The USA is vast – it’s made up of fifty states, after all – which means if you’re planning a bucket-list trip there, the chances are that you’re going to want to stay as long as possible. If you’re in the fortunate situation that you can comfortably spend a significant period of time in the USA, then here is some useful information before you jet off to America.
Research Your Visas
You will need the appropriate visa depending on how long you intend to travel in the USA, which country you are coming from and what you intend to do during your time in America. For example, will you require a working visa if you plan on finding employment during the course of your visit? Or do you only need a tourist visa? Ensure that your visa is also applicable for the length of time you wish to stay. An ESTA has a maximum duration of 3 months, for example.
You Might Want to Contemplate Real Estate
Instead of hopping from hostel to hostel or paying for long term accommodation choices, if you’re serious about a long-term stay in America, or you would like to have the option of a holiday home that you can easily rent out, then real estate may be a good venture. SC real estate law means you can consult with a professional lawyer should any issues arise with your real estate plans, or if you need legal planning advice.
Plan What You Would Really Like to Do
Due to the sheer size of the USA, even a long-term trip might not enable enough time to see and do everything. By properly planning out your desired itinerary and making a priority list of the experiences you would like to have, you can make sure that the most important ones are fulfilled. Consider:
- National parks
- Theme parks
- Museums and culture
- Famous landmarks
- Festivals and certain events
- Beaches and mountains
Decide on Your Maximum Budget
It’s often hard with longer trips to plan the budget you will have. More long-term travel plans mean more possibilities of unexpected costs arising, as well as a larger budget needed for unavoidable expenses such as food and accommodation. A longer travel plan also means more wiggle room in terms of plans changing, and the possibility of discovering unexpected places or events on a whim. You should, therefore, have a maximum budget, which also incorporates a lot of spare cash for spontaneous decisions and spending money.
Decide How You’re Going to Get Around
Depending on which places you want to visit, certain transport methods might be preferable to others. An obvious choice for a long-term USA trip is to hire a car so that you have the freedom to travel from place to place. However, you also have the option to take flights between states and across the US. If the latter, you will need to incorporate extra time into your routine to ensure smooth transitions between flights.
