Finally arrived in SF
Jul 4th 2017, 3:56 am
#16
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Thanks for your advice . I have been to Wells Fargo today and set up a debit account with them. However for the credit card, I was told I can have one only is I put some deposit . For example, I give them 500 usd and then they will give me 500 used limited. I was told that's my only option for credit card, do u know if it is true ? I m thinking to check Bank of America next time .
Jul 4th 2017, 4:47 am
#17
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Thanks for your advice . I have been to Wells Fargo today and set up a debit account with them. However for the credit card, I was told I can have one only is I put some deposit . For example, I give them 500 usd and then they will give me 500 used limited. I was told that's my only option for credit card, do u know if it is true ? I m thinking to check Bank of America next time .
Typically they will graduate to an unsecured card over time and you'll be refunded the original deposit amount.
Given you'll probably be accepted by any card issuer for a secured card, I recommend you shop around. I found Discover to be a good deal, but their acceptance outside of the US is minimal.
Jul 4th 2017, 11:41 am
#18
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Lovely to hear!!! I didn't stop crying through security when we left and then started up again on the plane when talking to a stewardess!! (Slightly embarrassing)! You are not alone! 😂! We have been hear a couple of weeks now and whilst we aren't settled as we are in temp accommodation still, things have gone well and we feel settled in ourselves. On our first weekday were able to set up a bank account and go for our social security which came in the post last week. My only thing we weren't expecting cost wise was in NJ is seems to standard that if you are renting that the tenants pay the realtor's brokerage fee which is typically a months rent. That was an expensive shock to us so definitely worth checking out in your area. I hope you have a wonderful time and look forward to your updates.
Jul 4th 2017, 11:46 am
#19
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
This is known as a "secured credit card". It's perfectly legitimate and is used by people without credit or building credit.
Typically they will graduate to an unsecured card over time and you'll be refunded the original deposit amount.
Given you'll probably be accepted by any card issuer for a secured card, I recommend you shop around. I found Discover to be a good deal, but their acceptance outside of the US is minimal.
Typically they will graduate to an unsecured card over time and you'll be refunded the original deposit amount.
Given you'll probably be accepted by any card issuer for a secured card, I recommend you shop around. I found Discover to be a good deal, but their acceptance outside of the US is minimal.
Jul 4th 2017, 11:49 am
#21
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
If you have no USA credit score then I don't see you getting a normal one for some time.
Unfortunately/fortunately depending on how you look at it, credit checks aren't global.
Jul 4th 2017, 11:50 am
#22
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Jul 4th 2017, 11:53 am
#23
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Discover is a card network like visa or MasterCard, but their presence is pretty much just the USA.
If you have no USA credit score then I don't see you getting a normal one for some time.
Unfortunately/fortunately depending on how you look at it, credit checks aren't global.
If you have no USA credit score then I don't see you getting a normal one for some time.
Unfortunately/fortunately depending on how you look at it, credit checks aren't global.
Jul 4th 2017, 11:56 am
#24
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Jul 4th 2017, 1:13 pm
#25
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Our first year here we set out to do an errand, and on heading home found most of our town completely blocked off for the 4th July parade...so we were stranded for an hour and a half in a parking lot.
We gave in and walked up a few blocks to watch the parade.... The milk went off, but what else can you do? Welcome to America!!
Last edited by WEBlue; Jul 4th 2017 at 1:17 pm.
Jul 4th 2017, 2:37 pm
#26
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
You may find this wiki page useful: Fatbrit's Guide to Credit and Finance : British Expat Wiki
Jul 4th 2017, 4:06 pm
#27
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Apartments and condos are springing up all over the place. There's a building frenzy going on
https://www.zillow.com/dublin-ca/
Jul 4th 2017, 5:45 pm
#28
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
A good website as well as Zillow is www.realtor.com, we found our rental of there and each listing comes with useful info on schools that are assigned and local amenities etc. Also on the the credit card front if you had a uk Amex you may be able to transfer it to a US one. Think you need your ss number to do it and something we are just about to try!
Jul 5th 2017, 12:54 am
#29
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
Depending on where you are in the city there may also be illegal fireworks being let off in the street and, perhaps, a few people shooting guns in the air (although that is probably more common at New Year).
Jul 5th 2017, 1:51 am
#30
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Re: Finally arrived in SF
It took a couple of weeks for them to process it and issue the cards for us.