LIFE IN AMERICA

North America, where the United States is located is bordered both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. You will find Canada to the north of us and Mexico to the south. The estimated population of the U.S. is 299,416,243 and thankfully that is spread out over 3,539,244 square miles, making us the 4th largest country in terms of land mass.

The United States is made up of 50 different states and the District of Columbia, each with its own state Government. However, each state is overseen by a larger governing party known as the Federal Government, which the people elect the leader. The elected official, known as the President, holds a 4 year term.

Due to our strength and power during World War I and II, the U.S. is seen as the world’s most powerful country. Today, the U.S. continues to be a powerhouse for its military and innovative technological advances.

You will find just about every type of terrain here in North America. We have many types of terrain, depending on where you live or how far you are willing to travel, you will find tropical areas, forest and mountainous areas, artic glaciers and even dry arid deserts.

With that in mind, depending on where you live, the cost of living may also vary. Here are a few examples to assist you in gauging the cost of living in a few states. In Detroit, Michigan the median or average cost of a home is $100,000. Compared to the rest of the country, Detroit’s cost of living is 16% lower than the national average. In Lansing, MI the average cost of a home is $116,000. Lansing’s cost of living is 19% lower than the national average. So although the average cost of a house in Lansing is $16,000 more than in Detroit, Lansing’s has a greater savings when it comes to the cost of living when compared to the national average. In Sterling Heights, MI the median cost of a home is $202,500. Compared to the rest of the nation, Sterling Heights is about the average cost of living in the U.S.

Let’s compare a few other cities in the same state. The median cost of a house in Springfield, Illinois is $116,500. Springfield’s cost of living is 18% lower than the national average. Chicago’s median home cost is $403,000. Chicago’s cost of living is 39% higher than the national average.

The average price of a home in San Francisco, CA is $736,500. The cost of living in San Francisco is more than twice the national average at 108%. Moving south to Los Angeles, CA we find the median cost of a home to be $480,000. The cost of living is 54% higher than the national average. Moving even further south to San Diego, CA the average cost of a home is $491,000. The cost of living is 57% higher than the national average.

Lastly, let’s compare a few cities in Texas. The average cost of a home in Amarillo, TX is $104,300. The cost of living is 22% below the national average. The average cost of a home in Houston, TX is $110,700 while the cost of living is 18% lower than that national average. The median cost of a home in Austin, TX is $167,900 while the cost of living is 9% lower than the national average.

Keep in mind that the square footage (SF) of the house will vary. Your dollar may buy you more square footage depending on where you decide to locate.

It is the American dream to own your own home, however many people choose to rent a house or an apartment. Some things to consider when looking for a place to rent is the location, It is close to public transportation and shopping if you do not have a car, is it in a safe neighborhood, how many bedrooms/bathrooms, will you need a roommate to afford to live there, does it have covered parking or a garage if you have a vehicle, how many units are in the complex, are pets permitted, do they require a credit check and security deposit, do you have to sign a lease and for how long, are utilities included in the rent, what amenities are included, such as an exercise room, swimming pool, laundry facility on-site, etc. The following link will allow you to get an idea of what it costs to rent an apartment. Simply type in the city and state and it will show you what is available for that area. www.forrent.com

Just to give you an idea about the cost of living, here are a few examples of the price of food items. To buy a 2% low fat gallon of milk, you will pay about $3.58. For a loaf of white bread, you will pay about $1.58 and for a dozen large eggs, about 72 cents. This will vary slightly from store to store, city to city and state to state.

Grocery stores vary by state but here are a few links to give you idea of what is available. At some stores you can purchase food items as well as everyday items, such as clothes and home goods. Visit these links: www.walmart.com, www.farmerjack.com and www.kroger.com.

Below is an excerpt from the following website that you may want to visit to get more information about life in America. http://www.ulv.edu/isac/handbook/life_in_the_us.phtml

People representing a large number of ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, age, and occupational groups live in the United States. While people within any one of these groups are likely to have ideas and opinions that differ from each other, it is possible to define certain characteristics that describe attitudes and practices that are common among Americans and that tend to distinguish Americans from people from other countries. While the following are generalizations -- and you will find individuals who are exceptions - they do tend to characterize Americans.

Characteristics of Americans

Individualism

Americans generally believe that the ideal person is an autonomous, self-reliant individual. Americans tend to see themselves as separate individuals, not as representatives of a family, community, or group. They dislike being dependent on other people or having others dependent on them. Some people view this attitude as "selfish." Others view it as a healthy freedom from the constraints of excessive ties to family, clan, or social class.

Equality and Informality

Americans are taught that "all people are created equal." While they often continue to violate this idea in some part of their lives, Americans tend to try to stick to it. Americans treat each other informally, even if there are great differences in age or social standing. For some, this behavior reflects a lack of respect; for others it reflects a healthy lack of concern for unnecessary social ritual.

Time Consciousness

Americans place considerable value on punctuality and tend to organize their activities around schedules. As a result, they sometimes seemed "hurried," always running from one appointment to the next and not able to relax and enjoy themselves. Some see this as being ruled by the clock; others see it as a helpful efficiency, a good way of assuring that things get done, but as a rule appointments should be kept.

Hard Work

Working hard is considered good. In theory, if not always in practice, working hard provides a road to personal success and material wellbeing, and enables the individual (even someone from a humble background) to climb the ladder of social prestige and wealth. There is a deeply - held belief that anyone--through persistence, talent, and especially hard work--can rise above the station in life to which s/he was born. This emphasis on "the work ethic" helps explain the importance Americans place on values such as efficiency, punctuality, and practicality

In closing, here are a few additional websites that I believe you will find quite helpful:

www.msstate.edu/dept/cts/outreachs/pdf/adjusting-us.pdf http://www.leaderu.com/isr/lifeinamerica/dosdonts.html
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/citizenship/settled.htm

The United States indeed has many things to offer you. Upon your arrival, you will keep busy discovering all the things that make America what it is. With an open mind and patience, you will adjust to the American lifestyle. It is easy to formulate many ideas and expectations of what America will be like when you get here. Be prepared with knowledge and facts. Take the opportunity to read all that you can about the United States before coming here. It will give you a better understanding and may make adjusting that much easier for you.