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Also a note on the rental homes that do not accept pets. I am a landlord myself and when I initially listed my home for rent, I was told by my agent that it would be a good idea to put in there "No pets." However, almost every single person that was interested in my rental home had a pet and asked if I'd make a special consideration. I did end up doing just that, and charged just a bit more for a pet fee in case the worst case scenario occurred and the pet destroyed something. So, don't be afraid to ask about the pet policy especially since you've got small dogs.
We do not have sales tax on clothing which is a really great bonus. There is a 7% tax on just about everything else though. Taxes vary from state to state, but you may already be aware of that.
My ex husband is Canadian and when he moved here he just traded in his license and got a Pennsylvania one. He did not have to take a test. I am not sure how this works with an international license though.
We do have one Tim Hortons as well! It is near the Meadows Casino in Washington, PA.
Shut. The. Front. Door! A Timmies? I will have to Google to see where it is. Now I know where our first Sunday drive will be. haha OMG! I haven't had Tim Hortons in years!
I wish I still had my Canadian license, but I wasn't able to trade it in for a Dutch license and after living over here for 10 years or so I finally just let it lapse. So, now I have only my Dutch one. I never imagined I'd be moving to the US, or even back to Canada, so it never crossed my mind. Not that I wouldn't want to move to Canada, of course, just until my husband connected with this company we were pretty settled in the Netherlands.
I was wondering about that with the pets. I think if I was renting a place I would do the same, advertise for no pets and then later settle for someone with them if I had to. I thought that when the time comes that we can properly look for a place, if I see somewhere that we really like and it says no pets, I'll probably msg to ask. Not the "Absolutely no pets, no exceptions!" places though, they really mean business :P
Shut. The. Front. Door! A Timmies? I will have to Google to see where it is. Now I know where our first Sunday drive will be. haha OMG! I haven't had Tim Hortons in years!
I wish I still had my Canadian license, but I wasn't able to trade it in for a Dutch license and after living over here for 10 years or so I finally just let it lapse. So, now I have only my Dutch one. I never imagined I'd be moving to the US, or even back to Canada, so it never crossed my mind. Not that I wouldn't want to move to Canada, of course, just until my husband connected with this company we were pretty settled in the Netherlands.
I was wondering about that with the pets. I think if I was renting a place I would do the same, advertise for no pets and then later settle for someone with them if I had to. I thought that when the time comes that we can properly look for a place, if I see somewhere that we really like and it says no pets, I'll probably msg to ask. Not the "Absolutely no pets, no exceptions!" places though, they really mean business :P
Now I want Tim's... darnit!
I figured that as a Canadian, you'd probably miss your tims. I lived near Toronto for a while and know they're on almost every corner.
I hope you're able to find a place that will accept your dogs, I found that almost every person that was looking to rent my house had a pet. I'm glad you're going to bring your dogs with you, a lot of people would just leave them behind and say oops sorry we are moving and can't take the dogs. I can't stand it when people do that.
SI thought that when the time comes that we can properly look for a place, if I see somewhere that we really like and it says no pets, I'll probably msg to ask. Not the "Absolutely no pets, no exceptions!" places though, they really mean business :P
I have friends going through the one pet situation trying to rent a place. I went through the same situation and see it now while looking at places. If the ad says no pets, they aren't flexible. Don't waste your time. Renting is THAT common here. Some of my friends and I are holding off getting a dog or cat because we don't want to be limited on future moves within the city. Your best bet would to get a place that requires a pet deposit instead of trying to haggle your way in to an apartment or house that states no pets.
It's been a while since I rented, but I agree with Osirus. I had cats when I was renting and I found that private landlords can sometimes be more willing to rent to a pet owner once they meet you. If you make a good impression, it can go a long way. There are always those that are deadset against allowing pets, but it doesn't hurt to ask if you see a place you are really interested in.
I figured that as a Canadian, you'd probably miss your tims. I lived near Toronto for a while and know they're on almost every corner.
I hope you're able to find a place that will accept your dogs, I found that almost every person that was looking to rent my house had a pet. I'm glad you're going to bring your dogs with you, a lot of people would just leave them behind and say oops sorry we are moving and can't take the dogs. I can't stand it when people do that.
We could never leave our dogs behind, I think we'd call off the move first. We are 40, with no kids, they are our babies (although we're not so far gone that we forget they are actually dogs haha). I do hate the idea of flying them, but hopefully it will just be the one time.
I lived outside Toronto for a while as well! First in Bowmanville, then Whitby and finally North York before moving over to the Netherlands. I'm originally from Cape Breton but also lived in PEI in between.
It's been a while since I rented, but I agree with Osirus. I had cats when I was renting and I found that private landlords can sometimes be more willing to rent to a pet owner once they meet you. If you make a good impression, it can go a long way. There are always those that are deadset against allowing pets, but it doesn't hurt to ask if you see a place you are really interested in.
I'm not sure we'll be there for the viewings. My guess is that we'll probably have someone from that side go check out whatever place we want to see, take more pics and organize it for us before we go. I'm not 100% sure. Maybe the company will fly us over to check places ourselves but it's doubtful.
We could never leave our dogs behind, I think we'd call off the move first. We are 40, with no kids, they are our babies (although we're not so far gone that we forget they are actually dogs haha). I do hate the idea of flying them, but hopefully it will just be the one time.
I lived outside Toronto for a while as well! First in Bowmanville, then Whitby and finally North York before moving over to the Netherlands. I'm originally from Cape Breton but also lived in PEI in between.
I would do the same if I couldn't take my pets. I think its really common for pets to travel on airlines now, so hopefully this will be the only time you'll have to.
Welcome to Pittsburgh. Hope your move here goes smoothly. I came to this country a few years ago on a student visa and I'm currently on an H-1. Let me share my perspective:
1. Social Security
Social Security Administration is a Federal Government agency responsible for administering the Social Security program. Pittsburgh Office is downtown, close to your husband's workplace at 921 PENN AVE PITTSBURGH, PA 15222
Set a reminder on your phone to visit this office exactly 10 days after entering the United States and apply for a Social Security Number for your husband (it does take a while for your information to be synced across all government systems, so it is a good idea to wait 10 days). He will get a Social Security card that says "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION". SSN is the de-facto ID number in this country and it is very difficult to get things done without it. Read this.
Also, for yourself - get a letter from the Social Security Administration saying you are ineligible for a Social Security Card/Number. That will help you get a driver's license. Read this and this.
2. Credit
A credit score/history is very-very important in modern American society. Any "history" from a foreign country does not transfer. A credit card is the easiest way to build a credit history. Your best bet would be to go to a credit union (like a bank, but owned by it's members) once you're here and open a Checking and Savings account with them. And then use this credit union to apply for a credit card. Unlike bigger credit card companies, or online applications, a face-to-face meeting with a credit union employee will give you a much higher chance of getting a credit line - which will eventually give you a credit score. I personally ended up getting a very low-limit (~$300-$400) credit card from my credit union once I had an on-campus job. It helped me with building a score and eventually getting a car loan and other higher limit "normal" credit cards that are usually advertised in mainstream media.
Another option is to check CapitalOne because they might have credit cards for people with low/bad/no credit.
3. Driver's License
Department/Bureau of Motor Vehicles (DMV/BMV) are state level agencies that issue driver's licenses in the United States. You can drive here with an international driver's license for upto a year. The process for my driver's license was: Written Test -> Learner's Permit -> Wait 3 months -> Driving Test -> Driver's License. But it was in a different state, so Pennsylvania rules might be different.
What they WILL need is a bunch of documents (Here's a list). Here's information on obtaining a new Driver's License.
4. Taxes
Somebody mentioned early on in this thread that H-1Bs do not pay Social Secirity/Medicare taxes. That is only partially true. Vast majority of H-1Bs DO pay the Social Security/FICA taxes. I am not sure how this misconception has propagated, but most of my coworkers though I paid lower taxes. Not true.
However, your country might have a treaty with the US that gives you a 2nd Standard deduction on top of the normal standard deduction (example). While nominal, it helps. Also, your husband will be a Nonresident Alien for tax purposes and unless you own a home, just file a 1040NR-EZ for your taxes and opt for a Standard Deduction (vs Itemized Deductions). Most commercial tax software (Turbox Tax etc) won't be of much help because they are not usually equipped to handle non-citizens. US Taxes aren't that hard to do on your own, so I would suggest reading the instructions for the forms you will be submitting. Or you could always go to a specialized accountant/CPA that deals with Non-citizens. Unfortunately, I have always done my own taxes and cannot recommend a person.
5. Housing
Might not work for you, but have you considered getting a month-long AirBnB/VRBO/HomeAway rental while you figure out your way around the city and get yourself familiarized with the culture and vibes of different neighborhoods? Might work in your favor to do something like that.
I have always rented from individuals rather than companies, so credit check has not been an issue. And most reasonable landlords will take a month's rent as security deposit in lieu of a credit check once you explain your situation.
Sorry I haven't replied recently, was on holiday and during that time we were really thrown for a loop. All of my hard work researching Pittsburgh was for naught, and I am more confused than ever.
The company no wants us to move to Texas, in the Dallas area.
Obviously, as Europeans (well I am Canadian with Euro citizenship) moving to the US was daunting. Our head is full of stereotypes when we think of Texas (guns, Trump voter territory etc) and we are very, very confused. They are open to us staying in Europe and my husband continuing to work remotely, but really want him over there. We have no kids, so it's just the two of us we'd be uprooting (and our dogs), but... whew.
So that's the end of Pittsburgh for us, sadly... we were so looking forward to moving there. I do appreciate all of your time and advice, though, thank you very much!
If you have thoughts on Europe / Pittsburgh / Dallas, Texas comparisons, thoughts, advice, ways to talk me off the ledge haha I'd love to hear them!
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It is near the Meadows Casino in Washington, PA.
I lived near Toronto for a while and know they're on almost every corner. 
I do appreciate all of your time and advice, though, thank you very much!
