Schambo1

Hi all,

We moved to New Jersey a couple of weeks ago and are encountering a few teething troubles in getting up and running!

Firstly, bought a car at the weekend. Now need to arrange car insurance. Can anyone give me a steer as to who would be the best company to use out here for foreigners? Do we need a drivers permit in order to gain insurance?

Secondly, any tips on how we can build our credit rating out here?

Thirdly, on account of us not having any credit out here, it is proving extremely difficult to set up wi-fi, a home phone, cable tv, get a US cell phone etc without putting down astronomical refundable deposits. Any tips would be gratefully received!

Thanks in advance. I have found this site invaluable over the last few months!

Sarah

Pulaski

It is a slow and painful process. If you have had an Amex card for 12 months in the UK, you can get Amex to issue a card in the US. Getting a car loan through International Autosource has the massive ancillary benefit of building credit from day 1, but without the Amex or IA process it is likely going to take time. BTW do NOT keep applying for credit if you are rejected, because multiple rejections hurts your credit score, also don't keep applying if you're accepted either, as too many credit accounts opened too quickly will hurt your credit score. Anecdotally, I hear that store credit cards are often easiest to obtain, but only get one or two (if you can get them) and then use it/them regularly and your history will start to grow.
Put down astronomical refundable deposits.

Bob

Wiki for credit info, past threads on insurance and pay the deposits for the utilities or go without.

Would have been one of the first things you'd have found doing a quick search on here when doing some relocation research.

Schambo1

Thanks Bob. I will have a look.

Pulaski

I'm not sure what the law says in NJ, but most states require residents to obtain a local license within a short time of their arrival. 30 days is common, some states give less time than that. You need to get yourself down to the DMV office PDQ to get your licenses switched, or at least get the process started.

thinbrit

NJ is generous, 60 days.

Pulaski

OK, ...... but earlier is always better, for many reasons.

Michael

I believe that in most cases, car insurance premiums are higher when you have a foreign license.

Pulaski

So that's one reason, and perhaps the most significant one.

Bob

They also allow a swap of licence after the theory... One of very few that do.

AilsWallace

Hello,

We moved to nj on Sunday (25th August ) and have a rental car right now. Were you able to buy a car without an nj drivers licence? I know it sounds like a bit of a daft question but the move ended up being a bit rushed and research went out the window

hungryhorace

For what it's worth, mine was the same cost regardless of which licence was on my insurance. It only went down when I added my other half to the policy (who has a 99+ driving record).

Zez

We arrive next week but i'm in organisation mode to distract myself from moving nerves. i have already sorted out a mobile phone with tmobile. They will wave the $500 deposit And charge you the "good credit" rates with some visas. My husband's E2 was certainly one.

I've just sorted out our gas and electricity who were prepared to wave the deposit if I took out automatic payment (where they withdraw the amount from your bank account). Worth asking the Internet companies if they'll do the same?

hungryhorace

You'll soon be switching away from T-Mobile. They have zero 3G/4G coverage outside the major metropolis areas. Go to an AT&T store and go on their $60 unlimited plan if you have a smartphone.

I haven't found any utility providers ask now for deposits either. In fact, apart from my apartment, I haven't had to put security money down on anything. YMMV of course.

Are you aware of the procedure re obtaining SSN? Wait until 10 days (i believe) from when you enter at POE to apply to ensure you're on Homeland's SAFE system.

HartleyHare

We moved to NJ in June and have not had to pay any huge deposits.

Phones

My OH had his IPhone unlocked in the UK, and is with TMobile paying $50 per month for calls, text and data. No deposit necessary.

I have PAYG from AT&T. Paid $70 for the phone and put $25 credit on, of which I still have $10.

Verizon

Have basic TV package, Internet and land line. Paid $250 deposit.

Utilities

Gas & Electric - surprisingly, no deposit requested from PSE & G.
Water - included in rent.

Car

Leased through VW, $1000 deposit required.
Insurance - From Progressive (through a broker). This is the biggie - $1400 for 6 months! Also have renters insurance and umbrella insurance which brought the car insurance quote DOWN

Apartment Rental

Found through a realtor, so $2300 fee to them. 1 months rent upfront and 1.5 months rent as a deposit, so outlay of just over $8k an signing of lease. This was to be expected though. It is very expensive to rent in NJ, although I had quite specific needs - middle school, train, walkable downtown, dog and I don't drive either.

Driver's Licence

We had this sorted out before we leased the car, and it is possible to get your licence same day. You will need to go to an MVC that has the facilities to do the theory test. I did post the details in a previous thread, but I'm pushed for time at the moment so can't look it up.


Welcome to NJ and feel free to ask me any other questions you may have.