Living Costs

Living Costs - U.S.A

APARTMENTS

Apartment guides are available in most grocery shops, and sometimes on street sidewalks for free. There are also agencies, called 'apartment locators' who will help you find an apartment free of cost. You can also use one of the following sites to help you locate an apartment:

Also, you can use the notice board at the local Indian temple or the India Network Foundation's weekly mailing list for information on apartments and roommates.

CHOOSING AN APARTMENT

When you rent an apartment, you will be asked to pay two months pay plus a deposit to cover possible damages when you move out. This can be quite expensive so it'll make sense to find someone to share the apartment with you.
You can find advertisements in the local papers for getting used furniture and appliances reasonably cheap, and linens and things are available at Supermarkets. You can carry some things, like bed spreads or even a couple of cooking utensils, but limit the amount you carry, most things are available in the US.
Most apartments come with a refrigerator, cooking range and dishwasher; and are well heated in the winter, with air-conditioning for warm weather.
The basement areas of most apartment blocks are equipped with coin operated washers and dryers for clothes.
When you start living in an apartment, make a list of all the items in it and the condition of these. It helps you get your deposit from the landlord when you move out.
Apartments also usually come with a phone.

NEIGHBORS

Americans do not like to socialize without reason and you are not expected to visit with your neighbors unless you have specific matters to discuss, or have been invited. The people value their privacy.
Be careful how you dress around your apartment block. Don't wander About U.S.A in your pajamas, or dhoti-kurta.
Neighbors are particular About U.S.A noise and in most apartments, sound travels easily.
Servants are not common in the US, and are very expensive to hire.
Most apartment complexes have a common garbage dump and residents remove the garbage daily.

FOOD

A good thing to know, is how to cook. If you're not one to cook, you could carry a cookbook or a recipe book from home with you. As mentioned elsewhere, being vegetarian can be a problem in the US, and it is possible that you will find eating out everyday expensive, and boring.

Grocery Stores are well stocked with different types of foods and vegetables, both fresh and canned and they are reasonably cheap. There are also many Indian Grocery stores where you will find everything from Basmati Rice to Daals and masalas. Some of them also have a mail-order delivery service.

If you still plan to take some items with you.

FOOD OUTLETS

America is a great place if you are interested in food. There is a lot of variety, and you will find that most of the world's cuisines (including Indian) are represented, especially in the major cities. You will take some time to find what you like. Meanwhile, we suggest that you start your American experience by eating at some of the fast food joints. Be careful though, the food is often very high in fat, and may not be good for you if you eat it for a very long time!

For very good do-it-yourself sandwiches (also called subs or hoagies) with lots of choice and recommended for vegetarians:
http://www.subway.com/

For burgers, and remember that unless otherwise stated, burgers here are made with beef:

For that other American favorite, pizza, there's:

Pizza is easily ordered from home. Chinese is another popular cuisine here, and one that can also be ordered from home by phone. You'll find the phone numbers in your local yellow pages .

Kentucky Fried Chicken is a good place if you like chicken, and Taco Bell makes some delicious Mexican food.

Other restaurants:

You can find out more About U.S.A local restaurants at http://www.sidewalk.com

Note: There are a few questions that can confuse you like:

"Do you want the Combo or just the sandwich?" which means: Do you want just the burger or a combination of burger, fries and cola?
"What kind of soda?" 'Soda' stands for cold drink. So you can choose between Coke, Pepsi, 7UP etc.
"To stay or to go?" means do you want to eat it at the restaurant, or take it with you.

FOR VEGETARIANS

Being vegetarian in the US is not easy. To make it a little easier, keep these things in mind:

Remember that meat is eaten more often, and vegetarian food is not that common.
Ask the people at the restaurant for vegetarian dishes. If they don't have any, order something and tell them you want it without meat, and without eggs if you don't eat eggs.
Be careful with the salads because all salads are not vegetarian.
If you have a doubt About U.S.A something, don't hesitate to ask.

PHONE CALLS

At home, decide which phone company to use. There are numerous phone companies to choose from like AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. You can also compare rates at A Bell Tolls.

Public telephones, commonly called pay phones, are easy to use with fairly clear instructions printed on them and can be used make local, long-distance (trunk) and sometimes even international calls directly. You can find them all over the cities, airports, shopping areas and gas stations (petrol pumps). Note the following:

When making a local call, don't dial the area code; just dial the last seven digits.
To make a direct international call, dial the international access code (011), followed by the country code, the city code and the number. If you need assistance in finding out the correct codes and/or making the call, call the operator (dial 0).
If you want someone to return your call at a pay phone, note the number printed on the phone, but make sure that the pay phone can receive calls, because some can't.
For local directory information, dial 411. For long distance directory information dial 1 + the area code + 555-1212. These calls are usually free.
To find the phone number of a person all you need to know are the person's last name and the city where he or she lives, and its area code and you have to tell the directory information service these particulars.
For any major emergency (fire, police, ambulance) dial 911 or 0 for the operator. These numbers are clearly written on every pay phone in the US and the call is free, but use it only in life threatening situations.

You can make calls in two ways: you can either pay for them yourself, or you can make a 'collect call', which means that the person who you are calling up has to pay for the call.

COLLECT CALLS

Pick up the phone and press '0' to call the operator.
Tell the operator that you want to make a collect call, and give her the phone number you want to call. Leave the rest to her.
The operator will ask the person at the other end whether he/she would like to receive a collect call from you. If that person agrees, you are through.
1-800-CALL-ATT and 1-800-COLLECT are toll free numbers. These "toll free" or "1-800" numbers can help you make collect calls without the help of an operator. You do not have to pay for these calls and you can call these numbers from any pay phone.

COIN CALLS

Local calls (within the area code) usually cost a quarter (25 cents) but remember that they don't accept pennies, and change is not returned.
Always listen for the dial tone and insert the coin(s) before dialing a number. You will hear the sound of the call going through and then the ring at the other end. If the line is busy (engaged) or no one answers the call, just put the receiver back on the hook and you'll get your money back.
Long distance calls (equivalent to India's STD service) cost more. To make a long distance call, dial 1 + area code (3 digits, equivalent to the STD code) + and the phone number (7 digits).
For example, to call 555 1212 in New York from outside that city, dial 1 + 212 (area code for New York City) + 555 1212 (phone number). You will be then told the amount you need to pay for the call. Most phones accept only coins and do not return any change. The operator will interrupt after your time is up and ask that you deposit more coins if you want to extend the call.

PHONE CARDS

Pre-paid phone cards are available for long-distance and international calls. You can get them at stores, though you have to be careful as they can cheat you. Phone cards are usually cheaper than regular phone calls you might make. They have a fixed time limit, and a rate. They come for different times and rates, at different stores or companies. Usually, the little convenience stores have them, and you can get special phone cards for calling India from your closest Indian store. For more information, click here.

You may also find the following sites to be useful:

COMMUTING

Getting around in the US is pretty easy. You can take a cab (taxi) to work, or a shuttle. There are a number of shuttles, and you can find one in the Yellow Pages.

If you are adventurous, try the trains or the subways. This shouldn't be too difficult because directions and maps are available, and are easy to follow.
You can rent a car too, but be sure you know how to drive, and be aware of all the regulations.

Driving
Driving in the US is very different from driving in India. Firstly, they drive on the right side of the road, and also the regulations are something that you should follow very strictly.

To get a license you have to be a resident, that is, renting a house or apartment in the state. When you apply for a license, you have to do a written test and then a driving test. If you don't understand any of the instructions or questions in the tests, don't hesitate to ask. You may not be familiar with some terms used in the tests such as jaywalking and sidewalk.

Things to remember:

Traffic regulations must be followed. You can be fined heavily for going over the speed limit, ignoring traffic lights and littering. Make sure you are aware of all the rules and regulations.
Make sure you have lots of experience before you drive in the US. Don't drive on the highways if you're not sure how to.
It is law in the US to wear a seat belt at all times in a car, whether you are driving or a passenger and it could save your life because the speeds are faster than you may be used to in India.

There are four main interstate highways that run across the width of the United States. These are "superhighways" with 2 to 4 lanes of high-speed traffic. These highways are probably the fastest route between two places. The speed limit on National Highways is 55-70 miles per hour.

Also, keep in mind that each state has different laws for license holders and driving. You can call the DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles of whichever state you're in for any information that you want, or find the right web site from:
http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=Department+of+Motor+Vehicles

To find your way around a city, or to a certain place, the web sites for maps given below are very helpful and accurate:

TRAVELING

The use of public transport is the best and cheapest way to travel in the US.

BUSES

Inter-state travel is possible on buses. In the US, there are suburban lines, inter city lines and two major national lines- Greyhound and Trailways. Both the companies on the national line offer reasonable prices and provide discounts.

Most of these agencies have toll free numbers that you can call to get schedule price information. You can also book a ticket in this way, and either have them mail it to you, or pick it up at the station when you go there. You should make sure to get to the station at least an hour in advance. Avoid spending the night at large city bus stations because they can be unsafe.

TRAINS

Trains offer you more comfort but are slightly more expensive. Amtrak is the main train line you can travel by.

Trains offer the comfort of a bed in "roomettes". Availability varies with train lines. The cheapest and most popular way of traveling is by coach where you have a reclining seat and lots of legroom.

CAR RENTAL

If you plan to drive, you would need to rent a car. If you want to rent, try and share the costs with a friend, it can be expensive. There are a lot of car rental agencies, and you can find them listed in the Yellow Pages.

Call the Rental Agency and ask About U.S.A their services, discounts and packages.
You must be over 21 to rent a car.
Credit cards are imperative for car rental though sometimes you can leave a cash deposit.
Always take insurance when renting a car. It's worth it.
If you intend to travel more than 100 miles per day, take an unlimited mileage package. Otherwise you will be charged per mile over and above your rental fee.

AIR TRAVEL

Air travel is convenient when traveling to urban areas. There are many Airlines operating within the US such as United Airlines and Southwestern. All these airlines are listed in the Yellow Pages, and most have toll free numbers that you can dial to get information and make bookings.

MONEY MATTERS

As you must know, the currency of the US is the Dollar. The notes come in denominations of: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Unfortunately, all the bills are the same size and same color, and can be confused easily. Coins come in four denominations: 1 cent called a penny, 5 cents called a nickel, 10 cents called a dime, and 25 cents called a quarter.

Make sure that most of the cash you carry is in denominations of $20 or less because some shops and restaurants do not accept $50 or $100 dollar bills.
Do not be offended if people examine the notes you give them closely, especially if they are in one of the higher denominations. It is a common practice.
Be sure of the money you are paying, because you can easily confuse the denominations.
Take the time to learn the different types of coins and notes.

Exchange Rates
The US dollar's exchange rate with the Indian Rupee fluctuates, so find out what the current rate is. Also, note the following:

You won't be able to change your rupees in the US. Even if you do find a place that will change your rupees, you probably won't get a good rate.
Foreign currencies except Dollar, Deutsch Mark, Pound Sterling, yen etc., are hard to change.
If you are carrying large dollar amounts, it would be best if you carry them in the form of Traveler's Checks, which are accepted in most places.

BANKS

There are some differences between banking in India and the US. You will get to know these in the course of your stay in the US, but here is some basic information.

Banks typically open by 10 am and close between 2pm and 3pm in the afternoon. Some stay open till 6pm in the evening and most banks are open Saturday mornings.
To open a bank account you will have to establish your identity. A passport, credit card, or proof of employment will be sufficient. However you should also keep your driver's license and Social Security Number available if required.
You will need to prove your identity, and this can be best done by presenting your US driver's license.

There are two main types of accounts, Savings and Checking Accounts.

Savings account
This is very much like the savings accounts in India. You earn an interest on any amount deposited in this account, though the rates are modest.
One major difference is that you cannot use checks to withdraw money from this account.

Most banks offer many different kinds of savings accounts, with different features, and make sure that you ask your bank About U.S.A the details before deciding which one to go for.

Checking account
This account can be used for making payments by check.

Most banks do not pay any interest for the money; the bank may even charge a monthly amount for maintaining the account.
However, the bank may waive these charges if you keep a minimum amount in the bank, or as part of a promotional offer.
When you open your checking account, the bank will usually offer you some free checkbooks.
Make it a point to ask for as many of these checkbooks as you can get since ordering additional checks later will cost you anywhere from $11 to $18.
You can get customized checkbooks, with plain backgrounds to landscapes and pictures, but you may have to pay for these stylish checkbooks.

Note: When you use your checks to pay for purchases at stores, some sort of identification will usually be required. A driver's license or a state identification card acceptable forms of identification. In different states different rules apply and until you get an acceptable ID, carry your passport with you.

The most convenient form of banking today is ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines). Obtaining a bank machine card or debit card allows 24-hour access to cash from not only that bank but from other banks and stores. Be careful of ATMs. Sometimes they are prime areas for muggers. Now-a-days, banking can also be done over the telephone or on the Internet.

Credit Cards
It's hard to live without a credit card in the US. There are even some places that don't accept cash, and it is a convenient method of payment. For example, if you want to rent a car, you have to produce a major credit card. So, it would be a good idea to apply for a credit card the moment you get to the US. For information on major credit cards:

Getting your first credit card can be difficult, because banks need to know your credit history or how good you are with your credit card payments. Different banks have different terms and conditions for their credit cards. For more information, see the TD Visa Credit Center.

If you are in touch with your US employer, ask them whether they will help you acquiring your first credit card.

Your company can provide you with an introduction to a bank, which will help you get your first credit card without many problems.
Your company can even guarantee your debts for some time.
If your company is small and unable to help you, make sure that you apply carefully.
When you open an account with a Bank, they will usually give you a Debit Card, which can also be used as anATM card.
After using the Debit Card for a while, the bank will usually give you a Credit Card.
If you are rejected for a credit card, it could spoil your chances when you apply again, even if it is at some other bank.
Do not apply again and again if you have been rejected once.

Secured Credit Cards
If your chances for getting a normal credit look bleak, try a secured credit card. A secured credit card is a credit card with a difference: you have to deposit a certain amount with the bank before you start using the card. This amount sets the limit for your spending.

Debit Cards
When you open an account with a bank, you automatically get a debit card, which is used for withdrawing money from ATMs. But this card can also be used to pay for groceries and other items at Department Stores and Restaurants. When you pay using your debit card, the amount is automatically debited from your account.

SOCIAL SECURITY

One of the first things you must do when you get to the US is apply for a Social Security Number. It is the most important thing to have. This number is your primary identification number, and you need it to do many things like open a bank account, get a drivers' license, lease an apartment, establish credit, apply for a telephone, electricity, gas, almost anything! It is also your Taxpayer Identification Number.

If you have dependents, they will not be given a Social Security Number, but they can open a bank account or apply for a driver's license using their Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. To get your Social Security Number, you need to go the nearest Social Security Office.

TAXES

In the United States, both the Federal (central) and State governments impose taxes on your income. The Federal Taxes are the Federal Income Tax and the Social Security Tax. States impose the State Income Tax. There are also some other, smaller, taxes on your income.

The income tax is on the basis of your place of residence.
The Federal government takes away approximately 25% of your income as tax.
The State taxes vary from 0% to 12% depending on your income bracket and the state you are in.
There are 9 states that do not impose income tax. These are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

SALES TAX

Sales taxes are applied to most everything you buy. The price of the item does not include the amount of tax. The tax in different States varies from 0 to 7% of the price of the item. Mostly food, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and clothes are taxed. However, some states impose taxes on everything. The five states that do not impose sales tax are Alaska, Delaware, Montana, Oregon and New Hampshire.

INSURANCE

Paying for any kind of damages in the US can become very expensive, so it is a good idea to take out insurance against your health, your car, and even your home as described in this section.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Medical care in the US is very expensive, which is why you need to have Medical Insurance or a Health Insurance Plan, so make sure you are insured as soon as you get there.

Most companies provide some sort of medical insurance for their employees.
Ask your employers for details of their plan but it will usually take a couple of weeks before your plan becomes operative.
Before your plan becomes operational, you must have an Overseas Insurance Plan to pay for any medical expenses. Get such a policy from a good insurance company in India like LIC or the National Insurance Company before you leave for the US. A policy that covers you for three weeks should cost you around Rs. 1000/-.
When you enroll for a medical plan, you will be asked to choose a doctor or physician from a list of doctors affiliated to your insurance company. You have to choose a doctor from this list.
Choose your physician carefully. Ask your friends or colleagues for their opinion, and you can even pay the doctor a visit to check him/her out personally.
When you finally visit the doctor, you may have to pay a small amount ($5 or $10) for each visit.
Most plans do not cover eye or dental care. Ask your company for more details.
Prescriptions: Your health insurance also covers your prescribed medicines but you still need to pay a predetermined amount. This amount is decided by your insurance company and printed on the back of your insurance card.

To check out these online drug stores:

Sav-On is a good place for checking out and comparing Insurance rates of different Insurance companies.

DENTAL AND EYE INSURANCE

If you have dental problems, please see a doctor before you leave India. Remember that it will take you a while for you to enroll in a plan. Besides, most dental insurance policies are effective only after 30 days. It is also difficult to get an appointment with a dentist, and much more expensive. The same is true for eye examinations. Prescription glasses are expensive, so spend a few hundred rupees, and get an extra pair from India. Check with your health insurance company if they offer dental and eye insurance policies. Or, click here.

AUTO INSURANCE

Auto insurance is required only if you own a car.

Your car insurance premium varies, and is based on lot of parameters like your age, years of driving experience, marital status, children, distance from home to office, your area of residence, make, model and year of the car.
These parameters vary from one insurance company to another. If you have a car/two wheeler driver's license in India, bring them with you; some insurance agents accept the driving experience in India, and may reduce your premium.

GEICO provides a great deal of information on car insurance.

HOME INSURANCE

Your apartment complex is not liable for any damage/loss of your personal belongings in your apartment. For these, you must purchase a Home insurance policy. Before you go in for an insurance policy, please list all the important items and their prices, so that you can list it as part of the insurance coverage. If you don't do this, it may be difficult collect damages from the insurance company. Insurance companies have a preset limit for each category. Check with your insurance agent About U.S.A the limits and how to increase those limits. Or, click here.

FLOOD INSURANCE

Home insurance will not cover losses due to floods. So take additional flood insurance coverage if your home is in a flood zone. You can check with your local authorities for flood information in your area. Or, browse through these links:

BUSINESS HOURS

These are a few things you should note About U.S.A business hours and holidays in America:

Most businesses run 9-5, Monday through Friday.
All offices are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Banks are generally open from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, but some offer extended hours on Fridays and some are open on Saturday mornings as well.
Post offices are open from 8 am to 5 pm, Mondays through Fridays and 8 am to noon on Saturdays.
Shops in the business sections of cities often operate only during regular office hours and days, while shopping malls are usually open until 9 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and 5 pm on Sundays.
Supermarkets and drugstores are almost always open until 9 pm on weekdays (Sunday hours may be shorter). Some, in large cities, may even be open 24 hours.
You also find 24-hour convenience stores such as Seven Eleven that stock all basic household, and food needs.
Lunch breaks are usually between 12 noon and 1 pm, but offices don't "shut down", but expect slower service during these hours. Customer oriented shops are usually open.

HOLIDAYS

As in India, on legal national holidays, all government offices, banks, post offices, and many shops, restaurants and private offices are closed, though some shops and restaurants may remain open. The two days of the year on which everything shuts down is Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. Along with these holidays, many states and cities also have their own holidays, which you'll find out from friends and colleagues.

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Living Costs - U.S.A

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Living Costs - U.S.A