john

Living in the United States

The opportunities for living in the USA are enormous, but not much of a safety net exists, so prepare well, buy health insurance, and be ready to bounce back if your first venture fails. America in many respects remains strongly regional; living in the traditional South of the USA is vastly different from living in Europe-looking New England, and the frontier states of the Pacific North West lead different lives, too. The history and climate of each region produces its economy and character, so it pays to research before you choose where to settle. State legislatures add a third level of government to national and local bureaucracies.

Nowhere is the cult of the car stronger. Acquiring an automobile becomes a pressing need when it comes to looking for housing and jobs. Americans drive great distances as a matter of course; a 45 mile, one hour journey to work is common. In the USA, they also tend to judge you by your vehicle.