77055 area - housing, what's around? (Houston, Shepherd: real estate, apartments, rent)

[Amayan]

I have a job opportunity in Houston but am not really familiar with different areas of the city. I would be working in zip code 77055 and would want to live nearby (<20 minute commute). What is a typical amount to spend on rent in that area? I live alone and have a dog, so a small, 1-2 br house or duplex would be ideal, but I would rent in an apartment if that's what my budget allows. Could I get anything reasonably close and safe for <$1000/month? Is the area even remotely bike/walking friendly if I were to find a place near work?

Any other info you might have about that part of Houston (or just life in Houston in general) would be appreciated. What's around for a 20-something with a love of outdoor recreation? What do you like best about living there? TBH, I had very little desire to move to Houston, but am trying to keep an open mind while deciding between two job offers in different states.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Check HAR.com but $1000 is very low for a house in a decent area. What about townhomes?

[houstonfan]

THat zip is a mish mash, ghetto areas and million dollar home areas, some very safe, other not so good. You can find 2-3bdrm condos in your price range, a few houses, and certainly apartments.
Look also in zip 77079 and 77077. Thoseareas are close to Terry Hershey park for biking and hiking trails. Zip code 77055 have some nice roads to bike on, but i don't think any real park. I don't know much about other activities there. You can try to find a place closer to Memorial Park but that area is more pricey. I don't know where in 77055 your work place is, but 77057 is anohter possible zip if you're ok with a condo/townhome. Puts you closer to the city and memorial park.

[jr1038]

I second the HAR.com recommendation to at least get a feel for what houses in go for in the areas near your potential employer.

You will be able to find some houses in 77055, but as already said the area is kind of spotty in your budget range. There are transitional areas along Silber Rd (close to I-610) that are improving which might be OK and in your budget range.

In addition to the previous suggestion, I would also look in the Oak Forest area (between 34th and 43rd, east of TC Jester, west of Shepherd). That's in zip 77018. You might be able to find some small houses in the low $1000s in that area. You could also try Houston Heights (77008 and the SW part of 77009) - you could get into a duplex for under $1k and the area is very laid-back and bike friendly.

There are other options too so my suggestion is to browse on HAR.com and see what you can find that meets your criteria. Just as a general guideline the neighborhoods will tend to be more bike-friendly as you go inside 610 ("inside the loop").

[elnina]

Rent under $1000?? Probably only outside the loop.
Use this and set up your criteria: Houston map search and Houston real estate map

[Amayan]

Thanks for the input! The info on different neighborhoods and searching by map is really helpful.

[timtemtym]

I would look along TC Jester just inside the loop! Lots of apartments in that budget area and lots of walking trails around, park, dog parks and a nice anti commute to work within 15 minutes.