4 weeks in
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 431
4 weeks in
Now been in the US for 4 weeks ( seems way longer ) so posting a report of my experience - and a thanks to all on this board who helped make the process smoother than it might have been
Arrival at Logan airport was simple, taken off to a room, waited around an hour for my turn then given my stamped passport back and good to go
We had our houseplants ( plus certificate with them ), caused a lot of interest for the otherwise bored customs people, they said our paperwork was the best they'd ever seen. Most plants were OK, the cactii were a problem and ended up being sent to a cactus rescue centre.
Spent a week in Mass ( the wifes home state ) seeing family and getting stuff together then drove a UHaul to Michigan via Canada. No probblems with Canadian border wanting to inspect the UHaul
Arrived in Michigan and had a frantic week stopping in an apartment owned by the company getting all the necessary things done before moving into our rental home. Opened an account with a credit union, painless. Saw utility companies, not too much pain.
I had my Social Security number by then which I soon found out to be essential so I was happy I got it so quickly
Got cable and internet from Comcast, seemed to be OK but proved to be a pain, they sent us the wrong box ( no recording facility ) and the internet stopped working the minute the installer drove away from the house
I had a small cash reserve built up before moving so hit the clearance showrooms for furniture and got sofas and a bed. Didnt realise how much matresses were ! Made friends with a local antique dealer and got some quirky bits from him plus a free gift and an invite out to dinner
Spent a day going round car dealers, most were the stereotypical type selling crap but we found one dealer that seemed good and ended up with a 98 Subaru. Insurance was no problem
Green card arrived last week
Shipment from England arrived on Friday, no extra charges at either end and we've only found 1 small breakage so far
Work is going OK - I had been contracting from home from the UK for the 8 months it took my visa - getting used to working with people again and they are now getting used to me being there and are making use of me so I'm busy
Not seen too much of the local area yet, too busy organising and unpacking but starting to get some free time now
So far so good, concentrating on enjoying myself here and not doing any England comparisons
Again, thanks for all the advice and tips from the board, it has been invaluable
Arrival at Logan airport was simple, taken off to a room, waited around an hour for my turn then given my stamped passport back and good to go
We had our houseplants ( plus certificate with them ), caused a lot of interest for the otherwise bored customs people, they said our paperwork was the best they'd ever seen. Most plants were OK, the cactii were a problem and ended up being sent to a cactus rescue centre.
Spent a week in Mass ( the wifes home state ) seeing family and getting stuff together then drove a UHaul to Michigan via Canada. No probblems with Canadian border wanting to inspect the UHaul
Arrived in Michigan and had a frantic week stopping in an apartment owned by the company getting all the necessary things done before moving into our rental home. Opened an account with a credit union, painless. Saw utility companies, not too much pain.
I had my Social Security number by then which I soon found out to be essential so I was happy I got it so quickly
Got cable and internet from Comcast, seemed to be OK but proved to be a pain, they sent us the wrong box ( no recording facility ) and the internet stopped working the minute the installer drove away from the house
I had a small cash reserve built up before moving so hit the clearance showrooms for furniture and got sofas and a bed. Didnt realise how much matresses were ! Made friends with a local antique dealer and got some quirky bits from him plus a free gift and an invite out to dinner
Spent a day going round car dealers, most were the stereotypical type selling crap but we found one dealer that seemed good and ended up with a 98 Subaru. Insurance was no problem
Green card arrived last week
Shipment from England arrived on Friday, no extra charges at either end and we've only found 1 small breakage so far
Work is going OK - I had been contracting from home from the UK for the 8 months it took my visa - getting used to working with people again and they are now getting used to me being there and are making use of me so I'm busy
Not seen too much of the local area yet, too busy organising and unpacking but starting to get some free time now
So far so good, concentrating on enjoying myself here and not doing any England comparisons
Again, thanks for all the advice and tips from the board, it has been invaluable
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,847
Re: 4 weeks in
Glad it is going so smoothly. I don't think it possible to be much smoother!!
#3
Re: 4 weeks in
And what could a cactus rescue centre be? Could they be deported? I hope not destroyed . . . .
#4
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 431
Re: 4 weeks in
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Herts to CA for nearly 10 years and now MD
Posts: 351
Re: 4 weeks in
Glad everything else has been going smoothly. Sounds like you must have done a good amount of homework and prepping.