Relocating to Houston from UK (San Antonio, Austin: fit in, house, public schools)

[michb5]

Well cheaper than here, but then I get my kids fees paid here, sadly that will not be the case in the US so it will be the normal Texas school for my lot, I've heard that the Katy schools are good anyway, and what is the point of living in another country and being friends with only Brits, never could understand that, I want to meet the locals if possible not just the expats!

[ayannaaaliyah]

Yes Katy schools are good, most of them anyway. In terms of Awty being International, there are locals that attend and the International students come from all over the world, not just Europe so it's quite a diverse population. However, there is tuition which can be quite costly. Public is "Free" in the U.S. (minus your school supplies and other fundraisers that occur from time 2 time) should you choose to go that route. Good luck!

[jcrent1]

You have found yourself in a very great situation. You work in a very great school district and the homes a nice. Cinco Ranch is where you should be. Most people have to drive 45 minutes to work, consider yourself lucky. Moderator cut: realtor advertising

[CitrusFruit]

Originally Posted by mjewell

American schools: Age 5 is Kindergarten, which is actually voluntary.

It is? I thought it was mandatory...

[Asjarone]

Woodlands, no, too far. Cinco Ranch, may be. I would consider looking at houses in the 77469 area code. Pecan Grove is the subdivision. With Hwy 99, soon to be the Grand Parkway, it should make getting to work, fairly painless. I've lived in many houses through out this area and LOVE it out here. The street I currently live on is filled with fun, barbequing, beer drinking, good people. Most of their ages range from late 30's to late 40's. If you or your partner enjoy golf, it is definitely where ya wanna be. Three nine hole courses. Most of houses were built in the 80's and 90's and range from $200,000-$300,000. They are big houses (average 3000-4000 sq. feet). It's in Fort Bend County so taxes and insurance is much lower than the city. I don't have children but most of my friends out here do and say the schools are great. Moderator cut: advertising Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be happy here. The people in Texas are great! It's the hot summers that kill me. Good luck with where ever you decide.

[iceflow]

I hope you like going to church, otherwise you will be dropped like a hot brick. Especially in the suburbs. If you don't go to church then presumably you will also be:

A potential drunk or worse
Won't look after your house or garden
Won't hold down a job
Have low moral values
Have a crude / rude sense of humor (aka normal)

We have had families drop our kids like a stone because they couldn't 'convert' them to their church. This is true, and most peculiar behavior. We also had one neighbor all over us until she also couldn't bring home another wayward lost sheep. I don't know how the cheeky Brit sense of humor is going to go down with folks in Katy, 99 area. I don't think Graham Norton would be impressed!
On the plus side, the homes are fantastic value for money and the weather is pretty nice all year apart from a few weeks in July / August time. Good luck, I think you will need it.

[Historian/Traveler]

iceflow (and anybody else in the same position)- I'm truly sorry that you have run into religious fanatics in Katy. I have never experienced any 'true' religious animosity/bigotry in my entire time living in Houston (at least not anything I couldn't easily brush off or converse with about). Maybe somehow we're experiencing polar-secluded instances of religiosity. The main problem posting as such is that no one knows exactly how our instances went down and under what conditions because they are reading from a secondary point of view - meaning that they were not there at the scene of the crime experiencing it alongside with you. In other words, there are more in-depth stories involved here than meets the eye (and I feel this, among other things, should probably be left out of 'most' forums minus those which are specifically on religion - politics for me fall into this category as well on matters such as this). Both ARE extremely touchy indeed.

I really hope that you've just had a bad run-in with the wrong group of people (hypocrites) and that these troubles will be over for you sooner rather than later (if it doesn't please move into another area, if you can that is, because something like that can smother you from the inside out - which obviously is not good). Surprisingly all-in-all, I feel Houston is as moderate, considerate, and open-minded to people of all backgrounds and ideals as much or more so than just about any place I have lived in or around (which is a list too long to place here).

I have had plenty of bad experiences in this place just like I have had in every other place I have ever lived. These are called 'cases of the Mondays' by some and they ARE GOING to happen. Levels of extremity seem to always vary greatly on an insurmountable amount of case-by-case issues to boot. I have friends representing all of the 'major' religions in history, as well as agnostics and atheists. They all have had religious altercations, both positive and negative in nature, at some point in their lives.

They and I have come to believe, over time, that it is very hard for many people out there to perceive and place into context beliefs and ideals different or contrary to their own. Instead of being true believers and/or followers of their own religion (whatever it may be) most people become hypocritical, and usually nasty, without ever TRYING to understand why or how they are different (let alone the similarities they may share). This is something everyone is guilty of at some point over 'some thing' (I know I am). Beyond all of this is to try and forgive and forget, which is the best thing to do in order to live a fuller and happier life. Shrug it off, make yourself stronger, and move on positively with your life!

'You' run your life, not others. I am sorry if this sounds like rambling, but I feel this will really help (I don't like it when people have had bad experiences that leave them scarred about a place they are/have living/lived in). Give Houston more chances, iceflow. I am pretty sure that if you hang around you will have a much better time at some point down the road sooner than you think. Sorry again to you for having to put up with any hoopla. Please stick around and try not to scare any of the newcomers! Cheers!

[iceflow]

Originally Posted by Historian/Traveler

iceflow (and anybody else in the same position)- I'm truly sorry that you have run into religious fanatics in Katy. I have never experienced any 'true' religious animosity/bigotry in my entire time living in Houston (at least not anything I couldn't easily brush off or converse with about). Maybe somehow we're experiencing polar-secluded instances of religiosity. The main problem posting as such is that no one knows exactly how our instances went down and under what conditions because they are reading from a secondary point of view - meaning that they were not there at the scene of the crime experiencing it alongside with you. In other words, there are more in-depth stories involved here than meets the eye (and I feel this, among other things, should probably be left out of 'most' forums minus those which are specifically on religion - politics for me fall into this category as well on matters such as this). Both ARE extremely touchy indeed.

I really hope that you've just had a bad run-in with the wrong group of people (hypocrites) and that these troubles will be over for you sooner rather than later (if it doesn't please move into another area, if you can that is, because something like that can smother you from the inside out - which obviously is not good). Surprisingly all-in-all, I feel Houston is as moderate, considerate, and open-minded to people of all backgrounds and ideals as much or more so than just about any place I have lived in or around (which is a list too long to place here).

I have had plenty of bad experiences in this place just like I have had in every other place I have ever lived. These are called 'cases of the Mondays' by some and they ARE GOING to happen. Levels of extremity seem to always vary greatly on an insurmountable amount of case-by-case issues to boot. I have friends representing all of the 'major' religions in history, as well as agnostics and atheists. They all have had religious altercations, both positive and negative in nature, at some point in their lives.

They and I have come to believe, over time, that it is very hard for many people out there to perceive and place into context beliefs and ideals different or contrary to their own. Instead of being true believers and/or followers of their own religion (whatever it may be) most people become hypocritical, and usually nasty, without ever TRYING to understand why or how they are different (let alone the similarities they may share). This is something everyone is guilty of at some point over 'some thing' (I know I am). Beyond all of this is to try and forgive and forget, which is the best thing to do in order to live a fuller and happier life. Shrug it off, make yourself stronger, and move on positively with your life!

'You' run your life, not others. I am sorry if this sounds like rambling, but I feel this will really help (I don't like it when people have had bad experiences that leave them scarred about a place they are/have living/lived in). Give Houston more chances, iceflow. I am pretty sure that if you hang around you will have a much better time at some point down the road sooner than you think. Sorry again to you for having to put up with any hoopla. Please stick around and try not to scare any of the newcomers! Cheers!

I agree with you that it is a sensitive subject. Especially in this part of the world. But if the subject is skirted around, then we end up telling about the good bits but not saying anything negative which isn't much use to anyone, and could be a shock to someone not used to this culture. It certainly was to me and I attended church religiously as a kid. In any event it's all subjective and the person enquiring may be a vicar and would love it here. It's how I see the burbs. I live in the Grand Parkway / Cinco area. That's the way I see it. Been here 9 yrs, and finally looking to move. A bit slow on getting the message but finally got it.

[Historian/Traveler]

Thank you for that thoughtful reply iceflow. I really was hoping you wouldn't get upset! I wish I had been there to help out with all those hypocritical viewpoints (because I would put dollars to donuts that they were). After nine years of this I would bet that it has smothered you and that your way of seeing things in that area is fairly ingrained in your persona. If this is so I am sorry, because that stinks.

The question now is, "is THIS running you out of Houston?" I hope not. There are plenty of areas in and around town that 'allow' you to be as outwardly or inwardly religious as you darn well please. I am still a fairly religious person (circa 60 years old now) from childhood to today. But at times in my life my level of religiosity would look like a stock on the market! But I and many others that I know (here in Houston) have learned tolerance on a grand scale.

Are you leaving town for good or are you going to try out another place in the metro? It's just that you are not alone... ...and I do not enjoy hearing of people leaving the city (that I have come to adore over all of the other places I have lived in in the world) on 'bad terms'. Can you forgive, forget, and give other people here a chance, please? I would understand if you cannot. Sometimes, leaving is the best or only solution. Good luck with your decision iceflow. Cheers.

[ayannaaaliyah]

Sorry to hear that IceFlow, I live in Katy and have not experienced that at all. I haven't even been invited to anyones' church and my child has great relationships with the other children in our community, and she doesn't even attend the KISD schools. We're also involved in cheerleading and gymnastics where she has forged relationships with other children from all over Katy. She visits their homes and vice versa. The parents are cordial and we talk at the games and gym however, I wouldn't consider them my "friends", our relationship is based on the children. Quite possibly something took place with your children and something was said, which caused the parents to cut off the friendship. I know that my child has run into a few children that I don't want her around, regardless of how that parent feels, it's my child and if I don't feel it's a healthy relationship, then that's the way it is.