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Old 02-10-2014, 12:17 PM
 
7 posts, read 10,422 times
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Hi everyone!

My family will be relocating to Houston by May this year. That's another 2-3 months to go and we've got nothing done!

We have 2 young kids, 4 and 1.5 years old. My husband's work place is in Greenspoint and we are looking at The Woodlands, Spring or Kingswood for our home (as recommended by his colleagues since most of them stay in these areas). Any recommendations for a good pre-school in these areas that offers a rigorous yet fun curriculum and offer Chinese language? We may have to come back to Singapore after 2 years.

As for accommodation, I am really torn... Was thinking of staying in a house so that there's lotsa space for the boys to play, run and kick a ball. But the household chores would be.... Such a chore! Hahaaa... So am thinking of a service apartment now. Any ideas?

Thanks!
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Old 02-10-2014, 12:33 PM
 
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Hi,

You never mention your budget. Woodlands is a great area for a young family. However, there will be VERY FEW chinese in that part of town. All your grocery shopping will have to be done in Northwest Houston or Southwest part of Houston.

I know the commute could be hell, but I think the perfect neighborhood for you is in Sugarland. There is a big Asian population, the pre-school all offer chinese schooling, and big variety of somewhat decent chinese food. You will not found any chinese food up in Woodlands, Kingwood or Spring.
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Old 02-10-2014, 01:58 PM
 
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I'm not sure how often they plan to go out for traditional Chinese food, but I'd tend to think it would be much less than the number of times the husband drives to work.

I'm also not very fond of people encouraging others to "stay with your kind".
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:03 PM
 
Location: Breckenridge
2,367 posts, read 4,695,537 times
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I would pick the Woodlands over the other two. Don't live in Sugar Land as someone suggested. It is on the opposite side of town. Spring is kind of the poor mans Woodlands. The commute from Kingwood would not be too bad to Greenspoint. There is just a ton more to do in the Woodlands.

As for your hopes of Chinese lang in the schools. That is something you would have to get at a private school in the city. If you are just leasing an apartment I would look at living in the city also.
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:05 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PedroMartinez View Post
I'm not sure how often they plan to go out for traditional Chinese food, but I'd tend to think it would be much less than the number of times the husband drives to work.

I'm also not very fond of people encouraging others to "stay with your kind".
Unfortunately this is Houston outside of 610 loop but the thread is not to agree or disagree with you.

Being 23 hours flight from home is hard enough, having "your kind" to assist you and understand your needs and wants make the transition so much easier. There is a reason most immigrants only move to certain cities, is because the network is already there to help them settle in.
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Old 02-10-2014, 04:26 PM
 
Location: Hougary, Texberta
9,019 posts, read 14,289,364 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ipuck View Post
Unfortunately this is Houston outside of 610 loop but the thread is not to agree or disagree with you.

Being 23 hours flight from home is hard enough, having "your kind" to assist you and understand your needs and wants make the transition so much easier. There is a reason most immigrants only move to certain cities, is because the network is already there to help them settle in.
I don't know what "your kind" is, but Singapore is about as cosmopolitan in a global sense as it comes.
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Old 02-10-2014, 05:11 PM
 
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Ipluck is right. I stayed in China for some time and it's really nice to hear someone who spoke Singlish now and then.

Mikeyyc is right too. Singapore is a big rojak (hee... Singlish for you here...) and I'm pretty used to being/ working with people of all races, nationalities and religions.

We are looking for an area where the kids can have a good education and the neighborhood is safe. A search online gives a few schools (e.g. The Woodlands Preparatory School). Can someone tell me more about the school system (e.g. Terms, school holidays, curriculum etc) in USA? At the same time, we hope that my husband does not have to drive long to get to work place (less than 45 mins?).

All replies are much appreciated.
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Old 02-10-2014, 05:16 PM
 
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Maybe you should try to ask one of the black person living in Woodlands how they like it? Wait, I don't think you will found one.

It is not fun when you are always the only non white person in any restaurant, supermarket, or wherever you go.

Try to be politically correct all you want, but if I am the husband, I probably would make the drive just so my wife won't hackle me about founding a bag of thai rice or where to found fishball. That's why having a network is so much helpful.

Last edited by ipuck; 02-10-2014 at 06:16 PM..
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Old 02-10-2014, 05:28 PM
 
2,047 posts, read 2,984,276 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OriginalCraft View Post
We are looking for an area where the kids can have a good education and the neighborhood is safe. A search online gives a few schools (e.g. The Woodlands Preparatory School). Can someone tell me more about the school system (e.g. Terms, school holidays, curriculum etc) in USA? At the same time, we hope that my husband does not have to drive long to get to work place (less than 45 mins?).

All replies are much appreciated.
If your kid is 4, there is only pre-k school for him/her. Maybe you can look into Montessori school for the older one as they tend to provide a nice assortment of basic skills for the youngsters. I don't know any good ones up in Woodlands so maybe others can chime in.

For the smaller one, there is only daycare.
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Old 02-10-2014, 08:11 PM
 
Location: Upper East Side of Texas
12,498 posts, read 26,991,779 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ipuck View Post
Hi,

You never mention your budget. Woodlands is a great area for a young family. However, there will be VERY FEW chinese in that part of town. All your grocery shopping will have to be done in Northwest Houston or Southwest part of Houston.

I know the commute could be hell, but I think the perfect neighborhood for you is in Sugarland. There is a big Asian population, the pre-school all offer chinese schooling, and big variety of somewhat decent chinese food. You will not found any chinese food up in Woodlands, Kingwood or Spring.
Singapore is not a part of China!!!

Its a city in Malaysia, which is its own country like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, etc.

Asians make up over 5% of the population in The Woodlands. While not a tremendous amount compared to some of Houston's other burbs, its certainly above the State of Texas average at 4%.

Last edited by Metro Matt; 02-10-2014 at 08:22 PM..
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