Author Topic: First Time Just About Everything  (Read 3556 times)

RePatriot

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 19
First Time Just About Everything
« on: April 07, 2017, 03:06:45 AM »
[Scrubbing personal info]
« Last Edit: December 09, 2023, 07:47:14 PM by RePatriot »

2Cent

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 745
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2017, 03:49:45 AM »
When getting married most people feel the need to do some nesting. Buying all kinds of things "For the future."  I don't know your age, but I would suggest to not settle at least until you have kids. I see so many of my friends, who did this wrong and ended up having spent a ton of money on the wrong things. Most kids don't really need much space until they are 3-4 but it is really nice to be close to a support network, so plan to change your house in about 4-5 years instead of buying a huge house that you think will be good now and later realize it is not what you're looking for. Or your wife gets a great job offer 200 miles away.

Don't buy stuff until you actually need it. Flexibility is very useful for you at this stage.

Freedomin5

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6485
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2017, 06:32:48 AM »
For tracking expenses, you could use YNAB or Mint. I find it hard to track in China though because they don't link to Chinese bank accounts. And I find it tedious to write everything down. Also, it's hard to keep track of everything if you use Alipay, Wechat Pay, bank card, cash, etc.

In China, it's easier for me to just estimate how much I spend each month, and then leave that amount in my bank account each time I'm paid. I then immediately transfer everything else to my Canadian account. I don't track money when I'm paid through Alipay or Wechat pay. When I spend, I try to spend from those accounts first, especially since the rules changed and you're now charged a fee to transfer money from your Alipay/Wechat account to your bank account.

I've moved countries three times in the last 5 years. When moving countries, esp. overseas, I'd try to get rid of as much as possible, unless your company provides a shipping container like some expat packages do. Otherwise, I'd try to fit everything in two large suitcases and one carry on (per person). You can basically everything you need in the new city -- no need to try to ship too much stuff back.

Finally, I hope you've already moved at least some of your $40k out of China. It'll be iffy to carry that much cash with you.

Start looking on Craigslist to get an idea of rent ranges in Houston near your workplace. There should be websites that talk about cheap grocery stores. That will help get you started on a rough budget.

acepedro45

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 261
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2017, 07:29:49 AM »
Welcome to the forums, RePatriot...

I was going to type much the same thing as 2Cent, except I had the car question in mind. MMM once wrote (paraphrasing) "Let Craigslist be your storage unit." You don't need a minivan now for down the road. Down the road, if you still think you need one, get that minivan.

You are not married and you're not expecting even one single solitary child. That means the days of NEEDING a minivan are at least 4-5 years away...and maybe you'll find something a smaller car is working just fine, thankyouverymuch. But if you need one, minivans will still be around in 2021.

For now, go with something used, cheap, reliable and economical from Craigslist. MMM has a list somewhere though it may be out of date.

P.S. Voice of experience here...you can camp happily and in grand style with a small car.



 


BallerOnABudget

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 32
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2017, 07:48:41 AM »
I can't offer much in terms of repatriation advice, but I currently work in Houston, so my big suggestion is to carefully select where you live. If you're wanting to live in the loop, commuting will be easy and you can even probably get away with riding the rails if you'll be downtown or in the med center. Cost of living will be high in those areas, though. If you want cheap living, there are TONS of more suburban areas with super affordable housing. Buuut then you'll be slogging along on I-45, 290, 59, I-10, or 288 with the rest of us suburb dwellers. Pick some areas you like and [if possible] simulate the commute a few times. Also, if you do go the suburb route, carefully check the taxes - some areas will have an extra MUD tax.

Good luck!

Noodle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1316
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2017, 08:51:22 AM »
Welcome to Texas! I hope you will be really happy here. Houston isn't pretty (although it has beautiful spots) and the weather and traffic can be tough to take, but it's a lively, diverse city and the people are great. Happiness in Houston is about keeping your commute under control, so I would start with finding housing near work and since you are coming from overseas, just plan to rent somewhere for a year until you figure out the traffic patterns. (Travel time is about traffic, not distance, and it's not always intuitive where the snarls tend to be.) The good news is that a huge number of new apartment buildings are opening all over town, which is finally making rents more reasonable after several years when there was not enough rental housing for the influx of new residents coming in, with accompanying ridiculous rent prices. However, unless you are both living and working inside the loop, you may need two cars as Houston is not super bike/transit friendly.

In terms of move-in costs, you will need at least first month's rent plus deposit. Internet and power would likely need deposits, although if you're in a rental the landlord will probably be paying sewer and water so you don't need to worry about those. There will be a fee for your Texas driver's licenses (registration for the car(s) would be included with purchase). You will definitely need car insurance and you probably should have renter's insurance...check the flood maps and talk to your neighbors, and if you are in a flood zone, buy flood insurance too. Be careful about a first-floor unit, particularly if you're anywhere near a bayou. It's not just hurricanes...down here we get a lot of short, heavy thunderstorms that dump water faster than the drainage can carry it away, and either it backs up onto the streets (and into cars, be careful where you park) or overflows the bayous as the water moves downstream.

Possibly fees associated with cell phones depending on how you are setting those up. Since you're coming from overseas and I assume won't be bringing a lot in the way of furnishings, a big variable would be how you plan to acquire those. We do have an IKEA and a variety of local second-hand thrift shops and on-line lists. If you want to do the "slow furnishing" thing with shopping gradually for used items, the mini-van might actually be a good idea. If you're buying used cars, you might want to think about a AAA membership. I got mine a couple of years ago and it has totally been worth it since I drive an older car.

honeybbq

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1468
  • Location: Seattle
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2017, 10:28:03 AM »
You already got good advice - I'll second that you are really going to want to think hard about Houston traffic. There is very little in terms of public transportation that is useful. I'd try to live VERY close to your work as a 3 mi commute will still take you 20 minutes+ of driving. Biking is doable but hard - not a very bike friendly city, EXTREMELY hot, and crazy weather/rain patterns. It can be done... but not easy. But definitely do not buy until you figure out the city and where you are going to be working. If you are working 'in the loop' I'd recommend buying 'in the loop' or renting there but it will come at a premium.

Nemesis.

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 73
  • Location: Dark side of the moon
    • Zazzle site
Re: First Time Just About Everything
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2017, 11:43:15 PM »
The neighborhoods you mentioned can be kind of sketchy.
You might want to look on Trulia.com. They have an option to look at crime in an area as a colored map.
Getting a fuel efficient car is a good idea over the van. Even though gas is less expensive here, you burn more when you get stuck in traffic.
I have to disagree with the previous posters though about the bus system.
There are parts of it that work well and can be very reliable. However, this is limited to the Park and Ride routes. It's worth looking into Houston Metro's lousy websites to see if there is one that serves either of your jobs.
I also would advise against buying property in Houston.
The amorous you pay in taxes is very high compared to the value of the property here.
Houston can be an affordable place to live and save money.
Good luck!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!