Houston for expat couple in 50s? (Dallas, Fort Worth: real estate, leases, condos)

[masduterme]

My husband is currently negotiating to work near Galleria and may be moving over from UK in December. Worried about all sorts of things including where to live, how to meet people in similar situation, driving. I'm a French and Humanities teacher, Middle School ages, will I be eligible to work here and is there any demand for this? Husband will be on L1 visa so I gather I will be applying for L2. Prefer to live within 45 mins of office, I gather this might rule out quite a few of the nicer commuter areas.
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

[carolineb]

Do you currently live in London or suburbs -- are you interested in city or quiet living? I lived in Houston for one year and just recently moved to a suburb - Katy. Even if I could have afforded to live in Houston, I found Houston very overwhelming. There are definitely tradeoffs though, my apt. was 10 minutes to the museum district, medical center, and downtown. I am now at least 30-60 minutes away depending on traffic.

Regarding teaching employment, I would check out employment with the Brtitish School and also Awty School (international). Awty has a French program.

I will try to find some social groups for ex-brits and post. I saw one today in my local paper and don't remember details and couldn't find it with google search - maybe someone else will post.

[carolineb]

British Clubs and Organisations in Texas

Daughters of the British Empire
Kathleen Springer, DBE State President
E-Mail: President@dbetexas.org
Website: texas credit card debt consolidation at dbetexas.com
DBE Society


Houston Highland Games Association (HHGA)
PO Box 66
Bellaire, Texas 77402-0066
Tel: 713-871-0061
Fax: 281-596-4513
Email: melvyn.douglass@usa.net
Website: Houston Highland Games Association (HHGA) :: www.houstonhighlandgames.com


St John Fellowship, TX
Venerable Order of St John
13331 Wells River Drive
Houston TX 77041-5852
Tel (713) 849 5544


St Thomas Alumni Pipeband
St. Thomas’ Episcopal School
Scottish Arts Dept.
4900 Jackwood
Houston, Texas 77096
Contact: Lyric Todkill, Band Director
Tel:713 666 3111
Website: Pipe Band


English Speaking Union
PO Box 56292
Houston, Texas 77256-6292
Tel: 713 666 1044
Email: esu@esu-houston.org
Website: esu-houston.org

Houston Highlanders Pipe Band
Tel: 281 346 1449
Contact: Ian Martin, Pipe Major

The Houston Athletic Rugby Club
Men and women are invited to join the club regardless of skill or fitness levels. Interested persons should contact the Houston Athletic Rugby Club at (281) 467 3814 or log on to HARC for more information.


Robert Burns Club of Houston
5307 Aspen Street
Bellaire, Texas 77401
Tel: 713 665 1431
Contact: Jack Hume
Email: jhume@ev1.net


The Scottish Council of Houston
Since 1985 the Scottish Council of Houston has provided information on upcoming Scottish and Celtic events in Texas. The Council also has details of Vendors, bagpipers, dance groups, Highland Games and festivals.
Contact: Melvyn Douglass on (713) 871 0061
Email: mdouglass@scottishcouncil.com
Website: Scottish Clan Council of Houston


Glasgow University Alumni Association
Contact: Helen M Mann
1800 Woodhead
Houston, Texas 77019
Tel. No. (713) 522 7736
Fax. No. (713) 522 2616
Cell No. (713) 805 1920
E-mail: hmmann@earthlink.net


Houston Irish Society
PO Box 820010
Houston, Texas 77282-0010
Tel: 281 531 8705
Email: DFOKeefe@aol.com
The Irish Society

British American Business Council (Southwest)
P O Box 421234
Houston TX 77042
Tel: (281) 752-7260
Fax: (281) 752-7154
Email: Babcsw@babc.org
Website: BABC Houston : Events Calendar
Contact: Executive Director, Rebecca Himes


The Woodlands British Ladies Club of Texas
Friendship; support; coffees; clubs and outings; local information:
We run all sorts of activities for large and small groups, so if you are missing home and need to hear a familiar accent give us a call.
Mandi Allsobrook
Tel: 281-419-4802
Email: WBLC@hotmail.com or
Adelle Lindsay
Tel: 281-466-2556

Houston Grampian Association
751 Leicester Ln
Houston, Texas 77034
Tel 281-464-7600 Fax 281-484-9342
Website Houston Grampian Association
Email: hga@texas.net


Memorial Cricket Club
P.O. Box 800818
Houston, Texas 77280
Michael Greathead, Club Captain
Tel: 713-869-9600
Email: mgreathead@nmbmetals.com
Website: www.mcchouston.org



Alumni and Friends of the London School of Economics (AFLSE)
Dallas Chapter
Contact: Hilarie Anne Link, Co-Chair
Tel: (214) 808 5262
E-mail: h.a.link-alumni@lse.ac.uk
www.aflse.ac.uk (broken link)

Alumni and Friends of the London School of Economics (Houston Chapter)
Contact John C Mgbere
Tel: 832 647 7851
Email: jmgbere@dharmaoil.com
Website: Alumni and Friends of The London School of Economics in The U.S.


Texas Branch Royal Society of St. George
Dr. Robert J. Devine, U.E. (Chairman)
3124 Sweetbriar LaneFort Worth, Texas 76109
Tel: (817) 924-6417
Fax: (817) 924-6490
E-mail: lincdevine@prodigy.net
Website: The Royal Society of St George

The Yorkshire Society
Contact: M. A. Graif
Email: MAGRAIFF@aol.com
Website: Yorkshire Society

Britannia Social Club
P.O. Box 270963
Houston, TX 77277-0963
Phone (713) 256-1173

British in Texas - A home from home for Expat Britons
A great site for the British in Texas

[carolineb]

I found this article under the British in Texas web site that I listed above (the last web site listed):

How do my British Vocational Qualifications compare to US Qualifications?

[ayannaaaliyah]

I am sure that my daughters' school could use your experience as they have a big French program. The Awty International School Houston

[ayannaaaliyah]

Are you all looking to rent or purchase? There are many townhomes and condos which are nearby and convenient to both the Galleria and Awty Int'l area. If you go to Houston Real Estate - Houston Homes, Houston Home Value and Houston Relocation and type in West Oaks / Zip Code 77056. then go to maps and choose residential leases or single family home, whichever you choose, there will be plenty of options. It's extremely expensive however, you didn't specify what your budget guidelines are.

[masduterme]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will definitely contact the International and British schools. We live in a rural area in the north of England at the moment but don't expect to find the equivalent in Houston. Would prefer a garden (back yard?) but as I said my husband doesn't want too long a commute. We will be renting - not sure of budget yet. Thanks for the list of groups in Houston carolineb. Any more advice appreciated.

[Historian/Traveler]

If you're into gardening, greenery, and things that grow you will love Houston for this, masduterme. It's a lot like Calcutta (Mumbai), in many regards, in that it rains with a lot of sunshine, and vegetation never dies off (basically, there is no Fall [Autumn] or Winter - almost a perrenial Summer and Spring exists here). It's a far escape from Northern England, I can tell you that much! Whereabouts there are you hailing from? I've spent considerable time in and around the metros of Liverpool-Manchester, York, and Leeds; living, on business, and travel[l]ing (I have a special love for that area because a lot of my blood originally came from there - it exhibits a unique aura whenever I visit). Is there anything you're going to miss or think you're going to miss?

[masduterme]

Originally Posted by Historian/Traveler

If you're into gardening, greenery, and things that grow you will love Houston for this, masduterme. It's a lot like Calcutta (Mumbai), in many regards, in that it rains with a lot of sunshine, and vegetation never dies off (basically, there is no Fall [Autumn] or Winter - almost a perrenial Summer and Spring exists here). It's a far escape from Northern England, I can tell you that much! Whereabouts there are you hailing from? I've spent considerable time in and around the metros of Liverpool-Manchester, York, and Leeds; living, on business, and travel[l]ing (I have a special love for that area because a lot of my blood originally came from there - it exhibits a unique aura whenever I visit). Is there anything you're going to miss or think you're going to miss?

We are from Northumberland -near to Newcastle. Will miss clean air, peace and quiet and of course family and friends. Hope to find like minded people.

[mjewell]

Check out Sugar Land, it's about 30-40 minute drive to the Galleria (or you can take TrekExpress instead of drive) and Fort Bend ISD has great schools. We also have a large British population here.