After deciding to move to Sacramento, there were several things I wished I had known in advance while preparing.

Where you live in Sacramento affects everything from schools to commuting to grocery store access. If you have children, you need to check the school district boundaries first.

School ratings vary significantly among districts like Sacramento City Unified School District, Elk Grove Unified School District, and Folsom Cordova Unified School District. Finding a home in a good school district is the starting point for your children's education. You can check school districts easily on GreatSchools.org by entering your address.

A car is essential. Sacramento is a city where living solely on public transportation is difficult. It's practical to arrange for a car before or right after your move. To drive in California, you need a California driver's license. If you are moving from another state, you must convert your license at the California DMV within a certain period. A Korean driver's license cannot be exchanged directly in California. You will need to pass a written test and a driving test to obtain a new California license. It's important to schedule a DMV appointment as soon as you arrive in Sacramento, as walk-ins often face long wait times.

Prepare to connect utilities in advance. You need to schedule service start dates for electricity (SMUD or PG&E), gas, and internet to align with your moving date. To avoid being without electricity on moving day, you should apply 1-2 weeks in advance. Major internet providers in the Sacramento area include Comcast Xfinity and AT&T, so book your installation early as it can take time to schedule.

Setting up a bank account and obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN) are also important tasks to address early on. An SSN is required to work or access financial services in the U.S. The eligibility for SSN issuance varies based on immigration status, so you need to check. You can sometimes open a bank account without an SSN using your passport and visa documents. Check with major banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase for their Sacramento branches.

Preparing health insurance in Sacramento is also crucial. If your employer provides insurance, you can handle it right after starting your job. However, if you are self-employed or need individual insurance, you should check ACA plans through Covered California (the California health insurance exchange). Subsidies are available based on income, and low-income individuals can receive free or low-cost insurance through Medi-Cal.

Connecting with the Korean community early on is beneficial. Korean churches in Sacramento can help you quickly build a network during your initial settlement. Even if you are not religious, connecting with Koreans through community centers or online groups (like KakaoTalk or Naver Cafe) can provide valuable local information. Many have had positive experiences posting in online communities about their upcoming move to Sacramento, receiving help from others. Adapting to a new city starts with connecting with people.