Moving to New Jersey
Discussion
Hello all,
So my Visa's been approved and the wife and I are moving to New Jersey, we were looking at Morris Plains and that sort of area, to be near to the train stations.
Does anyone have any advice on living in New Jersey? Very excited about starting a new life out in the USA, but a bit daunting a the same time.
So any migration experiences would be good!
So my Visa's been approved and the wife and I are moving to New Jersey, we were looking at Morris Plains and that sort of area, to be near to the train stations.
Does anyone have any advice on living in New Jersey? Very excited about starting a new life out in the USA, but a bit daunting a the same time.
So any migration experiences would be good!
Good for you. Pfizerite by any chance?
What visa are you using?
Do you intend to make this a long-term/permanent move?
Hopefully your employer will take care of most of the ball ache - but if not, prepare yourself for seemingly endless beureaucratic nonesense. Federal, state and local administrations love to provide masses of baffling and outwardly pointless paperwork systems for you and your dependents to wrestle with. It took me a while to figure it all out.
My experiences were not all happy ones - however my employers (a British company) were a bunch of a
holes - so hopefully you will not be in a similar bind.
You will need an SSN before you can begin to exist in any normal fashion - so a trip to the local social security office is going to be a priority as soon as you arrive.
Rather than turn this into thousands of words on all of the potential issues you might run into (obtaining credit, DMV, buying/renting without credit history, school systems, transferring money from overseas avoiding US taxes, IRS and tax declaration, registering vehicles, homestead exemptions, health insurance, etc. etc.), allow me to steer you towards this site: www.britishexpats.com
There are a few obnoxious know-alls and armchair attorneys on there - but there is also a large number of people who have done what you are about to do - and can share personal experiences, which you may find helpful.
Welcome to God's own country (he lives here, you know) - there's a lot more good here, than bad, if you're prepared to graft. PM me if you need anything specific - and I'll do my best to help.
One final point... if you don't already have one, apply for an American Express card, right now - before you get over here. You'll thank me one day soon, for this pearl of wisdom!
What visa are you using?
Do you intend to make this a long-term/permanent move?
Hopefully your employer will take care of most of the ball ache - but if not, prepare yourself for seemingly endless beureaucratic nonesense. Federal, state and local administrations love to provide masses of baffling and outwardly pointless paperwork systems for you and your dependents to wrestle with. It took me a while to figure it all out.
My experiences were not all happy ones - however my employers (a British company) were a bunch of a
holes - so hopefully you will not be in a similar bind.You will need an SSN before you can begin to exist in any normal fashion - so a trip to the local social security office is going to be a priority as soon as you arrive.
Rather than turn this into thousands of words on all of the potential issues you might run into (obtaining credit, DMV, buying/renting without credit history, school systems, transferring money from overseas avoiding US taxes, IRS and tax declaration, registering vehicles, homestead exemptions, health insurance, etc. etc.), allow me to steer you towards this site: www.britishexpats.com
There are a few obnoxious know-alls and armchair attorneys on there - but there is also a large number of people who have done what you are about to do - and can share personal experiences, which you may find helpful.
Welcome to God's own country (he lives here, you know) - there's a lot more good here, than bad, if you're prepared to graft. PM me if you need anything specific - and I'll do my best to help.
One final point... if you don't already have one, apply for an American Express card, right now - before you get over here. You'll thank me one day soon, for this pearl of wisdom!
Yep, get an AMEX card, it will be accepted in about a third of the places.
Then aim for a Master Card or Visa. Good advice by Matt.
New Jersey, where I live is what's known as a home rule State. That means we have lots of small townships and boroughs each with its own Mayor, Police chief and often two or three Fire chiefs ! Lots of school districs, lots of Public works departments. This is then repeated at county level and again at State level.
And they wonder why the Real Estate taxes are high.
Not sure if you intend buying a house, but I'm sure you will be looking for a condo or something when you first arrive.
This is pretty easy, lots of choices, many have tennis courts and a pool.
Condos are not expensive less than a $1k should get you something in a civilised neibourhood. Get a short lease if you intend buying a house, 6 month should be gettable.
Buying a house will probably require 25% down if you have no credit history.
Have a good look round before you dive in to house purchase. When I got here I just gave my requirements to a broker. 3/4 beds, pool, south facing fenced yard, municipal sewer connection, in a good school district but not too near a high school.
If you have a Tom Tom I have a spare US map I can mail you.
I'm in the south 20 minutes from Philly.
Prices in stores are quoted sans sales tax which is 7% so a 99cent burger is $1.06.
Big things are cheaper than UK, but they hit you on the monthly stuff like utilities.
It took me a while to sdjust, after a couple of years I stopped wanting to kill everyone, now I quite like it
Then aim for a Master Card or Visa. Good advice by Matt.
New Jersey, where I live is what's known as a home rule State. That means we have lots of small townships and boroughs each with its own Mayor, Police chief and often two or three Fire chiefs ! Lots of school districs, lots of Public works departments. This is then repeated at county level and again at State level.
And they wonder why the Real Estate taxes are high.
Not sure if you intend buying a house, but I'm sure you will be looking for a condo or something when you first arrive.
This is pretty easy, lots of choices, many have tennis courts and a pool.
Condos are not expensive less than a $1k should get you something in a civilised neibourhood. Get a short lease if you intend buying a house, 6 month should be gettable.
Buying a house will probably require 25% down if you have no credit history.
Have a good look round before you dive in to house purchase. When I got here I just gave my requirements to a broker. 3/4 beds, pool, south facing fenced yard, municipal sewer connection, in a good school district but not too near a high school.
If you have a Tom Tom I have a spare US map I can mail you.
I'm in the south 20 minutes from Philly.
Prices in stores are quoted sans sales tax which is 7% so a 99cent burger is $1.06.
Big things are cheaper than UK, but they hit you on the monthly stuff like utilities.
It took me a while to sdjust, after a couple of years I stopped wanting to kill everyone, now I quite like it
I live in Northern NJ, lived in Morristown for six years - nice area. Matt and Jeff have pretty much covered everything. I'd budget a bit more than $1K per month for rent in that part of Morris County, my two bed apartment was $1600 incl.back in 2006. Rents may have softened a bit with the economy but property near the Dover/NYC railway is always going to be at a premium. Getting a realtor to assist you in your search would be a good idea.
Boozy said:
Thanks guys, flights booked, we move out on the 20th of November!
Good luck,Packing list;
Branston Pickle
Salt
Cheese
Marmalade
Valium....
Get ready for some of the cheapest Gas in the US, full serve too.
Currently $2.11/gall for regular. US gallon = 4 litres
(yep, I was a little low on the condo price sorry in previous post)
Zumbruk said:
jeff m said:
Packing list;
Branston Pickle
Salt
Salt?Branston Pickle
Salt
Add marmalade.
they just don't add it to food when it's needed.I'm not sure I understand the "Add marmalade" but I often eat breakfast out, and the choice of preserves for my toast does not often include marmalade.
It wasn't meant to be a totally serious reply.
skibum said:
I normally get family and friends to bring over Tea Bags, Salad Cream, Weetabix (Cereal is crazy expensive compaired to UK), Heinz Beans and as many UK Magazines as possible.
Aaah a fellow tea bag importer. If you have a Trader Joe's local to you, try their Irish Breakfast Tea, its fresh and very strong 
I think I saw some Yorkshire Tea in a Whole Foods once, but dont think it was a commonly stocked item. Worse comes to the worse there is always Myers of Keswick in Manhattan which has a full stock of English food - but at a high price. Just bring plenty with you and make sure any visitors always bring more - wether you need it or not!
Boozy said:
So I'm here! Absolutely love it so far, everyone's so kind! Found a lovely apartment, short commute to work, can't fault things apart from the driving, which is absolutely shocking!
Yup, lane discipline is pretty bad, although when you get used to it it you can make pretty good progress. Boozy said:
So I'm here! Absolutely love it so far, everyone's so kind! Found a lovely apartment, short commute to work, can't fault things apart from the driving, which is absolutely shocking!
You'll find it easier once you start driving on the same side of the road
Starboard to starboard on left turns, and watch out for people cutting the corner.
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