What not to do after moving to the United States: advice for new immigrants

Moving to the United States is not only a new address, a different time zone and a first encounter with the American way of life. The first days after arrival are often the busiest: you have to sort out housing, transport, a phone, banking, documents, insurance and a great many small domestic things. Tired and under stress, it is easy to make a hasty decision that later turns into extra expense or extra trouble.

That is exactly why, in the first days after moving, it is better not to try to settle absolutely everything at once. It is far wiser to learn the new system gradually, understand how life works in your particular city, and only then make serious financial and practical decisions. Below are the main mistakes worth avoiding.

1. Do not try to settle everything in a few days

One of the commonest mistakes after moving is wanting to set up a whole new life immediately. You want to find a permanent flat straight away, open a bank account, arrange a mobile phone, buy a car, get furniture, work out your insurance and start looking for a job all at the same time.

In practice this rush rarely helps, because you have not yet had time to understand the local rules, the different parts of the city or what things really cost.

In the first few days it is far more useful to concentrate on the basics:

• find safe housing, temporary or permanent;
• get a mobile phone and internet access;
• arrange convenient access to your money;
• work out how to get around;
• find the nearest shops, pharmacies and medical facilities.

Everything else is better spread over the coming weeks. That approach lets you make decisions more calmly and greatly reduces the chance of spending money you did not need to spend.

2. Do not sign the first tenancy agreement you are offered

Housing usually becomes one of the largest expenses after a move to the United States, so this is where it matters most not to rush. Attractive photographs of a flat online may not show the real state of the building, what the neighbourhood is like, or the extra costs that appear once you move in.

Before signing an agreement it is worth checking several things:

• The exact monthly rent.
• The deposit you have to pay.
• What is included in the price and what is billed separately.
• What parking, water, electricity, gas and internet cost.
• How long the agreement runs for.
• What the terms are for ending the tenancy early.

If you can, go and look not only at the flat but at the neighbourhood itself. Look at the shops, the transport, the parking and how long it takes to get to work or college. Sometimes housing that costs a little more turns out to be much more convenient and saves you money elsewhere.

3. Do not give your Social Security Number to everybody who asks

If you have a Social Security Number, treat it as important confidential information. An employer, a bank, a credit company or certain official procedures may genuinely need it, but there is no need to give it to everyone who asks.

If an organisation asks for your SSN, ask what exactly it is needed for and whether the full number really has to be provided. Be especially careful about requests to send a photograph of the document, or the number itself, through questionable websites, messaging apps or emails.

A good rule for your first months in the United States: the more important the personal data, the more carefully you should check who you are handing it to.

4. Do not buy a car on your first day

In many American cities, and especially in the suburbs, a car really does make life much easier. But buying one immediately after you arrive is far from always sensible, because you may not yet know how often you will use it or what running it will actually cost.

Before buying a car it is worth weighing up not only the price but the additional costs:

• insurance;
• registration;
• fuel;
• parking;
• servicing;
• repairs;
• possible loan payments.

For a new driver, insurance can be a substantial expense. So first look at the transport situation where you live and consider whether, at least at the beginning, you could manage with public transport, a rental car or ride services.

5. Do not choose housing just because it is cheap

A low rent looks especially attractive in the first months after a move, when you want to save. But a price that is too low is often tied to an awkward location, a long journey to work, no public transport, or extra costs.

When comparing flats, look not only at the rent but also at:

• the journey time to work;
• whether you would have to buy a car;
• the cost of parking;
• whether there are shops nearby;
• how good the public transport is;
• utility bills.

Sometimes a flat that costs a little more works out cheaper, because it lets you do without a car or spend far less on petrol and transport.

6. Do not open a lot of credit cards at once

After moving, many people start taking an interest in American credit history and want to build it as fast as possible. But applying for a large number of credit cards all at once is not a good idea.

Before taking out a card, look at a few key points:

• Whether there is an annual fee.
• What credit limit the bank gives you.
• When the statement is issued.
• The date by which payment has to be made.
• What interest is charged if there is a balance outstanding.
• Whether there are any additional fees.

The main rule is simple: a credit limit is not extra money. It is better to use the card only for purchases you will be able to pay off without difficulty.

7. Do not spend most of your savings on setting up home

After moving there is a natural urge to make the place comfortable as quickly as possible and buy everything you need. Money starts going on furniture, appliances, kitchenware, clothes and other things that each seem inexpensive on their own. The total mounts up quickly.

And it is precisely in the first months that unexpected costs tend to come up:

• a housing deposit;
• medical bills;
• insurance;
• car repairs;
• temporary accommodation;
• paying for necessary documents or services;
• unforeseen household expenses.

So it is better to keep a financial cushion and buy things gradually. In the first weeks stability matters more than a perfectly furnished flat.

8. Do not put off the question of health insurance

The American healthcare system can be very different from the one you are used to, so it is best to get to grips with health insurance as early as you can. Even if you rarely see a doctor, it is useful to understand the main terms of your plan.

It is worth having at least a rough understanding of terms such as:

• premium;
• deductible;
• copay;
• coinsurance;
• in-network;
• out-of-network.

Having insurance does not always mean that absolutely every medical service will be paid for in full. Before going to a doctor or a clinic, it is best to check whether they take your insurance and what costs you may face.

9. Do not use emergency medical care unless you need to

If there is a real threat to life or health then of course you should seek emergency care. But for less serious situations there may be other options: a regular doctor, urgent care or telemedicine.

It helps to find out in advance:

• Where the nearest hospital is.
• What urgent care there is nearby.
• Which clinics take your insurance.
• Whether your insurance plan offers online consultations.

Then, when you really do need help, you will not have to work it all out under stress.

10. Do not forget that the price at the till can differ from the label

One everyday feature of the United States that often surprises new residents is sales tax. In many shops the label shows the price without the final tax, so the amount at the till can come out a little higher than you expected.

The rate of tax depends on the state and the particular area, and certain categories of goods may have their own rules. On small purchases the difference is usually negligible, but when buying appliances, furniture or other expensive items it is better to allow for it in advance.

This matters especially if you are budgeting very precisely and making several large purchases at the same time.

11. Do not constantly compare everything with your old country

Almost everyone goes through a period of constant comparison after moving. Why is everything arranged this way here? Why does some procedure seem harder? Why can it not be done the way you are used to?

That reaction is completely natural. But constant comparison can get in the way of settling in. It is far more useful to ask yourself a different question: "How does this work here?"

You do not have to decide that the local rules are better or worse. What matters is understanding the system and learning to use it to your advantage.

12. Do not accept a job without understanding the terms

If you need money urgently, it is tempting to accept the first offer. But before starting work you should at least know the rate of pay, the hours, the duties, how you will be paid and who exactly the employer is.

Before agreeing, check:

• how much you will be paid and how often;
• what hours are expected;
• what the duties involve;
• whether there is a probationary period;
• who your employer will be;
• what paperwork has to be done.

Be especially careful of offers that promise unusually high earnings for very simple work, or that require you to pay first for training, equipment or the chance of a job.

13. Do not sign documents you do not understand

This matters especially when renting a home, buying a car, taking out a loan or insurance, or starting a job. Do not sign a document just because there are a lot of pages in front of you and you feel awkward keeping somebody waiting.

Before you sign:

• Read the main terms.
• Ask about anything you do not understand.
• Check the amounts and the dates.
• Look at the penalties and the additional charges.
• Keep your own copy of the document.

If an agreement could have serious legal or financial consequences, it makes sense to get professional advice.

14. Do not take out too many paid subscriptions

The subscription model is very widespread in the United States: streaming services, apps, deliveries, gyms, cloud software and all sorts of online services. Many of them offer a free trial period, after which money starts coming out automatically.

In the first months after moving it is worth checking your bank transactions and your list of active subscriptions at least once every few weeks. Several payments of $10-20 can look like small change, but together they gradually turn into a noticeable monthly sum.

15. Do not forget about tipping culture

Tipping is common across many service industries in the United States, and newcomers often find it hard at first to tell where a tip is really expected. The question comes up especially often in restaurants, bars and salons, and with certain services.

At the same time, you do not have to leave a tip automatically everywhere a payment terminal offers you a choice of percentages. Work out gradually what counts as normal in a particular kind of service, and judge by the situation.

16. Do not try to live "like the locals" straight away

Social media can give the impression that after moving you should immediately rent a beautiful flat, buy a car, upgrade your devices and start travelling. But the first months of immigration are above all a period of settling in.

There is nothing wrong with, for a while:

• renting a room or a simpler flat;
• using public transport;
• buying some things second-hand;
• cooking at home;
• going without non-essential purchases;
• raising your spending gradually.

Building a stable financial foundation matters far more than trying to match somebody's idea of the American way of life straight away.

17. Do not cut yourself off from the people around you

After moving it is natural to gravitate towards people who speak your own language. That contact helps you feel more confident and gives you useful advice.

But it is not worth confining yourself entirely to familiar company. Get to know your neighbours, your colleagues and local people, little by little. Even ordinary short conversations help improve your English, give you a better understanding of the culture and help you get used to a new country faster.

At the same time, there is no need to deliberately turn away from Russian-speaking company. It is better to widen your circle gradually while keeping in touch with the people you feel comfortable with.

18. Do not be afraid to ask simple questions

After moving it is easy to feel that you ought to work everything out for yourself, and quickly. In truth, not knowing the everyday rules of a new country is completely normal.

You may not know:

• how to use a laundrette;
• where you are allowed to park;
• how to return an item to a shop;
• where to collect a parcel;
• how you pay for public transport;
• how a particular banking service works.

Better to ask once than to lose money or time over a wrong assumption.

19. Do not break the parking rules

For drivers this is a particularly important point. Even if a space looks free, parking there may be limited by time or allowed only for certain categories of vehicle.

Pay attention to:

• road signs;
• the colour and type of the markings;
• time limits;
• street cleaning days;
• resident-only zones;
• private car parks.

In some cases a violation can lead not only to a fine but to the car being towed, which means further expense and stress.

20. Do not throw away important documents

In the first weeks after moving, a lot of paper piles up quickly: agreements, receipts, bank notices, insurance documents, letters and payment confirmations. Do not immediately throw away everything that looks unnecessary.

It is easier to sort documents into at least a few categories:

• Housing and rent.
• Banks and finances.
• Insurance and medical.
• Work and taxes.
• Car and transport.
• Government documents.

For the most important papers it also helps to make electronic copies and keep them somewhere secure.

21. Do not ignore ordinary post

Many new arrivals are used to almost every important notice coming by email. In the United States ordinary post is still used for banking, insurance and official notices.

So check your mailbox regularly and do not throw letters away without looking at the sender. Among the advertising there may be a bank card, an insurance document, a bill or some other genuinely important notice.

22. Do not budget on your pre-tax pay

If you are quoted an annual or hourly rate of pay, that does not mean that is the amount you will actually receive. Taxes and other deductions may be taken out of your earnings.

Before taking on large monthly commitments, it is better to know:

• how much money actually reaches your account;
• what the rent costs;
• how much goes on transport;
• how much you pay for insurance;
• how much is left for day-to-day spending and savings.

This matters particularly before renting an expensive home or buying a car.

23. Do not use your whole credit limit

When you get your first credit card, the available limit can feel like an extra reserve of money. But it is borrowed money, and it has to be paid back.

Do not use the whole available limit just because the bank has given it to you. A credit card should be a way of paying, not a way of regularly spending more than you can afford.

If you are only just starting to use American financial products, it is better to build the habit of keeping full control of your spending and checking your statements promptly.

24. Do not expect to settle in within a week

In the first days the United States can seem either incredibly convenient or too complicated and unfamiliar. Both reactions are completely normal.

It takes time to get used to the language, the roads, the working culture, the local rules, the way services work and ordinary everyday details. So do not draw final conclusions about life in the country a few days after arriving. Everyone settles in differently. The main thing is to give yourself time to understand the new environment, and not to demand that you grasp absolutely every process at once.

What to do instead

Instead of trying to settle everything at once, make a simple list of priorities. It will help you see what really needs attention now and what can safely wait.

For example: 1. Urgent

• temporary or permanent housing;
• a mobile phone;
• access to money;
• food;
• transport.

2. Important in the coming weeks

• banking matters;
• health insurance;
• looking for permanent housing;
• work;
• the documents you need.

3. Can be done later

• buying expensive furniture;
• extra subscriptions;
• non-essential devices;
• large spending on entertainment;
• purchases you can manage without for now.

This approach helps reduce stress, keeps your money and stops you making decisions simply because it feels as though "everything has to be done right now".

The main rule for your first days in the United States

Do not rush. Most of the unpleasant mistakes people make after moving happen not because they did not know something, but because they tried to settle too many things too quickly.

Check information, read documents carefully, compare offers and do not be afraid to ask questions. The first weeks after a move are a period of settling in, not an exam you have to pass perfectly.

The calmer and more careful you are in your first days, the easier it will be to build your life in the United States from there.