Transportation Issues

[Sofiyya 1,687]

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

I hear that!

[mybackpages 0]

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

You can get married in Texas without the SS card.

[Henia 11]

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

Unless you live in a major city, the pubic transportation sucks. And if you donnot have a car, then you are basically stuck using the leg bus.

[rclouse 0]

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.

I just pulled up Google Earth and it looks to me like SA is about 20 miles east to west & north to south. Anything within 10 to 15 miles is doable on a bike in an hour, hour and a half. Here in SoCal I bicycle commute 10 miles one way, takes me about an hour cause I'm not really pushing it too hard.

Something to think about.

[Veiled Princess 1]

You can get married in Texas without the SS card.

That's an awful long drive from SC

Tell me about the living in TX... we've actually discussed moving there after he gets his GC.

We've heard that the muslim community is in force there and I guess there are oil companies there too and since he has years of experience in that field he feels it would be easier for him to get work there.

I'd like to move to Philly myself but he doesn't like the cold

Where are the predominatly Arab/muslim communities around the county?

[StupidJourney 0]

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.

I just pulled up Google Earth and it looks to me like SA is about 20 miles east to west & north to south. Anything within 10 to 15 miles is doable on a bike in an hour, hour and a half. Here in SoCal I bicycle commute 10 miles one way, takes me about an hour cause I'm not really pushing it too hard.

Something to think about.

that's true. I'll mention it to him and see what he says! only thing is that this week is was 90 degrees with 90 percent relative humidity. after an hour long bike ride, not sure if he would be in any condition to be presentable for work!

Edited October 14, 2006 by sonicliz

[mybackpages 0]

You can get married in Texas without the SS card.

That's an awful long drive from SC

Tell me about the living in TX... we've actually discussed moving there after he gets his GC.

We've heard that the muslim community is in force there and I guess there are oil companies there too and since he has years of experience in that field he feels it would be easier for him to get work there.

I'd like to move to Philly myself but he doesn't like the cold

Where are the predominatly Arab/muslim communities around the county?

That would be an awfully long drive!

Life in Texas is what you make it i suppose. I am in Houston. We have a very large and diverse Muslim community- Lots of South Asians, Middle Easterners etc. I've found a Moroccan Society in town also and discovered there are a lot of Moroccans here that i didn't realize before. Here's the link to the Islamic Society - www.isgh.org You can browse around and see how spread out the mosque are.

Generally cost of living is much more afforable than many places in the country. Houston is spread out so you need to drive everywhere especially if you want a larger home at a lesser price (Suburbs- 3000 sq feet approx $125,000 and up & City- 2000 sq feet approx $300,000 and up).

Anything you want to know just ask or send me a pm or email.

Edited to correct the link- shoudl be www.isgh.org

Edited October 14, 2006 by mybackpages

[Bosco 1]

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

VP,

When I called, the recording told me a SS# was required here. However, I got a human on the phone and was told it is not actually needed. It may be the case where you are as well. A trip in person or speaking to the right person may be of benefit.

Rebecca

[Veiled Princess 1]

VP,

When I called, the recording told me a SS# was required here. However, I got a human on the phone and was told it is not actually needed. It may be the case where you are as well. A trip in person or speaking to the right person may be of benefit.

Rebecca

For the marriage license? Oh I called and was told... in more than one SC county... that it is now state law that a SS# is required and he'd be asked for it no matter where in SC we go... they also advised me that it's fairly easy to hop across the border to NC and get one there where it's not required...

I talked to a live lady at the SS office too and even though I told her on the website it just says he has to have this visa she insisted that he needs to actually have the work auth before they'd issue one... I guess as far as that goes we'll just wait for him to get here and follow the advice I've seen here to wait two weeks and just apply.

[rclouse 0]

that's true. I'll mention it to him and see what he says! only thing is that this week is was 90 degrees with 90 percent relative humidity. after an hour long bike ride, not sure if he would be in any condition to be presentable for work!

Yeesh! I hadn't thought of that.

In my situation I have two advantages: one, I leave at 0600 while it's still cool so I don't get all sweaty. Two, if I do get sweaty, we have showers where I can rinse off if necessary. For the ride home it doesn't matter, cause I take a shower when I arrive regardless.

A friend of mine used to road bike to work about 20 miles and he did it in less than an hour. He'd have to take a shower no matter the weather!

[StupidJourney 0]

well, I just spoke to the guy who owns my dream apartment, and it's not taken yet! So I'm seeing it today. that will solve all our problems! It's walking distance to downtown, and my fiance went to a culinary/hospitality institute and will most likely be working in that industy. (if any of you know san antonio, it has a booming tourist economy downtown!) I hope the pictures and descriptions I saw online are true to life! Wish me luck!

Edited October 14, 2006 by sonicliz

[Veiled Princess 1]

Good luck

[myfellah 0]

We applied for my husband's (fiance then) SSN card 3 days after his arrival. I was told by BMV that a person with an international driver's license would have to get an Ohio driver's license in 30 days if they were a resident. My husband studied for the test in English and when he took the test, they had all languages even Arabic. As to driving, my husband had never driven before coming here. I tried to teach him then we invested in driver's school for $275 and the difference those 8 hours made was like night and day. He took over the payments on my 2001 and I bought a new 2006. We had to have two cars as the transportation system around here is not what it should be. But all worked out fine. Hope you got your dream place.

Doreen

[StupidJourney 0]

We applied for my husband's (fiance then) SSN card 3 days after his arrival. I was told by BMV that a person with an international driver's license would have to get an Ohio driver's license in 30 days if they were a resident. My husband studied for the test in English and when he took the test, they had all languages even Arabic. As to driving, my husband had never driven before coming here. I tried to teach him then we invested in driver's school for $275 and the difference those 8 hours made was like night and day. He took over the payments on my 2001 and I bought a new 2006. We had to have two cars as the transportation system around here is not what it should be. But all worked out fine. Hope you got your dream place.

Doreen

did he have an international driver's license? hamid told me about one of those, but i didn't know if it was worth the time and money. it seems pretty easy for a new driver over 18 to get a license in texas.

Edited October 15, 2006 by sonicliz

[soul_encounter 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?

I work as a real estate/leasing agent for a property management company. My advice BEST advice to you is, "take your time". Don't rush into any apartment without checking the police district it is in for crime reports, talking to potential neighbors, and shopping around. If you have time, wait until the end of November, December is even better, because turnovers almost hault in those months and management/landlords are jumping at that time to make you deals. If you do get a great place at a reduced rate due to the landlords vacancy end of the year dilemna (it happens I almost pay tenants to move in those last months) see about the possibility of signing a 2-3 year lease and lock in those reduced rents or they will inevitably raise it on you after the first year. If available call "large property management companies" as opposed to individual owners, adds in the paper, or real estate companies (commision is always a major mark-up). A property mangement company will have a wide range of apartments in all price ranges, areas of town etc. We have everything from low-income housing to high end condos and brand new homes. Also, a management company isn't looking for a large initial commision, they make money off of extended management contracts and the leasing fees are included in that.