How to start a new life in US

[joanamber 16]

Hi,

Just wondering for those who migrated to the US with totally nothing like no work, small savings and just living with a family member. How did you start your life with your family? Was it hard?

We are planning to migrate soon and I'm wondering who am I going to leave my daughter to when me and my husband will be working.

Can you give me an advice based on your experiences? Thank you so much!

[notusinganymore 31]

Hi,

Just wondering for those who migrated to the US with totally nothing like no work, small savings and just living with a family member. How did you start your life with your family? Was it hard?

We are planning to migrate soon and I'm wondering who am I going to leave my daughter to when me and my husband will be working.

Can you give me an advice based on your experiences? Thank you so much!

If both of you are working, one can work night shift and the other day shift. That way one will be around to take care of your daughter. Day care centers are also an option. You said you have a family member? Work out a schedule with them until you can afford a day care Center.

No money? Find a job that pays minimum. Customer service industry usually are looking. If you have savings, enroll in a short program that could give you a higher paying job than the minimum wage such as being a caregiver/CNA.

It will be tough but there are ways to make it.

[Unlockable 7,315]

How fluent is your English?

If daycare is of a concern I would highly suggest looking into getting entry level work at a local daycare center. Reason being is daycare in the US is highly expensive. It is not uncommon to get rates of $200 or more per week. But if you working at the center you can either get a discount or free admittance for your child.

The staggered work schedule with you and your hubby is also an option.

[joanamber 16]

If both of you are working, one can work night shift and the other day shift. That way one will be around to take care of your daughter. Day care centers are also an option. You said you have a family member? Work out a schedule with them until you can afford a day care Center.

No money? Find a job that pays minimum. Customer service industry usually are looking. If you have savings, enroll in a short program that could give you a higher paying job than the minimum wage such as being a caregiver/CNA.

It will be tough but there are ways to make it.

Thanks for that advice! I heard that the first few years are really tough so we really have to work hard and work things out.

[joanamber 16]

How fluent is your English?

If daycare is of a concern I would highly suggest looking into getting entry level work at a local daycare center. Reason being is daycare in the US is highly expensive. It is not uncommon to get rates of $200 or more per week. But if you working at the center you can either get a discount or free admittance for your child.

The staggered work schedule with you and your hubby is also an option.

Do you have an idea how much is the minimum salary in America for an entry level job? I actually don't have an idea with the rates so I really have to plan wisely before we leave. Thank you.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

Do you have an idea how much is the minimum salary in America for an entry level job? I actually don't have an idea with the rates so I really have to plan wisely before we leave. Thank you.

I agree with working staggering shifts. I work during the day at a grocery store bakery, and my husband just started working overnight stocking shifts at the same company but at another location. We have a special needs child, so finding anything to watch her that is affordable without a wait list is next to nothing. Minimum wage here in Texas is 7.25$, I get paid 10.25, my husband gets paid 11.50.

The minimum wage right now for California is 10$, it's slotted to go up higher between now and 2022, but for the next couple of years it'll still be 10$. The cost of living is higher there as well.

The federal minimum wage that ALL states have to adhere too is 7.25$. The states then have the choice to raise it higher than that if they want too.

Here's a list of the min wage per state: http://www.raisetheminimumwage.com/pages/minimum-wage-state

Edited July 13, 2016 by Ash.1101

[mallafri76 1,012]

Thanks for that advice! I heard that the first few years are really tough so we really have to work hard and work things out.

How fast you integrate to your new life is very individual and depends on a lot of factors such as previous work experience, English language level, openness for new things, experience of living abroad before etc etc. Took me five weeks to fully integrate to my new life in the US and build my new life from "scratch".

What kind of work experience do you have? If you don't have much but have a bubbly, positive personality then the service industry is always looking for people.

Day care is ridiculously expensive in the US. Where I work, people are either working opposite shifts from their significant other or there's a few people who've gotten together and watch each other's kids when the others work. They each have the kids on one of their off days. I thought that was resourceful and that might be something they do wherever you find a job too.