Moving to Texas from Maryland

[Toshtishtash 1]

Hey all,

My Husband and I, along with our 2 year old Son are planning a big move to Texas next Spring. New Braunfels is the place we have decided on!!! I have lived in Maryland for the past 5 years after emigrating from England in 2008.

Are there any fellow VJ'ers in Texas? Anyone got any tips for a Texas newbie?

We are basically moving there blind... We don't know anyone around that area, bit frightening but exciting at the same time! (My Husbands Sister and Mom live 3 hours away in Houston... I didn't fancy moving to Houston at all though :/)

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I know New Braunfels a bit from vacationing there for many years, and have some relatives there. It's very German and seems to be a nice community. So do you have jobs? Larger cities are close by for needs that can't be met in a small town. I have lived in Texas my whole life so hard to know how somebody from afar will like it. My husband loves it. We are in the Houston area. What don't you fancy about it? Having relatives nearby is nice.

Here's what my British husband says about Texas.

People are really friendly.

Drivers are crazy.

Sales people act like they really want to help you and appreciate your business.

He hates drive-thru places because they don't understand his accent.

He likes the attention his accent brings. Everybody luuuvs his accent.

He loves barbeque and Mexican food.

It's bleedin' hot, but it's better than England.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Tash!!!!! Mrs. T-B. & I (& our 29-month-old son) are also in the Houston area.

You should like New Braunfels. I echo what Nich has said about it. In general, property taxes (for houses) might be a little higher than out East, but the cost of everything else should be lower. Also, there's no State income tax.

If you settle in a Houston suburb, you will almost never need to go into Houston itself unless you work there.

If you moved close to us, your son and Mini-Bone (ours) could be playmates, si man.

Edited June 25, 2013 by TBoneTX

[lubnajavid 20]

Houston resident here - waiting for my wife to POE in July....

been in Houston for 4.5 years - was in Louisiana before that... i can tell you Houston is NOT like Louisiana (lived in a smaller city there of about 100,000)

But, like someone said above me, if you live in the suburbs, you dont have to ever go into Houston city itself... there are lots of amenities and lots to do.

People in Texas are generally very nice too... mostly helpful

It can be hot, it will more than MD thats for sure... but over there in New Braunfels, you may get a colder winter than Houston does... Its nice out there, been there many times, and theres a HUGE outlet mall right there (actually two side by side)

[Toshtishtash 1]

I know New Braunfels a bit from vacationing there for many years, and have some relatives there. It's very German and seems to be a nice community. So do you have jobs? Larger cities are close by for needs that can't be met in a small town. I have lived in Texas my whole life so hard to know how somebody from afar will like it. My husband loves it. We are in the Houston area. What don't you fancy about it? Having relatives nearby is nice.

Here's what my British husband says about Texas.

People are really friendly.

Drivers are crazy.

Sales people act like they really want to help you and appreciate your business.

He hates drive-thru places because they don't understand his accent.

He likes the attention his accent brings. Everybody luuuvs his accent.

He loves barbeque and Mexican food.

It's bleedin' hot, but it's better than England.

I'm not sure what it is about Houston that I don't like... I have only been there twice and it just didn't grab me at all... It's seems too flat and dusty, lol. It's too busy for me too! I'm a bit of a country girl... My hubs sister lives in Alvin and her Step kids live in Katy. New Branfels appeals to me a little bit more, it seems prettier and from what I can tell by searching for places to live, it seems so much cheaper than Maryland!!! We are paying $1290 a month here for a 2 bedroom apartment... For $1000 we can get a 3 bedroom house with a deck and back yard with a 2 car garage! The pay seems much better too... AND Austin and San antonio look awesome! They are just far enough away too.

I'm glad to hear people are friendly! That's my one pet peeve about Maryland... I have really struggled to make friends here, everyone seems to have a giant stick up their a*ss! (I'm sure that doesn't account for everyone... Just the majority of the people that I have met!!!)

Also, we don't have jobs yet.. We will start looking nearer the time. We are hoping that my husband is going to get a job with the company that his brother in law works for in Houston. They have a branch that runs out of San Antonio! That would be awesome!

Tash!!!!! Mrs. T-B. & I (& our 29-month-old son) are also in the Houston area.

You should like New Braunfels. I echo what Nich has said about it. In general, property taxes (for houses) might be a little higher than out East, but the cost of everything else should be lower. Also, there's no State income tax.

If you settle in a Houston suburb, you will almost never need to go into Houston itself unless you work there.

If you moved close to us, your son and Mini-Bone (ours) could be playmates, si man.

Yay! Hey TBone!! How are you?? I probably won't be moving to Houston, my husband doesn't really like that area either... He lived in Alvin for 6 months before we met and hated it We should most definitely meet up at some point though!!! Our little ones could be vacation playmates, lol

Houston resident here - waiting for my wife to POE in July....

been in Houston for 4.5 years - was in Louisiana before that... i can tell you Houston is NOT like Louisiana (lived in a smaller city there of about 100,000)

But, like someone said above me, if you live in the suburbs, you dont have to ever go into Houston city itself... there are lots of amenities and lots to do.

People in Texas are generally very nice too... mostly helpful

It can be hot, it will more than MD thats for sure... but over there in New Braunfels, you may get a colder winter than Houston does... Its nice out there, been there many times, and theres a HUGE outlet mall right there (actually two side by side)

That's another thing about Houston! The heat!!! It seems to be so humid there like all the time! It gets humid here too, but holy #######! I think I would die, or become a hermit. lol. I have heard that it deosn't get as humid around the New Braunfels area. (Keeping fingers crossed!)

Thank you all so much for all the helpful info!

Edited June 25, 2013 by Toshtishtash

[domwardbound 73]

I'm not sure what it is about Houston that I don't like... I have only been there twice and it just didn't grab me at all... It's seems too flat and dusty, lol. It's too busy for me too! I'm a bit of a country girl... My hubs sister lives in Alvin and her Step kids live in Katy. New Branfels appeals to me a little bit more, it seems prettier and from what I can tell by searching for places to live, it seems so much cheaper than Maryland!!! We are paying $1290 a month here for a 2 bedroom apartment... For $1000 we can get a 3 bedroom house with a deck and back yard with a 2 car garage! The pay seems much better too... AND Austin and San antonio look awesome! They are just far enough away too.

I'm glad to hear people are friendly! That's my one pet peeve about Maryland... I have really struggled to make friends here, everyone seems to have a giant stick up their a*ss! (I'm sure that doesn't account for everyone... Just the majority of the people that I have met!!!)

Also, we don't have jobs yet.. We will start looking nearer the time. We are hoping that my husband is going to get a job with the company that his brother in law works for in Houston. They have a branch that runs out of San Antonio! That would be awesome!

Yay! Hey TBone!! How are you?? I probably won't be moving to Houston, my husband doesn't really like that area either... He lived in Alvin for 6 months before we met and hated it We should most definitely meet up at some point though!!! Our little ones could be vacation playmates, lol

That's another thing about Houston! The heat!!! It seems to be so humid there like all the time! It gets humid here too, but holy #######! I think I would die, or become a hermit. lol. I have heard that it deosn't get as humid around the New Braunfels area. (Keeping fingers crossed!)

Thank you all so much for all the helpful info!

New Braunfels is nice - close to San Antonio (Sea World, Six Flags, Alamo, etc - a big city with a lot of stuff to see), and also the prime spot (at least for those in Houston) to go tubing on the Guadalupe. Even when it's hot, the water is always cold.

However - I'm on the other side of the fence with regards to Houston. I think the suburbs are missing much of what Houston has to offer, and I'm very happy that I can stand out on my balcony and see the Houston skyline fill my view It's not a city like San Antonio or Austin, but I think for living, it's at least as good (and in some ways better) than both!

And about Texas as a whole - I'm from the north originally, and when my job landed me in Texas, I was very worried that every negative stereotype about Texas would be true and that I wouldn't fit in at all. However, Texas is actually (for the most part) a great place. Just don't get pulled over on I-10 - the state troopers show no mercy.

Edited July 6, 2013 by domwardbound

[himher 634]

Hey all,

My Husband and I, along with our 2 year old Son are planning a big move to Texas next Spring. New Braunfels is the place we have decided on!!! I have lived in Maryland for the past 5 years after emigrating from England in 2008.

Are there any fellow VJ'ers in Texas? Anyone got any tips for a Texas newbie?

We are basically moving there blind... We don't know anyone around that area, bit frightening but exciting at the same time! (My Husbands Sister and Mom live 3 hours away in Houston... I didn't fancy moving to Houston at all though :/)

Welcome to Texas! We live in Houston and I will say New Braunfels is a good choice to live, a lot of fun, and close enough to San Antonio to enjoy some city life.

Best of luck to you and your family

[Ivy. 113]

Hi!

My brother in law used to work in New Braunfels and travel there every day from San Antonio. If you want, I can ask him about the city.

As for Texas in general... I don't know. I mind the heat. I am dreading moving there because the summers at 100 F/38 C or more do not work well with me. And I missed snow for Christmas. I like winters, so I have problems with this, but I see how other people might like it.

My husband loves Texas and Texas weather. And he loves Texas skies at sundown. I don't know if it's because there are no big buildings around or because of SAT placement on the globe, but they are very pretty.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

My husband loves Texas and Texas weather. And he loves Texas skies at sundown. I don't know if it's because there are no big buildings around or because of SAT placement on the globe, but they are very pretty.

Big Sky Country...that's how I've heard Texas is called. I love sunsets too. Get out the camera and take some nice pictures

[Tom & Stacy 3]

I moved from St. John's, Canada to Houston last summer. We bought a lake home (we go up there on the weekends) in Canyon Lake which is about 15 mins from New Braunfels. I'm a big fan of the place. It's friendly, a small community but has everything you'd need. It's in the Texas Hill Country so yes, lots of rolling hills. You'll need to check out Fredricksburg and Greune which are close by. Wimberly is a cute town near by as well. Don't forget the huge outdoor outlet mall in San Marcos!

I think you'll be very happy there. Close to San Antonio too. The Riverwalk there is absolutely beautiful!

Feel free to inbox me if you'd ever like to meet up for dinner and a chat! Again, my husband and I are in that area every weekend.

[Ozz777 23]

I know New Braunfels a bit from vacationing there for many years, and have some relatives there. It's very German and seems to be a nice community. So do you have jobs? Larger cities are close by for needs that can't be met in a small town. I have lived in Texas my whole life so hard to know how somebody from afar will like it. My husband loves it. We are in the Houston area. What don't you fancy about it? Having relatives nearby is nice.

Here's what my British husband says about Texas.

People are really friendly.

Drivers are crazy.

Sales people act like they really want to help you and appreciate your business.

He hates drive-thru places because they don't understand his accent.

He likes the attention his accent brings. Everybody luuuvs his accent.

He loves barbeque and Mexican food.

It's bleedin' hot, but it's better than England.

New Braunfels is home to the best waterpark on the planet, is just north of San Antonio which has the Alamo and Riverwalk, etc. The cost of living will be lower than Maryland, no state taxes, housing cheaper, etc. My wife and I have been discussing moving here ourselves, once her visa is approved. We probably won't, because all of my family is in the Pacific Northwest, but it's our first alternate.