Moving to America - Advice needed
Discussion
I have been accepted to attend Uni in South Carolina and should be moving over in December and will be there for at least four years.
Now as I am going to be there for so long I have decided to sell up in England and then buy a house out there.
I am going over there in September for a 3 week holiday to try and sort a few things out such as Driving Licence (Even if I can only find out what I actually need to do. I will also be getting some car Insurance quotes and other bits and pieces. All to make it easier for when I offically arrive although I take it I can use my UK licence for now.
Another main problem will be setting up a Bank Account (I have an American address of a friend which I can use to set this account up)
However I notice that their Interest rates are really low compared to ours. And that in most cases you have to pay to have a standard bank account unless you have an income going in. Some of the charges appear to be as much as $30 a month. As I will be a student I will not be earning much at all as that is a limitation to the Visa.
So which bank and accounts do people use over there? Are there any benefits. Also what about a credit card (I know my credit rating will start again so I will need to build it up again) I would like a decent card that offers decent cashback as I will try and clear the balance each month.
Also can anyone recommend any cheap and easy ways to transfer money to America.
If you do not want to reply to this post then please feel free to mail me.
Thanks in advance
Andy
Now as I am going to be there for so long I have decided to sell up in England and then buy a house out there.
I am going over there in September for a 3 week holiday to try and sort a few things out such as Driving Licence (Even if I can only find out what I actually need to do. I will also be getting some car Insurance quotes and other bits and pieces. All to make it easier for when I offically arrive although I take it I can use my UK licence for now.
Another main problem will be setting up a Bank Account (I have an American address of a friend which I can use to set this account up)
However I notice that their Interest rates are really low compared to ours. And that in most cases you have to pay to have a standard bank account unless you have an income going in. Some of the charges appear to be as much as $30 a month. As I will be a student I will not be earning much at all as that is a limitation to the Visa.
So which bank and accounts do people use over there? Are there any benefits. Also what about a credit card (I know my credit rating will start again so I will need to build it up again) I would like a decent card that offers decent cashback as I will try and clear the balance each month.
Also can anyone recommend any cheap and easy ways to transfer money to America.
If you do not want to reply to this post then please feel free to mail me.
Thanks in advance
Andy
Yeah it is an I - 20 form which I am still waiting to get through the Uni do not issue them till September. Which I should be able to pick up while I am there and forward that onto my Visa company.
But I wont be able to open an account until I get my Social Security number (Which wont be until I get my actual Visa from the US embassy right?)
I am aware I can only work on the campus (Max 20 hours during term time and 40 hours in the holidays)
What banks do people use and are there any fees?
But I wont be able to open an account until I get my Social Security number (Which wont be until I get my actual Visa from the US embassy right?)
I am aware I can only work on the campus (Max 20 hours during term time and 40 hours in the holidays)
What banks do people use and are there any fees?
You won't get your social security number when you get the visa. You have to apply for it when you arrive in the States, or at least that was the case with us on our visas.
Around here it takes around 4 weeks to come through, although my wife is now in her 6th week waiting, which is frankly pathetic and we've got our attorney in on the action.
We managed to open a bank account without a social security number, but this is highly irregular and we only managed it because it was with a small local bank whom my wife's firm bank with and they knew some people at the bank/could vouch for us etc. Don't know about the charges etc., but my impression in general of personal banking in the US is that it's years behind that of the UK. I have a friend who is about to start studying in the States and he is planning on opening an account with Citibank.
You MAY be able to get a drivers licence without a social security number it depends on the laws of the state and your visa (for example in Iowa, I can get one without a social security number, but my wife can't because we are on different visas).
Also Andy as we've discussed by e-mail, I've not been able to find any insurance company which accepts UK driving history (clean licence, years and years no claims etc.)
Around here it takes around 4 weeks to come through, although my wife is now in her 6th week waiting, which is frankly pathetic and we've got our attorney in on the action.
We managed to open a bank account without a social security number, but this is highly irregular and we only managed it because it was with a small local bank whom my wife's firm bank with and they knew some people at the bank/could vouch for us etc. Don't know about the charges etc., but my impression in general of personal banking in the US is that it's years behind that of the UK. I have a friend who is about to start studying in the States and he is planning on opening an account with Citibank.
You MAY be able to get a drivers licence without a social security number it depends on the laws of the state and your visa (for example in Iowa, I can get one without a social security number, but my wife can't because we are on different visas).
Also Andy as we've discussed by e-mail, I've not been able to find any insurance company which accepts UK driving history (clean licence, years and years no claims etc.)
sj78 said:
Also Andy as we've discussed by e-mail, I've not been able to find any insurance company which accepts UK driving history (clean licence, years and years no claims etc.)
Were you talking to me or t'other andy, as I distictly getting an e-mail from someone regarding insurance in the UK... :s
I came to Michigan in 1999. I used a local Bank called Comerica - the biggest in the area. There are plenty of international banks with local names across the USA, but they tend not to have a presence in all markets. For example, Citibank and Bank of America don't have branches in the Detroit area ( a top 10 metro area) but they have affiliates selling mortgages and retirement products. A lot of banks and credit unions offer free checking and no fees - you just have to shop around.
The social security card is applied for at the office local to where you are staying. It is issued on the spot in most cases. They will need to see your visa.
The drivers licence is normally applied for at the Police Station, you take a written and eyesight test and then use a driving school to do the driving part. In many states now the test is tougher than the UK, do NOT be complacent.
It does seem that every state has different rules, so these only apply to Michigan, but most stuff is pretty similar - you'll work it out.
Good luck.
The social security card is applied for at the office local to where you are staying. It is issued on the spot in most cases. They will need to see your visa.
The drivers licence is normally applied for at the Police Station, you take a written and eyesight test and then use a driving school to do the driving part. In many states now the test is tougher than the UK, do NOT be complacent.
It does seem that every state has different rules, so these only apply to Michigan, but most stuff is pretty similar - you'll work it out.
Good luck.
GavinPearson said:
The drivers license is normally applied for at the Police Station, you take a written and eyesight test and then use a driving school to do the driving part.
Slight correction Gavin,(unless Michigan is way different than every other state)........ I've never heard of the Police in any state handling the issuance of driver's licenses. Usually Handled by Dept. of Licensing or Dept. of Motor Vehicles. The Police can certainly tell you where to go to get one however.
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