Settling into life in Florida

Opening the restaurant is half the job. The other half, the one firms rarely mention, is landing a family in a country whose administrative codes and circuits it does not know. Relocations rarely fail because of the business: they fail because daily life never caught up.

What we do

• Help finding housing, with the rental market benchmarks for your city
• Support with school enrollment: public or private, school zoning, application calendar
• Driver’s license: Florida DMV process and exchanging a French or European license
• Opening American bank accounts, personal and business
• Applying for a Social Security Number or ITIN
• Building an American credit history from zero
• Choosing health cover for the family
• Setting up electricity, water, internet and mobile service
• Support and interpreting at your first appointments: DMV, bank, school

The credit history trap

You can arrive in Florida with thirty years of impeccable banking history in France and still be refused a simple phone contract: your record does not cross the Atlantic. In the United States everything is built from zero, and it governs renting a home as much as financing a car. We show you how to start that file in your first weeks.

And your spouse?

The spouse of an E-2 visa holder can work freely in the United States, for any employer or self-employed. Children under 21 attend school without a separate student visa. We help you prepare this side of the move in advance, so everyone finds their footing on arrival.

Your move, step by step

1. Before you leave. Choosing a neighbourhood around the school and the commute to the restaurant, health insurance, the family’s documents translated (school records, vaccination records).
2. On arrival. A rental home, U.S. bank accounts, phone and internet.
3. The first weeks. Social Security number, enrolling the children in school, the DMV appointment for a Florida driver’s license.
4. The first months. Building a U.S. credit history and, for your spouse, finding a job or starting their own business.

Frequently asked questions

Should we buy or rent when we arrive?

Rent first, in most cases. Without a U.S. credit history, landlords often ask for a larger deposit or several months’ rent upfront; renting also gives you time to get to know the city before buying.

Can my children attend public school?

Yes. The children of an E-2 visa holder can attend public school, and your home address determines the school. The school year starts in mid-August, a date to build into your project timeline.

Is my French driver’s license enough?

At first, yes. Once you are a resident, you need a Florida driver’s license, which means a written test and a driving test. We go with you to the appointment.

How much does health insurance cost?

It varies widely with the coverage you choose and the size of your family. It belongs in the overall budget from day one, and we put you in touch with a broker who compares the options.

Further reading: Moving to Florida With Your Family: School, Driver’s License, Bank, Health Insurance