What is it like to live in America: experiences and advice from Anastasia

The conclusion of the publication cycle about life in America

In this final piece, we conclude the series of publications featuring Anastasia, who shares her impressions of life in the United States. In the previous articles, we addressed a number of important topics, including the moving process, paperwork, finding housing, learning English, job searching, and many other aspects.

You can check out previous materials that discuss how a girl from a small town in Russia moved to Manhattan, how to start a new life in America, the wonders that New York holds, and the reasons why people leave this megacity.

Problems and fears on a new path

There are moments when the desire to give up everything arises. However, it is important to remember that abandoning your plans is unwise. In this country, the key is to clearly understand your goals, articulate them, and persistently move forward.

I assure you, sooner or later you will have to face difficulties, and there may be a temptation to give up, but that is not the solution at all. You need to keep moving forward, and you will be able to attract people who will stand by you to support and help you.

Dating: an important aspect of moving

Certainly, you can meet such people later, after your move, but it would be much wiser to make connections in advance. Moving alone, as I did, is not an easy task, especially when you are in a difficult emotional situation.

In a new place, even though there will be kind and responsive people around you, without inner strength and determination, it will be difficult to take the first steps in life in the USA.

Assimilation and national characteristics

I couldn't help but feel anxious about being Russian. The process of integrating Russians into American society, it seems to me, doesn't promise serious problems, because people here are understanding towards representatives of all nationalities.

Special attention should be paid to New York, where people from a variety of cultures and ethnic groups are concentrated.

Russian community in New York

Russians in New York form a significant community, and in my experience, most of them are open to communication and interaction. If you are willing to be kind and avoid conflicts, you will definitely meet genuine friends.

I didn't have any difficulties because I'm Russian, although I was a bit worried about it when I moved. At that time, relations between Russia and Ukraine had worsened, and I started to worry about whether this would affect my future life in the U.S. I was concerned that I might encounter Ukrainians who would feel hostility towards me, or other people for whom the topic of Russia and its government could be a sensitive issue.

Personal experience of communication

Nevertheless, in all my years of living in America, I have never encountered such situations. I have been in groups where politics was discussed and Putin was criticized, but I did not engage in arguments or defend my point of view, which probably helped me avoid disapproving looks or hatred.

Interaction with Americans

As for communicating with Americans, I didn't encounter any problems. They are truly friendly and pleasant to talk to. Before moving, I had the stereotype that they are insincere, fake, and that it's difficult to connect with them.

I was mistaken, and such perceptions had no relation to reality. These situations show how easy it is to be misled in our views of other cultures and peoples. Life in the USA opens up horizons for amazing encounters and unique experiences that cannot be obtained by staying at home.

Yes, the people of America are indeed different from us. They have a unique style of communication and thinking, but over time, you can get used to it. I have come to appreciate their optimistic attitude towards life. Locals rarely discuss negative aspects and generally avoid focusing on problems.

They are focused on their lives, aiming to improve their situation and achieve high goals. People here are driven by success and believe that the world is full of opportunities that need to be noticed and seized in a timely manner.

The main differences in mentality

Unlike us, Americans are not inclined to discuss the shortcomings of the government or criticize the economic situation — this is more characteristic of the Russian mentality. This trait is one of the main differences.

Positive thinking plays a key role in their culture; they are always smiling, showing politeness towards others, and are ready to help. Offending someone with words is a rare occurrence. However, there are exceptions, but overall the atmosphere is friendly, and interacting with the locals will go smoothly.

Interaction and society

Many actions of Americans may seem ostentatious, but that doesn't interfere with the comfort of their lives. Discrimination, especially in the labor market, is virtually non-existent. Outgoing personalities are always welcome, and even an accent won't be a barrier to communication.

Tax system

As for the tax system in the USA, it is significantly different from the Russian one. According to local regulations, I am required to pay about30%of my income into the state budget. This means that if, for example, I signed a contract for the amount100 thousand dollarsI will receive a significantly smaller amount in hand — approximately70,000.

It is also worth noting that salaries in the States are not stated on a monthly basis. When you are hired, you are informed of the total amount you will earn for the year.

Transport

An interesting fact: in America, it's much easier to buy a car than in Russia. Here, having a car has become a necessity rather than a luxury. The only exceptions are cities likeNew Yorkwhere public transportation is well-developed. In most other regions, personal cars are becoming an important part of everyday life.

Food in the USA

When it comes to food in the USA, this topic is quite extensive on its own. Be prepared for the fact that the products here are very different. There is a common belief that upon arriving in America, one can quickly gain extra weight — unfortunately, this is a reality.

Many beginners face the challenge of choosing quality products and where to buy them. Unfortunately, the shelves of stores are filled with many substandard goods that contain additives that can negatively affect health.

Personally, it took me about six months to learn how to distinguish quality products and choose them among the less quality options available in the market.

Shopping at Whole Foods Market

Personally, I prefer shopping at Whole Foods Market because they offer exclusively organic products. It's important to me that food is free from genetically modified ingredients and various additives. In standard supermarkets, you often find products that contain significant amounts of pesticides and other chemicals.

To understand how such food can affect health, it's enough to look at those around us — many have issues with excess weight and various diseases. For example, diabetes is becoming an increasingly common problem among Americans, and this is directly related to their diet. I believe that one of the main issues in this country is the quality of food. In comparison to Russia, high-quality and tasty products are not uncommon there.

Dining in restaurants in the USA

When it comes to restaurants in the US, you can't always be sure about the ingredients in the dishes you order. For a certain period of time, I practically ate out all the time. Before anyone starts judging me for such expenses, I want to emphasize that in America, the cost of a meal in a café is comparable to buying groceries in a good store.

Personally, I stopped eating out frequently when I became a personal trainer and realized the importance of proper nutrition. Now my diet needs to be carefully balanced, and this can only be achieved by cooking for myself.

List of verified establishments

At the moment, I have a list of trusted places where I can eat, as well as places to avoid. I've learned to navigate by reviews and pay attention to the menu composition.

• In restaurants that suit me, the names often include terms like "organic," "premium clean," or "vegan."
• I am a vegetarian, more specifically a pescatarian, and I chose this diet not out of whim, but out of necessity.
• My diet consists only of fish, as it's quite difficult to find quality meat in the USA.

I'm not planning to exclude fish for now, but if I return to Russia, especially to the Caucasus, I will gladly try beef, as I am confident in its high quality.

Prices for groceries

The prices in my favorite store are not suitable for many: on average, I spend about 120-150 dollars a week. However, I wouldn't say that I buy a lot of products; most of the time, it's basic items, vegetables, fruits, and grains. Perhaps I could create a diet for less, but for me, quality comes first.

Healthcare system

It is impossible not to mention the healthcare system in the country. It is quite developed, and quality medical care does not come cheap without insurance. Unfortunately, even the insurance itself can be quite expensive.

Free insurance is only available to low-income individuals, which makes access to doctors difficult for many Americans. The lack of reasonable pricing for medical services becomes a real problem against the backdrop of the need for quality treatment, and this forces people to seek alternative solutions.

Many prefer to focus on prevention to avoid sudden illnesses and high medical expenses. Thus, health becomes yet another significant reason to think about what we eat and how it affects our overall well-being. Unfortunately, high prices for medical services and products often become a barrier to the well-being of citizens.

Out-of-pocket medical expenses

In the overwhelming majority of cases, you will have to part with your money for medical services on your own. It is important to note that in this country, having health insurance is a mandatory law. If you do not have a policy, it can lead to serious consequences, including hefty fines.

However, it is worth considering that there is a possibility to save if your employer provides insurance.

Educational system

The education system in this country raises certain doubts for me. I can't fully articulate my thoughts, but from what I've heard, getting into prestigious educational institutions becomes a real challenge without the help of tutors. The testing process and exams for elite schools start as early as five years old, and selection takes place after the end of each academic year.

Children are constantly busy with various activities from early morning until late evening to avoid being outside and getting into undesirable situations with questionable people. The educational system ultimately consists of 12 grades, with the last one being more of a formality, as almost the entire school year is spent preparing for college entrance.

The idea of equality in society

In addition, the idea of equality is strongly developed in society. In this regard, a quota has been established that requires the mandatory education of children from disadvantaged families in all educational institutions. This may lead to the presence of students in the classroom who have issues related to drugs or those who behave inappropriately towards others.

I am sure that it is possible to find a good school, but it will require an active approach, and it is best to do this while living in a good neighborhood. To avoid the unpleasant situations described above, I would not want my children to study here.

Personal relationships

When it comes to building personal relationships, such an opportunity certainly exists, but with some peculiarities. Finding a guy who, like in Russia, will give flowers and sweets is quite difficult. Not all Americans are willing to pay for dates, as they adhere to principles of equality! There's nothing wrong with that; it's just not the norm in their culture.

Nevertheless, I am sure that if a man truly wants it, he can learn a lot.

The challenges of finding a partner in New York.

In New York, it's harder to find a partner for a serious relationship because people simply don't have enough time. For me, the situation is exacerbated because my Caucasian worldview doesn't allow me to accept the level of openness that is typical for this place. I still can't understand why some young people expect a girl to agree to intimate relations on the first date.

For them, it's a normal practice, while for me it seems strange.

Life in America

As for life in the USA, I love this country with all its pros and cons. Here, I feel safe. Of course, there are places where the situation is concerning, for example:

• The Bronx in New York
• Some neighborhoods of Chicago
• Certain parts of Baltimore

As in any big city, there are certain "unsafe" areas. Everyone knows about them, and if necessary, local residents or hotel staff can provide helpful advice.

Otherwise, I feel comfortable here, I decide what I want to do. Everything depends on my efforts - the main thing is just to act, and then everything will work out. The system that creates conditions for success has been developed here, and the government actively supports these initiatives. The main thing isdesireandgood idea.

Do I miss my homeland? Only the people.

Conclusion

As I conclude my series of articles about life in America, I want to emphasize that moving is not just a physical change of residence; it is a true transformation that requires strength, determination, and quite a bit of experience from us. I share my experiences and observations in the hope that they will be helpful to you if you also decide to take this bold step.

Willpower and determination

Moving to New York was not only a new stage of life for me, but also a lesson about the need for inner resilience. From the first few days, when emotional swings were the norm, I learned the importance of sticking to your goals and not giving in to doubt. Prepare to face adversity, but remember that all obstacles can be overcome if you keep your mind clear and open to new possibilities. During my years in this city, I have met many people who have supported and inspired me. These are exactly the kind of contacts that can not only be created in advance, but also welcomed during the adaptation process.

Openness and friendliness

Undoubtedly, the Americans surprised me. My initial fear of being rejected because of my nationality turned out to be unfounded. I found open and friendly people, and on top of that, the atmosphere of mutual help and support was incredibly strong. I realized that integration is not just a process, but rather a mosaic of interactions that shape your life here.

New economy and habits

An important aspect of life in the USA has also been adapting to new cultural realities, including the tax system and consumer habits. Entering a new economic environment took time, but I overcame this barrier, finding more opportunities for growth than obstacles.

Journey into the world of gastronomy

Nevertheless, food is a topic that deserves to be discussed separately. I admit that adapting to American cuisine turned out to be more challenging than I expected. By focusing on how to choose quality products, I also discovered a multitude of new flavors and traditions. The journey into the world of gastronomy here has been exciting and sometimes even difficult, but each step brings me closer to understanding the local culture.

Result

In conclusion, I want to say that moving to America is more than just a change of residence. It's an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop. I am confident that anyone who takes this step with an open heart and mind will find their path to success and happiness across the ocean. Never be afraid to make decisions! I wish you good luck on your own journey, whatever it may be.