Need a liberal community in Houston (Austin, Sugar Land: new house, school district, university)

[patricia43m]

We are probably moving to Houston later this summer and need recommendations (community names or zip codes). We have a 5 year old so we obviously need a really good school district.

Equally important is a very liberal community. We are very politically active and also want a welcoming community for our adopted son who is Asian.

Looking to spend $650,000-$800,000 (MAX) OR we could build a new house or redo an existing home but still come in under $800,000. Would like a 4 bedroom home but it doesn't need to be a huge home for just the three of us.

Is this possible? I have lived in many different countries and in several parts of the US but have never even been to Texas.

Thank you

[cheryjohns]

Where is the work location? There are different areas that you would like - but the commute is very important here, due to size of the city.

[Sunderpig2]

Originally Posted by patricia43m

We ...need a really good school district.

Equally important is a very liberal community. We are very politically active

Is this possible? I have lived in many different countries and in several parts of the US but have never even been to Texas.

You really need to visit Houston first. You could be in for a big shock if you don't visit first and get a reality check. I'm sure I'll get attacked for even these neutral and unweighted words. Just wait and see for yourself. It happens everytime like clockwork!

[LostInHouston]

Originally Posted by patricia43m

Is this possible?

It is, you just have to commute from Austin.

My experience with the various suburbs is they lean pretty heavily conservative... after all this is an oil/gas city.

You can see the breakdown of the Harris county precints from the '08 presidential election to get an idea: Mapping the presidential race in Harris County | Houston Politics | a Chron.com blog

[MIBS98]

Originally Posted by patricia43m

We are probably moving to Houston later this summer and need recommendations (community names or zip codes). We have a 5 year old so we obviously need a really good school district.

Equally important is a very liberal community. We are very politically active and also want a welcoming community for our adopted son who is Asian.

Looking to spend $650,000-$800,000 (MAX) OR we could build a new house or redo an existing home but still come in under $800,000. Would like a 4 bedroom home but it doesn't need to be a huge home for just the three of us.

Is this possible? I have lived in many different countries and in several parts of the US but have never even been to Texas.

Thank you

Much depends on where the work location is and what your aspirations are in terms of city living vs. suburbs. Inside of the city itself is relatively liberal (Houston is first major city in the US with an openly homosexual mayor, the area voted Obama in 2008).

From standpoint of your adopted Asian son, don't think you will have much trouble in general. We live in West University which is very diverse and welcoming. We are a mixed couple (Caucasian/Asian). Our kids do well and have classmates from Korea, Angola, Japan, Chile, Brazil, etc.

$650-800k for a 4 bdrm in West U is likely to be difficult, though.

[crone]

There was a time when the only difference between liberals and conservatives in Texas was that liberals thought minorities ought to have the right to vote. I'm old, but it was in my lifetime. There are liberals in the suburbs. They are hunkered down, afraid to speak. They find each other. You'd be better off in the Heights or Southside Place, over by Rice.

Nobody will notice your Asians child, or care. This town is more diverse than Manhattan. Every street has mixed race couples with all kinds of kids.

That homosexual mayor is a Republican.

[right]

What is a liberal community?

[vegankris]

Like someone else mentioned, we need to know where work is. Having said that, if at all possible, live in the loop. Avoid the suburbs.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by crone

There are liberals in the suburbs. They are hunkered down, afraid to speak. They find each other.

We aren't that afraid. But yes, we do find each other.

Originally Posted by vegankris

Like someone else mentioned, we need to know where work is. Having said that, if at all possible, live in the loop. Avoid the suburbs.

This stereotype that there are no liberals in the suburbs gets really, really old.

[Dopo]

Check out Sugar Land.