Moving to Houston (RE: Car, weapon laws, things to do)
 

Hey guys, I will be moving from Cali to Houston in about a month.
I need recommendations on where to take my car for repairs, maintenance, etc...
What is the law regarding bringing my own weapons (Pistols) into the state, do I have to register them?
What are good, low crime areas to buy a house?
Things to do?

Any help would be appreciated.

No firearm registration, no mag limits and you can carry in your car without a permit. Concealed licenses are easy to get.

Houston is big. We can't tell you what part of town to look in without more info. Where will you be working?

Thanks brother, gotta love Texas.
We will be moving to west Houston, Katy. The wife will be working by the 8 and 290. So preferably no more than 15-20 miles from there.

That covers a lot of ground. Do you need an area with good schools? If so, I'd look out in the Katy area unless you feel like spending a lot and moving into the Memorial area. BW8/290 is a hike from Katy though. You could live up 290, but it's under construction for the next few years and is a traffic nightmare.

I see. Katy is where her family lives, so we'll be staying with them for a couple of weeks then get an apartment near her work until we find a house. I rather for her not to deal with traffic. I can manage, since I deal with it every day here in Orange County.
We don't have kids yet, but good schools is a definite plus.
House prices are not so bad in Houston compared to Orange county. Here you could get a 2 br. 1 ba. condo for 300k.

Yeah, you would be amazed what 300k in katy will get you. It has a moat. :rofl2:

Yea... with alligators!

For performance services, check at JTran. They specialize on the Z.

Check out Houston-Imports.com for the car scene.

Houston imports if you're into people racing on the streets and driving like idiots. Any forum with a street racing section should be avoided like the plague.

I occasionally look take a look at HI. I Try find a steal of a deal or a meet once in a while. But Yes, promoting street racing is a no go in my book. I'm not saying I don't speed or anything at all because I do.

Doesn't mean you have to venture into the racing section...

I go mainly to sell stuff and/or get quotes on services since there are quite a few popular performance shops that are active there.

Yes, but the fact that it's there tells you what kind of people you're dealing with.

Sure...I guess. If I'm trying to sell something I don't really care that they street race. Not like I go there to socialize or go to their car meets/cruises.

Not to mention the forum members stepped forward to find a member to adopt my dog, which I picked up off the streets and ended up not being able to keep her.

Not going to avoid the fact that there are a lot of immature douches on there, but the moderators don't really keep them in check either.

Yeah, I'd want to be as far from one of their meets as humanly possible. :rofl2:

This is very cool. :tup:

That's the main problem. There's way too much high school idiot there. It's either that or guys who are worshipped as gods for having a semi-fast car and roll race on the freeway.

Living: Chuck has covered it fairly well, the 290 area farther out will be good by 2016 but the construction is going to be a pain for a few years. Katy is nice but can be a bit of a drive, but if she goes I-10 to the belt in the morning it should be ok.
Shops: Baker Nissan (ask for Jason Langley to do the work) & Jtran
Local scene: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoustonZCars/
Group does dinner, track events, car shows, cruises, and more

Also note, if you see a white camaro on the side of the road in Houston, assume it is a cop. :tup:

Yeah if I ever moved to Houston it would be in that area.

I have family in Houston by Elkins and 1-10 which is not bad. And also by Hwy 6 and Westheimer but that might be out of your way.

Lets us know when you move, we can all hit the 1/4 mi track.

I think chucky covered everything else as far as weapons. I haven't got my concealed but I primarly keep mine in the house. But I do take in the car on occasion but thats usually on road trips out of DFW.

Thanks for the info theDreamer and 7speed. My brother in law mention the tollways (west park and sam houston) to commute . I don't know if that would be a good alternative. Only temporary though, we might move to West or Northwest Houston if we find a good area.

I travel beltway 8 everyday to and from work and wish I could avoid them. On the west side of Houston depending on which way you are going you are basically paying to sit in traffic. :shakes head:
I know of alternative routes but with my low car and the horrible road & railroad tracks I would have to cross I cannot do it.

Houston is a great city, traffic can be a pain, but plenty to do and see.

Shame on us car guys. The other thing about Houston (TX in general) we've all forgotten to tell you is that you don't have to deal with CARB. Do whatever you want to your car, and as long as the tune removes the CEL, you pass inspection. Cops don't pop hoods and there's no tailpipe sniffer. Also, we have real gas. No 91oct pisswater.

I don't know how we all missed that. :rofl2:

Yout pisswater comment made me laugh. Everyone drinks light beer here.. IMO piss water. Anyhoo, at least they have a few cool brew places in town. St. Arnolds is awesome on Sat!!