Hi!
I'm moving to Seattle (metro) on Saturday and wanted to hear from you about good areas where I can find modern units/apartments of 1+ or preferably 2 bedrooms that are less than 2,500 USD.
I searched on Zillow, but I would appreciate your valuable input and recommendations.
How easy is it to rent given the fact that I have no credit score in the US, but a very good one in Canada?
Thank you and happy new year!
Canada credit and USA credit have nothing in common. I moved 20 years ago similarly and was treated as if I didn't exist previously
Fellow Canadian here. I moved to Seattle a couple years ago. I rented the first apartment I toured and it wasn't too bad even though my credit score was non existent. I just needed to provide proof of employment and put down a deposit. It was with a large rental company
Large and corporate rentals are used to this, just go ask at a big building. They'll probably want to see proof of employment.
There is a service called Nova credit, I used it when I moved from Mexico to the US, they basically interpreted my Mexican credit score and gave me an equivalent in the US. This score basically allowed me to rent without paying a deposit since I had a 780 equivalent credit score. Some buildings might already have it in their processes if you're foreign.
What's concerning to me is the "2bdrm modern apartment under 2500" that is just not happening, for 2.5 you can get a 2bdrm condo if you search for it, but it won't be modern and it will be with an independent landlord.
Im the sticks
Landlord here.
NGL. It's going to be rough..
Most of the larger management companies make all their decisions based on your FICO score. Since you're new here, you won't have one. Their hands will be tied and they simply will not be able to rent to you.
My sincere advice is to try to find an independent landlord who can look at your rental history in Canada, call your landlords up North and make a decision based on your income and previous history.
The one thing that you might look at is if you can find a guarantor here. If you have a family member who has assets and a credit history in the US, they can co-sign on your lease and act as a backstop for you. They can theoretically be anywhere in the US. Not just Seattle or Washington state. This is how university students get housing.
If you're here for a year and do all the usual stuff, you'll develop a good score pretty quickly and the next place will be easy-peasy.
Moving in 3 days with nowhere to live?
Airbnb!
My daughter and her husband (and now 2 yr old) have used Airbnb multiple times when relocating to a new country. Works well while they figure out neighborhoods, et. Welcome to WA!
Thank you! That's what I do as well.
No credit score in us might hurt you, you will need to build that Asap. You might need to rent temporary accommodations until you've established yourself