Phone 281-486-9770 or 1-800-638-9770
Mobile 713-253-7977
Email Tory
My Web Site
 

ADVICE ON RELOCATING FROM NORWAY TO HOUSTON, TEXAS

ESTABLISHING CREDIT:

Establishing credit in the United States is very important to your future purchases.  To rent or buy a home, to be approved for a car loan, etc., landlords & loan companies are looking for a good two-year credit history.  Since establishing credit can be difficult when you first move here, be sure to bring at least 4 sources of credit with you from Norway.  A letter in English from your bank, from your credit card company, or your utility companies can be great references.  The letter needs to state the length you have held this account and include a record of your payment history.  Make sure the letter includes telephone and fax numbers for verification purposes.  Debit cards are not considered for credit history.  Also, for house buying purposes, bring the last two years W-2s, tax return (selvangivelse), 12 months bank statements, pay stubs etc.

CREDIT CARDS:

If you have a VISA card in Norway, try to have the credit card company help you get a U.S.A. VISA card.  Another useful card is the American Express International Credit Card.  Some of the larger banks in Houston might be able to help you get a credit card when you open your savings and checking account.  Another way is to "buy" your credit card through what they call a "secured credit card".  For any credit limit, you have to have the same amount "locked" in your bank account until the bank "unsecures" this amount.  This may take up to one year.   Most banks have this option.

HOUSING:

Temporary leasing of a furnished apartment:
Prices from $ 1,250 to $ 2,500 a month.

Renting a home:
The inventory of rental homes in the Clear Lake area is modest, and those homes that are put on the market tend to lease very quickly.  In my experience, to find a nice, clean home in the kind of standard that most Norwegians are used to; you have to expect to pay anywhere from $1250-$2200 a month, depending on size, age, and location.  Most landlords expect at least a one-year lease.
Cost to move in: One month rent plus equal amount for security deposit and a $25 application fee.   Most likely you will have to buy a refrigerator, a washer and dryer, approximately cost about $2,500.  The oven, dishwasher, and microwave normally stay in the home.  Since electricity voltage is different in the U.S.A., you will have to buy other electrical articles.

Buying a home:
Most people who expect to remain in Houston for more than three years prefer the option of purchasing a home.  Although there are not many loan programs available to foreigners without the two-year credit history in the United States, two types of loans are the most commonly used.  Regular conventional loan that requires 20 % down payment of the Sales Price and a FHA loan (a government insured loan).  The FHA loan is fairly easy to get, the down payment is much lower (about 3% of Sales Price).  The maximum loan limit for FHA loan as of January 1, 2008 in Harris County is $ 200,160.
In addition to the down payment and depending on the price of the home, expect $5000-$6000 for closing costs and pre-paid items (pre-paids: your own no-interest bearing account with your mortgage company for taxes and hazard insurance bills. (Required if less than 20% down payment).
In Texas, the Seller or the landlord normally pays the real estate commissions.

Home prices in Houston are reasonable compared to Norway.  The purchase of a nice, executive level home generally runs between $ 175,000 - $ 200,000, possibly including a swimming pool in the Clear Lake area.  Prices are going up, so these estimates may change in the near future. Another thing to be aware of is the yearly property taxes which in Houston are fairly high. Total property taxes range between $ 2.90 to $ 4.20 per $ 100 assessed value. Average Hazard Insurance for the price range I mentioned should be between $ 1500 - $ 2000 a year.

UTILITIES:

To establish a new account with a utility company (electricity, gas, water, and trash pickup) you normally have to pay a deposit.  Total approximate cost is $350.  The deposit from the Electricity Company, which is the highest one you should have to pay, should be refunded back to your account after about one year.

SOCIAL SECURITY:

The rules change frequently and the best approach is to call (or have someone call for you) the day you are ready to apply.  Telephone 1-800-772-1213.  Remember to bring your passport with the white slip inside (entering permit).  You can print out the necessary form from the internet at http://www.ssa.gov.

Closest Social Security Office location to Clear Lake:
 320 E. Southmore Dr, Suite 306, Pasadena, TX (Southmore Square shopping center, at the corner of Main and Southmore)

DRIVER LICENSE:

You will need to take a written test and a driving test.  A Social Security card is necessary.   Expect to stand in line for a while at the driver license office.
Closest location from Clear Lake:
Texas Department of Public Safety,
111 Tristar Dr, Webster, TX  77598 (off Hwy 3 close to Ellington airfield).
 Telephone 281-486-8351
 

TRANSPORTATION:
Bus transportation like we are used to in Norway is almost non-existent.  For a family, prepare to buy more than one car.  Bring a letter of recommendation from your auto insurance carrier in Norway with you.  This may help you to more easily obtain auto insurance here.

SCHOOLS:

Most Norwegians in the Clear Lake area have their kids in public schools.  Private schools are available.  From what I have been told, discipline in schools here is very strict compared to Norway.  Remember to bring your kids immunization record with you.

Public Schools:
Kindergarten:  5 years old before September 1 the year school starts
Elementary School: Grade 1 to 5th
Intermediary or middle school: Grade 6th to 8th
High School: Grade 9th to 12th. (Freshman (9th), sophomore (10th), Junior (11th), Senior (12th)

CHILD CARE:

There are several places for childcare, and it is fairly easy to get in.  Popular among Norwegians where the mother does not work out of the home is to have their pre-school kids in a church day-care twice a week from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Full day-care service is also available.

PETS:

To bring dogs and cats with you to Texas is fairly easy.  (Birds need to go into quarantine!)  It mainly costs the airfare.  Just remember, to take them back to Norway with you is expensive!  Your travel agency should have more detailed information about this issue.

CRIME:

There are places in Houston that you will not want to go, but for the most part it is pretty safe here.  I have lived in Houston for over twenty years, and I feel just as safe here in the Clear Lake area as I do in Norway.
 

ONCE HERE:

The Norwegian Seamen’s Church, Houston: In addition to regular services, the church is a great place for information and for meeting other Norwegians. It is open every day except Mondays, and there are several programs offered that you might like to attend.  The Ladies club meets every Wednesday, the Mother and Child Group on Fridays.  Saturdays there is rice pudding and football.  If you like to sing, they have an active “sang-kor”.  Other events are “Reke-fest”, barbecue cook-off, golf-tournaments, “17 mai fest”, and more.  There is a small store within the church where you can buy Norwegian food and "ukeblader".  We are very lucky to have this church in Houston.  I strongly believe it will be worthwhile to visit, especially when you are new to Houston.
Location:  4309 Young Street, Pasadena, TX
Telephone:  281-998-8366 
Email the Norwegian Seamen's Church
Web page: http://www.sjomannskirken.no
 

Houston is a nice, convenient city to live, and most Norwegians truly enjoy their stay here, and I am sure you will too!

I hope this letter is useful for you and will give you somewhat of an idea about the cost involved with your relocation.  If you start gathering documents etc. before you move here, a lot of "headaches" can be avoided.  Please feel free to call or e-mail me for more detailed information.  My goal is to make your relocation process as smooth as possible! Visit our websites for additional information about Houston and the Bay Area!

Moving to Houston?  I can help!

Sincerely,

Tory Seljenes, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Pennington-Chen