Life in the US as a new arrival while waiting for SSN/GC

[visadude91 0]

Hello everyone! I'd like to share some thoughts that have been bugging me lately and maybe someone can help me out with their own personal experience. I'm doing Consular Processing for an EB-3 work visa and I'm slightly worried what's life going to be like for me in the first few months in the US while I wait for the Social Security Number and Green Card to be mailed over once I enter the US. I've looked around online and apparently the average time it takes for them to arrive (if all goes well) seems to be around 3-4 weeks for the SSN, and 3-4 months for the GC.

 

It's also come to my attention that I won't be able to get a driver's license without an SSN and I might run into some trouble renting a place or leasing a car as well, or even getting a cell phone plan. Not to mention work in any circumstance.

 

Which finally leads me to the conclusion that during these first few months I'll have to adjust myself as if I were over there as a tourist on a B2 visa, which seems acceptable at first but, since I don't know anyone in the US, I can't help myself but feel overwhelmingly anxious like what if it takes longer than expected to get my hands on these documents?

 

Is it normal to feel like this? Would anyone mind sharing their own personal timelines as well?

Edited August 21 by visadude91

[M & Alex 28]

My wife took a whole week off work and brought me around New York after we got married and then I spent my first few months just doing house chores and catching up on my TV shows while she's at work. I also picked up a new hobby (playing Survivor games on discord) if you want the social interaction while still not being able to travel and that was a great use of time too. Also looked up jobs around the area to see where I could start applying once I get my EAD.

Basically, I just used the time like I am on unemployment lol