Where Should a Single Woman Buy? (Houston, Post: leasing, crime, homes)

[ericka709]

Hey Forum Friends,

I made it to Houston - woo hoo!!! I decided to rent while getting acclimated but I have no intentions of leasing for 12 months.

I need your opinions on areas to purchase a home. Here are my criteria:

*Minimal Crime - including car theft/vandalism - it surprises me when I read other threads and ppl seem so calm & rational about it. Not the case for me.
*Education: No kids, so schools are not a high priority but I know that crappy schools will affect my resale options in a couple of years. So, I'm middle of the road on this topic.
*Lifestyle: I have accepted the fact that I cannot afford to buy in some of the trendier parts of town where are the nightlife, museums, etc are. However, a 20 minute drive to Downtown, networking events, etc. wouldn't be so horrible.
*Location/Commute: Trying to do my part to save Mother Earth.
*Diversity: So important - not interested in the barrio or 'hood but I'm not down with Soccer Moms of America either.
*Price: Around $140k.

Look forward to your suggestions!!!

[Bike4Life]

Impossible answer. You have to live in a 20 minute commute upward.

[modster]

Close to impossible mix. You are going to have to get used to at least the potential of crime in areas within 20 minutes of town for $140k or less. Have an alarm, park your car in the garage & use common sense.

Schools are not always that big of a deal on resale. Many closer in areas have older smaller homes that don't really appeal to families. When time comes to sell there will still be plenty of buyers without kids that want to be close in. Your choices that get you closest to what you want would be:

parts of Oak Forest, Shepherd Forest & Magnum Manor
parts of Westbury & Parkwest
Lindale Park
Robindell
Post Oak Manor
Willowbrook
Houston Country Club Place

[ericka709]

Thanks Modster, can you provide me with the zips for the areas below.

Keep the responses coming...

Originally Posted by modster

Close to impossible mix. You are going to have to get used to at least the potential of crime in areas within 20 minutes of town for $140k or less. Have an alarm, park your car in the garage & use common sense.

Schools are not always that big of a deal on resale. Many closer in areas have older smaller homes that don't really appeal to families. When time comes to sell there will still be plenty of buyers without kids that want to be close in. Your choices that get you closest to what you want would be:

parts of Oak Forest, Shepherd Forest & Magnum Manor
parts of Westbury & Parkwest
Lindale Park
Robindell
Post Oak Manor
Willowbrook
Houston Country Club Place

[Mr. Krinkle]

I agree with Oak Forest. I know a few single females that live in that area...damn, I need to move to Oak Forest.

[modster]

You don't need the zips, just go onto har.com and run by subdivision name. Big ones like Oak Forest and Westbury have more than one zip code I think. Besides, I don't know them all!