Originally Posted by park99

Yes I am sure we will have to rent to begin with. A friend has moved there 2 years ago and able to get mortgage and bought a house one year later. Hopefully we will be as lucky.

Originally Posted by park99

I did say I would like to continue to have friends from Europe and rest of the world, like we do here.But it's also natural to want to bond to other Brits expats, so I could share the moan about the lack of very English things (don't know what exactly yet, country pubs, greenery, I guess...)
I am very keen to live in a multicultural community and make friends with people who we share same interests, values and can have fun together, no matter what or who they are.

Originally Posted by park99

Thanks! very useful info. I was thinking that I could least do some voluntary work (not paid), but it seems this option is also out. I guess like you suggested, I would be busy with settling the family while husband at work.
Do you mind me asking how difficult is it to find work there after a gap on the CV? And the work experience from home, is it more or less accepted there, especially in my case I only worked for small companies , not Top 100?

Originally Posted by jkeller

If the job is with a large company in San Diego, like Qualcomm, they probably have an affiliation with a credit union as a company benefit. They should be able to help you with credit and mortgage questions. Ask the companies HR people about it.

https://www.sdccu.com

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise

1. Wells Fargo/Bank of America both offer mortgages to new arrivals on L+H visas. Since they cannot credit check you in the UK, they ask for a load of financial details to justify giving you a presumptive US credit score of 750. ( very good credit). From what I've seen, the interest rates are comparable to what you would get if you had been here for years and had a similar credit score. HOwever, you MUST apply before you have been here one year. After that, you no longer have access to this special treatment and they will use whatever credit you have in the USA to assess you.
2. Credit Stacks will give you a non-secured credit card with a $5k limit. The card is delivered as soon as your L or H visa is approved.
3.Employers will NOT act as guarantors for rent. I don't think they are even allowed to. They can organise a "corporate" lease for you, which is usually organised via a 3rd party and usually only short term. Be aware that this a taxable benefit and corporate leases are not cheap. Usually employees get corporate accommodation for 1 month but I've seen 6 weeks occasionally.
4. You can get an account with Wells Fargo or Bank of America on the day you arrive. None of the others because you won't have the documents they require. WF will give out temporary debit card and checks but Bof A recently stopped this,

In terms of relocation assistance - depends on your position in the company. Most multi-nationals subcontract this out and your employer will have a policy in place with the relocation management company which decides on your relocation package benefits. There isn't usually much flexibility but you can usually negotiate on a few points- Green card sponsorship timeline, rental car length extension for example. Personally, I would concentrate on getting the best salary + the best position in the company right at the start.
Make sure you do your homework on what the salaries are for SD - look on glassdoor.com etc.

Originally Posted by NYer

You're keen to live in a multicultural community - just without Americans, lol! I love the British Expats! (or near expats) - they take chutzpah to a new level.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321

Best credit union ever. I used to use them, great place.

Pretty much anyone in the surrounding area can join now.

To be eligible you just need to live or work in San Diego, Orange or Riverside Counties.

If you are not eligible from the above, if you employer uses them you can also join that way.

Originally Posted by Hotscot

park99 'bond to other Brits English expats, so I could share the moan about the lack of very English things'

Cough, cough...British as well..

Originally Posted by sherbert

You *can* volunteer. What you can't do is offer to work for free in a job that is normally a paid position. There are plenty of opportunities to be had at thrift shops (independent ones), food banks, homeless shelters, animal shelters etc. You can also look into Taproot if you wanted to do something more 'corporate'. It's a website that matches professionals to worthy/charitable projects on a pro bono basis.

I don't know about the gap in the CV - what's your profession? I assume it's easier in some sectors than others.

Originally Posted by park99

Thanks! very useful info. I was thinking that I could least do some voluntary work (not paid), but it seems this option is also out. I guess like you suggested, I would be busy with settling the family while husband at work.
Do you mind me asking how difficult is it to find work there after a gap on the CV? And the work experience from home, is it more or less accepted there, especially in my case I only worked for small companies , not Top 100?

Originally Posted by park99

You know that's not what I meant...

I am a big American culture fan , particularly rock music... when I was in California a few years ago I went to see many gigs..

Originally Posted by Hotscot

We go to tons of gigs. Greek Theater, Wiltern, Hollywood Bowl, Santa Barbara Bowl. Sometimes three in the same week.
In addition many big names from the UK, who play stadiums, come over here and do smaller places.