...even if you already live in the area. Where would you recommend moving to? I ask, of course, because I'm planning on moving closer in the near future. I live about an hour away from the city now, but go to school there and will possibly work there soon as well. I'm considering the Pearland or Clear Lake areas as of right now. I know that life is supposedly nice inside the Loop, but from what I understand it's rather pricey. You Houston folks, do you like where you live now? Can you think of a better spot? I'll be going apartment, BTW.
Depends on where your job is. If you are working in Clear Lake, you should live in that area. Ditto with up north (Woodlands, Spring, etc.). If you are working downtown or Galleria areas, you should shoot for inside the loop...you can find affordable places inside the loop, but it will take time and effort. I am a half mile outside the loop on the southwest side, and I love it, because it is close to my work and everything I enjoy doing in my spare time, plus it's only a 5 minute ride in my car to the loop (depending on how I hit two traffic lights). I own a house, however, there are apartments in the area.
I would recommend somewhere up north like Kingwood or the Woodlands. At least there's some kind of natural beauty due to the large pine trees out there. Woodlands has some excellent golf courses, and isn't too far from Lake Conroe. Of course the downside is the long commute down I-45 to work.
I'd suggest Spring/Klein/Champions area. Check out this place: http://www.visitwindrose.com/ This is just a tiny bit North of the Klein area. Actually in the Klein district. You live out by Spring Cypress. 15 minutes from Willowbrook and 1960, but you still have farms and rural beauty around you.
This is Houston - you have to drive everywhere - so don't be fooled by those saying life is "nicer" inside the Loop. I've lived here (inside the Loop) for 5 years, and I have to drive everywhere - groceries, coffee, bars, etc. Besides, what is "nice" about the vastly increased crime rate inside the Loop? Plus, housing prices inside the Loop are out of control. If you're looking for a house, 200k inside the Loop gets you a shack, outside the Loop you get an incredible home. Find somewhere nice, no more than a 25 minute drive from work, drive around see if you like the area. Galleria is probably the best all-around area, but further out, Clear Lake, Stafford, Woodlands, and Royal Oaks are pretty freaking nice.
Wow, that 200k home my friend just bought is pretty nice for a shack. I never knew shacks included a two-car garage, three stories, real hardwood floors, 3.5 baths, and 3 bedrooms.
While West Houston is a great place to live, good school districts, etc... the construction on I-10 is going to be murder. AVOID AVOID AVOID.
What part of Houston, neighborhood exactly? Montrose, The Heights? Is the trade off in "atmosphere" worth the price you pay for the much higher crime rate, way older homes, and run down infrastructure? 200k a bit further out gets you all of that + increased quality of life, better schools, etc.
Construction will also be taking place heavily in Montrose. West Alabama is becoming a major transit lane now b/c they're closing off the Montrose spur onto 59. Should traffic be ones sole reason for not moving into Montrose? Meanwhile on the west side the Westpark toll road is going to open soon to alleviate that congestion. Anyway, once again what people fail to realise is that no matter where you live in Houston, you WILL drive EVERYWHERE! You won't walk to bars, museums, and coffe shops - you'll drive there. The question then becomes how you want to weigh spending an extra 5-20 minutes in traffic vs. crime rates, schools, lot size, and infrastructure.
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Pricey if you're buying inside the loop but if your're renting it ain't so bad. I rent a garage apartment (3 car garage) in The Heights. The kitchen, bedroom and living room are 3 separate rooms. Hardwood floors, brand new tub and sinks, 2 large closets, washer/dryer, garage for my car, large balcony, and it's VERY QUIET. It's great for a bachelor like myself. The best thing is I get all the benefits of living in The Heights without the mortgage payment. This time next year, I'll be looking to buy a house. Probably won't be able to afford one in The Heights.
If your single & don't mind throwing away money on rent, inside the Loop is great. If you have a family, plan on buying, or don't have the $ to get into one of the new pimp apartment developments look towards the Galleria area or towards Royal Oaks. Clear Lake is nice & has great aptmts for modest prices. There's plenty to do in Clear Lake, so if you like that area, why not live there? Just b/c someone babbles "inside the loop" w/out giving you a reason why, doesn't mean you should runt here first. research the area you move into thoroughly before you uproot yourself for a year or more. I wish I had done the same before I moved "inside the loop..."
ima_drummer2k, You see any for rent signs around for similar places? I'm starting my search on Friday.
I actually found mine in the Barnicle, but I see for rent signs popping up all the time. If you start at White Oak and Studemont (by Fitz's) and drive up and down all the numbered streets until you hit 20th, you'll probably see a lot of them.
i recommend alief...maybe a 3 bedroom house, 2.5 baths and a pool? walking distance to an elem and middle school.
RM -- A place you may want to put on your look-at list are the apartments Jeff and I lived in for five years before moving into our house -- Memorial Hills. It's a small complex (3 buildings) just off Memorial Drive and Waugh. It's just south of the Heights and west of downtown. We haven't lived there since 96, but we really liked it when we were there. The neighbors were nice, the location was great and the rents were pretty darn reasonable. Here's a page w/ more info: http://www.rent.com/apartments/texas/houston-and-vicinity/houston/inner-loop/471622/ We'll keep an eye out for garage apartment rentals near us as well.
Thanks Mrs. JB! The Balkes, hookin' RM95 up with possible jobs and apartments. Is there anything they don't do, besides eat meat?!?!?!
Clear Lake is a great place to Live. Close to the water and lots of bars and resteraunts. It takes about 30 minutes to get into down town during peak time, trafic that is 7:30 and 5:00pm. Not very much slum and lots of new neiborhoods going up. I live on Eldorado and own a house and would not live anywhere else. Crime is not to bad.
