I am a Canadian in a relatively new tenure-track faculty position in the U.S., but I also went to grad school and did my postdoc in the U.S. I am currently going through the permanent residency (green card) process.
First, before you can get a green card, you'll need to be admitted in H-1B visa status. The international office (or its equivalent) at the U.S. institution should take care of that process in consultation with you. They can also help figure out the visa status for your spouse and baby. (I am single, so I don't know much about that aspect of the process.)
Second, there are fees associated with getting an H-1B and a green card. In your offer negotiations, I recommend asking for the university to state (in writing) what fees they will cover for you. My university covered the H-1B fees, but I'm responsible for all fees related to getting a green card (>$1,200). Important: If you'll have a relatively early start date (e.g., before August), then I strongly recommend getting "premium processing" for the H-1B application, even though it costs more than standard processing. The process can take several months and, depending on your institution, you may not be allowed to teach until you are approved in H-1B status. I didn't get approved until one week before the start of semester in August, despite filing the application back in March, because my institution opted for standard instead of premium processing. More generally, push the university to get your application in ASAP.
Third, once you have your H-1B, you'll be able to start the green card process. Much to my surprise, my international office informed me that they are not legally allowed to help with that process (although I did receive some informal advice about how to proceed). Some people hire a lawyer to help them with the forms, but as I've been going through the forms, they seem fairly straightforward if you take the time to read instructions. However, things might be more complicated in your case due to your spouse and baby, so you might consider getting a lawyer for the green card process.
I hope that helps with respect to visa/green-card issues. Your institution's international office should help you with the initial aspects of the process, so I recommend getting in touch with someone there ASAP after the offer is a done deal.
Regarding cultural differences: I had a white, middle-class upbringing in a large city in Canada. During my time in the U.S. (over 10 years now), I've lived in the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic region (not East Coast), and the South, both in large and small cities. I did not experience any culture shock and found it easy to live in each place. There are some minor differences in language and terminology, different temperature scale and currency, some different products/brands, etc., but the transition was pretty seamless for me. However, I can adapt quickly and I have modest standards, so my experience may not match that of others.
I/O (guest) 11 Dec 2014 17:11
