Practicalities of moving to US - car, renting house etc

[Providore]

We're moving to San Francisco next month courtesy of DH's work. I have questions about some of the practical stuff involved in setting up home over there. We'll be in provided accommodation for a couple of months before looking for a house to rent. I've been reading a lot about the insanity of the rental market in the Bay Area. Any tips on how we make ourselves attractive prospects as tenants? Obviously we won't have any credit history in the US. What can we do/provide to make up for this? We rent here in the UK so I could ask for a reference from our current managing agent. Would this be useful? Cashflow won't be an issue so we could afford to pay several months rent up front. Is that something we should consider offering?
My next question is about cars. We only plan on staying for a couple of years rather than making it a permanent move, so I'm loath to buy a car which I'd then have to sell. I know nothing about cars and won't have anyone to help me. It would be so much easier if we could access a car leasing scheme, but I haven't been able to find out anything about this from a few google searches. Once again, I'm worried that our lack of credit history could be problematic here. Anyone been through similar or have any advice?
Any other tips on making the move greatly appreciated.

Food wise there's nothing I can't get here from british back bacon to kerrygold to mixed spice, thorntons chocolates, walkers crisps and mince pies. Take a look at world market, Amazon and worldwide grocery stores, plus my supermarkets have UK sections. You might be surprised how much you can get but its up to you if you want to risk it.

We took a chance on a move to Dubai years ago and packed our drinks cabinet (20 various bottles of spirits and wine) in an air shipment. Dh was asked to go to the docks, shrugged and told the customs guy to pour it all down the drain if we weren't allowed to bring it in. He said we could keep it, although times have changed.

They have sniffer dogs in California for prohibited foodstuffs. Not worth the faff.

I brought my favourite herb and spice mixes in my suitcase. It was fine. My mum brings over British cheese and butter, boulloin powder, all sorts of random stuff (I know you can get lots of it here but it's extortionate)...all fine

but no, don't put it in the container

Another California food smuggler here. It'll be fine. Put it in your checked luggage, and don't for the love of god declare it. And don't wander off the plane with a satsuma in your pocket. That's when the sniffer dogs will get you

Driving test is easy to pass and cheap to take - only costs about 50 bucks in all in admin fees. No manoeuvres required Study for the written test in one or two nights, pass it to get your provisional and practise. The main skill is learning to read the 800 road signs they have at every junction explaining the exceptions to every damn rule of the road

Anyway the Bay area is brilliant! come back and post asking for California tips once you're settled. Definitely go wandering along 24th St in Noe Valley (Griddle has the best brunch), and climb up Hill for amazing views of the city.

Oh rooty! I have visions of those dogs coming after you. Made my day!

I am a pro smuggler. No dog has ever sniffed me!

I'm currently sitting here with our 70lb golden on my lap who is eating my satsuma! Last time he did this I was pregnant with DS

Food smuggling is a sport. We bring back huge joints of beef from here to Denmark and then bring back these huge rectangles of smelly cheese from Denmark. The in laws love it when we rock up with a suitcase of usda prime.

Ooooooohhhhhh I am so jealous! Just found out this week that we won't be moving to the states (SF/Palo Alto), after 3 years of will-we-wont-we! Boo :( Gutted.

Soooo I can't really help but just wanted to wish you well! I have spent a lot in San Francisco, I know Noe Valley well and it's lush! Think it's very expensive but I think anywhere that is worth living in in SF is expensive. San Francisco is the perfect size city IMO.

*spent a lot of time

Want2b how does the HSBC thing work? sorry, being thick and would be so grateful for an explanation and an end to my credit challenged American life.

You upgrade to premier in the UK and then how does your credit rating transfer? who do you open an account with here?

Basically they transfer you profile over to their us system and your account will be however old your relationship is with hsbc along with your history. Then they report to the 3 credit reporting companies. Amex follows the same process. It will give you something above 600 which is way better than the 450 I started out with.

Cool. I've been with HSBC for a loooooong time. I'll call them about it. What did you do with the addresses / admin on your UK accounts? I am about to start working freelance for a UK company so will still be being paid there occasionally. Need to sort out taxes too. Gahhhhh.

Ha I just checked out the requirements for HSBC premier. I don't think they'll be offering it to me! Back to the drawing board...

Ha ha Want2b my mum freezes and wraps prime beef to take back as well - and Jiffy bags the frozen swordfish from trader joes!

Sending you a pm rooty!

The letting agent can really help you here, they're very involved and although they charge a fee should be able to help you with questions. If you can obtain references here, then do it! I'd even get some character references done so that you have a plethora of information to show them.

All properties are on one database called a Multiple Listings System (MLS) and it's very open and transparent way of managing things. Properties are slightly different, you get apartments which are obviously flats, single family homes which are essentially a detached house based on a small plot of land, duplex homes which consist of two or more living spaces and condominiums which are town houses, separate homes but relatively close together and all look very similar.

There are specific newspapers and magazines out there dedicated to property listings, and a lot of 'For Rent' signs outside of available properties. In addition, internet sites list lots of different properties.

General renting rules want two months rent, and like I said, bring references and be prepared for credit checks.