Houston sucks compared to NYC you will regret it quickly. If you really want to move here move to west university area it's a good location which is critical. If you live in the suburbs you either get used to taking METRO bus every day which isn't bad or you have to suffer through miserable traffic that will only get worse as time goes on because of idiotic politicians and quite a few idiots following their mentality refusing to upgrade our transit infrastructure.
lol at saying that Sugarland is "too metro." It's about as suburban as you can get. I'm about to move back to Houston in a few months, and we're planning on the Clear Lake area. It's in the southeast part of town, just on the other side of I-45 from Friendswood. Just like in practically any suburb of Houston, you can get a very nice house for under 300k. And yes the humidity sucks, but there is a reason Houston is the most air-conditioned city in the country. It's really not that big of a deal, as almost everything is done indoors during the summer. I agree with others that based on what you're looking for (Asians), Sugarland is a good choice. I also have some Asian co-workers that live in Pearland, and they seem to like it.
To each his own. If he wants to live in the suburbs with a bunch of Asians and enjoy mild winters, let him. Some people seem to think the way they live is the only way it should be done. Get over it.
I have watched enough house hunters to know that most people aren't looking for what I am. Do your due diligence and know it is an investment. Find a good school district, which shouldn't be too hard with lots of Asians. (too rayciss??) Enjoy. Houston really is a great city to live in. Forget Austinites.
Asians + really cheap housing = Alief may want to invest in a bushmaster before they're banned, but that's not a big deal
Anywhere near Greenspoint Mall is a great place to raise a family and have kids... Good luck on your adventure...
Everybody on this board is going to have differing opinions of what's good and not good. We all come from different places in Houston, and one person's heaven might be another person's hell. I would strongly suggest you and the wife making a trip down here, and touring the city for yourself. There are SO fantastic places to live, and every single one of them offers something unique. It's ultimately up to you and your family to decide what you like, and don't like. My first instinct was to tell you Sugar Land, but then inside the loop also has some really great areas, as well as Northwest Houston.
I live in West Houston right outside of the beltway. In your price range you can get a very nice house and the schools are very good, especially if you're looking south of I10 until about westheimer (which is where I live). It's close enough to the main hub of the city that commutes won't be horrible and it's probably about a 20-30 minute drive more into town if you're looking for stuff to do on the weekends (think rockets basketball), but far enough that you have a lot of space.
hotballa, e-mail me via my profile.. have some thoughts on places within houston and houston compared to dallas/austin, etc.
It all looks the same - you can't get anywhere without driving. I was there for work a few months ago - downtown was deserted at night.