durham_lad

We still have GREAT memories of our reccie visit back in 1987. We'd never been to America and the week we had was magic, looking at neighborhoods and schools and shopping malls and we even went to watch The Astros play.

Pulaski

Same here for me. I get asked frequently about my accent, .... and I am very rarely ever mistaken for being Australian. The "I just lurve your accent" thing felt a bit odd to start with, but I eventually got used to it, though having a colleague say it seems odd, almost inappropriate for the workplace. I have come to recognize when some people, mostly women, just want to listen to me talk, not because I necessarily have anything interesting or useful to say, but just to listen to me talk. .... I call it "accent glaze".

Tanja87

Haha! I lurve talking so that sounds great Being German over here in the UK I tend to get mistaken for South African so it'd be interesting what they think over there lol!
No, don't get me wrong - I'm super excited about our potential little reccie! Even just going to the supermarket in a different county and comparing prices and checking out different brands and all! How sad am I?! I'm just worried that I might be getting a bit hyped up over nothing, jumping the gun a little (no pun intended!), as it's completely out of our hands whether the move will happen or not... Don't wanna jinx it!

MsElui

Where abouts in Germany are you from? I lived in Dusseldorf for a year and loved it! I work with a German lady in the office and im friends with another via Girls scouts and boy scouts and the kids. I really enjoy chatting the them as they have a european thought process and they see things in a similar way to me. (i hesitate to say seeing it as an outsider looking in - but i often think we see thinks in different ways to the locals and it makes for some fun chats).

Im not sure where he means bu the lakes, there are some places with Lakes in the name (think they are very exclusive/expensive form memory) or areas that have lakes nearby like Rockwall or Lewisville?

Tanja87

Haha, I have no idea what lakes he's talking about either to be honest.... I thought it might mean more to you guys than me lol!
Düsseldorf is actually not that far away from where I'm from! I grew up near Dortmund but moved to the UK 10 years ago to be with my (now) husband as he's English. I loved it here but I feel like we're ready for a new adventure now

Tanja87

So, yeah! Looks like our little business trip/family holiday/reccie will happen at the end of August! Ever so slightly excited!! Haha Looks like we will be staying in the Grapevine area, close to my husband's work. Seriously hoping we can sort out a hire car so I'm not stuck in the hotel all day and evening with the kids while he's out working and entertaining clients etc... Better get researching for things to do, places to eat, neighbourhoods to check out.... Any suggestions welcome

cautiousjon

Very cool!

If your husband's company does not provide a rental car and you have to fund one yourself (unlikely, but possible), then make sure that you book the rental car (in the USA) direct from any of the rental car company's UK websites; e.g. Hertz UK, Avis UK, Alamo UK, etc. If you do this, all the insurance coverage that you need should be included as standard in the booking. If you don't do this, you'll play the "Hmm, should I buy this insurance or not? It sure sounds like I'm not covered for anything right now" game at the US rental counter, and might end up adding insurance that significantly adds to the expense of the rental. Also, be aware that in Texas, there are several highways that have tolls that you must have an automatic toll pass for (i.e. EZ Tag). You might want to look into specifically avoiding those roads, or see how much the rental companies charge to rent the EZ Tag pass that will come with the car.

I hope that makes sense.

scrubbedexpat097

The schools in the Houston area usually start back the end of August, not sure if it is the same in the Dallas area but it could be a chance to scope out some of the school districts.

Also remember it is still hot hot hot!!! Walking around outside is still "melting" time

Have fun, it could be the first taste of your new adventure

Tanja87

Thanks, you guys! Great advice re. car rentals - would not have known that otherwise!
Great to know the schools are back on as well, definitely an opportunity to get some insights somehow I'm sure! Can't wait! Though I am a bit weary of the long flights, jet lag and a week effectively on my own with our 2 little ones... But I'm hoping after a few days it'll be ok

cautiousjon

Here are some tips from the National Sleep Foundation about how to manage/overcome the jet lag issue: https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-to...-lag-and-sleep

texasbound

I would be careful of the culture. We move from London to Dallas and realized after two years Dallas was not for us.

Too insular - many people things TX is the only place worth living
Slightly backward views to women working - few people asked my wife 'does your husband mind you working'

We took the decision to move to the Bay Area and have not looked back.

That said, the Texans are very very friendly and sociable people, cost of living is cheap and work is plentiful in Dallas.

scrubbedexpat097

Wow, Houston area must be different!

Every woman I know either works or has worked until retirement age. Around here it is more a surprise if someone doesn't work. But maybe it is because most people I know need to incomes to survive

texasbound

Think so, had a couple of people say Houston was more cosmopolitan due to the international oil and gas people.

Other interesting thing in Dallas is the approach to religion i.e. Edge of Bible Belt

Don't get me wrong Dallas is not bad but after coming from London it did not gel with us. SF on the other hand has been great

scrubbedexpat097

Oh we have the religion here! I'm sure you have heard of Joel Osteen When his Sunday services are over the whole of Houston traffic backs up to let all the church goers out

We live outside Houston and all the small communities are flooded with churches of all kinds of different religious sects. But if you show no interest they pretty much leave you alone.

donna1167

Be prepared to pay money out of pocket EVERY time you visit a doctor. It's typically more if you see a specialist. How much you pay all depends on your individual policy. This is called a co-pay and it's unusual not to have one (unless you have double coverage). For a typical GP visit I pay $10 but I've had insurances where I had to pay $40. A specialist with that insurance was $75. You don't get that money back either and that's all before your insurance kicks in.