NEW ARRIVALS
You've got the posting but now what? Driving on the other side of the road, 110 volts instead of 240, favorites and neighbors instead of favourite neighbours and football suddenly becomes soccer! There's quite a few things to adjust to in a move to the USA but hopefully this website and your fellow BESA members will be able to make the transition as easy as possible!
Please do note that while BESA aim to provide the most up to date and accurate information, rules do change and vary from state to state so for any information that relates to legal matters e.g. driving laws and licenses, alcohol regulations etc. please use this information as guide but make sure to check local authority resources to clarify or confirm any such matters.
Please do note that while BESA aim to provide the most up to date and accurate information, rules do change and vary from state to state so for any information that relates to legal matters e.g. driving laws and licenses, alcohol regulations etc. please use this information as guide but make sure to check local authority resources to clarify or confirm any such matters.
We may speak a similar language to our US counterparts but there are differences too.
We hope this section will give you a flavour of the joys in store and warn against the odd hazard too - like square roundabouts (well all-way stops!) and never driving past a school bus with flashing lights and a stop sign – whichever side of the road you’re on…
A warm welcome awaits
One thing to keep in mind when you learn that you will be moving to the USA is that having lived here, nobody wants to leave! Most officers and their spouses and/or families experience some difficulties in their initial settling in period, but having got past that – invariably people enjoy living here and rarely want to move on. The reasons for this include: the wonderful seasonal weather, the museums, monuments and theatres of DC, the great outdoors, the amazing opportunities for travel and great friendships.
There is another major advantage to a posting to the USA and that membership of the British Embassy Support Association. Members include British Embassy and Government exchange personnel posted to the USA, and those who accompany them. Some of us have moved many times, for others this is the first move, some of us have families living with us, others have children at boarding school in the UK. The advantage to being a relatively large community is that we have a wealth of knowledge, and there will somebody here who has a similar situation to your own and we all want to share our experiences with you to make your own move to Washington as positive as possible.
Below are some general tips that may assist you. Please remember that if you have more specific questions we are here to help. We have an e-mail address which is checked by a volunteer from the BESA committee who will try to put you in touch with somebody who can help you with your requests. You can Contact BESA here.
Setting-up home
A really good idea shortly after moving into your new house is to take photos of the house both inside and outside including the garden (yard!). These pictures along with an inventory or notes made about the state of the house may prove useful at a later date if there is a dispute about damage or upkeep.
BESA Sale and Wants
You may be lucky enough to have the chance to buy some items from the officer you are taking over from, they will usually compile a list of items for sale and forward this to you or there is a BESA Sales and Wants Facebook page you can request to join when you sign up. This is where members post items from pushchairs to cars, kettles to bed frames, and it's a handy place to pick up items more cheaply than buying new.
Bedding
Sizes differ from the UK, so you may wish to buy new bedding once in the US or check dimensions before you travel. Also the Americans tend to use ‘comforters’ with a sheet underneath which is more like quilt with the cover attached i.e not removable than our duvets. You can buy bedding bundles that include everything all in one or you can buy traditional UK style duvets and duvet covers (e.g. in IKEA) as although they are less common they are still used out here.
UK Electrical items
UK items do sometimes work with the correct adaptors but it is very hit and miss and difficult to give specific guidance. If they are '110v' or '110 – 240v' they should work, otherwise don’t risk it; buy a step-up-step down’ converter or leave them at home. Our advice is, if in doubt, keep it out of the sockets. Also see: Bringing UK Electricals to the US.
We hope this section will give you a flavour of the joys in store and warn against the odd hazard too - like square roundabouts (well all-way stops!) and never driving past a school bus with flashing lights and a stop sign – whichever side of the road you’re on…
A warm welcome awaits
One thing to keep in mind when you learn that you will be moving to the USA is that having lived here, nobody wants to leave! Most officers and their spouses and/or families experience some difficulties in their initial settling in period, but having got past that – invariably people enjoy living here and rarely want to move on. The reasons for this include: the wonderful seasonal weather, the museums, monuments and theatres of DC, the great outdoors, the amazing opportunities for travel and great friendships.
There is another major advantage to a posting to the USA and that membership of the British Embassy Support Association. Members include British Embassy and Government exchange personnel posted to the USA, and those who accompany them. Some of us have moved many times, for others this is the first move, some of us have families living with us, others have children at boarding school in the UK. The advantage to being a relatively large community is that we have a wealth of knowledge, and there will somebody here who has a similar situation to your own and we all want to share our experiences with you to make your own move to Washington as positive as possible.
Below are some general tips that may assist you. Please remember that if you have more specific questions we are here to help. We have an e-mail address which is checked by a volunteer from the BESA committee who will try to put you in touch with somebody who can help you with your requests. You can Contact BESA here.
Setting-up home
A really good idea shortly after moving into your new house is to take photos of the house both inside and outside including the garden (yard!). These pictures along with an inventory or notes made about the state of the house may prove useful at a later date if there is a dispute about damage or upkeep.
BESA Sale and Wants
You may be lucky enough to have the chance to buy some items from the officer you are taking over from, they will usually compile a list of items for sale and forward this to you or there is a BESA Sales and Wants Facebook page you can request to join when you sign up. This is where members post items from pushchairs to cars, kettles to bed frames, and it's a handy place to pick up items more cheaply than buying new.
Bedding
Sizes differ from the UK, so you may wish to buy new bedding once in the US or check dimensions before you travel. Also the Americans tend to use ‘comforters’ with a sheet underneath which is more like quilt with the cover attached i.e not removable than our duvets. You can buy bedding bundles that include everything all in one or you can buy traditional UK style duvets and duvet covers (e.g. in IKEA) as although they are less common they are still used out here.
UK Electrical items
UK items do sometimes work with the correct adaptors but it is very hit and miss and difficult to give specific guidance. If they are '110v' or '110 – 240v' they should work, otherwise don’t risk it; buy a step-up-step down’ converter or leave them at home. Our advice is, if in doubt, keep it out of the sockets. Also see: Bringing UK Electricals to the US.
Getting Around
Wherever you live in the USA, it is virtually certain that you will find life easier with a car! The distances in America are enormous and everything seems to be so far away. It is generally true to say that as Washington residents we spend a great deal of time driving. It can be very daunting to begin with, particularly with the more aggressive style of driving favoured over here, but it will soon become second nature and is definitely worth sticking with it. Here are some handy tips and things to watch out for!
Wherever you live in the USA, it is virtually certain that you will find life easier with a car! The distances in America are enormous and everything seems to be so far away. It is generally true to say that as Washington residents we spend a great deal of time driving. It can be very daunting to begin with, particularly with the more aggressive style of driving favoured over here, but it will soon become second nature and is definitely worth sticking with it. Here are some handy tips and things to watch out for!
- Sat Nav/GPS – A lifesaver for navigating your new local area and longer journeys, you can either buy a specific SatNav/GPS device or apps like Google Maps and Waze are handy to use on your smartphone.
- Four Way Stops - There are very few roundabouts but there are lots of four way stops at junctions. You MUST STOP at these and the vehicle which got to the junction first will then proceed – you go round in turn, one vehicle at a time from each of the four exits in order. Keep a lookout for Stop signs which only stop traffic going in a certain direction - not all Stop signs mean a four way stop!
- Turning Right on a Red - Generally, vehicles can continue through red lights to turn right unless there is a sign to specifically prevent this. Look out for ‘no turn on red.’
- Pedestrians Have Right of Way - (even though it doesn't feel like it when you're trying to cross the road!) Often when traffic lights turn green for vehicles, the pedestrians have a light to allow them to cross the road at the same time if you are turning left or right! Obviously the pedestrian has the right of way and you must always check the crossing, even if the light is in your favour.
- Yellow School Buses (Hornets) - are everywhere and if they stop with flashing lights and a stop sign which comes out from the side of the bus you must STOP, even if you are on the other side of the road to the bus, until the bus continues and the sign swings back in.
- Roads with Altered Flow and High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes - To allow maximum flow of traffic at rush hours, many roads that are single carriageways become dual carriageways with all traffic travelling in the same direction for the period of the rush hour. There are also High Occupancy Vehicle lanes which you may only use with a certain number of people in your car. These are clearly marked with the times the HOV rules apply (if relevant) and the number of people that must be in the vehicle for you to use them.
- If Stopped by the Police - Remain calm, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE and place your hands in view on the steering wheel. Only do what you are asked to do. This also applies to passengers.
Driving Licences
If you are part of the Embassy you can often drive on your UK driving licence and do not need to take a state licence but many car insurance companies require you to have a state licence. Also it is another form of ID and it is the most common form of ID in the US, which may prove beneficial when away from the DC area.
If you are not part of the Embassy you will need to take your test at the local DMV office. (DMV VA, DMV DC, DMV MD). If you are military some states may allow you to use your UK driving licence.
Also, take a look at our DRIVING section and remember to ALWAYS check with your local DMV or equivalent authority for more information.
If you are part of the Embassy you can often drive on your UK driving licence and do not need to take a state licence but many car insurance companies require you to have a state licence. Also it is another form of ID and it is the most common form of ID in the US, which may prove beneficial when away from the DC area.
If you are not part of the Embassy you will need to take your test at the local DMV office. (DMV VA, DMV DC, DMV MD). If you are military some states may allow you to use your UK driving licence.
Also, take a look at our DRIVING section and remember to ALWAYS check with your local DMV or equivalent authority for more information.
You’ll get by with a little help from your friends…
If you have had a chance to see the BESA newsletter or browse this website you will already know that there are many groups within BESA who get together with a common interest, from our area bookclubs and tots group, to stitches and snow sports, you can signal your interest in these groups when you sign up to BESA.
We also hold regular events within our service groups and area groups and wholeheartedly encourage new arrivals (and old hands of course!) to come along - we are a friendly bunch and everyone has been in your shoes at some point so we understand what it's like!
There are so many things going on, from an informal walk through a local park on a Monday morning to attending coffee at the Ambassador's Residence at Christmas. There is no pressure – you can do as much or as little as you like, whenever – but you need never feel alone, as there will always be someone here who will make you feel welcome.
If you have had a chance to see the BESA newsletter or browse this website you will already know that there are many groups within BESA who get together with a common interest, from our area bookclubs and tots group, to stitches and snow sports, you can signal your interest in these groups when you sign up to BESA.
We also hold regular events within our service groups and area groups and wholeheartedly encourage new arrivals (and old hands of course!) to come along - we are a friendly bunch and everyone has been in your shoes at some point so we understand what it's like!
There are so many things going on, from an informal walk through a local park on a Monday morning to attending coffee at the Ambassador's Residence at Christmas. There is no pressure – you can do as much or as little as you like, whenever – but you need never feel alone, as there will always be someone here who will make you feel welcome.
Drinking
Remember the drinking age in the US is 21 and it is illegal to let an under 21 year old have even a sip of alcohol. Many bars and restaurants will ask for ID during holiday events etc. regardless of how old you look so make sure to carry it with you.
Money, money, money
Bank Accounts are a very personal matter, and the options open to you very much depend on your visa type, where you are posted, whether you are military or civilian etc.
Most banking institutes require a social security number from you in order to open an account but not all do, if possible ask a colleague who is already here which bank they use, search for relevant posts within the BESA Facebook group, or contact BESA for some local advice.
Many people use Citibank and the Dupont Circle branch has a specialist advisor who deals with diplomatic and other Embassy staff who require bank accounts but who do not have social security numbers on arrival in the US. The accounts can be set up very quickly on arrival, you will need to obtain a letter of introduction from whoever deals with your HR in the Embassy. Do check out charges, free banking may not be quite what it seems – you may be charged for checks (cheques) and other services. Checks are used commonly for school trips etc.
Also worth bearing in mind, if you use other banks’ ATMs, you may have to pay a fee to get your money out and getting credit can be a problem too again depending on your circumstances for being posted here.
A number of people with UK Amex cards manage to get their credit rating and history transferred to a US Amex card and if you are in the military it may be worth asking around for a referral as they often waive fees for military members.
Most banking institutes require a social security number from you in order to open an account but not all do, if possible ask a colleague who is already here which bank they use, search for relevant posts within the BESA Facebook group, or contact BESA for some local advice.
Many people use Citibank and the Dupont Circle branch has a specialist advisor who deals with diplomatic and other Embassy staff who require bank accounts but who do not have social security numbers on arrival in the US. The accounts can be set up very quickly on arrival, you will need to obtain a letter of introduction from whoever deals with your HR in the Embassy. Do check out charges, free banking may not be quite what it seems – you may be charged for checks (cheques) and other services. Checks are used commonly for school trips etc.
Also worth bearing in mind, if you use other banks’ ATMs, you may have to pay a fee to get your money out and getting credit can be a problem too again depending on your circumstances for being posted here.
A number of people with UK Amex cards manage to get their credit rating and history transferred to a US Amex card and if you are in the military it may be worth asking around for a referral as they often waive fees for military members.
Mobile phones and Broadband
Mobile Phones
Or cell phones now you're going to America! Similarly to bank accounts it can depend on your visa/service as to what options are available to you. You often need a social security number to set up a contract but in some instances this may not be necessary so speak to others in the BESA group and don't forget you can purchase a pay as you go phone to keep you going. Also, do be aware, you are generally charged for incoming as well as outgoing calls!
Internet Services
Just like at home, you are often able to lump together TV, internet and home phone services under one package but unlike at home you will likely be restricted in your choice of provider by where you live and be prepared for higher costs than you are used to seeing at home. As with mobile phone contracts, some suppliers may need a social security number and the BESA group are the best source of information and advice.
See also TVs Radios and Telephones
Or cell phones now you're going to America! Similarly to bank accounts it can depend on your visa/service as to what options are available to you. You often need a social security number to set up a contract but in some instances this may not be necessary so speak to others in the BESA group and don't forget you can purchase a pay as you go phone to keep you going. Also, do be aware, you are generally charged for incoming as well as outgoing calls!
Internet Services
Just like at home, you are often able to lump together TV, internet and home phone services under one package but unlike at home you will likely be restricted in your choice of provider by where you live and be prepared for higher costs than you are used to seeing at home. As with mobile phone contracts, some suppliers may need a social security number and the BESA group are the best source of information and advice.
See also TVs Radios and Telephones
Food
Food Shops vary in quality, size and price, so check out our guide for more details and just bear in mind that some foods have different names over her - cilantro and zucchini we're looking at you! For a translation see our handy Food Translation guide.
