Help with costs please London to LA (Richmond, Marina: for rent, insurance)

[cowman809]

I would say Culver City or Santa Monica. Manhattan beach is very nice and all, but so expensive to live in. Santa Monica is more expensive than Culver City, but it could be doable. Plus the 3-4 miles closer it is to the beach (well it is on the beach) is a big perk. Though its really easy to get to the beach from CC, which is pretty nice looking, but has killer traffic in the afternoon all over the city.

[londonmom]

No of course that's not what we're paying on our mortgage - we did things the old fashioned way and saved up a deposit - remember those days!!! OK I am a US citizen, although I've never lived in the US, but don't have a bank account, so guess my credit rating will be nil. Which reminds me of another question I have - can anyone recommend a good bank and do all banks charge for a checking account? I pay nothing in the UK for my bank account - and why should you - they've got your money to play with!!!

[cowman809]

I believe Bank of America (not actually the government's bank) does not charge.

[motoman]

Most banks do not charge if you have direct deposit of your paycheck or some other automatic deposit to the account each month.

[nori_garsi]

Bank of America charges if you do not maintain a certain amount in your checking account. They also charge me if I go to the ATM more than three times a month...and that includes their own ATMs. I have had an account for a long time so maybe you can get a new account now without charges.

[motoman]

Originally Posted by nori_garsi

Bank of America charges if you do not maintain a certain amount in your checking account. They also charge me if I go to the ATM more than three times a month...and that includes their own ATMs. I have had an account for a long time so maybe you can get a new account now without charges.

I have an account with BofA that I direct deposit into each month and I don't get charged anything. I keep a balance of less than $50 because I use that money to pay my bills. It's basically just a clearing account.

I don't know about ATM usage. I have my primary account with Wells Fargo and there are no limitations on using their ATMs. But you get charged if you use another bank's.

Point is for the OP to look around, as fees change all the time. Bank of America and Wells Fargo are the two largest retail banks in California. But there are many others to choose from.

[Fierro]

I'm not in L.A. now, but I will be very soon. Bank of America and Chase (the WaMu branches) seem to be the main players there. But Wells Fargo is good too.

Rarely is there a major bank that won't require anything to avoid a fee. You can get that from smaller banks and credit unions.

Personally, I use Chase. Their basic checking account requires direct deposit or 6 debit purchases a month to avoid a fee. I just have the one where as long as you have a min. balance of $1,500, there's never a fee.

Bank of America will nickel and dime you to death on ATM fees. Even when just checking your balance.

[londonmom]

I'm flabberghast that they can get away with charging for ATM withdrawls or checking a balance - look's like it's under the mattress for us then!!!

[motoman]

Originally Posted by londonmom

I'm flabberghast that they can get away with charging for ATM withdrawls or checking a balance - look's like it's under the mattress for us then!!!

They are providing a service. Why shouldn't they charge? Most bank accounts at large retail banks are money-losers for banks, so they have to charge fees to make any money on them.

[pianoman09]

Go with a credit union instead. Most don't have the outrageous fees like banks.