Moving to Atlanta
Discussion
I've moved companies and all of a sudden, they want me in Atlanta from February next year.
Couple of quick questions:
- Any good dealers who you can recommend who have 70's muscle cars in the Atlanta area?
- Any good forums/places where I can find material on how to integrate into the US? (The company will provide some of this, but I like to see the issues first hand
- I've read some material and don't think there is any way for me to bring my TVR Chimaera over legally, but if anyone knows how to do this, then please shout... Legally is the word as I am risk averse.
Thanks
Couple of quick questions:
- Any good dealers who you can recommend who have 70's muscle cars in the Atlanta area?
- Any good forums/places where I can find material on how to integrate into the US? (The company will provide some of this, but I like to see the issues first hand
- I've read some material and don't think there is any way for me to bring my TVR Chimaera over legally, but if anyone knows how to do this, then please shout... Legally is the word as I am risk averse.
Thanks
We did the same in 2009 from Newcastle.
There isn't really any classic dealers in the area.
The main issues we had related to gettig a social security number - we went up to the office pretty quickly, but hadn't been processed through the system. This then delayed the issuing of mine.
Essentially you need one to open a bank account, get a drivers license (which you can't do in a rental), medical insurance.
The systems are different to the uk & also state to state.....bit of a head scratcher at times.
If you need any guidance drop me a pm.
Neil
There isn't really any classic dealers in the area.
The main issues we had related to gettig a social security number - we went up to the office pretty quickly, but hadn't been processed through the system. This then delayed the issuing of mine.
Essentially you need one to open a bank account, get a drivers license (which you can't do in a rental), medical insurance.
The systems are different to the uk & also state to state.....bit of a head scratcher at times.
If you need any guidance drop me a pm.
Neil
Thanks for the reply. We have a few months until we are moving out due to the fact that all of the immediate visas have been used by the firm this year and I need to work for them 1 year until I can move.
I've heard the same about social security number and bank accounts and am hoping that the company sorts this out.
Shame about not being able to take the TVR, but it's not an option to go in anything other than perfectly legal but I'll have to find a way to get a muscle car from somewhere.
I might be in contact nearer the time and thanks for the offer
I've heard the same about social security number and bank accounts and am hoping that the company sorts this out.
Shame about not being able to take the TVR, but it's not an option to go in anything other than perfectly legal but I'll have to find a way to get a muscle car from somewhere.
I might be in contact nearer the time and thanks for the offer
King,
Try to have a short vacation here to get a better idea of things. You could go to the local Social Security Administration office, and ask them about your situation. Despite what you may have heard, government officers are almost always very helpful, unless you go in with a bad attitude. I told them that I needed a SS# to open a bank account; but that was many years ago.
I'm not sure how you define a muscle car. Here that implies a much older car with all its disadvantages. You might be better off with a newish Corvette or similar. These are very easy to find. For us, new is often a better deal, with very low interest rates. (Of course, the interest rates depend very much on your credit rating, which is hard to establish without that SS#.)
There are also plenty of European cars (BMW, Audi, etc.) You can start comparing prices online at CarMax, who keep a good stock of cars at their branches.
Yes, I recommend a visit to see the lay of the land.
Wilf.
Try to have a short vacation here to get a better idea of things. You could go to the local Social Security Administration office, and ask them about your situation. Despite what you may have heard, government officers are almost always very helpful, unless you go in with a bad attitude. I told them that I needed a SS# to open a bank account; but that was many years ago.
I'm not sure how you define a muscle car. Here that implies a much older car with all its disadvantages. You might be better off with a newish Corvette or similar. These are very easy to find. For us, new is often a better deal, with very low interest rates. (Of course, the interest rates depend very much on your credit rating, which is hard to establish without that SS#.)
There are also plenty of European cars (BMW, Audi, etc.) You can start comparing prices online at CarMax, who keep a good stock of cars at their branches.
Yes, I recommend a visit to see the lay of the land.
Wilf.
My advice would be: There are a hell of a lot more important things for you to prioritize ahead of where to source a car.
Atlanta is a giant metropolis and a very racially polarized city. It is also highly God-fearing, with horrendous Interstate traffic congestion and very humorless law enforcement.
However there are some particularly nice parts of the city (northern suburbs, Marietta, Dunwoody and Buckhead are all very agreeable, if not cheap).
Your visa will determine a lot - sounds like L1-A or B, given the 12 months employment requirement. Is this intended to be a permanent move or more of a secondment?
Do you have family - school-age children etc? What provision for healthcare will your employer provide for you and your dependents? What about repatriation, should things 'not work out'? Will they sponsor a permanent residency petition on your behalf? Will they assist you with housing/utilities/vehicles deposits? These are the kind of questions I'd be asking in your shoes.
Your employer cannot open a bank account or organize SSN on your behalf - you need to do this yourself (as do any other members of your family). Your UK creditworthiness is effectively irrelevant here, so the first year or so is likely to be something of a challenge, unless your employer is prepared to co-sign for you. Get an American Express card now, if you don't already have one.
British Expats.com is a good suggestion - but be prepared for some blunt responses if you don't ask specifics. There are lots of highly knowledgeable ad experienced members, but a large number of arrogant smart-arses as well.
Finally - and because this is a car forum after all - contrary to what is stated above, there are several very highly regarded classic/muscle specialists in the ATL area. Fraser Dante springs immediately to mind for me. A friend of mine, who lives up at Lawrenceville GA bought a very, very nice Roadrunner from them around this time last year. They are in Roswell GA and are nationally renowned.
Good luck with your move - I did similar back in 2001 (though FL, not GA) and will happily share experience, pit-falls, visa hassles, unforeseens, bureaucracy and the like, if that would help.
Atlanta is a giant metropolis and a very racially polarized city. It is also highly God-fearing, with horrendous Interstate traffic congestion and very humorless law enforcement.
However there are some particularly nice parts of the city (northern suburbs, Marietta, Dunwoody and Buckhead are all very agreeable, if not cheap).
Your visa will determine a lot - sounds like L1-A or B, given the 12 months employment requirement. Is this intended to be a permanent move or more of a secondment?
Do you have family - school-age children etc? What provision for healthcare will your employer provide for you and your dependents? What about repatriation, should things 'not work out'? Will they sponsor a permanent residency petition on your behalf? Will they assist you with housing/utilities/vehicles deposits? These are the kind of questions I'd be asking in your shoes.
Your employer cannot open a bank account or organize SSN on your behalf - you need to do this yourself (as do any other members of your family). Your UK creditworthiness is effectively irrelevant here, so the first year or so is likely to be something of a challenge, unless your employer is prepared to co-sign for you. Get an American Express card now, if you don't already have one.
British Expats.com is a good suggestion - but be prepared for some blunt responses if you don't ask specifics. There are lots of highly knowledgeable ad experienced members, but a large number of arrogant smart-arses as well.
Finally - and because this is a car forum after all - contrary to what is stated above, there are several very highly regarded classic/muscle specialists in the ATL area. Fraser Dante springs immediately to mind for me. A friend of mine, who lives up at Lawrenceville GA bought a very, very nice Roadrunner from them around this time last year. They are in Roswell GA and are nationally renowned.
Good luck with your move - I did similar back in 2001 (though FL, not GA) and will happily share experience, pit-falls, visa hassles, unforeseens, bureaucracy and the like, if that would help.
Thanks for all of your replies and there is a lot to think about. We've moved to Barcelona before with a different company and know a little about what to expect... social security number is key and can be difficult, we have to be there in person to set up bank accounts etc etc, but the USA has many more regulations and I hope that someone from the company will be helping us through that.
As it happens, I'm going to be working in Roswell, and whilst 70's muscle car is not the first priority, it's a reward for both of us working so hard for years and we've always wanted one.
We don't move until next year and have a trip planned for later in the year to do the house search and I will be in Atlanta a few times before then.
I might well take you up on the offers to reach out closer to the time and I look forward to being in the US.
As it happens, I'm going to be working in Roswell, and whilst 70's muscle car is not the first priority, it's a reward for both of us working so hard for years and we've always wanted one.
We don't move until next year and have a trip planned for later in the year to do the house search and I will be in Atlanta a few times before then.
I might well take you up on the offers to reach out closer to the time and I look forward to being in the US.
The biggest single piece of advice I can provide (having just done the move to the US 4 months ago) is do not underestimate the costs. We budgeted for lots and lots of things but still missed a few things. Deposit here, extra cost there, underestimated something else. Easily done and thankfully I had company assistance to walk me through the whole process.
Then it would be the SSN - everything is tied to this and you need to get this resolved - but its 10 working days AFTER arrival though. So make sure you have cash, access to money and so on. From there, a bit of planning and you should be OK on getting bank accounts and so on. I was OK on getting credit, but some can find it hard. But once you have initial credit, you need to use it and pay it off to build it up to useful levels. Then it should get easier and simpler.
On the car thing - just take a look when you get there. There is only one classic car dealer near me, which had me worried. But the whole muscle, classic, classic muscle and on on area is massive here. There are almost always shows, drive outs, meetings and so on. Just get along, meet some people and get to know where these places are. But as mentioned, second hand cars here are expensive (well VERY expensive in CA!). Mileage will be high, condition will be fair but they shouldnt be rusty! A "beater" here is often classified as a car thats $4,000 or less!!! Just warning you.
Then it would be the SSN - everything is tied to this and you need to get this resolved - but its 10 working days AFTER arrival though. So make sure you have cash, access to money and so on. From there, a bit of planning and you should be OK on getting bank accounts and so on. I was OK on getting credit, but some can find it hard. But once you have initial credit, you need to use it and pay it off to build it up to useful levels. Then it should get easier and simpler.
On the car thing - just take a look when you get there. There is only one classic car dealer near me, which had me worried. But the whole muscle, classic, classic muscle and on on area is massive here. There are almost always shows, drive outs, meetings and so on. Just get along, meet some people and get to know where these places are. But as mentioned, second hand cars here are expensive (well VERY expensive in CA!). Mileage will be high, condition will be fair but they shouldnt be rusty! A "beater" here is often classified as a car thats $4,000 or less!!! Just warning you.
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