The First Months
Opening a First American Bank Account With No Credit History
A bank that cannot see any record of you is not judging you badly; it is judging you not at all. That distinction changes which…
The First Months
The unglamorous logistics of the first ninety days, in the order they actually hit you.
21 articles · updated August 11, 2026 · page 1 of 2
The First Months
Why Your First Week Is a Dependency Chain and Not a Checklist
Almost every setup task in the United States asks for proof of something you can only obtain by finishing a different task first. Knowing the order saves a fortnight.
More in The First Months
The First Months
Why Almost Every American Form Asks for a Social Security Number
A number created for one narrow purpose became the spine of American identity by accident. Understanding what organisations are…
The First Months
The Case for Renting Badly for Sixty Days Before Renting Well
The worst housing decisions get made in the first fortnight, with no local knowledge and a suitcase in the corridor. Deliberately…
The First Months
What to Bring From India and What to Buy After You Land
Baggage allowance is finite and American shops are extremely well stocked. The useful question is not what you might want but what…
The First Months
The Twelve-Hour Flip and the Fortnight It Takes to Undo It
Jet lag from India to the United States is not tiredness; it is a body clock pointing at the wrong half of the day. That…
The First Months
Why Paper Mail Still Runs More of America Than You Expect
Coming from a country where everything arrives by SMS, the volume of consequential paper is startling. Missing one envelope can…
The First Months
Getting Around for Three Months Before You Buy a Car
Most of the United States is built around private cars, but the gap between arriving and owning one is entirely survivable if you…
The First Months
Reading an American Supermarket for the First Time
The size is not the difficulty. The difficulty is that the shelf logic, the pricing and the labelling all follow conventions nobody…
The First Months
Your First American Winter, and Why Layers Beat a Thick Coat
Cold that lasts for months is a different problem from cold that lasts for a week. The equipment, the housing and the daylight all…
The First Months
Getting the Lights On When No Utility Has Ever Heard of You
Electricity, gas and internet companies all run a credit check before they agree to bill you monthly. Without a record, they ask…
The First Months
Prepaid, Postpaid and the Credit Check Sitting Between Them
The mobile plan that costs less per month is the one you cannot get in your first week. Understanding why makes the first year's…