The advantages and disadvantages of the large American cities (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, etc.) are quite different from those of a small town in the American midlands. So the advantages and disadvantages of living in the United States should always depend on where you want to move.
America is a haven of work, there is virtually no unemployment and it is extremely easy to find a job, but at the same time there is a lot of flexibility and it is extremely easy to lose your job if times get too tough. Unions generally do not exist or have any influence except in some traditional parts of the working class. This means that your boss can fire you virtually on the spot if he feels you are no longer useful to the company. The pace of work is very high. But on the other hand, no matter what social class you belong to, if you make an effort, you will surely be rewarded.
At the same time, salaries are also very high. When interviewing, it is a good practice to ask for a high salary. If you ask for very little, it is interpreted as a lack of confidence in your own abilities. There are no guarantees in the workplace.
If you are planning a business project, the United States provides the ideal environment to try it. That does not mean it’s easy, but you’ll feel the confidence this push will give you to overcome obstacles. Americans believe that anyone can succeed if they work hard and smart. Starting your own business is really quick and easy. There is a real chance for success and profit if you are willing to work hard and creatively.
At first glance, Americans are open, outgoing and friendly, but that only goes so far and it’s all still very superficial. In the United States, an individualistic concept prevails, which makes it difficult to build stable and lasting bonds. Relations are quite superficial. The culture is characterized by education and cordiality, which often turns out to be mere formality. People are nice, but building a real friendship is extremely difficult.
It seems that you always have to plan everything in advance, not only professionally but also personally, and this makes relationships with people much more formal. Forget about friends who suddenly break into your home, or you meet a friend by chance on the street and go to the bar to chat. In America, this coffee must be planned in advance. In the United States, everyone has to fend for themselves; people who ask for help are not appreciated. Others do not want to deal with your problems. When you are in trouble or have a problem, acquaintances and friends disappear as if by magic, a triumph of individualistic culture.
Being a nation founded by rebels, the United States values independence and freedom of speech above all. There is great patriotism everywhere. They see themselves as the chosen nation that deserves to rule the world and have a superiority complex over all others.
Living in the United States is expensive, you have to pay for all services (school, health, etc.), and housing costs are also high. Health care works well, but it is private and costs $300/500 a month, and you also have to check what it covers and what diseases are not covered to avoid the risk of having to go to the hospital and going bankrupt. Public day care centers cost ore than $1,000 per month, and private ones start at $1,500 per month. University fees are expensive, in some cases very expensive.
Major American cities are chaotic, polluted, and stressful. There are so many cars in the United States that traffic is terrible and there are traffic jams everywhere. Public transportation is unremarkable in the major cities of the country, while in the cities it is practically non-existent. Violence, which has its roots in the Wild West, is part of American culture. Anyone can own a gun, and shootings in the street or in a school are commonplace, and people have become accustomed to them.
American cuisine is practically non-existent, but there are cuisines from all over the world in the big cities. So you can choose any kind of food that you like best.
Living in the United States – pros and cons
Living in the United States, pros
- Good job opportunities
- High salary levels
- Low corruption rates
- Easy to start a business (not for nothing it is called the land of unlimited opportunities)
- Low tax level
Living in the United States, cons
- High spending on education (especially university)
- Expensive health care
- High crime rate
- Difficult integration
- Much traffic
- High cost of living
Living and working in the United States, conclusion
America is a unique country and offers many opportunities to those who know how to take advantage of them: There is no shortage of job and business opportunities. But you also have to know how to adapt to the country.
