New to Dallas - Some Qs
Apr 21st 2018, 10:54 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 142
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
Great to see a fellow West Londoner and wife coming to Dallas.
We moved to mid-town Dallas (75 & Caruth, The Village) from Shepherds Bush over 4 years ago. So far, so good. We had the same feeling about going straight to a suburb. Although it became an inevitability just before our baby girl arrived a few years ago and now we are in West Plano.
Not sure if you've got here yet, as its been almost a month since this thread started, but if so and you need any help with anything - feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to help.
Welcome to Texas !
We moved to mid-town Dallas (75 & Caruth, The Village) from Shepherds Bush over 4 years ago. So far, so good. We had the same feeling about going straight to a suburb. Although it became an inevitability just before our baby girl arrived a few years ago and now we are in West Plano.
Not sure if you've got here yet, as its been almost a month since this thread started, but if so and you need any help with anything - feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to help.
Welcome to Texas !
Not yet there but still on the plan, internal approvals from the company and visa is taking longer than initially expected.
So, still in Fulham.
I’ll let you know once I get there.
Btw, how is the area to live (The Village)?
Plano I kind of know as I do have a couple of friends there.
May 5th 2018, 8:55 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2014
Location: Plano, TX. Originally from Bromley, England
Posts: 56
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
I am up in Plano, North Dallas area.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
Cars - just make sure to do your research before leaping in to buy. Carmax can be slightly more expensive sometimes I have found.
Car Insurance - I use Amica, they were very helpful with my UK driving history (plus they took my history verbally over the phone), and have always given me the best rates so far. They logged me as having been driving since the date I passed my test in the UK too (all the way back in 2005 :P). Right now I am paying about $130 p/m for insurance with them, and that is for pretty good comprehensive coverage too.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
Cars - just make sure to do your research before leaping in to buy. Carmax can be slightly more expensive sometimes I have found.
Car Insurance - I use Amica, they were very helpful with my UK driving history (plus they took my history verbally over the phone), and have always given me the best rates so far. They logged me as having been driving since the date I passed my test in the UK too (all the way back in 2005 :P). Right now I am paying about $130 p/m for insurance with them, and that is for pretty good comprehensive coverage too.
May 5th 2018, 9:01 pm
#18
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 142
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
I am up in Plano, North Dallas area.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
Cars - just make sure to do your research before leaping in to buy. Carmax can be slightly more expensive sometimes I have found.
Car Insurance - I use Amica, they were very helpful with my UK driving history (plus they took my history verbally over the phone), and have always given me the best rates so far. They logged me as having been driving since the date I passed my test in the UK too (all the way back in 2005 :P). Right now I am paying about $130 p/m for insurance with them, and that is for pretty good comprehensive coverage too.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
Cars - just make sure to do your research before leaping in to buy. Carmax can be slightly more expensive sometimes I have found.
Car Insurance - I use Amica, they were very helpful with my UK driving history (plus they took my history verbally over the phone), and have always given me the best rates so far. They logged me as having been driving since the date I passed my test in the UK too (all the way back in 2005 :P). Right now I am paying about $130 p/m for insurance with them, and that is for pretty good comprehensive coverage too.
May 5th 2018, 10:05 pm
#19
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
[QUOTE=jtb87;12494990]I am up in Plano, North Dallas area.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
/QUOTE]
You will find that you can't open an account with Chase until you have at least ss card/dl and proofs of residence.
I've given up with them with new arrivals and they are pretty much incompetent in most branches.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
/QUOTE]
You will find that you can't open an account with Chase until you have at least ss card/dl and proofs of residence.
I've given up with them with new arrivals and they are pretty much incompetent in most branches.
May 6th 2018, 8:36 am
#20
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 142
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
[QUOTE=petitefrancaise;12495009]
So... CapitalOne?
I will have my first paycheck in 1 month ballpark but I guess I will still be ‘living’ in London, therefore no SSN yet (unless the firm manages it for me).
cheeds
I am up in Plano, North Dallas area.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
/QUOTE]
You will find that you can't open an account with Chase until you have at least ss card/dl and proofs of residence.
I've given up with them with new arrivals and they are pretty much incompetent in most branches.
Banks - when I moved here I used Capital One initially. They are ok, not great. Go with Chase. They seem to have the most competent staff. Plus at the moment they give you a few hundred $ when you have your paycheck deposited with them.
/QUOTE]
You will find that you can't open an account with Chase until you have at least ss card/dl and proofs of residence.
I've given up with them with new arrivals and they are pretty much incompetent in most branches.
I will have my first paycheck in 1 month ballpark but I guess I will still be ‘living’ in London, therefore no SSN yet (unless the firm manages it for me).
cheeds
May 6th 2018, 9:31 pm
#21
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
[QUOTE=circusplaza;12495100]
No idea if Capital One will allow you to open an account without an SSN. You shouldn't need one if it's not interest bearing account but banks all have different policies on this.
I get bashed on this forum for this but .... Wells Fargo are on every street corner in Texas. It's very easy to open an account as a new arrival. Walk in with the documents below and you'll get a checking account.
I'm assuming that you will have a work visa?
other documents needed
passport showing your visa
2forms of ID - (passport) or foreign current driver's licence and a current credit or debit card with your name on it.
proof of address ( must be US and can be work)
US phone number (can be a work number or a colleagues)
I get bashed on this forum for this but .... Wells Fargo are on every street corner in Texas. It's very easy to open an account as a new arrival. Walk in with the documents below and you'll get a checking account.
I'm assuming that you will have a work visa?
other documents needed
passport showing your visa
2forms of ID - (passport) or foreign current driver's licence and a current credit or debit card with your name on it.
proof of address ( must be US and can be work)
US phone number (can be a work number or a colleagues)
May 7th 2018, 8:35 am
#22
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 142
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
[left][QUOTE=petitefrancaise;12495316]
No idea if Capital One will allow you to open an account without an SSN. You shouldn't need one if it's not interest bearing account but banks all have different policies on this.
I get bashed on this forum for this but .... Wells Fargo are on every street corner in Texas. It's very easy to open an account as a new arrival. Walk in with the documents below and you'll get a checking account.
I'm assuming that you will have a work visa?
other documents needed
passport showing your visa
2forms of ID - (passport) or foreign current driver's licence and a current credit or debit card with your name on it.
proof of address ( must be US and can be work)
US phone number (can be a work number or a colleagues)
great! and yes, work visa will be there.
i need at least a bank account to start receiving my paycheck while I am still between UK and Texas moving stuff and working remotely.
No idea if Capital One will allow you to open an account without an SSN. You shouldn't need one if it's not interest bearing account but banks all have different policies on this.
I get bashed on this forum for this but .... Wells Fargo are on every street corner in Texas. It's very easy to open an account as a new arrival. Walk in with the documents below and you'll get a checking account.
I'm assuming that you will have a work visa?
other documents needed
passport showing your visa
2forms of ID - (passport) or foreign current driver's licence and a current credit or debit card with your name on it.
proof of address ( must be US and can be work)
US phone number (can be a work number or a colleagues)
great! and yes, work visa will be there.
i need at least a bank account to start receiving my paycheck while I am still between UK and Texas moving stuff and working remotely.
May 9th 2018, 4:29 am
#23
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
Posts: 6,363
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
I am in Mckinney (north of plano) Great burb but sucky journey to Irvine (hubbie does this drive daily). If you want burbs then Grapevine and southlake are nice and have great schools. cheaper but in that direction would be carrolton or lewisville.
May 9th 2018, 7:28 am
#24
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2018
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 142
Re: New to Dallas - Some Qs
So far planning to rent something in Uptown Dallas to start living there.
cheers
