Just Got A Job In Houston, Texas!! What do I need to Know!

[gregwx5]

Hey guys and girls,
I willl soon be starting my last semester at Boston University College of Engineering, going for BS in Mechanical Engineering. I was offered a job in Houston for an oil service comapny called Weatherford International. I really like the job and the pay is rediculous for a graduate.
I live in Boston so moving to Houston will be a big change. For those of you who heard of the company tell me what you think, and for those of you who live in Houston tell me what I need to know! Thanks for the input!

[blondboinsd]

I say, for Houston: Buy a gun :P

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

I say, for Houston: Buy a gun :P

or, if you're more into defense, a bullet proof vest.

[Major04]

Learn how to speak Spanish and neck brace!

[brian5]

And watch out for hurricanes...

And watch out for the really heavy rains that they have there...

And Houston is surrounded by chemical plants so you may have foul odors...

And watch out for crime (already covered)...

Oh, and hope you have a good stay there. No, I mean that seriously.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Been there for work many times - its a dump, can't get out of there fast enough. Apologies to any Texans on the board.

On the other hand Austin was awesome and would be a great place to work/live.

At least you won't have to shovel snow

Good luck

[Brisbane]

Houston is a fine city and Texans are wonderful folks who I'm sure will welcome you. But you should know the Summer is horrifically hot and humid. Learning at least some Spanish is excellent advice. Developing a taste for good bar-b-que, brisket and air conditioning that will feel like a Boston winter will also help. You could learn to water ski, sail or ride a horse.

The Hill Country is only a few hours away and is my favorite part of Texas. They have nice beaches outside Galveston- and Mexico and Colorado aren't far either.

Not everyone in Texas is a cowboy but a lot of them think they are. The boots and hats are not uncommon business attire.

I don't think you're in any more danger there you would be in Boston, Baltimore and DC- probably much less. Stay out of the bad areas or be sensible when you're in 'em.

I have friends who moved there from Scotland (he works for Shell). They love it and there's a fair chance you will too. There are a lots of people in Houston who are not from Houston.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by Brisbane

I don't think you're in any more danger there you would be in Boston, Baltimore and DC- probably much less. Stay out of the bad areas or be sensible when you're in 'em.

Hey, hey - don't be lumping us in with B'more or DC

[motordavid]

WFT is on my casual stock watch list...good upstream petro services company,
but hasn't knocked'em dead, earnings-wise. Near 92% instie holding, but low Inside
holdings, imo. But, congrats on your gig and it's a legit operation, imo.

M Star's 2Cts, strictly Fwiw, though I like it more than their medium cool opin and
wish I had bought it a year ago, lol! :

http://quicktake.morningstar.com/Sto...USA&Symbol=WFT

In my pre-RetiredBum Days, we had a major plant in H Town so I was there several
times a year for 15 years; was not my fave city/area on the planet; as many have
posted it's brutally tropical in summer, crowded, seemingly low or upper class with lil'
"middle class" to fill in. Traffic is not fun as no mass transit other than buses no one rides.
I do like the "new" downtown with some decent resturants,etc., but it bails out at night.

A strange city, esp. for its size, (maybe 5th biggest in US?), as much of it and the
surrounding areas have little or no zoning/common sense on what can go "where".

No dis, as I'm sure the residents like it or they wouldn't live there.
My 25 cts is up...
Good Luck in your new gig & digs.
GL,mD

[Derek]

WOW........... After reading most of these posts you would think Houston is an absolute hell hole........

I've lived here my entire life and after visiting many other wonderful cities I am aware that it isn't necessarily the greatest but the reviews above are harsh.

Yes, the summers can be brutal (really just August & very early Sept) but that is what AC is for.

Public transportation is a joke.

Crime is not a problem unless you are in certain areas (like all cities) and are easily avoidable.

Downtown has improved but is still lacking compared to other large cities. Houston sorta has multiple "downtown" areas which doesn't help.

What area of town will you be working in? What are your interests? Based on that I can give you some guidance?

Austin is def a more cultural city as a whole. Houston has it but you have to dig for it.

The Hill Country is VERY nice in the spring and fall. There is a large German presence which means good food, beer and festivals.

Houston is sooooo spread out that the average business traveler never really gets the full picture and what they do see between downtown and the airports is not that great.

Oh... the foul smell comment....... That is isolated to the ship channel area and unless you are working in a plant you'll rarely if ever be in that part of town.

I'll be more than happy to help you any way possible......