Moving to the US advice

Novella

I am moving to the US (California) in a little under two weeks and am just hoping for some advice. I am moving on an F1 visa.

Firstly, I will want to get an American phone. Is it possible to get a contract since I don't have a credit rating there? What is the best thing to do?

When it comes to buying a car, can I drive on my Irish licence or do I need to take their driving test? Also, does anybody know anything about car insurance and if my Irish licence is okay when it comes to that aspect?

Banking information appreciated too! What do I need to open an account and how do people generally transfer money from Ireland? I know I transferred from my AIB account to a Wells Fargo account in the past and there was a pretty heft charge for both parties.

Thank you

ProudDUB

If you are going to be a California resident, you'll need to get a California drivers license. You can drive on your Irish one, if you are just visiting, but if you become a resident, you'll need to get a CA license.

Info from the CA Dept of Motor Vecicles here

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

You can buy a car no problem, but you'll have a hard time getting car insurance and registering it with a foreign license.

Opening a bank account is easy. As long as you have your social security number and a couple of pieces of government issued photo ID, you'll be fine. Depending on the bank, you may or may not be asked to provide proof of address in the form of a household bill or a lease. If you didn't get a social security number with your visa application, applying for one should be the first thing you do when you get there. Google should tell you where your local Dept of Social Security Administration is.

If your credit rating is poor, you'll probably be asked to pay up front deposits/fees to get a long term phone contract. Consider doing a pay as you go plan for the first 6-12 months or so, while you work to build up your credit rating.

EyeSight

With regards to the phone, I am with AT&T. They said i could do bill pay but since i had no credit rating i would need to pay a deposit of $150 or $200, i can't remember the exact amount.
Instead i just went with the prepay option. So i pay $60 a month for unlimited free calls and txt to any USA number and 2.5GB data. There is a similar offer for $45 a month with 500MB data i think

Dave1442397

When it comes to buying a car, your credit rating will really affect your interest rate (unless you buy it outright, of course). If you do plan to make payments, the best rates I've ever seen outside of manufacturers' 0% promos are the rates from www.penfed.org

I've used them for my last three cars, all purchased used, and right now I have a 0.9% interest rate for 48 months. Anyone can join penfed by signing up as a military family supporter for $20.

If you don't qualify because of non-existent credit, take the best you can get from a bank or dealer and then refinance it as soon as your credit rating shows up with a decent number. www.creditkarma.com is a handy place to get your rating.

Novella

Thanks a million for all the advice.

InTheTrees

Getting a US drivers license is usually a fast and easy process.

You go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and it can usually be done in a few hours, that includes waiting. Buy a copy of the California rules of the road and read if beforehand and you'll be fine.

spideog7

InTheTrees wrote: »

Getting a US drivers license is usually a fast and easy process.

You go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and it can usually be done in a few hours, that includes waiting. Buy a copy of the California rules of the road and read if beforehand and you'll be fine.

The OP specifically mentioned California so that is probably reasonable advice, however rules vary widely from state to state so anyone else reading this should be aware of that. In PA you can't buy a car without a licence and you can't get a licence unless you have a legal presence of 1 year on your visa you also need to pass a theory test and a driving test, which means you need access to a car which you can't legally buy unless you have a drivers licence...

iusedtoknow

I went through it in CA. You cannot transfer over your European License to US - you need to go through the whole process. There is not "Waiting time" on your visa - as long as you have a visa and print out of when it is valid to (used to be stapled in your passport) you'll be fine. You cannot buy a car without an american license. If you really need wheels, i'd recommend renting a car for a couple of weeks until you get your american license - you'll need a car anyway to pass the practical test.

First you need to do your theory test - pretty easy...can do it at the DMV- just set up an appointment on their website, usually there is no waiting.
Then there is the 15 minute practical drive around the block - pretty straight forward, but the rules are slightly different so i'd recommend taking one or two lessons to get used to the driving style

Novella

iusedtoknow wrote: »

I went through it in CA. You cannot transfer over your European License to US - you need to go through the whole process. There is not "Waiting time" on your visa - as long as you have a visa and print out of when it is valid to (used to be stapled in your passport) you'll be fine. You cannot buy a car without an american license. If you really need wheels, i'd recommend renting a car for a couple of weeks until you get your american license - you'll need a car anyway to pass the practical test.

First you need to do your theory test - pretty easy...can do it at the DMV- just set up an appointment on their website, usually there is no waiting.
Then there is the 15 minute practical drive around the block - pretty straight forward, but the rules are slightly different so i'd recommend taking one or two lessons to get used to the driving style

Yeah, my visa is stuck to a page in my passport so I have it and it's valid for a few years so that's no problem. My boyfriend lives in the US and has a car so I won't be totally stuck for transport for a while. I wonder if his insurance company would allow me on his policy so that I could take the test in his car? Must have him call to check.

I have driven quite a lot in California in the past so I'm somewhat familiar with the rules but good idea on taking a couple of lessons, even just to get used to being on the other side of the road!

él statutorio

iusedtoknow wrote: »

I went through it in CA. You cannot transfer over your European License to US - you need to go through the whole process. There is not "Waiting time" on your visa - as long as you have a visa and print out of when it is valid to (used to be stapled in your passport) you'll be fine. You cannot buy a car without an american license. If you really need wheels, i'd recommend renting a car for a couple of weeks until you get your american license - you'll need a car anyway to pass the practical test.

First you need to do your theory test - pretty easy...can do it at the DMV- just set up an appointment on their website, usually there is no waiting.
Then there is the 15 minute practical drive around the block - pretty straight forward, but the rules are slightly different so i'd recommend taking one or two lessons to get used to the driving style

Are you sure about that part?

I'm moving to the States next month (CA also as it happens) and on my last trip there (June) I bought a car. I had no issues buying it and never was prompted for a license. It was a private sale though, the bill of sale and notice of release of liability have no reference to a drivers license on them...

spideog7

You can't transfer the official title in PA without a drivers licence, don't know about CA.

Also OP insurance is different over here, there's no named driver stuff, the car is insured as long as you have the policy holders permission to drive it and a valid licence. That's almost universally true unless he has some super cheap insurance policy.

Dave1442397

Same in New Jersey, you need a license to register and insure a car. Once insured, anyone with a valid driver's license can drive it.

lonestargirl

It's very state dependent, no bother buying a car in Tx without a license and you can drive for a year on an Irish one.

Novella

spideog7 wrote: »

Also OP insurance is different over here, there's no named driver stuff, the car is insured as long as you have the policy holders permission to drive it and a valid licence. That's almost universally true unless he has some super cheap insurance policy.

You know he did actually mention he thought that was how his car insurance worked before so that would be really great!

lil_lisa

My insurance company (Progressive) has told me that anyone can drive my car as long as it is for 12 days out of the year or less. Also, if they live with me for several months at a time, they have to be a named driver on the insurance. I would check with the insurance company in question. The last thing you want is to be liable!

spideog7

lil_lisa wrote: »

My insurance company (Progressive) has told me that anyone can drive my car as long as it is for 12 days out of the year or less. Also, if they live with me for several months at a time, they have to be a named driver on the insurance. I would check with the insurance company in question. The last thing you want is to be liable!

With a lot of companies in fact you're obliged to include anyone in your household with a drivers licence on your insurance regardless of whether or not they ever intended to drive your car. Also unlike Ireland young females have much higher insurance rates than young males. But I digress...

iusedtoknow

Novella wrote: »

Yeah, my visa is stuck to a page in my passport so I have it and it's valid for a few years so that's no problem. My boyfriend lives in the US and has a car so I won't be totally stuck for transport for a while. I wonder if his insurance company would allow me on his policy so that I could take the test in his car? Must have him call to check.

I have driven quite a lot in California in the past so I'm somewhat familiar with the rules but good idea on taking a couple of lessons, even just to get used to being on the other side of the road!

It's stupid things...I know Irish people that have been caught out by stupid rules (going too slow in the freeway slow lane, parking opposite to traffic) I even got caught by a cop (and let off with a friendly warning) because when I was turning across a road I didn't pull out into the middle instead of staying behind the lights until it cleared.

It's kinda worth the money - the tutors are used to teaching 16 year old kids how to pass their tests - so they are actually pretty good (if you are in SF bay area I can give you some recommendations)

Novella

iusedtoknow wrote: »

It's stupid things...I know Irish people that have been caught out by stupid rules (going too slow in the freeway slow lane, parking opposite to traffic) I even got caught by a cop (and let off with a friendly warning) because when I was turning across a road I didn't pull out into the middle instead of staying behind the lights until it cleared.

It's kinda worth the money - the tutors are used to teaching 16 year old kids how to pass their tests - so they are actually pretty good (if you are in SF bay area I can give you some recommendations)

I know, I got a ticket for parking facing the wrong way on a street in LA! :P I didn't realise that you have to park facing the way traffic moves because here you can park facing any which way!

I am moving to Sacramento but thank you.

InTheTrees

Turning right on a red light is worth remembering mainly because people behind you will get impatient if you dont.

InTheTrees

spideog7 wrote: »

which means you need access to a car which you can't legally buy unless you have a drivers licence...

You can always rent one.

ProudDUB

InTheTrees wrote: »

Turning right on a red light is worth remembering mainly because people behind you will get impatient if you dont.

And not sitting in the right hand lane if you are going straight ahead, coz you are blocking cars who want to turn right on red.

EyeSight

Novella wrote: »

I know, I got a ticket for parking facing the wrong way on a street in LA! :P I didn't realise that you have to park facing the way traffic moves because here you can park facing any which way!

I am moving to Sacramento but thank you.

Where I am, the street parking is "Pay and display". You get a ticket if you don't display on the curb side window. Any other window is unacceptable

FatherTed

ProudDUB wrote: »

And not sitting in the right hand lane if you are going straight ahead, coz you are blocking cars who want to turn right on red.

Remember you have to STOP on a turn right on red, not just slow down and turn. My wife got a ticket once for not stopping completely before doing a turn right on red.

spideog7

FatherTed wrote: »

Remember you have to STOP on a turn right on red, not just slow down and turn. My wife got a ticket once for not stopping completely before doing a turn right on red.

The turn on red rule is great but nobody here ever stops before turning. As a regular pedestrian it drives me nuts, because they only ever watch for cars never for pedestrians crossing on the other side.

I've never seen parking direction enforced around here, not in residential areas anyway.

iusedtoknow

FatherTed wrote: »

Remember you have to STOP on a turn right on red, not just slow down and turn. My wife got a ticket once for not stopping completely before doing a turn right on red.

Though I successfully challenged a ticket...a camera caught me and from the time stamp I proved that I had stopped for a full five seconds before turning right, and got the footage to prove there was no traffic coming. In reality, between time off work, getting the other camera footage and the sheer inconvenience of going to traffic court, it would have been cheaper to pay the fine...but damn it, I was right

lil_lisa

Also what a lot of people don't realise is that you can turn left on a red light when turning from a one-way street to another one-way street. At least, that's legal in CA, not sure about other states.

dave2pvd

lil_lisa wrote: »

Also what a lot of people don't realise is that you can turn left on a red light when turning from a one-way street to another one-way street. At least, that's legal in CA, not sure about other states.

Also true in GA. I've driven around an entire city block only making left turns on red. It's the little things

rossy1044

Novella wrote: »

I know, I got a ticket for parking facing the wrong way on a street in LA! :P I didn't realise that you have to park facing the way traffic moves because here you can park facing any which way!

I am moving to Sacramento but thank you.

Thats funny we moved to Sacramento in March and we've havent met any other Irish people. Its a great place send us on any questions you have.

If your current phone is unlocked you can go to many of the providers and they will give you a SIM. T-Mobile and Metro PCs seem to be the cheapest. They will also both sell you a non contract phone if you need it.

Make an appointment at the DMV as soon as you get here and do the theory test and you will get a 3 month provisional licence. The actual road test is really easy here compared to Ireland. Other than changing lane and making turns the only manouver I had to make was pull in and reverse in a straight line.

We opened bank accounts the day we got here and it was no hassle. Can you withdraw the money and bring the cash to avoid charges.

Do you know where you are moving to in Sac? The midtown area is really nice with loads of bars and restaurants and is also quite walkable which is unusual for a Californian city.

pgmcpq

dave2pvd wrote: »

Also true in GA. I've driven around an entire city block only making left turns on red. It's the little things

The turn on red rule varies by state. In NY it is allowed only if the is a sign saying so while in NJ and PA it is allowed unless the is a sign prohibiting it. !!

spideog7

pgmcpq wrote: »

The turn on red rule varies by state. In NY it is allowed only if the is a sign saying so while in NJ and PA it is allowed unless the is a sign prohibiting it. !!

The one you have to watch for are the illuminated 'No turn on red' signs that give you a few seconds to turn them come on half way through the red light (just as you're looking to make sure there is nothing coming or no pedestrians crossing) or the ones that day "No turn on red between the hours of... " then you have to check your watch to see what time it is!

I only know one intersection where you can do a left turn on red and inevitably the person in front of me doesn't realise it!

Novella

rossy1044 wrote: »

Thats funny we moved to Sacramento in March and we've havent met any other Irish people. Its a great place send us on any questions you have.

If your current phone is unlocked you can go to many of the providers and they will give you a SIM. T-Mobile and Metro PCs seem to be the cheapest. They will also both sell you a non contract phone if you need it.

Make an appointment at the DMV as soon as you get here and do the theory test and you will get a 3 month provisional licence. The actual road test is really easy here compared to Ireland. Other than changing lane and making turns the only manouver I had to make was pull in and reverse in a straight line.

We opened bank accounts the day we got here and it was no hassle. Can you withdraw the money and bring the cash to avoid charges.

Do you know where you are moving to in Sac? The midtown area is really nice with loads of bars and restaurants and is also quite walkable which is unusual for a Californian city.

My current phone isn't unlocked. I tried to get an unlocking code from Meteor on four separate occasions but it never happened. It's really old anyway so it's not the worst thing in the world having to get a new one.

I have a student bank account so I can withdraw cash and use my card abroad for free so it's no problem. I just need a US bank account because AIB constantly lock my account when they see my card being used other places and obviously for being paid into etc. Did you not need proof of address and stuff to open an account there, and if you don't mind me asking, what bank did you choose?

Not sure of the area yet, but will be on a major house hunt next week!

rossy1044

Novella wrote: »

My current phone isn't unlocked. I tried to get an unlocking code from Meteor on four separate occasions but it never happened. It's really old anyway so it's not the worst thing in the world having to get a new one.

I have a student bank account so I can withdraw cash and use my card abroad for free so it's no problem. I just need a US bank account because AIB constantly lock my account when they see my card being used other places and obviously for being paid into etc. Did you not need proof of address and stuff to open an account there, and if you don't mind me asking, what bank did you choose?

Not sure of the area yet, but will be on a major house hunt next week!

We didn't have to show any proof of address to open the account but we did have to bring passport and provide a social security number. We went to the Bank of America downtown at about 10am and they set up the accounts in about 30mins.

We mainly used Craigslist and Trulia to look for places but if you walk around midtown / downtown you will come across loads of for rent signs with numbers to call.

Can I ask why you chose to move to Sacramento? You'll be getting asked it a lot when you get here!

InTheTrees

Banks work differently in the US.

You'll get hundreds of different banks to choose from. Usually local "credit unions" (I think they may be non-profits) are the best for having the lowest fees etc. I'd always recommend one of those over one of the Big Banks. Much better service too.

InTheTrees

rossy1044 wrote: »

Can I ask why you chose to move to Sacramento? You'll be getting asked it a lot when you get here!

A good question.

Novella

Haha yes. Sacramento because my boyfriend is actually from the US and has some family living in the area we'd like to be close to. Worked out fine for me with the college I'd chosen too.

iusedtoknow

Sacramento is actually a great town - i've been up there from the bay area a few times, and there is enough to keep you occupied. Sometimes, if we can't get tickets for shows here, they play Sac, and it's pretty easy to drive up there.

Also...it's 2 hours (ish) from Tahoe, and on the 5 to head north/south. I know a couple of people that live there and commute to the bay area every day.

Actually, i can't figure out why we DON'T live there! (except for my job in South San Francisco)

rossy1044

Novella wrote: »

Haha yes. Sacramento because my boyfriend is actually from the US and has some family living in the area we'd like to be close to. Worked out fine for me with the college I'd chosen too.

Yeah my sister was here so that was partly why we moved. The cost of living is pretty great here. For example you can usually eat out for 10 dollars and you can usually get a drink for 2 or 3 dollars. You can probably get somewhere in the midtown area for 650 - 1000 dollars a month. The heat is probably the main negative it can be pretty unbearable, gonna be 37 for the next 4 days

If you like sports check out xoso sports. The do loads of different casual co-ed sports which are pretty fun.

Are you going to Sac State or Davis?

rossy1044

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Sacramento is actually a great town - i've been up there from the bay area a few times, and there is enough to keep you occupied. Sometimes, if we can't get tickets for shows here, they play Sac, and it's pretty easy to drive up there.

Also...it's 2 hours (ish) from Tahoe, and on the 5 to head north/south. I know a couple of people that live there and commute to the bay area every day.

Actually, i can't figure out why we DON'T live there! (except for my job in South San Francisco)

The worst thing I find about Sac is that no bands ever play here Its really weird because its a large enough city. I think part of the problem is that the few I have went to there usually is only a tiny crowd.

The cost of going out in San Fran compared to Sacramento is insane. We were down the other week and my other half ordered a glass of wine in a bar and they said it cost 12 dollars. Were used to getting a pint and a glass of wine for 10!

suffering golfer

I am moving to LA in September myself for two years or so. Is there much of an Irish community in LA?

Novella

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Sacramento is actually a great town - i've been up there from the bay area a few times, and there is enough to keep you occupied. Sometimes, if we can't get tickets for shows here, they play Sac, and it's pretty easy to drive up there.

Also...it's 2 hours (ish) from Tahoe, and on the 5 to head north/south. I know a couple of people that live there and commute to the bay area every day.

Actually, i can't figure out why we DON'T live there! (except for my job in South San Francisco)

Yeah, I've flown into SF a few times and driven to Sacramento (when we were checking the area out and I was visiting the school etc.) and it is not a bad drive at all.

Originally I wasn't keen on the idea but when I actually visited I loved the place!

rossy1044 wrote: »

Yeah my sister was here so that was partly why we moved. The cost of living is pretty great here. For example you can usually eat out for 10 dollars and you can usually get a drink for 2 or 3 dollars. You can probably get somewhere in the midtown area for 650 - 1000 dollars a month. The heat is probably the main negative it can be pretty unbearable, gonna be 37 for the next 4 days

If you like sports check out xoso sports. The do loads of different casual co-ed sports which are pretty fun.

Are you going to Sac State or Davis?

Yeah, I was expecting the rent to be crazy like it is over here but from what I've seen on Trulia and stuff, we'll be able to get a pretty good place for less than $1,000.

Going to Davis!

rossy1044

Novella wrote: »

Yeah, I've flown into SF a few times and driven to Sacramento (when we were checking the area out and I was visiting the school etc.) and it is not a bad drive at all.

Originally I wasn't keen on the idea but when I actually visited I loved the place!

Yeah, I was expecting the rent to be crazy like it is over here but from what I've seen on Trulia and stuff, we'll be able to get a pretty good place for less than $1,000.

Going to Davis!

Yeah 1000 should get you a nice place in the city. You can get really nice places in the suburbs for cheaper but theirs not much going on out there. I actually wasn't completely sold on Sacramento from visiting but its great once you get to know the area. I work in UC Davis! Its great at the moment as the areas so quiet since school is out.

Dave1442397

Here's a cool time lapse video of the Sacramento area - http://vimeo.com/channels/staffpicks/90509954

Novella

Does anybody know what would be the cheapest way for me to transfer money? I have an AIB account and here in the US I have a Wells Fargo account but the guy in the bank told me that I would be charged $60 to accept an international transfer. I'd rather not pay that on top of paying a charge to AIB.

Any ideas?

InTheTrees

Eugh. Wells Fargo are the absolute worst.

They will hang on to your cash for up to four or five days so they can make as much as possible before releasing it to you. My GF has Wells Fargo and I have a Non-profit bank account. My transfers go through in hours, her's take days. Its disgusting really, they're making money off the interest while denying you access.

I had a work colleague once who had his pay check with him while we were at a conference in Nevada and he made the mistake of depositing his check in a Wells Fargo in Nevada (He was a wells fargo customer) and they kept his cash for over five days. Unbelievable.

InTheTrees

Novella wrote: »

Does anybody know what would be the cheapest way for me to transfer money? I have an AIB account and here in the US I have a Wells Fargo account but the guy in the bank told me that I would be charged $60 to accept an international transfer. I'd rather not pay that on top of paying a charge to AIB.

Any ideas?

If its going to be a regular thing i'd look into a community bank/credit union.

Mars Bar

FatherTed wrote: »

Remember you have to STOP on a turn right on red, not just slow down and turn. My wife got a ticket once for not stopping completely before doing a turn right on red.

My friend got a $500 fine last week for this in CA.

InTheTrees

I've had a ticket for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign too.

They're very strict about coming to a complete stop.

iusedtoknow

Novella wrote: »

Does anybody know what would be the cheapest way for me to transfer money? I have an AIB account and here in the US I have a Wells Fargo account but the guy in the bank told me that I would be charged $60 to accept an international transfer. I'd rather not pay that on top of paying a charge to AIB.

Any ideas?

Try Xoom.com

I use them all the time, and they are quick and cheap ($10) however, just check the exchange rate is OK for you

Novella

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Try Xoom.com

I use them all the time, and they are quick and cheap ($10) however, just check the exchange rate is OK for you

Maybe I am being totally stupid here, but in the menu where it asks where you want to send money to, the US isn't listed as an option.

iusedtoknow

no you're not - i misread and thought you were wanting to send it the other way

sorry

Novella

iusedtoknow wrote: »

no you're not - i misread and thought you were wanting to send it the other way

sorry

No problem.

Maybe I'll try using PayPal because the bank charges are just ridiculous!