Actually quite like it here

[comingbackfromthe 12]

Hello everyone :),

 

It's a shame I found this forum so long after I actually went through the immigration process (k1 from Germany)

 

I have been reading a lot of the threads the past few days and decided to create an account :). 

 

The first year I was here I struggled I won't lie but this second year here has been great. I guess I am just writing this to say that even though a lot of people do have troubles integrating into American culture there are some success stories too

 

I will first go through the things I had troubles with then move onto the positives

 

- I don't think the bread here is very good

- People can seem very superficial in the beginning 

- Philadelphia has a lot of trash everywhere and crime (which i never experienced in Germany)

-Healthcare is so complex and confusing (good thing my wife works in healthcare and can help)

- Missed speaking my native language

 

 

Now things I have been pleasantly surprised by

 

-My certifications for my job were accepted and helped me find a job somewhat easily

-even though people are tough in Philadelphia I couldn't believe how much people wanted to help me

-The amount of food from all over the world in Philadelphia is great

-cost of living for a big American city is much lower than I thought it would be

-salaries for IT in the USA is almost 3x higher than what I made in Germany

 

 

I am going into my 3rd year here in America and I finally don't feel homesick or like I'm questioning everyday why I moved here. So to people who are looking at moving here or are having a rough first few months there is hope! I just felt like I had to spread some seemingly rare success in this forum

 

- Robert

 

 

[Dutchster 1,107]

I agree on the bread. Horrible! I want my fresh baker's bread back. Agreed on the other parts and specially the last one, I don't feel homesick at all either.

Good luck to you!

Edited March 31, 2017 by Dutchster

[TBoneTX 45,537]

Thank you, Robert, for a thoughtful and inspiring message.

[EmilyW 1,452]

Great post, Robert.

 

I too, hate the bread.  It's been easy to go 'low carb' here when the bread is so unpalatable. :-)

 

We love our life here in the US.  It's what we had hoped for and then some.  

[AnGeLxX 154]

Same here! The first few months were a little hard for me..Didn't know what to do at first. But I never felt homesick. Every country has their Pros and cones..What matters is that you feel truly happy and at home wherever you live!  

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Even as a Canadian or "America lite" it was tough to adjust.  I definitely miss some things from home

[Team_Healey 6]

I really love reading these stories!  I need more warm fuzzies at the moment. 

Agreed on the bread... and the cheese! As an American that was living abroad in NZ with my Husband, I just can not forget the nice artisan bread and cheeses! It sometimes feels like a black hole I can not fill and any alternatives in the USA have not met the cravings. Tastes too sweet or no taste at all...  

[Transborderwife 4,666]

1 minute ago, Team_Healey said:

I really love reading these stories!  I need more warm fuzzies at the moment. 

Agreed on the bread... and the cheese! As an American that was living abroad in NZ with my Husband, I just can not forget the nice artisan bread and cheeses! It sometimes feels like a black hole I can not fill and any alternatives in the USA have not met the cravings. Tastes too sweet or no taste at all...  

I cannot stand American cheese!  

[Dutchster 1,107]

Walmart sells Arla Gouda Cheese. (Looks like a giant babybel) As a Dutchie, I approve this cheese a lot! Just a tip :-)

[Transborderwife 4,666]

1 minute ago, Dutchster said:

Walmart sells Arla Gouda Cheese. (Looks like a giant babybel) As a Dutchie, I approve this cheese a lot! Just a tip :-)

I like some of Boar's head.  

[Dutchster 1,107]

2 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

I like some of Boar's head.  

Where do they sell that? Supermarket, too? I just googled it aaaaaaaaaaaaaand I want cheese now.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

4 minutes ago, Dutchster said:

Where do they sell that? Supermarket, too? I just googled it aaaaaaaaaaaaaand I want cheese now.

I sometimes get at Walmart, and yes at supermarket 

[Dutchster 1,107]

Lucky for me, I was planning on running some errands in a bit so definitely going on a hunt for it now! Thanks for the tip!

[Team_Healey 6]

17 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

I cannot stand American cheese!  

I can totally see why that is now! I used to eat those horrible square kraft singles like they were cocaine as a child in the USA. We use sugar to disguise anything with no taste haha, I feel duped! 

[Dutchster 1,107]

Everything is too processed here and most of it is not even FDA approved. It worries me a lot, so I try to find food that not super processed. My grandmother in law used Kraft singles, yuk! Horrible horible horrible