Re: Tell me more about Houston.
The amount you’ll pay to rent can easily cover your mortgage. That’s how cheap the houses are in TX. As Joel mentioned Sugar Land is a a great area. Lots of Desis there AND even by Gora standards its one of the most desirable places to live in.
Katy is also another good option. We are currently renting an apartment, within the Houston city limits. For a 3 bed 2 bath & 2 car attached garage we are paying $1434 + utilities. I am sure for the same amount we can probably rent a house in the burbs. Its a gated community but what from what I gather rental communities are mostly gated in Houston until unless you are directly renting from a landlord.
Check out HAR.com for private rentals or rent.com or apartmentratings.com for apartment complex rentals. Until unless every renter is complaining of the same issues don’t pay too much attention to the bad reviews. They are mostly distraught renters who due to their own shortcomings had issues with the leasing office.
Most people that move to Houston either buy a property directly or rent for a year & then in the mean time look around so they can eventually buy. That’s what we plan on doing as well. Our list of possible places is Katy/Richmond/Sugar Land & Cypress.
Houston has many clusters of Pakistani/Indian Muslim communities with Masjids & Halal/Desi grocery options. Pick a school & then look for condos/apartments from there & the rest will eventually fall in its place.
Zabihah.com is your best friend for Halal grocery/restaurants & Masjids near your work & home. I am sure you are already aware of that. Also all HEBs also sell Zabihah Halal chicken products. Most sell Shan masalas & a lot of other international Desi foods too.
Fiesta also has stuff like Shan ginger garlic paste & Deep Naans.
Houston is a great city. Summers are bad but then winters are great here. Pakistanis compare it to Karachi because of all the Halla Gulla & the Desiness. Texans in general are the most friendly people I have come across. Always cheery & bright. You will love it here.
Welcome 