About Houston

Banking Services
Off-Campus Housing Options
Transportation
Helpful Telephone Numbers
Houston Facts

Because it is not wise or practical for people to carry large amounts of money with them or keep it in their homes, the money is usually deposited in a bank. In Houston, there are several banks that offer checking and savings account services, as well as other services such as wire transfers and dollar exchange, which are important for international students. The closest banks to UST are the IBC bank located at the corner of Montrose and Richmond (3939 Montrose) and Washington Mutual located at 4313 Montrose Blvd.

Automatic Teller Machines (or ATM's)
Most banks in Houston have an automated teller service. This automatic teller is a computerized device through which bank customers can make deposits or withdrawals at any time of the day, any day of the week. To operate an automatic teller, you need a particular plastic card that the bank provides. Instructions for operating the automatic teller are given on the teller itself. Automatic tellers are located at the banks themselves and at other locations, especially at supermarkets. 

Savings Accounts
Money that is not used for routine living expenses is normally kept in a savings account. You may usually withdraw any amount from a regular savings account whenever it is necessary. 

Checking Accounts
Banks offer different types of checking accounts. Some banks charge a fee for each check written, while others will not charge per check if the customer maintains a minimum balance of $500. Select a bank whose checking account policies and services best meet your needs. 

Cash
Cash is the easiest way to pay for purchases, but because it can be stolen so easily, most people carry only small amounts of cash with them. People who need cash withdraw it from the bank. Some supermarkets will also cash checks if you hold a check-cashing card for that store. It is important to always obtain a receipt for large purchases when you pay in cash. Unlike paying with checks or credit cards, if you pay with cash, you receive no receipt unless you ask for it.

Traveler's Checks
If someone is traveling outside of Houston, their personal checks will often not be honored by businesses in other cities. Traveler's checks are a safe alternative to carrying cash. These may be purchased at banks for a small charge, and can be used at restaurants, stores, and hotels around the world. 

Wire Transfers
Wire transfers are immediate transfers of funds from one bank to another. Because banks communicate by telephone or telegram, the funds can often be received the day after a wire transfer is requested. Wire transfers to the University are done through Chase Bank of Texas.  Please contact the International Student Office for more information.

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 Off-Campus Housing Options

The majority of undergraduate and all graduate international students live in apartments located off campus because housing on campus is normally not available when they arrive.  Our offices cannot arrange off campus housing for you.  If you wish to live off campus, you should arrive in Houston several weeks before registration in order to locate housing. (Note: Recently, new students had much difficulty locating off-campus housing when arriving less than one month prior to classes).

There are several types of housing available near the campus, such as furnished/unfurnished apartments and rented rooms in private homes.

Rooms
A room may be located in a rooming house or in a private home. Some rooms may be "suites" in an apartment complex where the student lives in one room and shares a bathroom, kitchen, and living room with occupants of three or four other rooms in the suite. 

Efficiency Apartments
Also called "studio apartments," efficiencies are usually one large room that includes a kitchen area and bathroom. They are designed for one person or perhaps two people. The occupant is expected to pay for electricity and water. Efficiency apartments are sometimes found in houses. 

Apartments
Houston has hundreds of apartment houses. Apartments consist of a living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and one or more bathrooms. They are larger than efficiencies. Apartments may be furnished or unfurnished; furnished apartments cost more. You pay the utilities, unless other arrangements are specified. Many students share an apartment with another student to lower costs. (Note: Most apartment managers will require proof that you are able to pay your rent).

Houses
Sometimes several students who want to live together choose to live in a house. While a few furnished houses are available, most rental houses are equipped only with stoves, refrigerators, and kitchen cabinets. The landlord is responsible for making repairs and caring for the yard unless the lease specifies otherwise. The occupant or "tenant" is responsible for keeping the house clean and paying for water, electricity, heating, and pest control bills unless other arrangements have been made with the landlord. 

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Transportation

Bus and taxi services are available throughout Houston.  The University is easily accessible by Metro bus. Bus schedules are provided for anyone who needs information on routes.  There are two bus routes that drop students off directly onto the UST campus.

Purchasing a car may cost $5,000-$40,000 and a bicycle may cost from $30-$500.  Automobile owners are required to purchase liability insurance in the state of Texas at a cost of approximately $900 per year.

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Helpful Telephone Numbers

It is a good idea to keep these numbers beside your telephone, along with your name, your address, and your telephone number, in case of an emergency.  In an emergency it is easy to forget one's address, or to forget English if it is not your native language. 

Airports (for flight information, call the airline)
William P. Hobby Airport	713-640-3000
George Bush Intercontinental Airport	281-230-3100
Drivers License Information	713-681-6187
Emergencies
Health Related Emergency	911
Campus Security	3888 (from campus phones)
US CIS –United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
General Information	800-375-5283
Forms	800-870-3676
METRO (Houston’s Bus Company)	713-635-4000
Post Office
General Information (Note: The University Station post office near campus is located at  1319 Richmond Ave.)	800-275-8777
Social Security Administration	800-772-1213
Taxi
Yellow Cab Company	713-236-1111
Liberty Cab Company	713-695-6700
Fiesta Cab Company	713-236-9400

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Houston Facts

• Houston is the fourth largest city in the nation.
• With nearly two million city residents and 4.5 million in the metropolitan region, Houstonians will attest that Houston is a fun place to call home.
• Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city. While here you can choose to indulge in one of the more than 11,000 restaurants ranging from award winning and upscale to memorable deli shops.
• Houston has a Theater District second only to New York City with its concentration of seats in one geographic area. Located downtown, the 17-block Theater District is home to eight performing arts organizations with more than 12,000 seats.
• Houston has a unique museum district offering a range of museums, galleries, art and cultural institutions, including the City's major museums.
• Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations, 90 of which are devoted to multicultural and minority arts.
• More than 90 languages are spoken throughout the Houston area.
• Houston has professional teams representing every major sport.
• Houston has a young population; 37 percent of Houstonians are 24 years old or younger and 34 percent are between the ages of 25 and 44.
• Houston boasts more than 40 colleges, university and institutions - offering higher education options to suit all interests.
• Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, with a local economic impact of $10 billion. More than 52,000 people work within its facilities, which encompass 21 million square feet. Altogether 4.8 million patients visit them each year.
• Home to 18 Fortune 500 companies and more than 5,000 energy related firms, Houston is considered by many as the Energy Capital of the world.
• Houston has the most affordable housing of 10 most populated metropolitan areas; Houston housing costs are 39 percent below the average of 26 U.S. urban populations of more than 1.5 million.
• Houston has the second lowest cost of living among major American cities.

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