Transportation Issues

[StupidJourney 0]

Hi guys. I'm starting to look for an apartment, and I'm having a dilemna in finding one due to thinking about transportation issues. He won't be able to drive right away, and we certainly won't be able to afford another car right away, so I'm trying to think of where we should move. San Antonio's not a very public transportation friendly city (like most american cities), and the centrally located ones are either too expensive, or affordable but on the slummy side. Nicer and more affordable apartments (I found brand new apartments 200 below market rate) tend to be in areas that are very residential, thus making it hard for my fiance to be able to get around for work, etc.

How did you guys work out transportation issues? Or if your SO isn't here yet, have you thought about that? I'm not sure what I should do? Find a slummy apartment where he can walk or take the bus to work, or find a nice apartment where transportation could be a hassle?

Thanks for your input!

Liz

Edited October 14, 2006 by sonicliz

[Veiled Princess 1]

I have been thinking about this same topic lately!!!

I live in a small town down south so we've got NO public transportation here at all. The only bus system here is the bus that runs to the neighboring city (which is a godsend for those who need it because most of us here have to work up there) but you have to go to one of the two bus stops in town (neither are in walking distance) and catch the bus... but this bus just goes directly to the interstate and into the city... it doesn't go around town here.

My state also requires a SSN before you can get a driver's license and I've heard it can take a while to get that

[Bosco 1]

Hi guys. I'm starting to look for an apartment, and I'm having a dilemna in finding one due to thinking about transportation issues. He won't be able to drive right away, and we certainly won't be able to afford another car right away, so I'm trying to think of where we should move. San Antonio's not a very public transportation friendly city (like most american cities), and the centrally located ones are either too expensive, or affordable but on the slummy side. Nicer and more affordable apartments (I found brand new apartments 200 below market rate) tend to be in areas that are very residential, thus making it hard for my fiance to be able to get around for work, etc.

How did you guys work out transportation issues? Or if your SO isn't here yet, have you thought about that? I'm not sure what I should do? Find a slummy apartment where he can walk or take the bus to work, or find a nice apartment where transportation could be a hassle?

Thanks for your input!

Liz

Public transportation here is not great either. While we can afford another car, the licensing process here is long and drawn out. Six months of a permit first. We recently picked up a motor scooter, which requires no tags and no insurance in Maryland. It does require a moped permit, but that was easy enough to get with no waiting time. Unfortuntely, it is already getting cold. Anyway, it may be a more affordable option for the better weather days for you as well.

[StupidJourney 0]

My state requires SSN before driver's license too. I found a perfect apartment in walking distance to lots of things, and in a cute part of town. The guy told me he'd call on tuesday to set up a time to see it. Tuesday came, no call, so I sent an email. Thursday came, and I called HIM but no return call. I'm still not sure what I'll do!

Edited October 14, 2006 by sonicliz

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Are you willing to move out of state?

[rclouse 0]

You live in San Antonio? Have you considered one of these?

[Bosco 1]

My state requires SSN before driver's license too. I found a perfect apartment in walking distance to lots of things, and in a cute part of town. The guy told me he'd call on tuesday to set up a time to see it. Tuesday came, no call, so I sent an email. Thursday came, and I called HIM but no return call. I'm still not sure what I'll do!

My husband arrived on K1. We applied for the SS# two weeks after he arrived based on recommendations here, and had it less than a week later. If you can manage through a month, this shouldn't be a big problem. I would look into the licensing requirements in your states. Some states make it difficult for new drivers and/or drivers with licences from other countries.

[Veiled Princess 1]

My husband arrived on K1. We applied for the SS# two weeks after he arrived based on recommendations here, and had it less than a week later. If you can manage through a month, this shouldn't be a big problem. I would look into the licensing requirements in your states. Some states make it difficult for new drivers and/or drivers with licences from other countries.

When he arrived did he get the temp work auth at the POE???

[StupidJourney 0]

It's not too hard to get a license here. You just need an SSN, and then be able to pass the written and driving test. only catch is, my fiance doesn't know how to drive! So'll I have to teach him!

You live in San Antonio? Have you considered one of these?

a bike would be great if we lived in one of the central areas I talked about (but those are either expensive or slummy). But SA is soooooo spread out. so that gets back to my original issue. should i take a slummy apartment so that transportation isn't an issue? or should I find a nice apartment that's in the middle of other apartments and no businesses or transportation?

Edited October 14, 2006 by sonicliz

[mybackpages 0]

In 2005 Texas passed a law that may help until the SS card arrives.

In Texas, a new law authorizes the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to enter into an agreement with a foreign country under which a nonresident who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a driver’s license from that country that is similar to a Texas-issued driver’s license may receive a Texas driver’s license, and a person who is 18 or older and who has in his or her possession a Texas driver’s license may receive a license similar to a Texas driver’s license issued from the foreign country Quoted from: http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/DL026.htm

Also according to the Texas DMV allows driving on a foreign license for up to one year . See below fromt he site. Morocco has reciprocity with Texas.

Out-of-Country Driver License

1) How long can I drive with an out-of-country driver license?

Generally, a person 18 to 75 years of age with a valid out-of-country driver license in their possession may drive a private, non-commercial motor vehicle in the State of Texas for up to one year from date of entry into the United States, if their home country has reciprocity with the U.S. In order to check for reciprocity agreement status, click on <A style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single" href="http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pub/plsql/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=37&pt=1&ch=15&rl=91">Reciprocity In Driver Licensing or you may contact License Issuance at (512) 424-5089 or by e-mail at license.issuance@txdps.state.tx.us. 37 Texas Administrative Code 15.91.

[Bosco 1]

My husband arrived on K1. We applied for the SS# two weeks after he arrived based on recommendations here, and had it less than a week later. If you can manage through a month, this shouldn't be a big problem. I would look into the licensing requirements in your states. Some states make it difficult for new drivers and/or drivers with licences from other countries.

When he arrived did he get the temp work auth at the POE???

No. We chose to not have him come through JFK. I didn't see any point in him working a job for a few weeks just to stop (money was not an issue). He did volunteer work until his EAD arrived to keep busy. However, I work at home, so he wasn't sitting home alone like many men find themselves.

[StupidJourney 0]

Are you willing to move out of state?

If I move out of state, it would be out of the country too. to morocco!

[mybackpages 0]

It's not too hard to get a license here. You just need an SSN, and then be able to pass the written and driving test. only catch is, my fiance doesn't know how to drive! So'll I have to teach him!

Oops, posted my other reply before seeing this!

[StupidJourney 0]

It's not too hard to get a license here. You just need an SSN, and then be able to pass the written and driving test. only catch is, my fiance doesn't know how to drive! So'll I have to teach him!

Oops, posted my other reply before seeing this!

maybe i should tell him to get his butt in gear and get a license over there!

[Veiled Princess 1]

My husband arrived on K1. We applied for the SS# two weeks after he arrived based on recommendations here, and had it less than a week later. If you can manage through a month, this shouldn't be a big problem. I would look into the licensing requirements in your states. Some states make it difficult for new drivers and/or drivers with licences from other countries.

When he arrived did he get the temp work auth at the POE???

No. We chose to not have him come through JFK. I didn't see any point in him working a job for a few weeks just to stop (money was not an issue). He did volunteer work until his EAD arrived to keep busy. However, I work at home, so he wasn't sitting home alone like many men find themselves.

No, I just asked because the lady at the SS office told me that a SSN is only available to those who have work auth so if he doesn't get the temp work auth at the POE then he'll have to wait until he gets his GC... which, if true, could present a huge issue because you also have to have a SSN here to get a marriage license