Expat in USA

April 15, 2008

8 Tips to Socialize in a New City

Filed under: Expat Tips — Tags: , , — alex.ion @ 3:05 pm

Socialize in a new CityTo be honest, moving in a new city is not easy even if it’s in your country or state but the problems grows bigger when you’re an expat in a new country. You can only make your life easier if you try to socialize and communicate with people, but that’s not easy either, right? We’re going to present you with a set of tips that will probably change your life.

1. What to do first? It’s very important if you’re alone in a new place, or not. If you have your spouse with you it’s easier to start with your neighbors and organize a party for the people nearby to present yourself. For people that are alone they can go ahead and start from school or at the place they work. Meet as many new people as possible.

2. Be and stay positive. Know the saying that money come to money? It’s true. More to it it’s also true with people radiating positive energy. I for example, wouldn’t want to be with someone feeling sorry for themselves, but with funny and communicating people.

3. Other people’s friends. Have you noticed that if you are new people usually invite you out and many of the times it’s with their group of friends? Don’t say no. It’s a great way of meeting new people and maybe a boy/girl-friend.

4. Attitude. I remember when I was young my grandpa was telling me attitude is everything. Now I know he was right because success is a matter of having a positive attitude on a daily basis and mixing it with motivational principles, like Jeff Keller says.

5. Try not to be shy. This sounds hard, I know, but shyness is something you want to fight with to be successful at having relations with other people. One of the best ways of not being shy is to be funny. Tell a joke or two.

6. Talk smart. Yes, I told you to say a joke or two, but make sure what you say be certain it’s an appropriate moment. Another thing you could avoid is answering with “yes” or “no”, because if you do it’s like cutting a tree from the roots. No more communication with other people.

7. Dress smart. At least for starters. If you have your own style and it makes people weird, try to avoid it until you guys are better friends. The first impression is important.

8. Don’t be clingy. That’s a must. If you’ve met them but they’re not inviting you out for some fun the next week don’t be jealous, it happens. Try not to bulge in un-invited or they’ll have the wrong impression.

These are just a few easy tips that will probably help you find more friends and socialize with new people in a new city. If you have your own, let us know.

April 4, 2008

Eating healthier in the States

Filed under: Expat Tips — Tags: , , , , — alex.ion @ 6:40 am

Vitaminas and CompanhiaThe cuisine in the United States is probably different than what you’re used with. They have all sorts of influences when it comes to food, but by a long shot they’re famous for fast food restaurants. Actually I think they are called the “fast food nation” for a good reason.

No one has time these days for a healthy lunch and eats something on the run, so I guess these five tips can help you out.

1. Convenience and lack of time

This is going to be your biggest enemy. Most Americans eat fast food because of convenience and the so called lack of time. The fact that you can’t take 20 minutes and step outside of the building to buy something healthy, is just a lie, so get yourself up from your office chair for a healthy lunch.

2. Watch out what you drink

The milk shake and that Coca Cola on ice are great but they’re not healthy. How about replacing sodas with water (still or sparkling) and the milk shake with low fat milk or soy-milk with all kinds of flavors.

3. Healthy food choices

If you don’t have a personal trainer or a nutritionist to take care of your meal plans you will have to make your own, so I’ve been thinking to a few healthy foods that you can buy either from a fast food or do them yourself at home.

Whole wheat rolls, fruits, yogurt, baked potatoes (add vegetables instead of sauces), grilled chicken wrapped on whole wheat tortillas, wheat bread or pita bread, salads (fat-free dressing if you need it) with olive oil, or sushi if you like.

4. Least healthy fast food choices

You enjoy chicken nuggets, fried fish or chicken, jumbo sized fries or onion rings? You also like to add some cheese or tartar sauce, sour cream, guacamole or gravy? These are extremely unhealthy. Not only will they increase the bad cholesterol but will also make you fatter.

5. Try to be partially vegetarian

Vegetables and fruits are the most healthy things you can eat and will translate into energy. I’m not expecting you to quit all sorts of meat and dairy but try to put them on the second place. If you feel like eating meat try to stick with chicken or turkey barbecue and make sure you add a big salad along with it.

Moderation is always key to eating healthier. It’s really hard to say no to what tastes great. Just make sure you don’t abuse it and eat a lot of greens.

March 26, 2008

9 Tips for Selling Your House

Filed under: Expat Tips — Tags: , , , — alex.ion @ 12:07 pm

The season to buy or sell your house is quickly approaching. Since I am buying a new place soon, I have looked up information on what to expect as a seller and as a buyer. In fact, as a buyer you will see that these extremely helpful tips for when inspecting the potential home to be.

Sold House
Sold House by Dick_Phillips

So let’s start with what you need to do as a seller.

1. Talk with an agent about the process before you start. Ask what to expect from beginning to end. I did this for buying, but it is extremely important when selling, too. Do it months before you plan on selling if possible to be able to prepare yourself for what they might tell you.

2. Let go of the house. I am having trouble letting go of my apartment, and I have had trouble in the past letting go of my childhood home. The place you live in becomes more than walls and rooms. Letting go can be difficult when you have so many memories and emotions attached to the place.

However, look at it as a step forward in life, as being able to make new memories and a new home. I can assure you that finding a perfect place will help you let go of the ties you have to your current home real quick.

3. When selling your home make it sparse. This makes the place look bigger and the bigger it looks, the better. Looking at places that are cluttered makes me feel claustrophobic and unimpressed even if I know I will be cluttering the place myself if I were to buy it.

4. Pack away personal items that you don’t want buyers to see. They will want to see every nook and cranny in house. Embarrassed by certain toys you keep in your closet? Or by the magazines you have? Well, pack them away tightly. Buyers want to see what they are buying and will inspect your place inside and out.

5. Pack away items that you want to keep, for example light fixtures or chandeliers. The buyer may want it and if you don’t give it to them they may resent you.

6. Clean. A dirty house will not impress buyers. When cleaning, make sure you get outside as well as inside. You do not want a buyer to not make it inside because the grass was too long.

7. Do minor repairs and big repairs if you can. Minor repairs include painting, fixing dripping faucets, fixing falling shingles, broken windows and more others. However, for bigger repairs that you are unable to fix, it could be taken off the price of the place. Depending on what it is, you may get more for your house if you call in someone to fix it.

8. Make the environment feel good. Make sure it smells good. For example if you smoke, don’t do it inside. Play nice, light music in background, decorate with fresh flowers, and most importantly, make it bright and sunny to make the place look bigger and warmer.

9. Pets. Some buyers will not like pets, be afraid of them or be allergic to them. See if your neighbour can take them for a few hours or put the dog outside while the buyers are there.

Selling a home is just as stressful as finding the right place to buy. Of course you want to sell the place for as much money as possible. The tips provided are guidelines to making your place look and feel better to potential buyers.

Good luck and don’t give up.

March 21, 2008

6 Simple Tips to Make Your Neighbours Like You

Filed under: Expat Tips — Tags: , , , , , , , — alex.ion @ 2:15 am

Obviously being the new family in the neighborhood is not going to make your life easier when it comes to dealing with other people. It’s hard to have a good relation with your neighbors even if you’ve been living there for the last 15 years so remember that you have to live around them for a long time (probably) and starting a war and making it to the newspapers headlines is not the best solution.

Little girl in neighborhood
photo by fd

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March 15, 2008

How to Start a New Life

Filed under: Expat Tips — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 5:10 pm

Moving to another country, particulary relocating to the USA, can be a strenuous process. That is why you need to plan your actions carefully, consider all the steps that need to be taken and make this change hassle-free. So here are 5 power tips to ease your integration into the new society:

new life, expat in usa
photo credit: Peter
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