Help with housing in Houston (Sugar Land, Galveston: apartment, houses, safe neighborhood)

[nwin]

Here's the deal...

I'm in the Coast Guard and have orders to report to Sector Houston/Galveston at 9640 Clinton Dr., Houston, TX.

My wife is going to be doing some schooling that is only available at the Katy Campus of Houston Community College.

Looking these places up, of course they are on opposite sides of Houston. We have found some places in Humble, and it looks like a tolerable drive for me, but about 40 miles for her...not sure what it would be with traffic (any ideas?). We found another place in the Aldine area (looks like on the Northern part just inside the 610 loop).

We were trying to find a place in Bellaire, but haven't been lucky so far with our findings. Pearland also seems like it might be a hike for her.

So, that's what we've found on our own research, here's what we're looking for:

2+ bedroom house with a pool and garage for under 1500/month.
My commute to the Coast Guard base I want 30 minutes or less. My wife is good with traveling 1 hour or less.
SAFE neighborhood a must

So, given that information, is this going to be possible? Obviously the problem we've run into is finding a place with a pool, but we've found some. I'm mainly trying to see if there are some locations that I've missed out that I should be searching for. People have told me the commute from Sugar Land to my work would be murder, or else I would include that. It seems like even Bunker Hill to my work would be bad. True or not?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

[cheryjohns]

Humble is not your answer. You are on the east side of 610. She is far west. Going far north is not a good idea. Even Jsersey Village is a better idea. Sharpstown.

[texas7]

House or apt. If apt. I would suggested Heights or Midtown - reverse commute for both of you. Looking for safe - I wouldn't go with Sharpstown - while you might find a safe neighborhood, the shopping, etc in the nearby area isn't what I would call safe. Will be a little bit of a commute for each of you but not a killer commute by any means.

[cheryjohns]

Actually, Sharpstown is not unsafe. It's also the closest when considering a house with a pool, rather than an apartment.

[westres1]

Humble and Aldine are not going to work at all! Check 77042

[Beto]

I would map it out and try to make the commute a half way point for both of you.

[DejaBlue]

What are your hours? That makes a difference.

If your wife is going to class after 11am then she's good anywhere because traffic has died down. I can get from Spring to Downtown Houston in 30 minutes tops and I take the Beltway.

I would think her classes will give her lots of flexibility. I'm guessing she's in a program since she's limited to the Katy Campus. So her hours should be all over the grid so she can make a commute.

Beltway moves. When you're paying you don't idle and hold everyone else up, lol.


What about your hours?

People bark about the commute times but people work at all hours. Not everyone is in the bumper to bumper hell on the freeway at 7:30-8 trying to make their snails way into Downtown. A simple hour later gives you more leeway.

And, I wouldn't say you have a complete problem with the pool. It's more your budget. Add $500 if you can and you'll be open to more areas with a 2+ bedrooms, pool and $2000 a month.

[nwin]

Her school goes from 930-1230 everyday. I'll be working probably 7-4 or 5 each day.

Also, the only houses we've been able to find, 2 are in Humble and 1 is in Bellaire. The Bellaire one is not at the top of our list though, even though that would be the ideal commute.

How long would the transit be from Humble to Katy each day, with what her hours are going to be? We'd rather live in a house we both like, then something that we settled for. However, if it's going to be 1.5 hours-2 hours transit one way, then obviously it won't work. I'm guessing my commute will be around 30-40 minutes?

[RCH99]

Originally Posted by DejaBlue

I can get from Spring to Downtown Houston in 30 minutes tops and I take the beltway.

I assume you're implying that you take the Hardy toll road from Spring to downtown. If not, how many laps around the beltway does it usually take you, before you end up in downtown?

[Poltracker]

Your best bet would be somewhere in the Heights or Timbergrove, or Garden Oaks but it probably will not fit your budget unless you go with an apartment. Humble is not an option for your wife. I would nor suggest Bellaire either. You may find something in in those areas within your budget, housewise, but it will not have a pool.