A Brief Survival Guide

Now that my posts are published on Ex-Pat  Blog, I realize my merry ramblings maybe coming under scrutiny from people who are genuinely thinking of, just about to, or have actually re-located to America. Therefore it might be time for sharing my top tips on surviving life in the US.

Before I start just remember I’m in LA and everyone tells me California is very different from other parts of America, and in addition, I’m a “corporate wife”; I’m only here because of my husband’s job so what I say, or think, may not necessarily strike a cord with everybody.

Research -  Find out as much as you can before you come; use the internet; books, magazines; anything you can lay your hands on that might give you a realistic picture of what to expect.  Watching American TV shows and movies doesn’t count!  Read blogs written by real people who have already made the move – read my blog! Books and corporate manuals can certainly provide you with a lot of facts but they are often written by people who have been born, bred and raised here.  It doesn’t give you quite the same perspective! Forewarned is forearmed.  Be Prepared.

Financial Security – Don’t even think about coming to the US unless you are financially secure.  Yes fast food and gas are comparatively cheap and plentiful – but other necessities are not - housing; utilities; education. 20 years of steady UK mortgage payments, a black bank account and a regular salary counts for nothing out here; it takes at least six months to get credit history.  Bear in mind you will have to pay for everything up front and don’t forget sales tax - it’s never included on the price tag! Nor are tips and gratuities!

Healthcare - You must have health insurance! The biggest cause of personal bankruptcy in the US is failure to meet medical bills.  There’s enough people living on the streets here already – don’t join them.

Know the Laws of the Land – Every state is different.  Know what state you are in and what’s legal and what’s not. Traffic fines are a good source of revenue; read your Highway Code and abide by it.

Bureaucracy and Paperwork – America thrives on it and just resign yourself to wading through it.  There is no alternative.  Rules is Rules and they ain’t going to change them just for you.

Be Patient – Except when they are behind the steering wheel of a car, Americans seem to operate at a slower pace than their European counterparts.  Learn patience.  The working week is longer here but that doesn’t mean Americans are more productive.  It simply means they have more hours to fill so they make their tasks last. Consider that wait in line as quality time to reflect; meditate and enjoy.

Adapt – Learn to work with what you’ve got.  Trying to replicate your life back home just leads to disappointment and frustration – trust me, I know!!  Sadly Ralphs isn’t Sainsbury’s and they aren’t going to re-stock their entire product range just for me.  Live with it – or in most cases without it.  It’s amazing what you can actually learn to manage without.

Ask Questions – Most Americans love to talk and are only too happy to offer advice and answer your questions.  Whatever you’re looking for they will be able to give you a personal recommendation – be it a school,  restaurant, nail spa or a clinic for colonic irrigation. Don’t be shy – that’s an alien concept here.  If in doubt – ask - no matter how stupid it sounds; most Americans are so darn polite they’d never let on even if they did think your question totally moronic.

Promote Yourself – nobody is going to come knocking at your door begging to be your new best buddy.  If you want a social life you have to get out there and find it.  Do grasp every hand of friendship offered because you never know where it might lead – and if the worse comes to worse and you need to extricate yourself from an awkward social situation, simply mentioning symptoms typical of highly infectious illness will probably do the trick!

Stay Positive – There will be days when you don’t want to get up out of bed.  You will be homesick – it’s inevitable.  Deep down inside you know it’s all for the greater good and things will get better. List all the things you want to do whilst you are here and use your time wisely. Don’t waste the opportunity. On the other hand, if you need to wallow in sentimentality about your home country every now and then, do! It’s your heritage, it’s where you grew up, keep in touch. I’d be lost without my PC, Skype and BBC America.  California is a hotpotch of nationalities; over 220 languages are spoken in LA.  If you need to seek out the comforts of people who speak the same language (and understand the same jokes)  – do.  Everyone else here does.

And finally, whether your move here is permanent or just for the short term, give yourself time to settle in. I  reckon it takes at least 12 months for the “culture shock” to wear off and accustomisation, acclimatisation and tolerance levels to kick in.  Even now I still have dark days when the whole country will just drive me to distraction; but that's when I retreat back into my bubble and spend the day sat on the sofa with endless cups of tea watching re-runs of Inspector Morse and Dr Who.

What you make of America is going to be very dependent upon where you are from, what you left behind and what you are looking for. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Good luck!!