Living in United States: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in United States

Summary: People describe life in the United States as diverse, exciting, and full of opportunity. Expats love the freedom and independence that comes with living in the United States, as well as the wide variety of cultures and experiences that can be found here. The average cost of living for an expat in the United States is around $2,000 to $3,000 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. The population of the United States is approximately 328 million people, and the largest cities are New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix. The cons of living in the United States include the high cost of living in some areas, the lack of universal healthcare, and the political and social divisions that exist in the country. Additionally, the United States has a large income gap between the wealthy and the poor, and the cost of living can be prohibitively expensive in some areas.

What do I need to know about living in the United States?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to the United States, they said:

"I think it's a wonderful area. All of the surrounding towns are also desirable towns to live in. It gives a country feel with very close proximity to NYC (15-25 miles depending on the town) so you really get the best of both worlds. Also, the school districts are very good. Only negative, real estate is extremely high priced due to proximity to NYC. Therefore, you're paying a lot for a small house and yard. However, most people feel the trade off is worth it," said one expat in Allendale.

"Housing more expensive than we anticipated! But we love the community. Get involved and meet new friends to make the transition easier," said one expat who made the move to Avon Lake.

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How do I meet people in the United States?

When we asked people living in the United States about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:

"This tends to be a young town, so most people find friends from school or the town that they grew up in that already live in Hoboken. Unless you grew up in town, this is almost always true. Most young people that live here tend to have their social lives in the city, not that there isn't plenty of night life and restaurants in Hoboken. Most people, if they are right out of school, will start off going out in Hoboken quite a bit until they get a little stir crazy and then go out in Manhattan more," commented one expat who made the move to Hoboken.

"Most people are fairly private. I play a lot of golf, and many people generally seem to interact with their neighbors and members of their church. Any school and extra-curricular activities are recommended. Join the Bernardsville Pool... it's public and a lot of people use it," remarked one expat living in Bernardsville, United States.

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What is life like in the United States?

When we asked people living in the United States what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:

"This town is all about family. Yes, people are concerned with their careers, but almost everyone in our town would say family is most important to them in my opinion. Sports are also closely followed," wrote a member in Chester.

"All are important. Due to the high cost-of-living in this area and the "keeping up with the Jones" aspirations of younger residents, work is a high priority. Many couples leave New York City to settle here and start families thus making family a big part of their lives. Short Hills has a nice public pool and town golf course that offer inexpensive recreation," commented one expat who made the move to Short Hills.

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Is there a lot of crime in the United States?

We asked people if there is a lot of crime. They answered:

"Yes, there is a significant amount of crime in the United States. Many communities suffer from high crime rates and violent activities, resulting in a deteriorating quality of life in some locations. Furthermore, the availability of firearms and illegal drugs contribute to the perpetuation of these criminal activities. While law enforcement is at the forefront of fighting crime, the societal issues underlying crime require a multifaceted approach from communities, government, and individuals in order to make meaningful progress," remarked one expat living in United States.

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Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in the United States accepting of differences?

"I wouldn't say it's diverse at all. Most people probably just don't think about diversity much, which is probably too bad. It's just a little town out in the country, but there are some hispanic people that have started to find their way into town, which is a start," explained one expat living in Chester, United States.

"Short Hills is an upper middle (to upper) class area with little economic diversity. It is home to a great deal of old and new money. Religiously, the town has many Jewish residents and a mix of Catholic and Protestant residents," said one expat in Short Hills.

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What are the schools in the United States like?

"Still a relatively new school and has only been open for 6 years. Has grown rapidly in that time, but older groups still a bit small. GCSE and IB only have about 85 pupis across all four years so it could be tough socially. On the plus side those who do elect to stay to do IB get almost one to one tuition. However, there is no proven track record here at present," commented one expat when asked about British School of Houston in Houston.

"As a parent you will probably feel very comfortable about the other children your own kids are mixing with in this school. There do not appear to be any serious issues relating to inappropriate behaviour, bullying, drugs or alcohol here. In fact, the social climate is very positive. For students up to and including Year 9, the education on offer is adequate, and nicely balanced by the postive ethos of the school. Beyond Year 9, students are very vulnerable to the impact of the high staff turnover, low expectations for academic achievement, the inadequate provision of books and materials and decreasing numbers of peers as class sizes dwindle. Think twice if you are the parent of a secondary school aged student. Don't even consider this school if your child has special educational needs of any description," remarked one expat living in Houston with children attending British School of Houston.

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Is the cost of living in the United States high?

We asked people how much they someone comfortably live on in the United States, they wrote:

"The cost of living in the United States varies depending on the city and state you live in. In general, living costs in the US are usually high and rising. Rent, transportation, and food expenses tend to make up the largest portion of monthly expenses in most parts of the country. Healthcare in the US can also be expensive, particularly if you do not have access to employer-sponsored insurance. Utility costs, such as electricity and water, also need to be taken into account when budgeting for the cost of living," commented one expat who made the move to United States.

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" The Washington D.C. metropolitan area also includes parts of Virginia and Maryland. Many people live in places like Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia, which are right across the Potomac River from D.C. Towns like Chevy Chase and Bethesda, Maryland are very close to downtown as well. In the Logan Circle neighborhood, a cozy 1 bedroom is currently listed for $449,000, a 2 bedroom, 2 bath in the same neighborhood is listed at $895,000. Rentals in the same neighborhood range from about $2,500 to $4,500 for a 1 bedroom to $3,300 to $7,500 for a 2 bedroom. Buildings with doormen, pools, fitness rooms are in the higher range. In Alexandria, Virginia, expats can rent a 1 bedroom apartment from about $1,200 to $2,500 depending upon amenities and location. And, a 2 bedroom in Alexandria ranges from $1,600 to $3,500. If you're buying in Alexandria, a 1 bedroom ranges from $250,000 to $400,000 and a 2 bedroom ranges from $350,000 to $600,000. Dining out at a sit-down restaurant in D.C. can cost you anywhere from $20 per person to hundreds. Typically, the bill for a burger with fries and a beer is $25-30. ," said an expat in Washington DC.

"There are a number of relatively new residential developments in Easton. A 4-bedroom built in 2000 in Charlestown Village,is currently listed for $349k. Charlestown Village has a community pool. A 3-bedroom built in 2018 in Village Lake Way is listed for $359k. Covell Communities at Easton Village has a waterside pool with a clubhouse, marina and kayak launch. Newly constructed homes in this neighborhood run from $429k to $559k. Houses in the historic district range from $299k to $2.8M based on current listings. Beautiful waterfront properties with pools, deepwater docks, tennis courts and pool houses outside of downtown are listed for in the $6M and $7M range," remarked one expat in Easton.

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What type of recreational facilities are in the United States?

When we asked people living in the United States about recreational activities, they mentioned:

" Capital Rowing Club and Washington Canoe Club are two of the numerous rowing clubs in the D.C. area. For golfers, country clubs include Belle Haven Country Club (Alexandria, Va.), Mount Vernon Country Club (Alexandria, Va.), Washington Golf & Country Club (Arlington, Va.) and The Chevy Chase Club (Chevy Chase, Md.). Many of those also have tennis and swimming. There are many others in the D.C. area. D.C. Fray (formerly known as United Social Sports) hosts recreational sporting events (bocce, flag football, basketball, yoga, cornhole, tennis, soccer, softball and many others) plus speed-dating events, parties and more. D.C. Hashing is a drinking / running club popular among expats worldwide. ," wrote one expat living in Washington DC.

" There are a number of public and private clubs in Easton. They include The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club, Hog Neck Public Golf Course(18-hole course and a 9-hole course) and Talbot Country Club (golf, tennis and a swimming pool). The YMCA of the Chesapeake has locations in several towns - two branches are in Easton. Easton Family YMCA at Peachblossom has 2 swimming pools, a fitness center, gymnasium and cycling studio. Easton Family YMCA at Washington has indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a gymnasium, fitness center and a cycle studio. The Washington location is even starting a Pickleball program. George Murphy Community Pool is an outdoor community pool with swimming lessons, doggie swim days and more during the summer. Talbot County Parks & Rec runs the pool plus a number of other events and activities - summer camp, youth basketball, youth soccer, youth field hockey and more. The Talbot County Community Center has an indoor ice rink which offers skating lessons and ice hockey lessons. The Easton Ice Hawks is an ice hockey team, plays at the same ice rink. ," commented one expat who moved to Easton.

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What is the weather like in the United States?

"It is a tropical climate. It is windy most of the time making the temperatures seem cooler. It is not a great place to be during hurricane season in some years," said an expat in Christiansted.

"New York has a temperate climate. July and August usually have several 3-4 day stretches of oppressively hot and humid weather. January, February and March may see a few big snowstorms, but typically New York is not the winter wonderland that you see in the movies. Those days are few, but beloved by locals who appreciate how beautiful the city and its parks are with a covering of snow. September, October, November, May and June are the months that keep locals sane with many picture perfect weather days that could even put smiles on the faces of the most hardened New Yorkers," remarked one expat in New York.

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Are there good restaurants in the United States?

"There are so many great restaurants and cafes in St. Michaels. Awful Arthur's Seafood Company, St. Michaels Crab & Steak House and the Crab Claw are a few of the many seafood restuarants. Ava's Pizzeria & Wine Bar on South Talbot has great wood-fired pizza, an enclosed patio area, a bar and indoor tables. For gluten free diners, Ava's is very knowledgeable and has a number of delicious options. Bistro St. Michaels gets rave reviews as well. The list of restaurants goes on and on. After dinner, you can't miss Justine's Ice Cream Parlor," said one expat living in St. Michaels.

"Annapolis has too many restaurants to list. Here are a few favorites: Boatyard Bar & Grill, Chick & Ruth's deli, Flamant MD (Flemish/European) and Vin 909 (wine bar + food). For nighlife, Rams Head on Stage has concerts and music events. 49 West Coffeehouse has local live music nightly with great food, coffee and drinks. Stan & Joe's is another bar with live music. There are a number of wonderful art galleries in Annapolis, which hosts an annual art walk," mentioned one expat inAnnapolis.

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Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in the United States?

" Groceries can be pricey depending upon where you shop. If you stick to Whole Foods, you'll be spending a lot each week. But, there is a Costco in Pentagon City (Arlington, Va) and another in Washington D.C.. Other grocery stores in the D.C. area include: Safeway, Trader Joe's, Giant Food, Harris Teeter, Market Basket and many others. ," commented one expat living in Washington DC, US.

"Easton has several large chain grocery stores such as Giant Food, Harris Teeter, Weis and ACME. There are also ethnic food stores - Plaza Latina Food Market, Piazza Italian Market and Easton Oriental Food Mart. The Easton Farmer's Market takes place every Saturday from mid-April through mid-December. Downtown Easton has a number of great shops - Marc Randall, La De Da, Lanham Hall Design and Crackerjacks Toys. Easton also has a number of big chain stores such as Target, Dick's, Kohl's, Walmart and Staples. ," remarked one expat living in Easton.

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What are the visa & residency requirements in the United States?

"In order to enter the United States, non-U.S. citizens must obtain a valid visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Depending on your nationality and purpose of travel, the type of visa you require and the length of validity may vary. You must apply for a visa in advance of your arrival in the U.S. and must provide certain documents, such as a passport, photograph, and proof of financial support, that accompany the visa application. In order to stay in the United States for a longer period of time, it may be necessary to apply for residency. Generally, potential residents have to petition the U.S. government with an application and supporting documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, financial records and bank statements, to prove the validity of their relationship and/or dependents. Depending on the relationship, further evidence jointly signed documents, photos, or affidavits from third-party witnesses may be required. Once the application is submitted, generally, a U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer will review the evidence and will determine, in some cases after an interview, whether the applicant is eligible for residency," commented one expat living in United States.

"US citizens have no visa requirements. Others need passports, tourist visas or work visas," remarked one expat living in Christiansted.

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Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in the United States?

"Healthcare and health insurance in the United States can be expensive. The cost of healthcare services, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription drugs, can be high. Health insurance premiums can also be costly, and many people struggle to afford the cost of coverage. Additionally, many health insurance plans have high deductibles and copays, which can make it difficult to access care," remarked one expat in United States.

"Aside from what I said above, we use my husband's Blue Cross insurance with no trouble. It costs the same as elsewhere, being a benefit of his federal job (he transferred here). Our copays are the same as in Hawaii," wrote one expat living in Saipan.

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