SETTLING-IN SERVICES

Our team at Destination Services: Oregon will provide local, customized settling-in services to employees, partners, and families during the initial transition to living in the Portland tri-county area. These programs are tailored to the individual and include the following activities.

“Our personal consultant was the first person we met when we relocated to Portland from Paris, we literally spent our first day with her and it was very reassuring to have her by our side. She answered all of our questions and made sure we had everything we needed to make a successful transition into our new life. She was resourceful, kind and patient and can even make the most tedious administrative tasks, easy and fun!

- British client relocating from Paris”

Settling-In Services Include:

Pre-Arrival Correspondence: email introductions and explanations; research as requested; may also include meeting in-person during preview trip.
Welcome Packet: maps; documents; driver’s manual; local information and resources.
Area Orientation: overall tour of neighborhood and community; plan commute routes to work; mass transit travel information.
Social Security Application: accompanied visit to social security administration to apply for social security number.
Banking: accompanied visit to bank to open account; discuss building US credit; application for credit card; contact for home mortgages as needed.
Driver's License: provide manual and accompanied visit to Dept. of Motor Vehicles for license knowledge test; arrange for driving lessons as needed.
Cars: provide information for sourcing a car, registering, plates, and title transfer; discussion on leasing vs buying; resources for car loans and insurance.
Medical System: explanation of US insurance system and definition of terms; assist with locations of nearby doctors and hospital; discuss office visits vs. urgent care vs. hospital visits.
Shopping: provide locations of nearby grocery stores, home and furniture stores, appliance and electronic stores; discuss differences in costs, inventory, variety of stores.
Post Offices: provide locations; website; discuss mail forwarding service.
Library: examine local branch locations; discuss programs and services; assistance with applying for a card when desired.
Hobbies & Interests: information for hobbies, classes, personal interests, places of worship, and recreation; register with local public community centers and/or private athletic clubs.

Additional Services for Families:

Childcare: explore options for childcare and parent support networks; accompanied tour of preschools and daycare centers.
Schools: discuss American school system in general; individual district and school websites; contact schools for visits and provide accompanied tour of schools in desired area. If families had received School Preview Support program, continue to provide tours and discussion as needed to make informed decisions.
Enrollment: assist with all district enrollment procedures and school registration; set up counselor meeting if needed.
Immunizations: provide list of required immunizations; help to set up doctor appointments if needed.
Hobbies & Interests: assist with finding local resources for partner and children for sports; hobbies; camps; and areas of interest.

“She gave me very great hospitality and she made me, as well as my family, comfortable this time and for the future.

- Client from Japan”