There are 50 states in America and every one is unique, kind of like its own little country. California is geographically the size of the UK, more or less. Oregon is more or less the size of Scotland. New England is freezing in winter. Parts of some states on the west coast burn and choke in summer with the pollution and hillside fires. New York City is vibrant and alive but not a good place to be poor.
I have friends who live in California after moving there from Florida and although on paper their salaries are fantastic, in real life it's such an expensive state that it's not really the case. Going on holiday somewhere, or visiting relatives, is not the same as living there.
When you were working for an American company, was that in the UK or were you in the US or elsewhere? If it wasn't the US, then the people that you worked with would be likely to be some of the best educated Americans with something of an internationalised mindset.
Things that apply in every state:
- Trump is still President. I'm not sure the Democrats will EVER be in power again. Any day now he'll change his name to Caesar, rewrite the constitution unilaterally, and found the first American Family Political Dynasty. (Only half-joking.)
- Health insurance.
- In many states, an ingrained monoculture, sense of superiority of 'Merica, and a real lack of awareness of the rest of the world. That insularity (yes, I know, strange world to use about a megacountry) is only likely to get worse in the wake of COVID-19.
- Guns.
- The amount of sugar in food and drinks? It's eye-watering. Like you, I've visited several states there, north and south, for work and domestic reasons. To take one example, ordinary white bread tasted to me on a par with our Angel cake. And I don't know if it was just the states I visited, but for me the much touted value for money thing when it comes to food was really a myth. The portions were larger, that's all.
You mention you're an HCP; even in the current circumstances, are there no exchange programs that you could do for a few months, in an academic or hospital/care setting? It might give you a much clearer view of whether it's really the right match for you. Depending on the time frame, it'll also give you the opportunity to experience both culture shock and reverse culture shock.
Wherever you're living, the humdrum still has to be dealt with. And living abroad sounds like a wonderful adventure, and it can be, but it's really not all roses. I've done it, though not in the US. You still take yourself with you, wherever you're living.