Cities & Hotspots

These are four different lives: New York for scale, Miami for climate and Latin America access, Austin for tech, and San Diego for the coast and California lifestyle.

  • New YorkOpen the complete city guide for neighbourhoods, transport, housing, work, healthcare, apps, schools and local life.
  • MiamiOpen the complete city guide for neighbourhoods, transport, housing, work, healthcare, apps, schools and local life.
  • AustinOpen the complete city guide for neighbourhoods, transport, housing, work, healthcare, apps, schools and local life.
  • San DiegoOpen the complete city guide for neighbourhoods, transport, housing, work, healthcare, apps, schools and local life.

Best Time of Year

Depends on city; spring and autumn are the safest general windows Conditions vary by city, so check the local forecast before booking a long stay.

Air Quality, Simply

Air quality varies by wildfire smoke, traffic and heat. Use the local AQI, not a country-wide assumption.

Use the city-level AQI or official air-quality service before planning long outdoor days, especially if you have asthma or are travelling with children.

Getting Around the Country

  • International arrivalCompare the main gateway airport with the city you actually want. A cheap flight can create an expensive onward journey.
  • Between citiesCheck rail, coach and domestic-flight time including airport transfers, luggage and seasonal disruption.
  • Inside citiesEach city guide covers the local mix of public transport, taxis, ride-hailing, walking and driving.
  • DrivingCheck licence recognition, insurance, tolls, parking and road conditions before renting a car or scooter.

Housing & Cost of Living

  • RentCapital, coastal and visitor-heavy markets can be completely different. Compare like-for-like homes and contract lengths.
  • DepositsVerify the property, owner or authorised agent, inventory, notice terms and payment trail before transferring money.
  • Daily costsGroceries, transport, healthcare and imported goods often matter more than a headline rent figure.
  • Family costsSchool fees, insurance, larger housing and transport should be priced before choosing the city.

Hospitals & Healthcare

Healthcare is excellent but expensive. Major systems include NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, Jackson Health, UCSF-linked networks and Scripps depending on city. Call 911.

SIM, eSIM & Local Apps

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon offer eSIMs. Uber and Lyft cover rides; DoorDash and Uber Eats cover delivery. Health insurance is not optional planning.

  • Mobile networksVerizon, T-Mobile and AT&T are the main networks. eSIM is easy, but prepaid and postpaid coverage can differ by city and building.
  • Ride appsUber and Lyft are the main ride apps; transit apps matter more in New York than in Austin or San Diego.
  • Food deliveryDoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub cover most city delivery. Instacart, Amazon Fresh and local grocery apps fill daily gaps.
  • PaymentsCards and Apple Pay/Google Pay dominate. Zelle, Venmo and Cash App are common peer-to-peer payment layers.
  • Home internetComcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber and local providers depend entirely on address.

Working & Remote Life

  • Legal positionRemote work and local employment can be treated differently. Match your visa, tax and company arrangements to what you actually do.
  • ConnectivityTest home internet, mobile backup and power reliability at the exact address before a long lease.
  • WorkspacesUse day passes to compare coworking, call space and commute before paying for a membership.
  • CommunityIndustry groups, recurring activities and professional events are more useful than relying only on broad expat groups.

Long-Stay & Paperwork

  • USCIS and CBPUSCIS handles many immigration benefits; CBP controls entry. Visitor status, work authorisation and remote work from US soil are separate questions.
  • TaxIRS and state tax rules can apply quickly, especially with US-source income, US entities or long presence.
  • HealthcareInsurance is not optional planning. Network, deductible, copay, urgent care and emergency-room rules matter before you need care.
  • DrivingState DMV rules differ. Licence, insurance, parking and car dependence vary sharply by city.
  • Admin habitKeep passport/status documents, I-94 where relevant, insurance card, lease, SSN/ITIN if applicable and state ID records organised.

Schools & Family Fit

International and bilingual schools are usually concentrated in the largest city hubs listed above. Ask about curriculum, admissions dates, language support, transport, deposits and whether the school year matches your current country before choosing a neighbourhood.

Safety & Practical Risks

  • Personal safetyUse city-level advice: neighbourhood, time of day and transport habits matter more than broad country labels.
  • Health and weatherUnderstand heat, storms, flood, fire, air-quality, altitude or sea risks before choosing a season.
  • MoneyUse traceable payments, verify rentals and keep emergency access to more than one card or account.
  • Official adviceCheck government travel, immigration and health sources before decisions that affect status or safety.

Who It Suits

Career-led movers and families with a strong income, employer package or clear healthcare budget.

Before you move: visa rules, hospital access, mobile registration and app coverage change. Confirm the current position with the relevant official provider before making a non-refundable commitment.