Moving to Houston from the Bay Area (Sugar Land, Bellaire: apartments, lease)

[MovingToHouston906]

Hello everybody,

I am moving to the Houston Area from the Bay Area. Where would be an ideal and safe place to begin looking for an apartment? I am a single female and thus, safety is one of my primary concerns. My target range for rent would be between $400-$~700. I will be working around the Bellaire area most likely, Houston's "Chinatown".

Also, how is the crime rate and overall situtation around "Chinatown". I've read horrible stories about the high crime rate there. Is that true?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[modster]

The apartment districts along Ranchester or Club Creek Dr. which are both sort of adjacent to the Bellaire "China town" area, are about as rock-bottom bad as you can get in Houston. Especially Club Creek. You would do better to live over in the Galleria area or farther out.

[Premont]

Bellaire's not just a city, it's a road that goes through west Houston. The Chinatown area is kind of on both sides of Beltway 8 where Bellaire crosses it. There's Chinese writing on the streets and the stores in the area. Sugar Land wouldn't be too bad of a commute. There's a road called Westheimer north of Bellaire that has many nice apartments on the west side and would be a close commute as well.

I knew a Mexican guy once that lived in Chinatown. He told me he liked it there because the rent was cheap and he found it to be safe.

[mjewell]

Check out the Apartment Guide for what's in your price range and Houston Police Dept's website for the crime statistics in the areas you're interested in, then drive through the area and complex on a Friday or Saturday night before you sign the lease.

Good luck and welcome to Houston.

[jfre81]

Do not live down there but Chinatown is not as rough as Little Baghdad (Bissonnet/Beltway 8/US 59). Do NOT get an apartment down there. You could also look at apartments inside the loop. Some stretches of Bellaire Blvd. (not in Bellaire proper) are sketchy and I would probably not board a Metro bus over there if I was female. You're a much easier target than a 6-3, 235-pound male, and it's not like I don't stay aware of my surroundings. If you've been to the grittier parts of San Francisco or Oakland, don't do anything you wouldn't do there and you'll be ok. Have a can of pepper spray or something. Anything. Perception is worse than reality when it comes to crime in Houston, but there are nonetheless areas that you should exercise much caution.

[T_Puff1980]

I am also moving to Houston from the Bay Area in two weeks. I already have a place out there. I got an apartment off of Westheimer/Richmond Ave and it's a nice community. I will be paying $650 a month for a one bedroom. It is a safe, gated community and its next to everything. I'm a single female also and don't worry...you will be ok.

But the only thing I'll have to get use to is the weather. It rains like cats and dogs out here and the humidity in the summer is very high (although it doesn't really bother me too much...I'm an indoor person anyway.)

[mjewell]

Back in my young and single days I loved living on Westheimer. So close to all the fun and a short drive to work. When you get a chance be sure to check out Sherlock's Pub on Westheimer near the Beltway. There's no cover, good bands and police at the entrances making sure the parking lot is safe. Enjoy the city ladies.

[Cheasare]

The last place I lived before I moved was near Westheimer and Rodgerdale on Meadowglen. Apartments go all the way from Rodgerdale to just before the entrance to the Royal Oaks subdivision where those with big bucks live behind the gates. The apartments were nice and it was close to all kinds of stores. Westheimer on this end is a good bet because you can drive on the same road to the Galleria even to downtown and pass everything you may want and need along the way.

Driving to the Chinatown area off of Bellaire will be pretty easy as well.

Goodness I miss the heat so much. I just don't know how many more of these winters I can bear!

C.