer 171]

How about Texas?

Edited July 13, 2014 by Fan_Dancer

[Darnell 8,479]

Detroit actually bouncing back in IT recently.

Very Recently.