Moving to Texas (& terrified)

Hi All,

My boyfriend just matched to UTMB in Galveston, Texas for combined Medicine-Pediatrics.

We're both born & raised in Hawaii and this will be our first time leaving the islands. We wanted to experience living outside of Hawaii, but honestly, Texas was not my first choice. I know he'll get a great training experience and for that I am truly excited. I'm just afraid...

I'm hoping to connect with someone via the website who can offer me some support and guidance as we prepare for this big move. I have always been the strong one who takes care of everything and I'm a bit overwhelmed with the magnitude of this life change.

Anyone in the Galveston/Houston area? Please drop me a note and let's connect. I've got a zillion questions and could use someone to lean on.

Mahalo, Margaret

[spotty_dog]

Aloha! Going off-island has got to be a huge and scary deal! Is there an online support group that you could contact for just general moving-to-the-mainland issues?

The Match has a funny way of challenging your expectations and throwing you headlong into a new adventure, doesn't it? I'm a small-town girl from Alaska, and after almost ten years Outside I'm getting used to the hustle-bustle and congestion of city living -- just in time for the Match to send us to the sixth largest city in the US, Phoenix!

Good luck on this new journey! Post often, we're here and we've got a good idea of what you're going through.

[medpedspouse]

Hi! My spouse was med/peds in Houston. Sorry that I do not know about the med/ped program at UTMB but I might be able to answer some of your questions. We took several day trips to Galveston and have some friends an colleagues at UTMB. I love to help in any way!!

[Sheherezade]

I do know some people in the Galveston area --attendings that trained with my husband. My understanding is that they are born/raised in that area, so they would be able to answer a lot of questions. If you have specific questions as you plan your move, you can PM me or post. I will try to contact them via email and relay the answers to you.

In the meantime, WELCOME!!! You've come to the right place. We've got a load of "just matched" people this year. I'm sure you will all have some exciting stories over the next few years!

[DCJenn]

Hi!

We'll be in San Antonio which isn't too far away!

If you can afford to have people more you, do it. Otherwise, I'll compose my list of how to do a big move like that.

Jenn

[Meenah]

Welcome Margaret, what an adventure you are about to start. Glad you found us, this site has alot of wonderful people.
Luanne

[Cumberland]

Welcome! I knew someone at UT Galveston, she said there was a very active spouses support group there. You might try to connect with them as well.

Welcome!

I think the spouse group is a great idea. There are lots of posts scattered about regarding moving. I hope we can be of some help.

[Gwendolyn]

Welcome! I completely relate. I grew up in the desert...lived there my whole life and we moved to Wisconsin last year for the match. It is an adjustment, but all kinds of new things to discover!

I look forward to getting to know you

Thanks for all the messages!

Hi All,

Thanks for all the responses. It's very encouraging to have so many voices of support out there. Medical school was a kind of tough and lonely experience at times and I'm determined to reach out more for support during residency. I won't have my family nearby, so I appreciate having y'all to lean on.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone. Thanks for the suggestion the spouse's group at UTMB. I will definitely look into that when I get there.

Thanks for the support and hope we get to know each other better!

Margaret

I grew up in Houston

I do not know much about living on the island, (Galveston) but if you want some honestly about the southeast houston area I can give it to you. I actually didnt mind living there. Its not paradise, but most places arent. The people are all very nice and Houston has amazing cultural opportunities. The beaches are modest, and the water kinda murkey, but the people, again, are what make it a great place to live. It does get muggy and hot! An the mosquitoes are really really big . We went to Galveston all the time growing up for weekend outings. The main strip (the Strand) there is a fun place to shop and get ice cream or whatever. The do a cute Dickens on the strand Christmas thing every year. Theres also some really cool historical homes. When you get nervouse just remind yourself that its a big enough area that no matter what you need you can find it!

HI & TX

Don't worry. It will be a change but not that bad. We lived in Honolulu from May 91 til Nov '93 Tripler AMC and I loved El Paso, TX '87- '88. William Beaumont AMC.

My now 12 yo was born at Kapilani and the older 3 all attended school in Red Hill and Aiea. Ask away and I will help as much as I can.

I'm 44, mother of 4- 25 yo RN (only girl), 23, 17 & 12 yo sons. Husband of 18 years is an FP w/ OB/GYN fellowship practicing here in rural Alabama. Now that was culture SHOCK!!. From Honolulu to Demopolis, AL by way of 9 months in Jax, FL finding this job and dealing with fam issues.

[Meenah]

Michaela,
Welcome and thank goodness there is finally someone here with kids older than mine!!!!!!!!!! You are now my hero!
Luanne

Crazy old woman in AL

Hello,

I'm thrilled to meet you. Enjoying life, love, children, family, friends and self can seem impossible. I spent several years working when the older 2 were younger. In '88 we were transfered to Berlin, GE after my husband quit an OB/GYN residency in TX. Since then and the birth of my now 17 yo in late '88, I have worked for a paycheck very little. RN hours R hard to manage with 3 children when your husband is always at work. As it turns out, I was a great RN but I really loved being a full time mom. We agreed that since we were both born in Europe, that we wanted our children to have our same values. It seemed fair that since he was working so much, that our children needed the security of a stay at home mom. We added the last son in Honolulu in Oct '93.

We moved from Honolulu in Nov. '93. Stayed for a few months with fam in Jacksonville, FL while job hunting. Moved to Demopolis, Alabama Aug '94 and have been here since.

I volunteer in local schools. I have over 2,500 hours with the American Red Cross since 1981. I founded the Alabama Center for Effective Discipline under the national Center for Eff Disp and Nadine Block/Bob Fathman. I have had to limit my activity over the last 6 years because of Rheumatoid Arthritis and MS.

Tell me about yourself and ak away. Compliments WILL get you pretty far. Michaela

[samssugarmomma]

Hi Margaret,

Sorry I missed your original post. Welcome! DH is finishing up med school at UTMB. We don't live on the island - we live about 10 miles north of it on the mainland - but we have a lot of friends that do. If you have any questions - just let me know.

Kate