Moving to Houston Texas

[Akago 0]

Hi! Will it be a problem if when I arrive at Houston Texas I still do not know how to drive a car? I will be working there as a nurse. I will be transporting almost everyday, but I heard their public transport is not as good as the other cities, hence I will be needing to buy my own car. But the problem is, i still do not know how to drive. But im planning to take driving lessons immediately upon arriving there. How big of a problem will it cost me if i only start practice driving there? Please please i need some insights guys..

[Hypnos 6,576]

I stayed in Houston a few days last year and had no issues with the public transport (the light rail system in particular I thought was quite funky). Buses and light rail were numerous and (mostly) on-time.

 

I used an app called Moovit, which is basically Google Maps but for public transport. You tell it where you are, where you want to go, and it tells you which bus or train to catch, when to get off, etc. It's a great little app; I highly recommend it if you're in an area it supports.

[TBoneTX 45,284]

Depending upon where you live and work, you'll either need a car now or can get by without one for a little while.

You MUST live near the bus/rail lines, or have a dependable way to get between your home and the nearest stop.

If you'll be working in the Texas Medical Center, the area is well-served by light rail and buses.

If you'll be working elsewhere, you should research the transit options beforehand.

The Human Resources department of your hiring institution might be able to help with these.

 

In regard to the essence of your question, driving a car is ultimately an absolute necessity in the Houston area.

 

Do you know where you'll be working, living, or both?

 

[TomEn 90]

I lived without a car for more than a year. It is very cumbersome since Houston is not a small city and the public transportation systems is not very great. But hey, i still caught the bus or the metro rail when i had to, then took my lessons (my husband taught me well) got my license and this time was also helpful to save money and then buy the car.

 

So if you want to travel at your convenience in houston, then you have to get yourself a car. But till the time you learn how to, rent a place nea where you work or like Tbone stated live near a transit center to get your bus or train to your work place. Uber and Lyft are also available for days you miss that bus or train.

 

Get here, find a place that makes sense and then take your driving lessons.

[Akago 0]

Thank you guys!

Edited January 4, 2018 by Akago

[Akago 0]

2 hours ago, Hypnos said:

I stayed in Houston a few days last year and had no issues with the public transport (the light rail system in particular I thought was quite funky). Buses and light rail were numerous and (mostly) on-time.

 

I used an app called Moovit, which is basically Google Maps but for public transport. You tell it where you are, where you want to go, and it tells you which bus or train to catch, when to get off, etc. It's a great little app; I highly recommend it if you're in an area it supports.

Thank you, Hypnos! Im definitely downloading that app!😀

[Akago 0]

2 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Depending upon where you live and work, you'll either need a car now or can get by without one for a little while.

You MUST live near the bus/rail lines, or have a dependable way to get between your home and the nearest stop.

If you'll be working in the Texas Medical Center, the area is well-served by light rail and buses.

If you'll be working elsewhere, you should research the transit options beforehand.

The Human Resources department of your hiring institution might be able to help with these.

 

In regard to the essence of your question, driving a car is ultimately an absolute necessity in the Houston area.

 

Do you know where you'll be working, living, or both?

 

Thank, TboneTx! I will be working at Houston Methodist Hospital. Do you know if there are place to stay there that is just a walking distance to the hosp? Or if public transport is not difficult to find there?

[Akago 0]

1 hour ago, TomEn said:

I lived without a car for more than a year. It is very cumbersome since Houston is not a small city and the public transportation systems is not very great. But hey, i still caught the bus or the metro rail when i had to, then took my lessons (my husband taught me well) got my license and this time was also helpful to save money and then buy the car.

 

So if you want to travel at your convenience in houston, then you have to get yourself a car. But till the time you learn how to, rent a place nea where you work or like Tbone stated live near a transit center to get your bus or train to your work place. Uber and Lyft are also available for days you miss that bus or train.

 

Get here, find a place that makes sense and then take your driving lessons.

Thank you, TomEn! Im glad to hear there’s Uber there. But is it pricey if i take Uber? And also, how hard is it to purchase a car, be it a brand new or a second-hand one, in Houston? I come from the Philippines and I obviously do not have any credit record yet..

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

2 hours ago, Akago said:

Thank you, TomEn! Im glad to hear there’s Uber there. But is it pricey if i take Uber? And also, how hard is it to purchase a car, be it a brand new or a second-hand one, in Houston? I come from the Philippines and I obviously do not have any credit record yet..

Cars are a dime a dozen in Houston.  Just have cash you can pick up a good surplus car for around $6,000.

 

Credit record is highly over rated in USA, You can do many things without credit.  Cash is king  

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

6 hours ago, Akago said:

Hi! Will it be a problem if when I arrive at Houston Texas I still do not know how to drive a car? I will be working there as a nurse. I will be transporting almost everyday, but I heard their public transport is not as good as the other cities, hence I will be needing to buy my own car. But the problem is, i still do not know how to drive. But im planning to take driving lessons immediately upon arriving there. How big of a problem will it cost me if i only start practice driving there? Please please i need some insights guys..

Get you a Philippines Drivers License before you arrive in USA.

 

From what I remember it will be hard to do driving test until after you do AOS,  Texas DPS won't issue learner permit until you have EAD

 

That could be many months after arriving before you get that.

 

You can use your PHilippines DL here in Texas no issues once you arrive.

6 hours ago, Akago said:

Hi! Will it be a problem if when I arrive at Houston Texas I still do not know how to drive a car? I will be working there as a nurse. I will be transporting almost everyday, but I heard their public transport is not as good as the other cities, hence I will be needing to buy my own car. But the problem is, i still do not know how to drive. But im planning to take driving lessons immediately upon arriving there. How big of a problem will it cost me if i only start practice driving there? Please please i need some insights guys..

You have already have you Texas Licenses to practice nursing?

[TBoneTX 45,284]

8 hours ago, Akago said:

I will be working at Houston Methodist Hospital. Do you know if there are place to stay there that is just a walking distance to the hosp? Or if public transport is not difficult to find there?

There are some apartments in the general area of the Medical Center (where Methodist is), but they might be quite expensive.  Furthermore, walking might be unpleasant in the rain or 100-degree temperatures.  Perhaps ask your hiring department or the Human Resources department for recommendations.

 

In good news, Methodist is directly at a light-rail stop, and many buses are also available.

[TomEn 90]

12 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

There are some apartments in the general area of the Medical Center (where Methodist is), but they might be quite expensive.  Furthermore, walking might be unpleasant in the rain or 100-degree temperatures.  Perhaps ask your hiring department or the Human Resources department for recommendations.

 

In good news, Methodist is directly at a light-rail stop, and many buses are also available.

What if He is with Houston Methodist in Sugar Land?

 

Dont bother with the Philipines license. They are not valid here even if it is the "recommended" international licenses. My friends got their license in Phil and still had to get another license here in TX.

 

You will be coming in on an H1 visa if I am not wrong. you dont have to worry about AOS or EAD. You can apply for a license in a week of getting into the US> SInce you are yet to learn, it would be best to approach a driving school to help you get a learner's permit. 

 

Please find out the info about the hospital you will be working out of? Methodist is a large institution with a lot of branches. Give us more details about where your work would be and we would be able to better help you with info on travel and stay. 

 

Till then it will all be conjecture and speculations at this point!

 

[TBoneTX 45,284]

19 minutes ago, TomEn said:

1.  What if He is with Houston Methodist in Sugar Land?

 

2.  Please find out the info about the hospital you will be working out of? Methodist is a large institution with a lot of branches. Give us more details about where your work would be and we would be able to better help you with info on travel and stay. 

 

3.  Till then it will all be conjecture and speculations at this point!

 

1.  One of the possibilities, certainly.

2.  This indeed should be clarified.

3.  Absolutely.