Posted on 04/09/2018 12:54:08 PM PDT by terart
Hi all this is my first time posting a main thread so please excuse me if I do this wrong...
My daughter is getting married and moving to Houston area for husbands job on West Alabama Street. We have never been to Texas and know nothing about it but we want to get help guiding her to good areas to live. You guys (gals) were the first place I thought of for help and wisdom.
She is looking for a townhouse or small home to rent for right now and I would want her to be in a safe but economical area. Would really love your input and wisdom ...she is my first leaving the nest and now moving across the country. Normal concerns for her safety and welfare are present in our house right now so please be kind :)
If anyone has any suggestions for orthodontist office's she can apply to as an assistant that would be awesome also! Thanks so much!!
I worked in downtown Houston for a couple of years. Lived in Tomball, about a 35 to 45 minute commute, but that was 4 years ago. Watch out for flooding on the frontage roads with even moderate rain.....
I only really know The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Spring areas and that would be a heck of a commute.
Like everyone else has said, stay out of the City, and City Proper and she should be okay.
And makes sure about the flood zone, it seems to keep getting bigger and bigger.
That's "Memorial" and pricey as hell.
West Houston might be an accessible option. Katy is Booming.
Yeah.
Commute in Houston can be terrible. If he has flex hours or
hours outside the normal commute times then it may open
other areas for you.
The Wooodlands/Conroe/Magnolia area is my favorite. Wherever she decides, just make sure it’s outside the beltway.
Westridge subdivision off Bufffalo Speedway is nice and near.
Burbs can be a tough commute.
Lots of condos/apts. for rent in the Galleria area close to restaurants, shopping and Memorial Park running trail.
Check out Meadows Place, right next to Sugar Land.
Terart,
I have lived all over Houston and most recently lived downtown and moved back to Austin from the houston heights. I have also lived in Katy and in Spring.
The funny thing about Houston is that there isn’t really any traditional notion of zoning. So places live bellaire, river oaks and memorial (traditionally well-heeled locations) are surrounded by much less affluence.
If they are young and not looking to buy anything right away then mid-town, the museum district, the galleria area and the heights would probably be most attractive.
If they have children, then unfortunately the area inside the beltway isn’t a good option because the schools are not particularly noteworthy, and there are so many good schools in the outlying suburbs (katy, sugarland, missouri city etc)
I have always enjoyed the time I spent living in Houston, (the weather can be a bit miserable in the summer) as it is a very energetic and cosmopolitan city.
They should have a grand adventure. And if they have the option just have them rent an apartment in midtown for a few months to get a feel for the city.
Ping
Not knowing their budget, it’s hard to make a decent recommendation.
However, the Heights is a great place. Pretty much anywhere inside the 610 Loop would be great. The advice on flooding should be taken seriously.
Stay out of Meyerland/Bellaire...Flood zone central.
Just prepare them for the heat coming this summer. It is not a normal heat. It’s a Heavy heat.
Really, Really, HOT.
Ugh, people defaulting to suburbs. If you like to drive an hour or more to W. alabama area then please, join the ranks of the burbs. Add in extra time for bad weather and wrecks. How’s about some better ideas:
Midtown (South of downtown) - Yes, there is hobo city nearby, but many young singles and couples live here and it’s relatively affordable and a cool place to be with restaraunts/clubs/bars. I would live here in my younger days
Montrose - Gay/artys side of town. Ralatively safe if you’re not dumb. I lived there for 5 years some years ago and it was a fun place to live. Options on the periphery as well (Rice Military/Washington corridor) are good for newly minted couples.
West U/Rice - Not a lot of rental options but if the new husband is banking, then look for a house here. Downside: pricy
Heights - Where I currently live. The small city within the city. Walking distance to many places one would want to be. Few rental options but they’re there. Sketchy as heck 15 years ago, but many new families are moving in here. Downside: could be pricy
Edo - (East Downtown) - up and coming area. Again, hobo village nearby but gentrification is taking hold nicely. I don’t know much more about it however.
Or, spend 2-3 hours on the road a day and live in a large house and never see your neighbors and be confined to a car to go anywhere! (ie Katy/Sugarland/Woodlands/suburbs/etc)
(Source: Lived in Houston/Katy for 45 years, yay)
If you’d like a reference to an ortho shop or two, I’ve got a bit of insight. DM if you’d like more info.
Good post, wlindhorst. I live in the Energy Corridor and my wife does the commute downtown everyday, she hates it. I think the Heights is a neat area and there are some sketchy areas but by and large, not bad. We looked around at condos around Houston, so my wife wouldn’t have the hell commute. We’ve decided we are staying put and waiting it out until we retire in a few more year.
There's no such thing as a safe, economical neighborhood in the city.
If it's safe, then it's expensive.
If it's economical, then it's crime-ridden.
Find a nice place in the suburbs and put up with the commute.
It's either one or the other.
First - West Alabama street stretches from beyond Westheimer to Downtown. And you don’t give many clues to what is considered economical.
Houston has poor public transportation and crowded roads.
That being said - my recommendation would be the homosexual area. Reasonably safe, close in, and comparatively affordable. Between Allen Parkway and Westheimer, well inside the loop.
I’ve heard that there is a fair amount of condo development going on in EaDo - East of Downtown.
There are other close-in areas that are nice, but I think they’ll fail the ‘affordable’ requirement - West U, Heights.
Safe suburbs, you are talking way out - Sugarland, Richmond, Katy.
I understand that there is some new development east of downtown
Agree - West Alabama is a good area. The traffic and commutes in Houston are difficult. I would try to stay as local to my work as possible.
The West Alabama area missed the Harvey flooding. I have family near there.
Before committing to any place, check the crime statistics and historical flooding reports. Best of luck and welcome to Texas. Also, make sure the HVAC in any place is in top condition. AC is a necessity in Houton after mid-March on into October.
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