Coming to terms with the fact that my excellent credit history back home apparently means nothing here and I'm starting completely from scratch. For anyone who's been through this — roughly how long before you noticed it actually opening doors (better card offers, loan eligibility, etc.)?
Nobody in Spain ever asked about my credit history. Different culture, different system.
A local credit union gave me a small loan in my first year when the banks wouldn't, because they looked at my job and my rent history instead of a credit score. It helped me buy a car, and it started my history here. Worth checking if there's one near you.
my US credit score means absolutely nothing in mexico. twenty years of perfect payments, zero value here lol
Getting the utilities in my name instead of the landlord's was an easy win I'd never have thought of.
Rajesh is right. Boring and regular is the whole trick.