What is it Like in Houston, TX?
Mar 12th 2007, 6:27 pm
#62
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
If some of the replies seem nasty it's less a personal attack than a reflection of your unrealistic plans. Many of the responders have been posting here for years and are well aware of the difficulties of legal immigration to the USA. On top of how easy you seem to think it will be to arrange employment and visas, you appear to expect to parachute into a high-end lifestyle. Four-bedroom house with pool? On teacher's starting salaries? You are looking at a $2000-$3000 monthly mortgage payment, plus property taxes, homeowner's insurance, two car payments, car insurance payments, utility payments (high electricity bills in the summer there!), food, entertainment, etc. all coming out of take-home pay. Before you buy your airplane tickets you need to get written job offers, get visas approved, then fire up a spreadsheet and create a budget. You're still got a lot of very hard work to do.
Mar 12th 2007, 7:02 pm
#64
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
(Needless to say, ALL teenagers here "need" braces... 
)
Mar 12th 2007, 7:29 pm
#65
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
If some of the replies seem nasty it's less a personal attack than a reflection of your unrealistic plans. Many of the responders have been posting here for years and are well aware of the difficulties of legal immigration to the USA. On top of how easy you seem to think it will be to arrange employment and visas, you appear to expect to parachute into a high-end lifestyle. Four-bedroom house with pool? On teacher's starting salaries? You are looking at a $2000-$3000 monthly mortgage payment, plus property taxes, homeowner's insurance, two car payments, car insurance payments, utility payments (high electricity bills in the summer there!), food, entertainment, etc. all coming out of take-home pay. Before you buy your airplane tickets you need to get written job offers, get visas approved, then fire up a spreadsheet and create a budget. You're still got a lot of very hard work to do.
...and not just home owners insurance, you have to have separate hurricane/windstorm coverage as well and the majority of Houston is a Flood Zone so you will also need Flood insurance as well.
Mar 12th 2007, 7:38 pm
#66
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
Yes, good points. The Texas Medical Center was damaged by flooding several years ago, although that was after I had left. A severe rainstorm nearly flooded the place when I worked there in the early 90s. It was quite a shock to see Bray's Bayou filled to within about three feet of its banks...
Mar 12th 2007, 7:41 pm
#67
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
first thing we checked prior to buying this latest place was that it was not in a flood zone.
Mar 12th 2007, 7:42 pm
#68
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,577
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
In Texas the mosquitoes are so big have their own airports.
Houston BTW, is full of Katrina refugees... so buy a gun when you move there...
Houston BTW, is full of Katrina refugees... so buy a gun when you move there...
Mar 12th 2007, 8:09 pm
#71
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Mar 12th 2007, 8:13 pm
#73
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,388
Re: What is it Like in Houston, TX?
as for a home we are looking for a minimum of 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, two garage and a garden with a pool/hottub.
we would prefer a community with community features such as gym, clubhouse, community pool,etc.
we would prefer a community with community features such as gym, clubhouse, community pool,etc.
thanx and please continue with your good helpful insights. x x
On what basis are you planning on find an employer to sponsor you for a H-1B visa? What profession? Also you should have your petition in by April if you wish to be able to work in 2007 (October onwards). Available visas go fast.
