Relocating to the United States is a major step — whether you’re moving for work, study, family, or a fresh start. The USA offers a wide range of lifestyles, excellent infrastructure, and many opportunities. At A1 Relocations, we provide comprehensive international moving services — from packing and door‑to‑door transport to customs clearance and final delivery.
We aim to make your move to the USA seamless, secure, and stress‑free.
🌎 Why Move to the USA
- Diverse job markets, strong economy, and opportunity for professional growth.
- High-quality education and healthcare.
- Varied lifestyles: fast-paced city life, peaceful suburban living, or quiet rural areas.
- Well‑developed infrastructure, transport, and public services.
With A1 Relocations’ global network and experience, we help you navigate every step — from origin packing to safe delivery at your new home in the USA.
🏘️ Living in the USA: What to Expect
Housing & Accommodation
- Rental and housing costs vary significantly depending on region (major cities vs suburbs vs rural).
- Utilities (electricity, water, heating/cooling, internet) and internet/phone plans are comparable to other developed countries — but vary by usage, dwelling size, and local rates.
- For many, housing is the largest part of monthly living expenses.
Lifestyle, Daily Life & Essentials
- Food, groceries, dining, and leisure expenses depend heavily on lifestyle choices.
- Transport options: large cities often have public transport; in many areas, a car is essential.
Internet, mobile phone, insurance, healthcare, and personal services are parts of everyday living.
Cost of Living (Indicative)
Here’s a rough monthly budget for a single adult in a mid-sized US city (modest to moderate lifestyle):
| Expense Type | Typical Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rent (1‑bedroom apt, moderate area) | ~ USD 1,050 – 2,000+ |
| Utilities (electricity, water, heat/AC, internet, etc.) | ~ USD 150 – 300 |
| Food & groceries | ~ USD 250 – 750 |
| Transport (public or moderate car use) | ~ USD 100 – 300 |
| Internet / Mobile plan | ~ USD 50 – 100 |
| Miscellaneous (healthcare, leisure, services) | variable |
Total monthly cost (single, modest-to‑moderate lifestyle): roughly USD 2,500 – 4,000+, depending on city, housing, and lifestyle.
For families, larger households, or those living in major cities, budgets will need to increase accordingly.
📦 Importing Household Goods & Personal Effects to the USA
At A1 Relocations, we handle the entire import process — from packing, shipping, customs clearance, to final delivery. Here’s what you should know when moving your household goods to the USA:
📝 Required Documents for Customs Clearance
- Copy of passport (all relocating family members)
- Copy of visa or permanent resident card / I‑94 stamp or card (for non‑US citizens)
- CBP Form 7501 — Customs entry summary
- Customs declaration (CF‑6059B)
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) or Air Waybill (AWB) – Provided by A1 Relocations
- Detailed inventory list in English
- Importer Security Filing (ISF) for ocean shipments
- Food questionnaire (if importing food)
- Other permits if required (e.g. for alcohol — depending on state / port)
For diplomats (A‑1 visa) additional documentation may be required: diplomatic visa copy, DS‑1504 form, etc.
✅ Important Conditions & Customs Policy
- Only used household goods and personal effects are eligible for duty‑free or informal entry.
- The goods must have been owned and used by you (or in your household) for at least 12 months prior to shipment.
- Do not mark items as “PBO” (Packed by Owner) or “Miscellaneous” — all items must be clearly listed, with description, material, quantity, value (in USD), and origin country.
- The owner must hold the appropriate long-term visa or resident status — short‑term tourist visas do not generally qualify for duty‑free household import.
- The ISF must be filed on time for ocean shipments — otherwise, penalties may apply.
- Customs has the right to inspect any shipment upon arrival. For full container loads (FCL), examination fees or handling charges may range widely depending on scope and complexity.
A1 Relocations coordinates all paperwork, ensures compliance, and helps minimize risk of delays or penalties.
🧳 Our Moving Services to the USA
When you choose A1 Relocations, you get:
- Expert packing tailored for international moves
- Door‑to‑door moving service
- Sea freight or air freight options depending on volume and urgency
- Full customs clearance support and documentation management
- Secure handling of used household goods / personal effects
Final delivery and unloading at your new address in the USA
📋 What to Know Before Your Move
- Costs of living vary widely depending on location — plan based on lifestyle and region.
- Housing and rent are often the most significant ongoing expense.
- Ensure that all required customs import documents are ready before shipment to avoid clearance delays.
- Use the detailed packing list — don’t leave items unspecified.
- Start coordination early: proper filing of ISF, shipping schedule, and documentation ensures a smoother move.
A1 Relocations is here to handle all operational, logistic, and administrative tasks — so you can focus on your new life in the USA.
🌐 Get in Touch — Start Your Move to the USA with Confidence
Whether you are relocating to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Houston, or anywhere across the United States, A1 Relocations has the experience, network, and services to make your international move easy and reliable.
Contact us today for a personalized quote and a tailored moving plan.
A1 Relocations — Your trusted partner for international moves, offering secure door‑to‑door services and expert import handling.
