What to bring to USA when permenantly moving there

oxegen85

Hi,

I was just wondering is there a list of stuff I should definately bring to America with me? Things such as medical history, school info, qualifications etc. Stuff like that or a comprehensive list as Ive never ever moved country and if I leave something behind I cant go back for it.

Thanks for all your replies,
Regards

InTheTrees

I'd check to see if your medical records would be available to a US doctor, I bet they would be, so you may not need to carry them with you. Are you healthy? DO you have any conditions? If notI wouldnt worry.

Not sure about educational certificates etc. It would help, it depends on what kind of job you're after. In 20 years of listing qualifications on my resume I've never had anyone ask for proof.

Best of luck with the move. Where are you moving to?

(And you know you can always go back for stuff you've forgotten!)

Stella777

InTheTrees wrote: »

I'd check to see if your medical records would be available to a US doctor, I bet they would be, so you may not need to carry them with you. QUOTE]
My doctor in NJ can't even see my records from my old doctor in Maryland, nor my old doctor 40 minutes away in Manhattan unless I bring them myself, so I doubt they can view records from a foreign country!

In particular make sure you have records showing immunizations if you intend to go back to school here.

If it were me I'd bring as many documents as I could carry: diplomas, letters of recomendation, contact info for anyone you might use a reference etc. Depending on what sort of work you're looking for you might also bring proof of a clean driving record, though I don't know if an employer here would accept that from abroad.

oxegen85

InTheTrees wrote: »

I'd check to see if your medical records would be available to a US doctor, I bet they would be, so you may not need to carry them with you. Are you healthy? DO you have any conditions? If notI wouldnt worry.

Not sure about educational certificates etc. It would help, it depends on what kind of job you're after. In 20 years of listing qualifications on my resume I've never had anyone ask for proof.

Best of luck with the move. Where are you moving to?

(And you know you can always go back for stuff you've forgotten!)

Am moving to maryland. Dont have any big health issue but I do have asthma so I will need to be able to get inhalers. Do you need to get these on prescription like in Ireland?

cailineile13

Several usa plug adapters would be my first reccomendation-especially if you're a girl & you want to use your favourite straightners/curlers at the same time
-Make several photocopies of all your documents, ie passport/drivers license/bank or credit card statements/proof of your old address.
-Check out what you need to do to open a new bank account over there, or when applying for a social security number.
-If you're bringing a laptop, leave a hard copy (external hard drive maybe?)
of all the files you want to keep, just incase anything goes wrong with it over there!

I know the health insurance situation there is a bit manic, so check out whether you'd be covered by travel insurance for the first few weeks/months
If you have family/friends over there already, ask them is there anything they can think of. Those are the first things that spring to my mind after moving between countries..

Best of luck with it either way!xx

Stella777

oxegen85 wrote: »

Am moving to maryland. Dont have any big health issue but I do have asthma so I will need to be able to get inhalers. Do you need to get these on prescription like in Ireland?

Absolutely bring enough inhalers to last you some time. They are prescription only. Also, I highly doubt a pharmacy here would accept a prescription from a foreign doctor.

If you are a female and on birth control, keep that in mind.

You might also consider bringing a supply of OTC meds if you use any regularly. The brands and formulations are different and it would give you time to get used to what the stores sell over here.

oxegen85

hi stella,

you said you lived in maryland? Any specific things I should know about in your experience?

lonestargirl

I had to get my university transcripts recently (I'm applying for a PhD so it may not be relevent to you). NUIG took 1 week and charged €4, but UCD took nearly a month and charged €29. If you think you might need them it's worth getting them and bringing them over with you.

oxegen85

Yea I have my college transcripts got already before they started charging for them thank god. You never know I might do more further education over there in years to come

Stella777

oxegen85 wrote: »

hi stella,

you said you lived in maryland? Any specific things I should know about in your experience?

I went to university in Baltimore, and worked in Maryland for a few years after that. I can't think of anything Maryland specific, except prepare yourself for the hot, humid summers. Try to get to the beach then if you can. Don't forget to try some crab cakes!

Also, service in Maryland in places such as stores is the worst I've experienced anywhere. Don't take it personally.

oxegen85

service? you mean the way people talk to you or the service you get as a customer? how did you find working there? positives/negatives?? was it like in the public?

much appreciated

InTheTrees

Have you been to the US before? What are you going to be doing?

I've never been to maryland but i've been to DC, and the summers are Humid. Washington is an interesting place as well.

oxegen85

I have been there twice already.. im engaged to an american and we are moving there to settle.. have to choose somewhere.. working in a food place for a whie until I get a specialized job

Stella777

oxegen85 wrote: »

service? you mean the way people talk to you or the service you get as a customer? how did you find working there? positives/negatives?? was it like in the public?

much appreciated

When I say service, I mean the people who work as cashiers or those sort of jobs. The service is slooooooooow like molasses. In many ways Maryland has a Southern feel. They are generally not rude, just not in a hurry and lethargic.

Baltimore natives are likely to call you "Hun" and it doesn't mean anything rude. It's just what they do.

The people I went to school with and worked with were from all over the US, so it wasn't a particularly Maryland experience, but if you have to deal with a place like the Department of Motor Vehicles, or any kind of local bureaucracy, then it becomes slow again, REAL slow.

InTheTrees

oxegen85 wrote: »

I have been there twice already.. im engaged to an american and we are moving there to settle.. have to choose somewhere.. working in a food place for a whie until I get a specialized job

Same as me but 20 years difference and we moved to california.

Caoimhín

I believe a bible and a gun are useful everyday items in the US of A.

mindydawne

As far as inhalers, I remember there is one sold in the US over the counter, brand name Primatene Mist, I think. But, you will probably need to visit a doctor over there and get a prescription for one. You don't need to take your whole medical record - just a letter from your doctor listing any medical issues. The GPs there will have you fill a sheet out with your medical history on your first visit. Then they can write you a new one.

I'm from the States and moved over here. Any type of documentation you have... certs, transcripts... I'd def take. It's much easier to have them there just in case then realize you need them later!

InTheTrees

Caoimhín wrote: »

I believe a bible and a gun are useful everyday items in the US of A.

LOL

Also cheap and freely available so you can get them when you arrive!

oxegen85

Caoimhín wrote: »

I believe a bible and a gun are useful everyday items in the US of A.

haha... sure all I have to do is join some banks then

mindydawne

InTheTrees wrote: »

LOL

Also cheap and freely available so you can get them when you arrive!

We hand them out when you've passed through customs, you can't miss the kiosk. It has a cardboard cutout of Jesus holding an American Flag.

lil_lisa

Before you leave, try get an official letter from your insurance company regarding your insurance history (if its worth getting) so that when you move over and start driving you don't need to start all over again with no driving experience (in the insurance company's eyes!).

KatCookie

May I suggest a few years supply of Barry's Gold Blend Teabags?

and of course, the proper usa adaptors for electronics!

InTheTrees

You'll need a drivers licence as well, as foreign ones are only good for 6(?) months.

Almost as easy to get as a gun though, a short multiple choice followed by a spin around the block and if you dont crash you get a licence.

They'd probably give you one if you did crash actually...

oxegen85

KatCookie wrote: »

May I suggest a few years supply of Barry's Gold Blend Teabags?

and of course, the proper usa adaptors for electronics!

and some proper kerry gold butter

InTheTrees

oxegen85 wrote: »

and some proper kerry gold butter

Believe it or not our local shop has Kerrygold.

In Seattle.

Phenomonally expensive though.

Bring bacon with you. And sausages. Eggs too if you have the room. Americans have a whole different interpretation of Breakfast, its similar but different...

Caoimhín

InTheTrees wrote: »

Bring bacon with you. And sausages. Eggs too if you have the room. ..

Customs might have something to say about having half a pig in your luggage.

oxegen85

ill have to get used to the american breakfast sometime as I wont be able to bring pig loads with me. Im just gonna keep the maple syrup well away from my meat

lil_lisa

There's kerrygold everywhere, kerrygold butter and cheese and garlic butter and salt free butter, its expensive but its good. I buy mine at ralphs. I've turned all my American friends into kerrygold lovers, just for the Irish economy of course

lonestargirl

lil_lisa wrote: »

There's kerrygold everywhere, kerrygold butter and cheese and garlic butter and salt free butter, its expensive but its good. I buy mine at ralphs. I've turned all my American friends into kerrygold lovers, just for the Irish economy of course

You can get big blocks of Dubliner and Kerrygold Reserve cheddar in Costco for about $10.

OP it might be a good idea to bring a teapot. I haven't seen one for sale around my area.

InTheTrees

lonestargirl wrote: »

You can get big blocks of Dubliner and Kerrygold Reserve cheddar in Costco for about $10.

OP it might be a good idea to bring a teapot. I haven't seen one for sale around my area.

+1 on the teapot. Kettles that plug in are unobtainable too, americans dont drink much tea so they get by with heating water on the stove.

lonestargirl

InTheTrees wrote: »

+1 on the teapot. Kettles that plug in are unobtainable too, americans dont drink much tea so they get by with heating water on the stove.

I got a plug in kettle in Bed, Bath & Beyond. It did cost me $80 though!

spideog7

+1 on the rashers and sausages, bring some for me too Nothin cures a hangover like a good auld fry! I'm alright for Kerrygold though, I have a block in the fridge.

lil_lisa

The only thing with bringing a kettle over (and a hair straightener or anything that needs a lot of power for its purpose) you will require a power converter. I'm not talking about a socket adapter but a device to convert the power so you can use your electronic fully and get the maximum power out of it. Otherwise your kettle won't boil fully and you'll be left with lukewarm water.

Stella777

There's no reason to take up space in your luggage with an electric kettle. Any store that sells kitchen stuff (Macy's, Target etc) will have them. I've even seen them in drugstores like CVS, Rite-Aid for around $25.

Many people call them hot pots, though.

http://www.target.com/Electric-Kettles-Kitchen/b?ie=UTF8&node=13385431

InTheTrees

Stella777 wrote: »

There's no reason to take up space in your luggage with an electric kettle. Any store that sells kitchen stuff (Macy's, Target etc) will have them. I've even seen them in drugstores like CVS, Rite-Aid for around $25.

Many people call them hot pots, though.

http://www.target.com/Electric-Kettles-Kitchen/b?ie=UTF8&node=13385431

Wow. I never knew. Looks like you leave the kettle behind.

oxegen85

im also looking into health insurance. Does anyone have experience on yoour first year in the States? Did ye get insurance or just chance it? Whats the options?

InTheTrees

oxegen85 wrote: »

im also looking into health insurance. Does anyone have experience on yoour first year in the States? Did ye get insurance or just chance it? Whats the options?

I went the first five years without any insurance.

Its a risk though. The costs are so high in the US that one incident like a broken bone without insurance can put you in serious debt.

This is one of the main suppliers, it can vary from state to state though:

http://www.bcbs.com/

deisedude

Bring Jaffa Cakes, everything else is trivial and unnecessary

helimachoptor

oxegen85 wrote: »

Yea I have my college transcripts got already before they started charging for them thank god. You never know I might do more further education over there in years to come

Man I hope you won the lotto!!

InTheTrees

deisedude wrote: »

Bring Jaffa Cakes, everything else is trivial and unnecessary

LOL! There's a german(!) brand some delis carry:

http://www.lubiscuitsna.com/sweet-biscuits.html

They have a jaffa cake clone that really is pretty good.

Malteasers are important. They can be used as currency amongst your fellow expats.

lil_lisa

Ask your fellow waiters and waitresses what insurance plan they're on, that way it will be equally affordable and your covered!

oxegen85

InTheTrees wrote: »

LOL! There's a german(!) brand some delis carry, i forget the name.

Malteasers are important. They can be used as currency amongst your fellow expats.

o god I forgot about malteasers.. ill have to take a trip to a cash n carry haha

InTheTrees

oxegen85 wrote: »

o god I forgot about malteasers.. ill have to take a trip to a cash n carry haha

Yup, buy in bulk! The sweets are all messed up. A marathon is a snickers and a mars bar is a marathon and and... who knows why...

You can get dairy milk all over the place now which is good. I cant stand hersheys.

oxegen85

ok so on the food front lets make a list

so far:
sausages
rashers
pudding
tea bags (i know its not food)
malteasers
dime bars (dont think they have these.. the gf ever had them till she was in ireland)
brennans bread
jaffa cakes
any REAL chocolate really


anything else?

deisedude

Club lemon and Cidona to wash all that food down:D

chillin_penguin

As much tayto as u can

colin29

oxegen85 wrote: »

dime bars

You should be able to find these ata a local Ikea store, called Daim bars.

InTheTrees

colin29 wrote: »

You should be able to find these ata a local Ikea store, called Daim bars.

Ah you have malteasers up there in vancouver dont you? Every time we go we bring back armfulls to the US.

Molly

oxegen85 wrote: »

im also looking into health insurance. Does anyone have experience on yoour first year in the States? Did ye get insurance or just chance it? Whats the options?

I got insurance after the first month I got here. I would have got it earlier but there were some hassle with my inter company transfer. You really should get insurance especially if wherever you are going has a law like they do in Massachusetts where unless you are covered for most of the year you get a rather nasty deduction when you go to file your taxes

InTheTrees

oxegen85 wrote: »

ok so on the food front lets make a list

so far:
sausages
rashers
pudding
tea bags (i know its not food)
malteasers
dime bars (dont think they have these.. the gf ever had them till she was in ireland)
brennans bread
jaffa cakes
any REAL chocolate really


anything else?

Well you've got the "healthy" food covered.

Next you'll be needing a gym...

oxegen85

InTheTrees wrote: »

Well you've got the "healthy" food covered.

Next you'll be needing a gym...

gym?? im going to America