Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Sep 29th 2005, 4:59 am
#16
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,271
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by dbj1000
I'm not sure my old post I linked to says anything that really disagrees with you or Angry White Pyjamas (best book in the world, by the way).
I simply point out that a) you don't have to follow the secured credit card route and b) it is possible to build up a FICO score relatively quickly if you can find a financial institution such as a Credit Union which is prepared to issue you with an unsecured credit card and finally that c) it is possible to obtain a prime mortgage rate within less than a year of arriving in the US.
I believe you that your credit score becomes more "robust" the longer you've had good credit - you know far more about credit matters than I do. My aim in posting details of our experiences was to counter some of the common responses on BE saying that it will take years to build up a credit score and be eligible for prime lending rates.
A question for FatBrit though: I recently applied for a higher limit on my main credit card (to avoid going over 30% of its limit each month) and was rejected. Will this have a significant impact on my FICO score?
I simply point out that a) you don't have to follow the secured credit card route and b) it is possible to build up a FICO score relatively quickly if you can find a financial institution such as a Credit Union which is prepared to issue you with an unsecured credit card and finally that c) it is possible to obtain a prime mortgage rate within less than a year of arriving in the US.
I believe you that your credit score becomes more "robust" the longer you've had good credit - you know far more about credit matters than I do. My aim in posting details of our experiences was to counter some of the common responses on BE saying that it will take years to build up a credit score and be eligible for prime lending rates.
A question for FatBrit though: I recently applied for a higher limit on my main credit card (to avoid going over 30% of its limit each month) and was rejected. Will this have a significant impact on my FICO score?
It is. See my last post. We achieved this within 10 months of being here and got prime. BUT you have to come prepared and luckily we did.
Sep 29th 2005, 5:01 am
#17
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by Angry White Pyjamas
We managed to circumvent the mortage problem by using our bank (BoA) who we have deposited a tidy sum with since we arrived here and going armed to the teeth with about 14 excellent and sparkling references from UK lenders going back 10 years or so of exemplary credit history and ex employers showing the last 10 years of continuous employment for both of us. The top trump it seems was our glowing reference from Royal Bank Of Scotland who the americans seem to hold in high esteem fiscally.
Last edited by dbj1000; Sep 29th 2005 at 5:03 am.
Sep 29th 2005, 5:04 am
#18
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,271
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by fatbrit
Yep -- if you fight a can get a channel through to the underwriter, you can certainly make it without. And the mortgage will do wonders for your credit score...
Also, 20 to 30 per cent down will sidestep a lack of (or poor!) credit history.
RBS seems to be more evidence of the lack of poor taste so many enjoy over here. Still, the Bank of Ngorna Karabak is probably more advanced then most US financial institutions.
Also, 20 to 30 per cent down will sidestep a lack of (or poor!) credit history.
RBS seems to be more evidence of the lack of poor taste so many enjoy over here. Still, the Bank of Ngorna Karabak is probably more advanced then most US financial institutions.
LOL too sadly so true. I was amazed at how behind the banking system and individual banks are here. Pay for banking? I dont think so! I haven't done that in years chummy! And those damned carbon copied checks...
Sep 29th 2005, 7:10 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Mid West >> UK
Posts: 1,239
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by Manc
Have you seen where Perth is on the map?
It's the most isolated city in the world. Nothing around it for miles and miles and miles.
At least if you want to get out of Chicago for the day you can go to Milwaukee.
It's the most isolated city in the world. Nothing around it for miles and miles and miles.
At least if you want to get out of Chicago for the day you can go to Milwaukee.
Sep 29th 2005, 8:51 am
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: back in Gods own country..
Posts: 4,007
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
I made a man choice today already... but we won't go into that.
You can get an AMEX before leaving the UK and have it transferred to the US once you have an address here; that will help with the credit rating.
You can get an AMEX before leaving the UK and have it transferred to the US once you have an address here; that will help with the credit rating.
Sep 29th 2005, 8:57 am
#21
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,877
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by dbj1000
That illustrates how widely people's experiences can vary. We got our mortgage after only 9 months in the US with no references and no documentation from the UK whatsoever. All we went on was our US credit history and the work of an excellent mortgage broker who had arranged mortgages for expats before.
we got a mortgage before we moved... here in fact before we had a visa
its a piece of piss getting a mortgage (they can take back the house ). Its the other credit thats the nightmare
Sep 29th 2005, 8:58 am
#22
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by woodsey
we were allowed to transfer our Amex here but not everyone can, not sure what the reason is maybe it just depends on how good a day the person on the other end if the phone is having but we have a friend who had a 'black' Amex and was told he could not transfer it in any way...
Before we moved, I called both MBNA and American Express (with whom we had cards in the UK) about this, and both of them said that their European operations are entirely separate from the US, and that we would have to get in touch with their US people. But the latter simply didn't want to know.
Sep 29th 2005, 9:04 am
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,578
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by Elvira
Before we moved, I called both MBNA and American Express (with whom we had cards in the UK) about this, and both of them said that their European operations are entirely separate from the US, and that we would have to get in touch with their US people. But the latter simply didn't want to know.
Sep 29th 2005, 9:22 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by woodsey
we were allowed to transfer our Amex here but not everyone can, not sure what the reason is maybe it just depends on how good a day the person on the other end if the phone is having but we have a friend who had a 'black' Amex and was told he could not transfer it in any way...
dont you have to be a millionaire to get a black amex - so your friend probably didnt care too much!
Sep 29th 2005, 9:24 am
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
Did you call after you had moved? I just asked to talk to their "international team" and all I was asked to provide was the new address and SSN then I had to pick a card.
me too - there used to be a link on here to the international page - i had no problems at all!
Sep 29th 2005, 9:37 am
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: MA, AZ, OR, TX...and... AZ again!
Posts: 280
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by Big D
me too - there used to be a link on here to the international page - i had no problems at all!
Sep 29th 2005, 9:53 am
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: back in Gods own country..
Posts: 4,007
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by Big D
dont you have to be a millionaire to get a black amex - so your friend probably didnt care too much!
Sep 29th 2005, 10:08 am
#28
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,877
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by Big D
dont you have to be a millionaire to get a black amex - so your friend probably didnt care too much!
"
he is very pissed off that he does'nt get the free BA upgrade anymore - my heart bleeds
Sep 29th 2005, 10:12 am
#29
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too man choices
Originally Posted by dbj1000
I'm not sure my old post I linked to says anything that really disagrees with you or Angry White Pyjamas (best book in the world, by the way).
Originally Posted by dbj1000
A question for FatBrit though: I recently applied for a higher limit on my main credit card (to avoid going over 30% of its limit each month) and was rejected. Will this have a significant impact on my FICO score?
BTW, some of the more devious CC issuers have happily been known to give you hard hits every time they do a review to ensure your score goes down and therefore you remain with them.
Sep 29th 2005, 12:43 pm
#30
Senior Moment
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,008
Re: Chicago or Perth equals too many choices
Originally Posted by NeilB
Hi,
A curious question but none the less.
The original plan was to move the NZ, company offices closed so end of that trail. I have now been offered positions in North America (with initial work in or around Chicago) and Perth in Australia.
Basically we are an “outdoors” couple who like both the beach and the winter climbing.
So what is travel like in north America, and how easy is it to rent a house establish bank accounts, credit cards etc in North America?
In many ways the internal management transfer is as much a negative as a positive with too many choices.
We like the idea of a suntan but not too sure for how long, equally we like the idea of a good winter but the potential regular travel and long hours is a negative.
Anyone else dealt with similar and if so how did they choose between two destinations and comparatively different life styles. End game is to settle and raise a family.
Any insights well received.
Cheers,
Neil
A curious question but none the less.
The original plan was to move the NZ, company offices closed so end of that trail. I have now been offered positions in North America (with initial work in or around Chicago) and Perth in Australia.
Basically we are an “outdoors” couple who like both the beach and the winter climbing.
So what is travel like in north America, and how easy is it to rent a house establish bank accounts, credit cards etc in North America?
In many ways the internal management transfer is as much a negative as a positive with too many choices.
We like the idea of a suntan but not too sure for how long, equally we like the idea of a good winter but the potential regular travel and long hours is a negative.
Anyone else dealt with similar and if so how did they choose between two destinations and comparatively different life styles. End game is to settle and raise a family.
Any insights well received.
Cheers,
Neil
