Living and Working in the USA
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
Accommodation
The cost of real estate and consequently, accommodation, are on the rise in the United States, particularly in urban areas. Rental prices vary from $200 - $5,000 a month, depending on size and location. Finding an affordable apartment in NYC is challenging
Bank Accounts
According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), there are 8,694 active financial institutions in the United States; some offer free checking accounts or waive ATM fees; all require you to bring proof of ID and a small initial deposit.
Healthcare
The United States spends more on healthcare, both as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) and on a per-capita basis, than any other nation in the world.
Around 84% of US citizens have some form of private health insurance and that’s because it can be expensive. If you’re going to work in the USA you’ll need to take out some form of health insurance which will cover you in the event of sudden illness, injury or death. Mainstream health plans require you to have lived in the USA for a specific period, but do your research and you’ll discover plans that cater to your needs.
Pay & Benefits
Employment contracts in the United States usually run for a fixed term of one to three years. Salaries are paid monthly and bonus structures are dependent on performance and employer discretion.
Tax
Tax in the United States is complex - in addition to payments to state, federal and local governments you’re required to contribute at municipality, township, district and county level. Taxes are also levied by school, utility and transit districts. Depending on your situation, tax can account for up to 35% of your income.
Visas
If you’re serious about working in America you need to obtain a green card or visa, granting both residency and employment rights. Competition is intense but there are a number of ways you can increase your chances of acceptance; first and foremost, be aware it’s not always possible to apply when you’re here, so make sure your application is underway before you leave native shores.
If you’re working abroad for the summer or a short period time you need either a J1 visa, or an H2A or H2B visa. H2A and H2B visas are for seasonal workers. As a skilled professional there are three main visas that you can apply for: the H1, E class or K class visas.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services website details all the rules relating to living and working in the USA.
Travel
It’s debatable as to who invented the car but the large scale manufacturing of automobiles was most definitely an American invention. The USA’s obsession with the car is legendary but, like many great love affairs, the most enduring are borne out of necessity. Medium-sized American cities, particularly in the west and south, are very spread out and public transportation rudimentary, making a car the most practical option.
Perpetuating the romance, many Americans will tell you that you can't see the "real" America except by car. But that’s not true. Intercity bus travel in the United States is commonly used to connect smaller towns with regional cities. That cultural icon, the Greyhound Bus, is dependable, safe and affordable - their North American Discovery Pass allows unlimited travel for ranges of 4 to 60 days.
Another alternative is the national rail system. Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL), provides services to most cities in the USA, with routes that traverse some of its most beautiful areas. Separate from Amtrak, commuter trains carry passengers to and from the suburbs of major cities.
To travel from the suburbs into the heart of New York City, your best bet is the Subway which is much safer and more reliable than certain movies would have you believe. You’ll need a MetroCard for use on the bus and subway system and these can be bought online, at stations or at many grocery stores and newsagents.
