RustyDC

Hi guys - First post, just found out I got selected for H1B visa so pretty darn happy at the moment. Awaiting premium processing but as with everything I do I am a bit OCD on the details and try to get prepared for everything way in advance.

So in practical terms if all (hopefully) goes ok with the rest of the visa process (no reason to think otherwise) I am moving to North Virginia, D.C. Metro area so somewhere near the beltway (yes traffic sucks I know but I am an IT consultant and drive regularly in Birmingham, Manchester and London regularly so I will take it on the chin - my mileage will be going down so I can deal !!!).

I'll be headed out first for a few months with the wife and kids coming out after 6-8 months.

Main reason for this is for one reason and another (getting stuff straight UK side before we leave etc) I won't have a massive amount of cash to get set up with.

I have a $3k signing bonus from my new company in my first paycheck which is cool but I have to get TO the first paycheck !

I have done a ton of reading and by all accounts audi, vw & ford seem pretty well set up for expats with no credit rating.

Going to rent a car for the first month (something small and cheap) and then get something sorted thereafter.

got a few questions...

1. Plan is to rent a room or basement or apartment share from someone privately to keep costs down for 6 months initially but will this cause any issue when getting a lease as it's not a "proper" rental? Or as long as they are cool me getting mail sent there etc then are we all good?

2. How much deposit will I need for something sensible (focus, jetta, golf etc?) and do I have to buy something new? Rather fancy keeping costs to a minimum as such used would be preferable so I can get some cash squirrelled away for when the wife and kids come over so we have a bit of a safety net incase of any issues.

3. Driving test in Virginia - anyone any experience/pointers and what are the costs?

4. Any tips on opening a bank account aside from rocking up with a stack of cash (any ideas how much cash I will need minimum to avoid being laughed out of the branch), SSN, ID etc? Prefer to open it when I am there directly rather than link it back over here - few bad dings on my credit history over here after we hit some bumps during the financial bad spell lost jobs and a fair bit of mad scrambling to make ends meet and feed the kids resulted in some stuff just not getting paid - you do what you gotta do right? I know the history doesn't transfer over there but if its the same company I don't think they would ignore it (call me paranoid)

I would really appreciate any help on the above - already read a lot on these forums, very useful but didn't find anything definitive on the above and would welcome any pointers.

Thanks

Rusty

Hotscot

Many of us have used this lot if you do buy new.

http://www.intlauto.com/


The Ford Focus was ok but I didn't find the US version as nippy/zippy/comfortable as the UK one.

Sally Redux

Just thought I would say welcome although I don't know much about what you're asking.

I don't think your UK credit will matter, good or bad.

For a housing lease, ours just asked our salary and whether we'd ever been evicted in the past, they may have run a credit check though (they didn't say).

You should be able to google the DMV for your state to get the driving info. I think it's about $30 for the driving test in California.

I don't think you'll need a huge amount to open a bank account if you're going to get your salary deposited.

RustyDC

Cheers guys.

Any ideas on how much deposit needed for a car?

Was gonna rent for the first month then maybe put $3k down would that be enough do you think?

I'd prefer to buy than lease but i guess beggars cant be choosers

Whats the cost per month on a lease?

Sally Redux

Have a look at the International Autosource link in post #2 - that is useful if you want to set it up before you come.


Rough idea of cost here from Ford website:

http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/pricing/


Best Lease Offer
2014 Ford Focus
Focus S Sedan

$161/mo
36 month lease, $2570 due at signing
Security deposit waived. Excludes taxes, title and license fees.

Lack of credit history could make that more difficult though.

Bob

Deposit on a car will depend on the car.

Most adverts will be for new and with credit history, so don't depend on those quotes.

Get a beater and it'll not be a problem.

craigslist or padmapper.com to look for a sublet and they'll be as good as as much hassle as anywhere in the world.

Opening a bank account is easy. Most want a minimal deposit on opening, $100 for most, some even with less. Just need to show proof of ID and most likely want to show something with your local address.

RustyDC

Ok so spoke to int auto

Not hard to see why they get recommendations!

Looking at a spanking grand caravan sxt from them. Its worth going with intauto just to get your credit off the ground.

How would I get something with my home address if i am subletting and just moved in? What sort of thing are they after?

How about if I got my dmv license soon as I get out there?

Sally Redux

Who are you asking about?

I don't know about the subletting. You still get an address that way don't you?

It sounds a bit hole-in-the-wall; employers do have to pay you the market rate on H1B.

Hotscot

Isn't your employer offering relocation package/assistance?

RustyDC

Sorry I meant the bank as in they . If I have just moved in how will I have something with the address on it? Wont have any utility bills. I figured if I do my driving test straight away, dmv license has your address on it right?

Not hole in the wall at all. They are sorting me a great wage that I am well happy with and a signing bonus in my first paycheck as a relo package. They are offering any pointers etc possible and being super helpful.

I've been on the recieving end of some bad times over the past few years and we've had people around to help like family etc. we are going to be on our own with no backstop so i want to ensure we have a good rainy day fund. The relo package is basically a cash lump sum - i want to keep as much as possible aside incase of harder times and ultimately a bit towards a
nice deposit on a house further down the line if it all goes well.

I called a couple of dealers who say "we guarantee credit" but the rates are insane! Works out almost the same as a brand new and we geta decent jumpstart to our credit rating.

Pulaski

It is certainly a plus, and not one to be understated. I used them myself, .... I bought a Mustang GT, for the equivalent of £16k, when Ford UK was asking £16k for some mid range Escorts!

Despite Bob's oft-repeated recommendations to buy a beat-up used car, firstly US used cars are remarkably expensive, you might only expect to save 10%-15% over a new car by buying one that is two years old. Secondly, the average US driver drives like a gorilla with a lobotomy and wearing lead boots. I myself wouldn't rule out buying a used BMW one day, or a Viper, something "lovingly cared for" and borderline collectible, but I wouldn't touch a low-mid range used car with a barge pole.

RustyDC

Yeah the missis went a bit nuts initially when i said we would be dropping 30k on a car but when we sat down and went through the maths she came to the same conclusion as me.

As you say used stuff is expensive in the USA to the point of sillyness!

The equity built up in that first car will then help further down the line when the monthly payments come down too. Also you take into account they can hook you up with insurance that takes your uk history into account (11 years no claims) and it really starts making financial sense. Thanks for the help guys.

Sally Redux

Perhaps it's just the way you're expressing it - it sounds rather hazy.

When does the job actually start?

Flights alone are going to use up $3,000.

Noorah101

You probably won't be able to get a US drivers license until after you've been in the USA for 10+ days. You will most likely first need a SSN (which you shouldn't apply for prior to being in the USA for 10+ days, as it takes that long for your immigration status to show in SSA's database). By the time you get around to applying for a drivers license, you will have been in the USA a couple of weeks and should have some sort of stable US mailing address, even if it's a hotel. You can use that address for everything, and then change the address when you get a home of your own.

Rene

Bob

Not looked up the numerous threads then that address that?

Send yourself a postcard, then you've got your name on your address in a couple days and that'll be good enough as proof of residence for most banks. If not, it will be for the library and a library card is good proof of residence.

What your state needs for a drivers license, well look up the DMV site to see what they need.