Living as an Expat in the United States of America

Living as an Expat in the United States of America

Ready to cross the Atlantic and live the American dream? From the bustling Big Apple to the arid deserts of Arizona, the 50 states of one of the world’s most diverse countries offer a unique relocation experience where individualism is matched only by an incredible sense of community. If this land of immigration is sparking so much interest, it’s because it promises new professional opportunities and a thousand and one cultural discoveries. In short: a guaranteed change of scenery!

Foyer Global Health has put together a guide to make your rendez-vous as an expat with the United States the most unforgettable experience of your life…

Expatriation to the United States: pros & cons

The pros

  • Numerous attractive job opportunities in a wide range of sectors (finance, business, research, technology, entertainment, etc.
  • High salaries
  • Attractive quality of life
  • A ‘continent-size country’, with tremendous cultural and geographical diversity
  • Many outdoor activities
  • An excellent education system – the United States is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, with a wide range of schools to choose from
  • The ‘positive attitude’ of the American people, with their boundless optimism
  • An emphasis on entrepreneurship and freedom
The photo was taken a little way off and shows a man sitting on the edge of a cliff with orange sand, staring into space. The sky is blue and the view is clear.

The challenges

  • High cost of living in big cities like San Francisco and New York
  • Healthcare is very expensive nationally and state-wide
  • Major social and economic inequalities
  • Culture shock for some expats, from Europe and elsewhere   

What type of visa is required to move to the United States?

For any stay longer than 90 days, you will need to obtain a visa. The type and duration will depend on your profile, the length of your stay and the reason for your relocation.

The photo shows an American passport on a table, next to a mobile phone showing the stock market price, and a luxury brand wallet.

For example, the E2 visa is reserved for entrepreneurs; O and P visas are for athletes and artists; work visas (e.g. H1-B visas), which are essential for foreign nationals wishing to work in the United States, are initially valid for a maximum of three years.

The Green Card is the permanent residency card for the United States, allowing expatriates to live and work in the country legally on a permanent basis.

To find out what you need to do, please contact the American embassy in your country of residence.

Which city in the USA should you move to?

The United States is made up of 50 very different states, with a huge variety of cities of all sizes. Here’s a short selection:

New-York, New-York

The largest and undoubtedly the most famous city in the whole country, New York has 1001 assets for expatriates: incredible professional opportunities, a vibrant culinary scene and an abundance of cultural offerings.

The photo was taken in the centre of a long, wide avenue in New York in the United States, with a pedestrian crossing in the foreground, yellow taxis driving along the road and many people walking on the pavements. American flags are flying from the buildings along the avenue. The sky is fairly cloudy.

San Francisco

In California, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the dynamic and tech-savvy city of San Francisco offers a great quality of life amidst lush natural surroundings and plenty of job opportunities, especially in new technology, innovation, and hospitality. And wine lovers be warned, Napa Valley is not far away!

The beautiful city of San Francisco in the United States at sunset. The sky is painted in shades of pink and purple. In the foreground are small buildings, with skyscrapers in the background. The sea and the San Francisco Bridge can be seen in the background.

Los Angeles

The very sunny City of Angels is the perfect blend of vibrant modernity and unbounded nature. It offers a high quality of life with a very pleasant climate, a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities and great career opportunities, especially in the film industry.

A young woman is driving a luxurious red car on a road in Los Angeles, USA, on a very sunny day. The famous Hollywood sign can be seen in the background of the photo, on the hillside.

Miami

Want to live the American dream in a relaxed atmosphere? Then head for Miami! You’ll find exceptional flora and fauna; all the advantages of a big city; sun (and swimming) all year round; lots of career opportunities and no income tax!

Aerial view of Miami in the United States. The turquoise-blue sea borders both sides of the mainland, where you'll find green spaces, tall buildings and a marina. The surrounding city can be seen in the background.

Seattle

One of the largest industrial centres in the whole of North America,home to the headquarters of the giants Amazon and Microsoft, Seattle is also the closest American city to nature. The Emerald City’s proximity to forests and its dynamism contribute to its appeal to young professionals and families. It is also one of the most sustainable cities in the United States.

Photo of the port and city of Seattle in the United States, taken at sea level. The weather looks rough and a plane has just crossed the sky. Tall buildings dominate the landscape. There is a Ferris wheel along the coast.

Chicago

Forget Al Capone, the bloody gang wars of Prohibition and the gangster movies! Chicago regularly tops the rankings of the world’s most pleasant cities to live in. On the shores of Lake Michigan, it’s a great place to live as a family, as a couple, or on your own.

The photo shows one side of a street in Chicago in the United States. The street is packed with people and cars. The buildings are modern, and the theatre has a large illuminated sign forming the word Chicago. The headline show is Paw Patrol live. The photo was certainly taken at the end of the day, judging by the pinkish colour of the sky.

Austin, Texas

With a very dynamic job market, especially in the tech industry and a strong cultural identity, the ‘Silicon Hills’ are one of the most popular destinations in the United States.

People paddleboarding on Lou Neff Point lake in Austin, USA. The lake is lined with trees. Tall buildings overlook the landscape. The weather is beautiful.

Boston

The most European of American cities and one of the oldest in the country, Boston is an epicentre of research and posts secondary education. Expats love this city of contrasts for its incredible modernity, boundless scholarship, rich history and village atmosphere.

Night shot of the city of Boston in the United States and its river, where a few people are strolling along the banks. The buildings are illuminated, reflecting the atmosphere of a bustling, modern city.

Washington DC

With a very dynamic economy, numerous cultural activities and an excellent education system, the US capital is one of the most attractive cities for expatriates.

Photograph of the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin in Washington DC, USA, taken in autumn. Orange tree leaves can be seen at the top of the photograph.

Portland

In Oregon, Portland has a good reputation for sustainability: it’s one of the top 10 greenest cities in the world! It’s the perfect destination to combine a green lifestyle with a multimedia career.

Photo of the Vera katz eastbank esplanade in Portland in the United States, with little colour contrast. You can see tall buildings along a stretch of water.

San José

To find happiness in the workplace, head to the capital of Silicon Valley! At the heart of technological innovation, San José attracts tech professionals looking to take their careers to the next level!

View of the roof terrace of a glass building in Silicon Valley in the United States. There is a car park at the foot of the building. The sky is a sunset shade of orange.

Denver, Colorado

If you dream of the great outdoors and an excellent quality of life, choose Denver! In terms of employment, you’ll find great opportunities in aerospace, defence and… marijuana, aka ‘green gold’!

Photo taken at the intersection of two streets in the Central district of Denver, Colorado, USA. The building at the intersection is made of red brick, in an industrial style. The rest of the photo is fairly monochrome, in shades of grey, black and white.

Accommodation in the United States

The type and price of housing reflect the diversity of the country: they vary greatly from state to state and from city to city.

In densely populated areas such as New York, appartments, studios, condos and penthouses are common, while houses and bungalows are found in less populated areas.

Rental periods can range from a few months to two years, and there is a choice of bare, partially furnished or fully furnished accommodation.

Rental costs generally vary according to the size of the town, the neighbourhood and the type of accommodation sought. The average cost of a rental apartment nationwide is estimated at USD 1,702; in New York, the average is USD 2,660, and in San Francisco USD 3,336.

Front of a white house with a grey roof in typical American style. The house is surrounded by a garden and trees. Pumpkins line the entrance staircase.

To find a place to rent, you can use websites such as Craiglist or Rentcafe, look for “for rent” signs in areas of interest, or contact an estate agent.

Some landlords may ask you to pay an application fee or request a credit or criminal record check.

Some expatriates choose to buy their own home because of the tax advantages and because it is a good investment.

‘God Bless America’ or some cultural specificities…

  • Individualism and a sense of community: While independence and individual freedoms are fundamental to the American identity, which is also shaped by the idea of the ‘self-made man’, a sense of community is also extremely important particularly through associations, clubs and religious institutions.
  • Work and productivity are at the heart of the American identity. It is precisely these elements that determine one’s worth and place in society.
  • Optimism everywhere : For Americans, nothing is impossible! Where some Europeans see limits, Americans see opportunities, well-armed with their ‘can do attitude’. This approach to life, which can sometimes irritate outsiders, undoubtedly encourages perseverance and creativity, both at work and in private life.
  • Patriotism on the doorstep: It’s not uncommon to see the American flag flying on the doorstep of the homes of American citizens! A patriotic gesture that expresses their pride in their country.
  • It’s no myth that consumer culture is dominant!
  • Money! We talk about it and we use it to measure success! Talking about money is not taboo in the United States; it’s a topic of conversation that’s approached in a very transparent and pragmatic manner!
  • Religion also plays an important role in the daily lives of many Americans

Working across the Atlantic

In general, the United States boasts a dynamic and attractive job market, offering interesting career opportunities in a wide variety of industries in new technologies, IT, catering, media, the film industry, luxury goods, health, and many more. For technology, head for the Silicon Valleys, San Francisco, Austin (Texas) or Seattle; for the energy sector, aim for Houston (Texas); for entertainment and film, head for LA; for finance, New York and Chicago offer the best job opportunities.

A group of young people working on their laptops around a table in a wooden chalet. Some are wearing headphones and chatting to each other.

Working conditions for American employees are less favourable than in most of Western Europe: most employment contracts can be terminated without cause, paid holidays are limited to an average of two weeks per year and the average working week is 40 hours. American salaries are, however, very attractive.

To find a job, you can rely on recruitment agencies that focus on hiring international talent. You can also check LinkedIn or research job offers with large multinationals such as Google or Microsoft, which recruit people all over the world.

LLC, C-Corporation, S-Corporation, Sole Proprietorship… You can set up a business in the United States without being an American citizen. But remember to carry out a market study and write a business plan first!

What about tax for expats?

A black man in a suit and tie, whose face cannot be seen, only his hands, signs a document with a silver pen. A laptop sits beside him on his desk.

As residents, expatriates are subject to US tax on both their foreign-source income and their US-source income.

However, if there is a treaty between the United States and your home country and/or the foreign country where you generate income, you can obtain a tax credit and reduce your tax base by deducting the tax paid abroad. Before you leave for the United States, you should take stock of your assets to determine the tax impact of your relocation.

In the United States, there is a federal tax (between 10% and 37% depending on your income) applicable to all US tax residents; a state tax in certain states such as California; and a local tax in certain cities such as New York.

Healthcare in the United States

The US healthcare system is one of the most expensive and complex in the world. In order to avoid the risk of debt and unnecessary stress, it is essential that, prior to your relocation, you take out comprehensive and effective private international health insurance that covers you from the very first day and ensures that you avoid stress and the risk of debt. 

To find out more about the American healthcare system, read our expat guide!

Education in the United States

For your children’s education, you can choose from American public schools (free for residents); American private schools (costing between USD 10,000 and USD 50,000 a year; selective process); international public schools that follow a national curriculum or the International Baccalaureate programme; private religious schools or… home schooling.

If you have grown-up children who want to join you on your adventure, the United States is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, such as Harvard and Princeton.