Finding a place to stay in the USA
Introduction
You have to remember that the USA is vast and there are over 200 million people that live in the USA. Therefore your choice is also massive. As to where to live and what type of accommodation you need depends on where you land up - living in California will mean that you will want to be within an hour or two from the beach but living in New York will mean that you want to be close to the shops and restaurants.Renting a Place
Most people that relocate to the US will most likely begin renting a place to live. When you start looking around for a place to live, don't forget to ask for an apartment. Should you ever make the mistake of mentioning that you want a flat, most Americans will look confused and ask why you would ever want a flat tire…
Renting apartments can be a cumbersome task, not because there are no apartments available (except if you want to live in Manhattan), but because a lease agreement is often depending on an established credit history in the USA. Before you leave South Africa, make sure to get copies of previous lease agreements and proof of timely rent payments. This, and proof of employment in the USA, will be of great help to you in obtaining your apartment lease.
If you are looking to relocate to sunny California, you can expect to pay top dollars to live in a nice neighborhood. Apartment complexes are common, and charge approximately $800 to $1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment depending on location and condition. You can pick up apartment guides for free next to newspaper boxes located outside shopping centers or by the side of major shopping streets. If you are interested in renting from private parties, there are a number of websites that lists available apartments in your area for a subscription fee. Buying Property
To buy a house (or an apartment for that matter) in the USA, you either have to bring over plenty of Rand, or get paid in dollars.
In you want to live in your own house in California and don't want to drive more than an hour to get to the beach, expect to pay on average about $300,000. The good news, however, is that the US has a very efficient credit market and with a stable employer you can easily get a loan for 85% of the total amount.
Some of the most reputable real estate brokers in the US include Coldwellbanker, Remax and Prudential Properties.
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