Frances is another friend who has recently departed Houston (you’ll see that I am saying this a lot lately, it’s been a tough few months!) One of the few non-SLB friends I had when we first met, we met through a mutual SLB friend and bonded over our love of baking and eating. I miss having her down the street ready to bake up a storm at the drop of a text!
Where were you born? Surrey, England
Where are you currently? Just arrived back in Surrey after two years in Texas.
Where else have you lived? 6 months in Kuala Lumpur
What you love about where you are living? (all answers relate to Texas)
Sunshine, daytime friends, cheap shopping and higher wages plus lower taxes. Cat insurance not a problem even for a relatively new driver on high powered cars.
What is the worst thing about where you live? Its 5000 miles away from family and friends.
The hardest part of living where you live? Lack of family suppor,t so pressure is put on the working partner to takes days off if support is needed.
What has surprised you most about where you live? Not really sure. The change of mindset that sees wild land between developments as just real estate rather than original Texas.
Your biggest lesson learned? How to be self-confident enough to make friends.
One reason you wouldn’t have missed living there for the world? Family
The best food? Not sure about best, but I will miss The Melting Pot the most add there isn’t an equivalent in the London area.
The best sight? Bluebonnets in spring
Your biggest fear for the future? Loss of a loved one. Not really linked to being an expat though.
Funniest incident? Haven’t a clue, sorry!
What NOT to do in your location? Try and walk anywhere.
The person who has inspired you most where you live and why? Not really one person but I’ve been inspired to be a reasonably natural (chewy) mummy thanks to the polarisation of opinions in the states and I’ve been reinspired to take up photography again.
Best piece of advice you could give to newbie expats? Join an expat group. Somehow. And get out there meeting people.
Anything else you want to add? Don’t think that because you’re home that you are no longer an expat mentally.
Read previous interviews here:
#1 Sarah, from Ireland, now in Houston
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