Coming to America

[stuartcnz]

After inappropriately posting on another thread about this, I figured I should start a new thread.
Why South Dakota? It's where my mother in law lives. on the western side of the state.
What kind of trucks will I drive? Big ones, they are what I am comfortable in, and there is generally plenty of work in them. The nature of driving is as yet unknown, but likely to be OTR (cross country) to begin with.

[Stealth Camper]

After inappropriately posting on another thread about this, I figured I should start a new thread.
Why South Dakota? It's where my mother in law lives. on the western side of the state.
What kind of trucks will I drive? Big ones, they are what I am comfortable in, and there is generally plenty of work in them. The nature of driving is as yet unknown, but likely to be OTR (cross country) to begin with.

Sounds good. I drove for a while, fulfilling a dream I had since I was about 4 years old... there are some really BAD companies out there! Covenant and US Express are two that come to mind from direct experience.

Rumor - and some friends experience - say that Crete Carrier (CCC) and Landstar are both good places, if you can get on with them.

Western side of state is where the interest is! All those attractions are concentrated to the left side of the state, and not too far away into Wyoming and Montana. We love Wyoming! Would like to live there a few months of the year. Hint: not winter! Starting to plan a vacation trip to Yellowstone and Jackson soon!

[stuartcnz]

Driving is my plan B option, but since I haven't figured anything else to do yet, that's what I will start with. Always good to have a plan B option, as this one has saved me before.

[Stealth Camper]

Did you make it here yet? We have lots of commotion going next week...gonna be a wild ride, I think.

[stuartcnz]

Yes I did make it. Still getting settled in. I now have a social security card, which in theory should make everything much easier, but not necessarily. Did my driver license theory test a couple of weeks ago, and doing the practical in a couple of days. Then I can start work on a CDL.
Was supposed to be getting a new car tomorrow (first time buying new), then the dealership said that it won't be here until next week.
Kinda feels like three steps forward, then two steps back at the moment, but things are slowly starting to come together.

[ol trunt]

Glad you are getting settled in. I'm sure it will be a culture shock but really, for the most part we are a pretty good bunch---most of us anyway. I hope I get to meet you one day as I surely have enjoyed knowing you through Nomadicista. Jack

[stuartcnz]

The two biggest issues I have had are dealing with the car dealer, and dealing with the bank. The car dealer, because they are car dealers, so struggle to behave honestly, and tend to be surprised when pulled up on it. And the bank, because they don't understand that a green card is a representation of I551 permanent residency, and not the permanent residency itself. The card doesn't get sent to me until about three to six month after arrival, but I551 status is issued when entering the States, on the relevant visa, and temporary documentation is entered into my passport, to use in lieu, until the green card arrives.
I can't get a social security card without I551 permanent residence, but since I do have it, have got a social security card, yet the bank still won't acknowledge the fact, so won't let me open an account under my own name. They will, however let me open one, if I declare that I am a U.S. citizen (as they have my SSN and State issued license ID. They didn't see the irony, when I pointed out to them that that would be fraud.
Other than that I have found the people around here to be quite welcoming, and government agencies, both local and federal to be very good to deal with.

[Stealth Camper]

The two biggest issues I have had are dealing with the car dealer, and dealing with the bank. The car dealer, because they are car dealers, so struggle to behave honestly, and tend to be surprised when pulled up on it. And the bank, because they don't understand that a green card is a representation of I551 permanent residency, and not the permanent residency itself. The card doesn't get sent to me until about three to six month after arrival, but I551 status is issued when entering the States, on the relevant visa, and temporary documentation is entered into my passport, to use in lieu, until the green card arrives.
I can't get a social security card without I551 permanent residence, but since I do have it, have got a social security card, yet the bank still won't acknowledge the fact, so won't let me open an account under my own name. They will, however let me open one, if I declare that I am a U.S. citizen (as they have my SSN and State issued license ID. They didn't see the irony, when I pointed out to them that that would be fraud.
Other than that I have found the people around here to be quite welcoming, and government agencies, both local and federal to be very good to deal with.

Good luck! I have found that banks are generally the worst financial institution around. I only use credit unions. Literally can do anything the bank will do as a 'banking' service, except let me set up an estate account for probate. I am being forced to a bank for that. And pretty much always better rates on loans, etc.

Irony of the green card is that it is white! Well, except for that one little green stripe. One of the descendants went thru that a few years ago and it was a pain all around.

Car dealers - right up there with banks in my mind! Don't know what kind of car you are getting, but I can strongly recommend NOT anything Chrysler! And having said that, I have a 1999 Dodge RAM 2500 diesel that I will never get rid of. But they put a million mile engine in a 60,000 mile body! I stay mad at it pretty much all the time! Another irony to my dislike for dealers - I found an old Hondapottamus Odyssey (2007) online for $3,000, with "only" 254,000 miles! At a new car dealer of all places! Went and looked at it. Trashed out beyond belief, had been used as a farm truck so was full of all the things from a farm, plus wood pellets for a pellet stove! Still finding those after 3 months! Anyway, I bought it and it has turned out ok so far. Cleaned up well with just some minor scratches on the outside. I get random check engine lights from a couple odd places that don't affect operation, so I ignore them. My capital costs for it so far have now dipped below $1.00 per mile! I figure if I can get 40,000 miles out of it, will be under 8 cents a mile, or about the same as the best I have gotten with other cars. Well, except the Dodge - at 355,000 miles, I am way under 1 cent per mile.

The snoopy part of me says keep us posted - it's always interesting to hear what's going on.

I have always found SD to be a friendly place! Very pretty! I love their summer thunderstorms and hate the winter weather! Ya got the Badlands there, too along with all the Black Hills stuff. And Wall Drug is not too far away and is a very interesting novelty for a drug store. Or for any kind of store...

[stuartcnz]

Bank in this instance is a credit union. They did give me a debit/visa card to our joint account, but it still makes things more difficult for accounting purposes, not being able to have a separate account yet.

Car dealer issues have been concluded. We got a base model AWD Subaru Impreza each. Both new, which is a first for both of us. Given the weather here, it seemed to make the most sense, though not what I was expecting to get, before arriving. I was originally planning on getting a used minivan, but when I saw what was on offer, and the asking prices, it didn't make sense.