wokster

Hi there,

I have the opportunity of moving to Houston with my current employer and I was looking for some negatives and positives regarding the move.

I was also hoping someone could advise me on healthcare. My son has Down Syndrome and a hole in his heart and I have diabetes.

Any advice on the above and general lifestyle would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

penguinsix

First, do a search on Houston in this forum. You'll find tons of stuff.

Second, you'll need to talk to some people re: insurance, such as the HR staff at the employer. You'll need to confirm that the insurance package they offers recognizes NHS as "credible coverage" and that his condition doesn't get ruled a 'pre-existing condition' for which the new insurance will not cover it (this is far more complicated than what I'm typing but I hope others can explain it better).

TruBrit

hi there and welcome to BE

i assume your relo package will include a full medical insurance plan for over here as i'm sure you know medical is very expensive, this is a MUST!!

i suggest you rent for 6 mths to get the feel of the area as houston is such a sprawling city. not sure which part of town you'll be based?

hope you like hot and humid weather. today it's 107 with a heat advisory of 113 but thankfully lots of us benefit from living in a/c. winters are mild and apart for the hurricane season which runs through until october we have heavy tropical downpours and some tornadoes but not that common here.

hope you don't mind scorpions and snakes in your garden as they run around quite happily and if you escape them then there's the huge mozzies to contend with, and oh yes it's all good fun

i presume you've been over with the family for a reccie??

here's a link to houston and the cost of living here, good luck

http://www.houston.org/whyHouston/costOfLiving.asp

here's a link for buying or leasing in and around the houston area ~

http://www.har.com/

wokster

Thanks Penguinsix and truebrit.

Medical insurance will be catered for, but obviously my Son and I will have existing conditions on arrival, will this make a big difference?

We are at the early stages of negotiations, but I will have the opportunity of a reccie trip in the future.

Out of curiousity, how long have you both lived in Houston and do you have any regrets?

Is there a big ex-pat community and if so , are you involved in it?

I look forward to your response.

TruBrit

as long as your existing medical conditions are 'detailed and clearly' covered on your insurance policy then i can see no problem however someone else may come along and offer further advise.

i have been here 5 1/2 years and no, no regrets overall. one has to be positive and not come here looking for the UK coz they wont find it. this is america and although we use the same alphabet that's were it all ends great experience for you and the family i'm sure.

best to keep some property back in the UK and bank accounts active just incase you decide to move back at a later date.

there have been a few relos move into houston within the last few mths who post on here so i'm sure they'll be along to say hello.

fatbrit

If you're working for a company, you will probably be under a group insurance policy. Whilst the insurance company can exclude various illnesses, they cannot pick and choose these for individuals, i.e. it's everybody's covered for a certain illness or nobody's covered in the policy. There may however be a period of non coverage for the first 30, 60 or 90 days you work for the company. Contact the human resources dept of the company and ask for details of the coverage -- your recruiters in the company will have little or no idea of the terms of the policies offered.

Kestrelbms

Hi We moved to Houston 4 months ago and I have a medical problem as does my daughter. I worked with a very good benefits advisor here who brokered an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and others that the UK NHS does qualify as creditable coverage. First, I had to get a letter from my GP saying we all had been covered by the NHS since birth. Then we submitted that letter to the employers medical provider (BCBS). We were taken on with no "pre-existing conditions" - in fact I had an MRI and have back surgery in September and the insurance covered it.
Hospitals are state of the art in Houston - renowned for its "Medical Center". There should be no concern about the standard of medical care. Its a great city to live in, even when its hot - with a great lifestyle and for those who miss the UK, tons of Brit pubs and a huge soccer scene. I can refer you to my benefits guy if you wish.
Kestrelbms

TruBrit

you might want to check this out re meetups ~

http://www.meetup.com/search/?keywor...o.x=17&go.y=13

fatbrit

But the OP is going to be employed and will probably be taking a group policy through his employer. You on the other hand are presumably self-employed (or work in a company too small to offer health insurance) and took an individual policy. Chalk and cheese.

Bill_S

I lived in Houston for a year and a half in the early 90s.

Positives: Texans are great people
low cost of living

Negatives: punishing heat and humidity in spring and summer
risk of flooding due to flat terrain and proximity to Gulf storms

Necessities: air conditioning (both car and home)

Very Desirable: tinted car windows
covered parking
swimming pool


As others have stated, an ABSOLUTE MUST: contact health insurance provider to find out about coverage for your conditions. Get details IN WRITING!

lanky spoken here

Houston has first class healthcare with many SUPERB hospitals. Of course, it pays to have good healthcare, but UTMB in Galveston treats everyone regardless of cost and situation. Enjoy Texas!

Best of Texas : Friendly people, super shopping, good food everywhere, good value new and used cars.

Worst of Texas: Humidity, stickiness.

TruBrit

i've heard of the University of Texas Medical Branch and wondered if it's part of the excellent Shriners Burns unit?

so are you saying that anybody legal or otherwise, insured or not, rich or poor can be treated in the UTMB for whatever?

scrubbedexpat097

They will treat you but unless you are indigent you still are responsible for paying for the treatment. They will work out a payment plan and will change it depending if your circumstances change.

UTMB offers excellent treatment mainly because it is a teaching hospital.
If your own GP requests an appointment for you to be seen by a specialist there because you don't have insurance and cannot go afford to go anywhere else then it is a bit like waiting for an NHS appointment..........it will eventually arrive in the mail.

The best thing to do if you are really sick and cant wait for the appointment is to head on down to Galveston UTMB to the ER and just wait.

southern comfort

http://www.shrinershq.org/Shrine/ My husband is a Shriner the hospitals are supported by the organisation and are free

TruBrit

good on your OH i've heard the hospital in Galveston is excellent.