Eight months have passed since I moved, and I finally checked a big item off my to-do list: I got my driver’s license! It took me longer than I thought, it was always something I kept postponing. But honestly, the city gave me plenty of ways to get around, so the urgency wasn’t there at first.
Houston is one of the biggest cities in the U.S., and now I can confirm what everyone says: you really do need a car here. Everything is so spread out. Did you know the largest intersection in the world is in Houston? I didn’t until I had the chance to drive through it with colleagues. It’s impressive! And the speed, wow. Driving here feels so different; everything moves fast.
But let’s go back to my own journey of finally getting that license. When I first arrived in Houston, I had to be strategic about where to live. The first shock was realizing how dependent everyone is on cars. So, I decided to live downtown, where I could easily access the tram and get to the office without needing to drive. Many native Houstonians don’t rely on the metro, but I think it has improved a lot over the years. The downside is that it only really covers downtown and the East End, so it doesn’t extend across the city.
Still, for me, the metro worked perfectly. It got me to the office, fit into my daily routine, and allowed me to settle in without rushing to get a license. But a few weeks ago, I decided it was time. I have many reasons: I want to keep exploring Houston and Texas, I want the freedom to drive visitors around, and I want to be prepared for emergencies or office site visits.
The truth is, Houston is a city where you definitely need a car. If you’re used to the connected public transportation systems in other cities, this might come as a shock. For now, I love my metro routine, but I’m opening my mind to the idea of getting a car soon. It feels like the natural next step.
