Moving to Charlotte from India (Matthews: apartments, rental, credit)

[ninad_sule]

I have been transfered to Charlotte recently. I will be moving to Charlotte by october. I need information about where do i find place to stay. Do i get a rental apartment before i get SSN? i would not have any credit history, any suggestions on where should i start?

[flyingscotsman]

That's a tough one, the fact you are being transferred is your company not helping?

The SSN is important and I got mine the day after I arrived in the USA (landed late at night).

Do you have an idea off how long you are going to be here?

Do you know where about you would like to be?

Also what is your budget for renting?

[bandibadji]

This is a hard one. You should have a sponsor. If so, has he/she not advised you on matters concerning your move? If not, I would immediately ask the company to assign someone to assist in getting you settled, etc. Your type of visa and/or resisence status will determine SSN requirements. I would first get settled and then obtain a SSN. If you know any locals from India, I would suggest finding out what they did to get settled. As you know, things are much different in the U.S. and coming here unfamiliar with laws and customs can make life very difficult and confusing. Anyway, good luck.

[ninad_sule]

My company will surely assist me in getting me setup. Can i ( or company on behalf of me )really apply for SSN before i land in US? i have got a very different opnions about the time it take to get SSN.

Well i have been to charlotte a couple of times on business, know a bit of the city.

[rustygupta]

I think you will get your SSN only after your visa status L1/H1 is confirmed.There are Indians pretty much in every company that you gonna work for.Let me know the company you will be working for. Maybe I can ask one of the Indians there to get in touch with you.If you are with family then you need to look into the schools too.

[flyingscotsman]

Originally Posted by ninad_sule

My company will surely assist me in getting me setup. Can i ( or company on behalf of me )really apply for SSN before i land in US? i have got a very different opnions about the time it take to get SSN.

Well i have been to charlotte a couple of times on business, know a bit of the city.

I would say before you land no, I came over on a h1b1 visa and applied for the SSN the day after I landed and was issued my SSN there and then as I had all the correct documentation.

As the company are relocating you they may have a temp. housing setup to help you transition.

[ninad_sule]

Hey,

My main concern is how do i look out for a apartment when my SSN application is in process. What i hear from my collegues in office is that it takes atleast 2 weeks to get the SSN. I have company accomodation for 15 days. I need to make the arrangement before that.

[smclarke4]

Originally Posted by ninad_sule

Hey,

My main concern is how do i look out for a apartment when my SSN application is in process. What i hear from my collegues in office is that it takes atleast 2 weeks to get the SSN. I have company accomodation for 15 days. I need to make the arrangement before that.

I just went through the process at the SSN office a couple of weeks ago. I went in on Monday and by the following Friday had the number and card in the mail. Good luck.

[flyingscotsman]

Originally Posted by ninad_sule

Hey,

My main concern is how do i look out for a apartment when my SSN application is in process. What i hear from my collegues in office is that it takes atleast 2 weeks to get the SSN. I have company accomodation for 15 days. I need to make the arrangement before that.

Do you know where about you would like to live?

If you do we can contact a couple of apartments and explain the situation and see what they say.

[thegeek74]

I run an apartment community in Matthews. Not all apartments will allow someone to come in without an SS #, but many will do it as long as you can show your passport and VISA and show proof that you've applied for your SS. The only thing the SS# does for us is allow us to run a credit and criminal background check, and if you have proof that you are just coming into the country (legally) then you won't even have any background in this country.

At my community, we just ask for an extra deposit in cases like this, along with verification of your pending employment and your other identification.

If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to PM me.

Good luck!