Relocation guide houston by Ben Quinton

Relocation Guide: Houston Our guide to living and working overseas

Houston Overview

When people think of a thriving, up and coming city, Houston doesn’t usually spring to mind. People tend to associate it with the smell of oil refineries, humidity, and the continuously underperforming Astros (baseball team). They should take another look as Houston is an economic powerhouse. It is the fourthlargest city in the United States and one of the cheapest and easiest to live in, as well as being one of the most modern, with a fast system of freeways linking its districts and satellite towns and suburbs. With a dynamic economy driven by the energy industry, biomedical science, aeronautics and its port, Houston is designated a gamma world city, with a Gross Area Product higher than some countries entirely. Houston is by far the country’s number one job creator being the home of America’s booming energy industry. It is far more diverse than New York City, letting you stretch your paycheck farther than anywhere else in the country. Residents have voted time and time again to prevent the separation of business and living districts which has resulted in finding a home close to the workplace very simple. This in turn allows people to enjoy the delights of its many lively districts; Uptown, Downtown, East End and the worldrenowned Medical Center District. Throw in a thriving restaurant and cultural scene, and you’ve got a winning case for Houston as the best American city Living comfortably isn’t just about how much you get paid. It’s about how much everything costs. You can’t beat Houston here. When you adjust for cost of living, Houston has the highest pay in the country at average $75,256, ahead of places like the San Jose area, which has high wages, but extremely high costs.

There are 22 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Houston, fewer than New York’s 45, but double Dallas or Atlanta, which tie for fourth with 10. Many are in the city’s “energy corridor,” the home of the oil and gas industry. They include Conoco Phillips, Marathon Oil, Sysco, Apache, Halliburton, and many more. Houston is the home of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. It’s the home of America’s astronaut corps, and the place where they — and many international astronauts — get trained to go to space. It’s a significant research center and employer, as well as housing Mission Control for manned spaceflight expeditions.

Air Energi in Houston

Air Energi in Houston was established in 1999 and has been a solid business model for us working with some of the major oil and gas companies within the oil and gas capital of the world.

Oil and Gas in USA

Home to nearly a quarter of the world’s proven oil reserves and driven by energyhungry markets in Asia Pacific, the Americas continue to be a major draw for oil and gas expertise from around the world. The reality of US shale gas development has begun to sink in, increasing design work out of Houston and attracting the attention of international project partners. Latin America is similarly asserting its presence on the global petroleum resources stage, and as elsewhere the labour shortage is becoming ever more acute. North American engineering graduates are being lured to industries outside of oil and gas, and may not find an easy transition back to the petrochemical field later on in their careers. But the specialised talent required for today’s highly technical exploits takes years to develop, particularly as today’s exploits only www.airenergi.com

continue to go deeper and become more unconventional. The big story in the United States has been shale gas, and the world market has just begun to understand what the full impact of the development of this industry here will mean not just in terms of domestic energy supply but the export potential as well. Employment potential surrounding the fullscale development of projects like Eagle Ford, Bakken and Marcellus will be good news to the US economy, and fortunately for operators there should be a strong pool of engineering and construction expertise to pull from. Geologists and engineers are currently among the highest in demand and in some cases are also enjoying salary increases as a result. Other disciplines are holding steady in terms of rates. Looking northward, attractive tax incentives are now on offer designed to attract exploration and investment to Alaska’s sizeable and technically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves. Activity is also picking up in highly technical, unconventional oil plays. Offshore work in the Gulf of Mexico is picking up considerably, and operators there are gaining confidence, pushing exploration and production work into deeper and deeper waters. Job order boards are full throughout and companies are seeking to increase headcount, but it has not yet become a fullblown candidates’ market.

Climate

Don’t bother buying a nice jacket. You’ll be spending the money on sun cream. Texas is hot and Houston can have temperatures over 90 degrees for weeks on end without the slightest drop of rain. Air conditioning is a basic necessity. In fact, it’s worth taking a sweater to the cinema or frozen food section of the grocery store because of a suddenly chill environment.

When it does rain, it is like a tropical rainstorm. Rain can be so hard that it knocks plants down and makes it almost impossible to see whilst driving. When it stops and the sun comes back out, the mosquitoes arrive so insect repellant is recommended. Houston is not a malaria sensitive area however. Take caution when driving during/after periods of rainfall as there can be deep pot holes on the roads. Never drive through where you can’t see the bottom. There is a hurricane season from June to November. This is daunting to most newcomers (unless from a typhoon zone) however you will get used to it. We recommend getting a weather radio - windup in case you run out of batteries - and make sure you keep an eye on the weather channel - 27 on almost all TVs. Air Energi shall issue safety advice and guidance in the event of a hurricane. In recent years Houston has taken in Hurricane Katrina refugees from neighboring Louisiana, while Hurricane Rita caused the biggest traffic jam in Houston’s history. Hurricane Ike was the big one, actually hitting Houston, causing mass amounts of damage. Although these natural disasters do occur we at Air Energi and the residents of Houston are prepared for every eventuality.

Cost of Living * This is an approximate guide only

Houston, TX is one of the most affordable places to live in the United States. Yes, property taxes are high, but that’s because they don’t have a state income tax. Housing prices are very reasonable in comparison to the rest of the country and you will get a lot for your money. Food prices are low here as are meal prices at restaurants, which is why you will find most people eat out a lot. There are alot of great suburbs - Katy on the west side; Sugar Land on the SW side; Clear Lake on the south side; Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood and Humble on the north side, so you will have no trouble finding a nice place to settle.

deposit which generally averages $200 to $400 depending on apartment size and other considerations. Mid-Rise Apartment Living Typically a trend in urban settings (downtown and midtown). Mid-rise apartments, fourto-six levels, are popular and often built to allow parking access on the same floor as the residence. High Rise Apartments Catering to the busy executive, high rise apartments are considered to be true luxury living, complete with concierge services, onsite dry cleaners and valet parking, among other amenities. Amenities and services can vary greatly from building to building, and their expense is reflected in high rents. Condominium and Townhome Living Condominiums and townhomes often offer amenities similar in some ways to apartments. They can be leased or purchased throughout the Houston region. A leasing agent at a property management company may be in charge of the community. Single-Family Homes The single-family home on the rental market can range from $800 for a two-bedroom home to $2,500 or significantly more for a larger home. The security deposit is tends to be the same as one month’s rent. These properties often require residents to sign a one-year lease. Often renters of these properties pay all of the utility bills. Standard Length of Lease One year. Deposit One month’s rent. Rental Agent’s Fee Usually paid by landlord. Break Clause (diplomatic clause) Can be negotiated into lease.

Average Rents

Galleria/Uptown Average rent: $2,500 per month Greenway Plaza Average rent: $2,000 per month Medical Center Average rent: $2,500 per month Midtown Average rent: $2,000 per month Katy Average rent: $1,500 per month Lakes on Eldridge Average rent: $3,500 per month, single family home Memorial/Spring Branch Average rent: $1,800 per month Pearland Average rent: $1,400 per month Sugar Land Average rent: $1,500 per month The Woodlands Average rent: $1,500 per month

Banking

Currently, the American banking sector is dominated by five major banks: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs. Banks are generally open 9.00am to 4:30pm Mon-Fri. In some states selected banking facilities are available on Saturday morning. General office hours including post offices are 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. ATM cards can be used in America at both ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) and at participating retail locations, so long as they have been enabled for international access.

Education

Houstonians are very serious about their childrens’ education. Parents research school districts and many move into the school district that best fit their needs. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) (www.tea.state. tx.us) and the State Board of Education oversees the public education system.

The minimum wage in Texas is the same as the federal minimum wage.

Accommodation Types of Homes

Apartments Most apartment complexes in Houston are two-to-three storey walk-up apartment communities rather than a building with interior hallways. Apartment communities are characterized by balconies and patios, central courtyards, swimming pools, attractive landscaping, and clubhouses. Many complexes offer standard features, which include ceiling fans, mini-blinds, air conditioning, microwave ovens, dishwashers, covered parking, and emergency maintenance. Many are gated for extra security. Most apartments have carpet throughout the living areas and bedrooms. Apartment communities require a security © Air Energi 2013

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In general, Houston area schools are divided into three levels: elementary schools for kindergarten through fifth grade, middle schools for six through eight grade and high schools for ninth through 12th grade. The average class consists of 22 students. The core curriculum is comprised of English language arts, fine arts, mathematics, science and social studies. School hours are 08:00 to 15:00, providing a seven-hour day although this can vary depending on the school. To enter Kindergarten, students must be five years old by September 1 of the school year. Choosing a public school or a private school is a personal choice. Expatriates seem to be split very evenly on their choices between public school and private school. There are more than 300 private schools in Houston, ranging from over 1,000 students to small schools with less than 50 students. A good resource to begin research is www. houstonprivateschools.org. Parents can get detailed on this site such as how to apply, tuition fees, applicable placement tests, each school’s web address and more. We recommend taking a tour of a few schools before deciding on a specific school. The enrolment for the following fall school year is generally conducted in January and February. Many private schools have waiting lists, so it is hard to be admitted if enrolling late. It is possible to enrol mid-year, depending on available openings. Parents will need to complete an application for their child to be considered a candidate. Tuition varies by school from $5,000 per year to almost $20,000 per year.

There are several standardised aptitude and achievement tests such as STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness administered to students at different ages and the Texas Education Agency provides useful information on this. Each school or district receives one of four possible rankings: Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable and Academically Unacceptable. The accountability ratings for all Texas schools are available at www.tea.state.tx.us. Local public education is free. It is funded by resident’s property taxes. The Houston area is zoned, which means that each neighborhood is zoned to a specific school. You can view a map of the boundary lines for the school districts at www.texasbest.com/schools/map. html. With over 25 school districts in the Houston metropolitan area, most expatriates move to areas with the following school districts: Houston Independent School District www.houstonisd.org Spring Branch Independent School District www.springbranchisd.com Katy Independent School District www.katyisd.org Fort Bend Independent School District www.fortbend.k12.tx.us Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District www.cfisd.net Conroe Independent School District (The Woodlands) www.conroeisd.net

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To register your child at any school the following original documents are generally required: • Proof of parent’s (or guardian’s) identity: passport, driver’s license, or state ID Card. • Proof of address: three or more current documents such as bills, driver’s license, or insurance documents. • Proof of child’s date of birth: one of the following documents – birth certificate, baptism certificate, alien registration card, passport with visa and I 94. • Proof of immunization: an up-to date record of all vaccinations required in the state of Texas. • Transcripts: report cards of previously attended schools. Independent schools will, in addition, ask you to bring the required test certificates and may ask for two to three recommendations from your child’s principal, math, and English teachers. The University of Houston has around 41,000 students, and was elevated to Tier One status as a research university by the Carnegie Foundation in 2011. Rice University is one of the country’s best undergraduate schools, ranked 17th nationally, with particularly strong programs in applied sciences.

Childcare

Choosing child care is an important decision. Many families in Houston choose day care centers as well as nannies and Montessori schools. Au pairs are not generally found in Texas, though part-time or live-in nannies are © Air Energi 2013

a popular alternative. Houston is very large, but the many neighborhoods, suburbs and master-planned communities located within the city can give it a small-town feeling. Ways to learn more about the schools or daycare available include: • Websites: most schools and day care facilities have their own websites, listing locations and teaching/care priorities. • Word of Mouth: a valuable, but often overlooked, way to locate a new school is old-fashioned word of mouth. Colleagues already established in Houston can be helpful as well as your real estate agent, future neighbors, relatives and friends. • Personal Visits: if the school that you are researching sounds promising, arrange a visit. Bring a written list of questions about student-teacher ratio, extracurricular activities, multilingual programs, hours, teaching method, etc.

Babysitting

Babysitters tend to be paid by the hour According to a recent USA Today article, babysitters are paid an average of $10 per hour. Make sure to ask the potential sitter for the names of at least three references. It’s best if these are previous employers or parents for whom the sitter has worked. Although the best way to hire a sitter is

Sitter City - Houston www.sittercity.com/find_babysitters_in_ houston.html

Etiquette

The slow Texan drawl can take some getting used to. Phrases like “Where y’all from then?” and “We’re fixin’ to get on down to that” will soon make sense but you may still have trouble when faced with a local giving you directions - they tend to take their time about it! However, Houston is an incredibly friendly and cosmopolitan city. It is actually rare to find a native Houstonian, as so many people will have tales to tell of what brought them to the city and where they hail from. This makes it particularly easy for expatriates to settle as you know that wherever you go you will find “people like us”!

Food & Drink

The New York Times calls it ‘one of the country’s most exciting places to eat.’, recently giving glowing reviews to innovative Houston restaurants Oxheart and Underbelly. The paper’s chief food critic, Pete Wells, wrote that Houston is becoming “one of the country’s most exciting places to eat.” There’s also an outpost of Uchi, one of America’s most lauded sushi restaurants, and much more. Houston has particularly excellent Vietnamese food due to a massive expatriate population, which was partially drawn by the large seafood industry. There’s great Mexican food, and a strong Cajun presence due to

along with 14 acres of former gardens. Mark Rothko spent three years creating the works of art that inhabit The Rothko Chapel, which he also helped design. There are 19 total museums in a 1.5 mile radius that make up the Houston Museum District. Though it’s known for its association with the oil industry, Houston still has lvast amounts of parks and green space. 50,632 acres in total. That puts it third behind only San Diego and Dallas in acreage per capita. The city invests a large amount in building out this space, particularly building out the space surrounding Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s main waterway.

Driving in Houston

The names of American roads can cause a lot of confusion for newcomers. The same road tends to have several names depending on who you speak to (Beltway, Sam Houston Toll Road, the 8, Outer Loop and the Sam) and some roads change names as you cross a junction - often more than once in a journey. The city is built on a series of loops and grid based systems, so intersecting roads and most directions are given using compass points. You need a car compass as a minimum, and we also recommend a GPS. The turnaround loops/lanes that you will see by the side of most freeways and also in the suburbs on the dual carriageways keep the traffic flowing well. This also allows you to easily double back if you spot the place you were aiming for but missed the turnoff. It is legal to turn right on a red light - just make sure you stop first. Stop signs require you to come to a full and complete stop otherwise you might find yourself faced with a ticket from the local law enforcement.

Healthcare

The Texas Medical Center is the largest single employer in Houston, and the largest medical center in the world, with 21 hospitals, eight academic and research institutions, and 50 total related organizations, all not-for-profit. The complex is larger than downtown Dallas. Institutions include The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world’s premier cancer treatment and research hospitals, which is spending billions in an aggressive push to cure five types of cancer.

through word-of-mouth, there are some valuable websites that can assist you as well. Babysitters 4 Hire www.babysitters4hire.com Care.com www.care.com/houston-p1035qxZIP%7C77002.html

the proximity of New Orleans and the many people who came after Katrina, and stayed. And don’t forget barbecue at places like Goode Company. This is Texas after all!

Emergency Numbers Police 911 Fire 911 Ambulance 911

Things to do

Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest in the United States, housing one of the best collections of American decorative art and furniture in the house of a former trustee,

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Travel Tips Be prepared

Generally, overseas travellers are more likely to be injured through unintentional injuries than to be struck down by exotic infectious diseases. In fact, accidents and traffic collisions are the most frequent cause of death among travellers, so ensure you have good insurance and if you are hiring a vehicle, ensure it is in good working order. It will be beneficial to have some vehicle maintenance knowledge if you are planning on travelling to the more remote areas of the world, where a breakdown in harsh conditions can cost your life.

Copy your documents

In the unfortunate event of your luggage going missing, or your passport / wallet is stolen or lost, it is a good idea to have copies that can help you with re-issues. Take 2 colour photocopies each of your passport, plus visa stamps and documents, driving licence, important prescriptions or other ID documents. Make 2 sets of the documents and keep these copies separate from your main luggage, preferably in 2 separate bags. It is also a good idea to copy scanned or phtocopied documents to an Internet based e-mail account. Make sure someone at home knows how to access it in case of an emergency.

Vaccinations

Check with your medical practitioner on what vaccines are required before your travel. Due to your medical history, you may require more than one dose, or you may need boosters for childhood vaccines. Check the latest travel advice and travel bulletins for your destination before you depart, and also while travelling, so you can ensure you have the latest information. Common diseases contracted by travellers include those which are the result of eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or not practising safe sex, plus a number of mosquito or tick-borne diseases endemic to tropical areas. Be sure to take measures to avoid being bitten such as wearing light-coloured clothing that covers your arms and legs, regularly applying an appropriate insect repellent and staying in mosquito-proof accommodation or using bed nets.

Taking medicines with you Book a checkup at your doctor or dentist, dbefore you leave. If you wear glasses or contacts lenses, bring an extra pair of glasses and your prescription. Persons taking prescription medications should make sure they have an adequate supply for the trip, and/or bring their prescription, making sure it includes the medication trade name, manufacturer’s name, generic name, and dosage. Prepare a simple medical kit of over5

the-counter medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, antihistamine, antiseptic, diarrhoea medication), bandaids, thermometer, sunscreen, and insect repellent. When travelling overseas with medicine, (including over-the-counter or private prescription) it is important that you talk to your doctor and discuss the amount of medicine you will need to take. Carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking, and stating that it is for your own personal use. Leave the medicine in its original packaging so it is clearly labelled with your own name and dosage instructions. If you have to inject your medication, inform your airline before you travel and, if necessary, arrange a letter from your doctor explaining why you need to carry them.

Your health on long-haul flights

Keep important medication with you in case your luggage goes missing. To help avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT): drink plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and whilst seated, stretch and rotate your feet and lower legs. Walking around the cabin at regular intervals will help.

Scuba Divers

If you have been scuba diving, don’t travel in an aircraft for at least 24 hours after your final dive.

Coping with Jetlag

Factor the effects of jet lag into your itinerary. In order to cope with Jetlag you should get a good deal of sleep before your journey. It is also important to rest as much as possible during your flight. Planning to arrive at your destination as near to the time when you normally go to sleep will also help with the adjustment. If you are able to plan your itinerary allow time on arrival for adjustment or plan meetings at similar times to back home. Some people advise changing their watches to destination time when they get onto the plane. While this helps many people, for those who are on regular medication, such as diabetics, watches should remain on home time until you are able to adjust your medication to local times on arrival at your destination or as suggested by your health advisor. On arrival at your destination get active as soon as possible, as exercise has been proven to improve productivity. Adjust your meals and activities to local time as soon as you can. Exposure to light is also a good way of naturally allowing your body to adjust. If you need to take a short nap, do, it will help refresh you, but don’t forget to use an alarm clock or wake up call to get you up!

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Lost Luggage

If you happen to lose your baggage on arrival at your destination airport, tell the airline immediately and get suitable compensation. Agree on an amount you can spend on essential items that you will need and give them an address to deliver the luggage to when they find it. It is wise to make a copy of your passport details and any other important papers or vaccination certificates that you are carrying with you when you travel. Leave them in a safe place in the office or copy to an Internet based e-mail account. Make sure someone at home either a partner or friend knows how to access it in case of an emergency. You will need photo identification even for air travel within the UK.

Personal Safety

Be aware of your surroundings at all times; thieves will use many tricks to distract you - wiping something off your shoulder while an accomplice is picking your pocket, getting young children to surround you while they plan to rob your belongings. Trust your instincts, especially when visiting countries where a high poverty rate comes along with high petty crime rates. When not attending meetings, try to blend in with the crowd when out and about - try not to look like a visitor! When enjoying the local nightlife, guard your food/drinks and keep your wits about you. Beware of the fact that you will be an easy target after a few too many drinks. Avoid walking home to your hotel late at night, even if it is close by. Get a taxi. Don’t take shortcuts through poorly lit areas, it pays to trust your instincts in these situations. Keep your wits about you when making new friends - men and women may come across very friendly indeed if you are the route to an easier life. Be careful of telling people where you live.

Unsafe Water - What to do

If travelling to more remote areas with poor sanitation - only drink boiled water, hot beverages, such as coffee and tea, canned or bottled carbonated beverages, beer, and wine. Ice may be made from unsafe water and should be avoided. It is safer to drink from a can or bottle of beverage than to drink from a container that was not known to be clean and dry. However, water on the surface of a beverage can or bottle may also be contaminated. Therefore, the area of a can or bottle that will touch the mouth should be wiped clean and dry.

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Frequently asked questions Do I need a visa to enter the USA? Yes we will make these arrangements for you in advance and keep you informed at all times. Do I need a local bank account? Most banks offer a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;migrant accountâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; while in the UK. You can transfer funds to it for your arrival. It is also useful when obtaining a driving license, or credit. Will I need a medical? You may be asked to complete a medical examination for the client you are working for, before you go. Will you provide medical insurance? No, you will need a personal medical insurance scheme, but we will help you where possible to set this up.

Contacts Air Resources Americas LLC Suite 340 6002 Rogerdale Rd Houston United States 77072 Phone: +1 281 983 3464 Fax: +1 281 983 3468 americas@airenergi.com