Hi,

I am planning on going to the U.S.A to meet some business partners, and also to undertake a GMAT preparation course. I plan to give the GMAT at the end of September 2004, and ideally would like to do a GMAT preparation course in the U.S.A (I am currently working in Asia).

During this period, I would also like to visit some colleges in U.S.A (purely visit, not join). I have a long term B1/B2 status visa, and have travelled extensively, including having recieved an undergraduate degree from a good U.S. college, and made many social trips to the USA over the years.

I was considering doing the princeton review preparation course, which is offered all through out the U.S.A.

I have friends living in the Sunnyvale, CA (94089 zip code) area, thus I may consider staying there, but am really flexible in where I live for this 2-3 month period. Can anyone help me:

1) What are good options for places that I can stay for 2-3 months, and would have basic amenities, e.g. kitchenette, tv, high speed internet (if not, then i should have access to be able to install the service), washer/dryer, etc.

I am not looking for anything upscale like corporate residence. Any suggestions on where to look....e.g. extended stay hotels, short term apartments?. I am on a budget, and location is anywhere in the USA

2) Any suggestions on how I can rent a car for the period that I am. Once again, I am on a tight budget. I have owned a car before in the USA, and have a valid USA driving license, credit history etc.

3) Any suggestions on location....low cost of living, e.g accomodation, car rental, food is a priority.

Thank You
Andy

I am the least qualified person to give any US-related answers but...

...this sounds like a friggin concentration camp!

You can find the amenities you are looking for all over the country. Let's start with the basics:

1. You will be here in the autumn. Do you wish to experience a true fall experience with colorful leaf foliage and breezy cool weather?

2. Do you prefer the desert? The tropics? The South? The mountains?

3. The most colleges in any one metropolitan area are in Boston. You might want to find some place in the Boston area so you can get the full academic environment, fabulous autumn weather, and the fun of a city.

San Antonio has cheap extended stay hotels. For example, the Warren Inn on Fredricksburg Road and 410. The signs has cheap weekly rates and monthly rates. I do not remember the exact rate but it is about 500 to 600 per month furnished with all utilities. Also, many apartments, not the nice ones, will rent for 3 months.

As to a rent a car. You can only rent a car for upto 30 days. With weekly rates and taxes, that would not be a good option. I would buy a used car. You would probably be able to sell it for what you paid for it, unless you put on substantial miles.

Check out the "Extended Stay America" hotels. They are usually pretty ok. I would recommend somewhere further south than Boston simply because Boston is $$$. The Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area has lots of universities and is not too expensive. I agree that buying an old used car for $1500 and selling it at the end might be the best bet.
Good Luck!

I am planning on going to the U.S.A to meet some business partners, and also to undertake a GMAT preparation course. I plan to give the GMAT at the end of September 2004, and ideally would like to do a GMAT preparation course in the U.S.A (I am currently working in Asia).

Although you have been here before, welcome to the States! I hope you enjoy living here. When I lived in Jakarta, Indonesia -- I always loved visiting SIN for the weekend.

During this period, I would also like to visit some colleges in U.S.A (purely visit, not join). I have a long term B1/B2 status visa, and have travelled extensively, including having recieved an undergraduate degree from a good U.S. college, and made many social trips to the USA over the years.

I was considering doing the princeton review preparation course, which is offered all through out the U.S.A.

I have friends living in the Sunnyvale, CA (94089 zip code) area, thus I may consider staying there, but am really flexible in where I live for this 2-3 month period. Can anyone help me:
Sunnyvale (I used to live there - 94087 zip) will be very expensive. If cost isn't a problem -- great! But otherwise, you can live almost anywhere else in the US for less.

1) What are good options for places that I can stay for 2-3 months, and would have basic amenities, e.g. kitchenette, tv, high speed internet (if not, then i should have access to be able to install the service), washer/dryer, etc.

Lots of cities in the US have extended stay hotel places. Once you've selected a city, just use Google to find them. I'd say that overall they'll probably run about $250/wk. Of course, that will depend quite a bit on where you are. Most of them will have everything you are asking about above.

I am not looking for anything upscale like corporate residence. Any suggestions on where to look....e.g. extended stay hotels, short term apartments?. I am on a budget, and location is anywhere in the USA

2) Any suggestions on how I can rent a car for the period that I am. Once again, I am on a tight budget. I have owned a car before in the USA, and have a valid USA driving license, credit history etc.

You might consider going to an independent car rental place (Not Avis, Hertz, etc) and trying to strike a deal with them. Especially if you are willing to pay in advance, and take a less than new car -- you might be able to work something out.

3) Any suggestions on location....low cost of living, e.g accomodation, car rental, food is a priority.
This one is hard. It depends on what you like! In general some of the more expensive places in the US include, New York, many other east coast cities, San Francisco Bay Area and of course Hawaii or Alaska. Some places that I have visited and rather liked (remember that this is just my opinion) and found fairly inexpensive include, San Antonio Texas, Boise Idaho, and Salt Lake City Utah.

you might want to edit this post..it's rather rude...

I would echo the San Antonio or Austin locations...lots of extended stay type hotels, cities but not just a "big city" feel


Salt lake is a nice city but don't think it gives as good a flavor of the States as other more secular cities...I found it a very unfriendly place if you're not Mormon

As for renting a car - were you going to rent to drive from city to city or around the city you choose to live in..depending on the city area you choose oyu may just rent for a few days at a time...

Avis had a decent long term (to 3 months) rate on their website a bit ago..don't know if it's still available..you might have to join Avis preferred to get to it...Other than that, local car dealers in whatever area you choose may have better short term lease rates..altho they are still likely to be pricey

You may have a problem with this depending on the interpretation of the BCIS agent at the POE.

INA 214.2(b)(7) was modified in April 2002 to reflect the inelgibility for dual-intent while in B-2 status (thus preventing change of status applications from B-2 to F-1). Prior to that there was specific provision that permitted a B-2 to enroll in upto 18 weekly hours of courses incidental to the purpose of the visit. That specific provision was removed in 2002 but no specific prohibition has replaced it. Some agents interpret this to mean that there is an implied prohibition but others interpret the lack of a specific prohibition to mean that incidental activities such as part-time classes are consistent with B-2 status.

I suggest you look into it and get a written interpretation from the BCIS or State Department prior to your trip to avoid any hassles at POE or subsequently.

A good thing to do would be go to the American Embassy or Consulate and speak with someone there. They have books that will list the MBA programs and have ratings for them. This is what we did when my husband was looking at getting an MBA. Then try and narrow down where you want to attend. This will give you a better idea of where to spend time and what universities to look at when you come. Make an appointment and talk to the graduate schools to see what they offer. Different schools have ties to different industries and business sectors. You would be suprised at how friendly and accomodating many of them are. Of course many schools use your GMAT to decide if you get in.

Any help I can give just let me know. We've been through it.

Along similar lines...

How would I go about ensuring medical insurance is adequate? I've never had any medical insurance before (being UK-based), other than travel insurance, which would not cover such a stay. It's a concern as I have two minor conditions which require ongoing treatment, and one past major one, which has seen me denied health insurance in this country.

Another thought came to me today:

If you end up in a college town, you can probably check with the school's housing office for some leads. You might find a student/some students with a room for rent in an apartment or house. This would probably be substantially cheaper than any sort of commerical/hotel based solution. It's worth asking about...

If you decide to stay in rather expensive areas (that includes Sunnyvale )
consider pricelining hotels. It may turn out cheaper and more flexible that renting and you'll get full service. Check priceline forum and references therein.
Also if you plan to travel to schools it may be worth staying next to major airports with heavy discounter presence. Boise, ID itself may be inexpensive but a few trips to, say, east coast would be tough on your budget.
If you have good friends - consider staying nearby, it's almost certain that sooner or later you'll need some help.
Also maybe just drive across US: plan your trip around college visits and blend in national parks, landmarks etc. I wish I had a few weeks to do that.

Dear Friends,

Thank You all for your help. I have decided to do the necessary GMAT related preparation etc. in my home country itself, since new work related demands have cropped up.

Thank You for taking the time to read my post and give your valuable inputs.

Thanks
Andy