sportaxi

Just accepted a new job offer, we are in the process of moving from the UK to Houston. Last month we managed to have a flying visit to see some of the Houston (southern areas - Clear Lake, Pearland and Sugar Land). I will be working near Manvel, we were partically taken with the Riverstone, Sugar Land area (don't want to be too close to work!!)

Is there anyone else from the UK that has recently moved across, and if so can they offer any advice on the move to avoid any pit falls? (Schooling, furniture shipping, house purchase (300K+ range), bring dog across, car insurance no-claims bonus etc... etc...). I know that it is a bit of a broad brush statement, but all good advice will be gratefully appreciated.

scrubbedexpat097

Hi

You'll be just up the road from me (in Texas terms!)

I've been here too long to give you much of an idea about shipping/schooling etc but search some of the recent threads and you should find some help.
Look for posts by Mandala

If you work in Manvel you will be in Brazoria County, if you live in Pearland you will still be in Brazoria County but Sugar Land is Fort Bend County and I know nothing about that area, except when we first moved here 19 years ago it was just Rice fields


Edit: You might not want to be too far from work either, Hwy 6 and 288 are pretty bad during rush hour traffic.

Bob

yeah, avoid houston totally and you'd be all set

Good luck with it, it'll be a bit of a culture shock....though there's plenty of threads on Houston and Texas in general if you search the forums, should give you a head start on things

SagenOnion

One word of advise......when you go to the local "pub" and see a strange looking beast in the center of the room surrounded my padding....do NOT get on it.

sportaxi

As I am "new" and from your experiance can you please define "strange looking beast" "Surrounded by padding" I thought that was the norm over there

ionaskye

I have been here for about 12 years , and live in the clear lake area . I really like it ,the primary schools are good ,high schools are very big with thousands of pupils but they are building more.
Housing is very reasonably priced and it is easy to fit into a community , shopping is fine and there a couple of good pubs where you can meet people from all over the uk. depends on where your job is located ,traffic is very heavy ,but it is like that all over the city
But I must be honest and tell you Houston is a very ugly city , and its hot during the summer . Hope this helps a little .

Mandana

Did you mean me?!

Hey Sportaxi

We moved over last year and now loving it. Watch out for the homesickness to begin with. It really hits you hard between the eyes - especially the 'trailing spouse' who doesn't know a soul, doesn't know where to shop, when she does, she has no clue what brand of stuff to buy, which deo to use etc. Small things can push you over the edge!

But it does get better

The heat takes some getting used to. If you can, get a house with a pool (if you're leasing). Look at Har.com for both lease/purchase for your homes.

We used Robinsons/Graebel for moving across. Excellent. Airpets.com for bringing our cat over. Again, excellent.

I'll find out about car insurance - have forgotten their name. Ditto no-claims and using it here (actually, my H did all that as he had to at the time [I didn't have a SSN then])

HTH

scrubbedexpat097

Sorry mate! (or should I say Nelson.....or is it Winnie)

Sally Redux

Is that Winnie Atwell again?

scrubbedexpat097

Get back to the piano and sing woman

TruBrit

we used ladyhaye from gatwick>houston ..http://www.ladyhaye.co.uk/ they have lots of info even if you decide against using them.

used luxfords shipping but they are based in weybridge, surrey and not sure where you are presently located.... http://www.luxfords.co.uk/

don't know the part of town you are looking in but http://har.com/ is a good start for rental/purchase.

tons of good luck, hope you all like hot humid weather. one things certain here in texas, it never runs out of mozzies and they are huge

AmerLisa

We used ladyhaye as well - Gatwick to Seattle - and were very pleased with their service.

Mandana

Is there an echo?!

As well as mossies, there are the dreadful 'Love Bugs'. Oh, and snakes. I've lost count of the amount of snakes in our pool. Not fun

Mandana

LOL .. I'll answer to most things.

Right now I'm answering to cook, cleaner, washer-upper, entertainer ...

scrubbedexpat097

Look at it this way, there has to be pay back. Bide your time and eventually it will happen....