Harriet-1990

Hello Everyone,

I'm relocating from the UK to Houston for work - moving in 4/5 weeks.

I want a bit of information on buying/renting a car. I have a nice car here in the UK ( 2010 Mini with little miles ) but all the cars in the US seem much more expensive. I know i can't get credit as I haven't lived in the US yet but after looking at renting a car it'll cost about $500 a month which seems silly, i may aswel buy one!

Help please?!!

Also my work is going to be based in 77072 - can anyone give me an idea of which areas are nice to rent an apartment thats close by? I'm looking at getting a 2 bed apartment.

Also here in the UK i rent out my spare room - is that easily done in the US or are there any tax laws etc??

Thanks everyone

Jerseygirl

Hi Harriet...welcome to BE.

I am moving your thread over to our US Forums as quite a few of the people who post in the US forums live in and around Houston. Hopefully they may be able to help you.

Please give me a shout if you have any site related problems.

Pulaski

You need International Autosource, which has been the subject of several threads this year already. They will sell you a car on credit, or lease one to you. I used IA myself and thoroughly recommend them. Please note you do have to sign the contract while in the UK (actually, outside the US), and pay the required deposit.

I'm not sure what prices you are currently comparing for cars, but I have always found them to be much cheaper in the US - and where a same model comparison is possible, they sell typically for the same number of dollars as GBP (though US vehicles then have sales taxes added on top, which adds typically 4%-8% depending on the state). I bought a Mustang GT back in 2002 that cost about as much a mid-range Escort in the UK.

Mr Weeze

There is also a Houston city guide in the wiki

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Houston%2C_TX

Michael

I suspect that would be considered similar to someone co-leasing an apartment and no reporting would be required since the tenant is just paying his/her share of the rent. Even if the apartment was paid for by the company, it still probably wouldn't need to be reported since that company payment is taxed as income to you.

However if you owned the apartment, then that would be considered income and should be reported since deductions such as mortgages interest and possibly other deductions and costs associated with the tenant could be deducted from your income and you receive the benefits of any capital gains.

Brown18

Totally agree with Pulaski, we used International Autosource and it made life very simple. We were also contacted by and signed up with Travelguard which was the best decision we could have made, saved hundreds on dollars on insurance policies and was able to get an HSBC credit card with good limit within a few weeks of arriving. Service was fantastic, one phone number and they sort it all out for you.

Weeze

That's going to put you in Bellaire, Galleria, RoyalOaks I'd have thought. It's going to depend on your budget,they can be pricey. Check out the wiki link and HAR.com for an idea of rental prices.