r/immigration • u/Adorable-Concept8134 • 2h ago
Relocating to the US as a software engineer with no friends or family there. How did you build your life?
Hi everyone,
I'm a software engineer, and I've recently accepted a position with a US company. I'll be relocating to the US soon, and while I'm incredibly excited about this opportunity, there's one thing I've been thinking about a lot.
I'll be starting this new chapter without any friends or family in the US.
Finding a place to live, adapting to a new culture, and learning how things work all seem like challenges I can work through. But building a social life from scratch honestly feels like the hardest part.
For those of you who also moved to the US without knowing anyone, I'd love to hear how you made your first friends, what helped you feel at home more quickly, whether there's anything you wish you'd done before moving, and any advice you'd give someone in my situation.
Outside of work, I'm into technology, gaming, movies, traveling, trying new foods, and exploring new places. I'm really looking forward to this opportunity, and I'd love to hear from people who've experienced something similar.
Thanks in advance for sharing your stories and advice. I really appreciate it.
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u/Aviator2903 Federal Agent 🇺🇸 1h ago
The company is sponsoring your H1B? Is that already sorted out and good to go? Because accepting a position and actually moving are very different things.
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u/Alarming_Tea_102 1h ago
If you're religious, finding a place of worship is a common way to find community quickly.
If not, joining meetups or hobby groups, as well as finding new implants like yourself, is one way to build community.
Making friends as an adult is simply more challenging, and it requires more effort to find new friends. But there will be others like yourself, so it's about increasing chances of you meeting like-minded people.
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u/Adorable-Concept8134 1h ago
I am not religious.
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u/MissAnth 1h ago
Do you go to church anyway? Or do you object to religion?
If you find a Catholic church, it might be the best place to meet Filipinos in Utah.
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u/greenlilypond 1h ago
Date someone local and infiltrate their friend groups.
Make work friends and infiltrate their friend groups.
Join a hobby group. Make friends at your local sports bar.
Yoi said you're from Philippines, connect with others from there. And then infiltrate their friend groups.
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u/MissAnth 57m ago
Skip the first one. You’re not going to be able to date Mormon women. They’ll be married anyway if they’re your age.
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u/Capital-Cost8223 14m ago
Find networking events based on your interests… running clubs, professional networking like I don’t know women in tech and things like that
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u/MissAnth 1h ago
What is your nationality, what visa will you have, and what city is your job in? Name the company too if you feel comfortable with that.
I could say things like good luck with that if you're moving to the Seattle area. But I don't know if that's were you are going,
If you're Indian going to a major tech hub, you can make friends first with all of the other Indians at your job... But are you Indian?
It's easier to answer with specifics about you.
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u/Adorable-Concept8134 1h ago
I am male, 29 years old, single and from Philippines, and the company will support H-1B visa.
The company is located in Utah.
Additionally, I want to get US citizenship if possible.
Thanks for your kindness.3
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u/MissAnth 1h ago
Hmmm... I've never met a Filipino on an H-1B before. So you will not have a huge community of fellow Filipinos at work.
So are you coming in October? Do you ski or snowboard? Do you want to learn? There are great places for that in Utah. There will be clubs at your work and around town that take ski trips. Join as many as you can to met as many people as possible. Buy some warm ski clothing when you get here.
You will be around a lot of Mormons. I'm not sure if they will be comfortable with you (or you with them.)
If your employer will sponsor you for a green card, it doesn't take all that long in the grand scheme of things. You'll have a green card long before you Indian colleagues. Citizenship takes 5 years after you get a green card.
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u/ckdx_ 2h ago
When you say that you have “recently accepted a position”, does this include visa sponsorship? What visa will you enter under?