Downtown Houston Traffic (Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Missouri City: neighborhoods, living in, bars)

[baseballfan1]

Hi, I am relocating from Los Angeles to Houston in one month for work. My commute will be to downtown. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what city to live in? I've researched some and found some nice areas outside of Houston (Katy, The Woodlands, Sugarland, Humble, (how is Spring and Pearland to live in?)). My issue is the commute. L.A. has horrible traffic. I would like to keep it around 30-40 minutes or less if possible. How long is the morning commute from these cities to Houston? How is it in the evening for the drive home? Anyone have a favorite surrounding city? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Newbe10]

Originally Posted by baseballfan1

Hi, I am relocating from Los Angeles to Houston in one month for work. My commute will be to downtown. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what city to live in? I've researched some and found some nice areas outside of Houston (Katy, The Woodlands, Sugarland, Humble, (how is Spring and Pearland to live in?)). My issue is the commute. L.A. has horrible traffic. I would like to keep it around 30-40 minutes or less if possible. How long is the morning commute from these cities to Houston? How is it in the evening for the drive home? Anyone have a favorite surrounding city? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

To be honest with you, Houston traffic is very similar to LA's. However, if you live inside or near the inner loop (i.e. I-610) and your work is not too far away, then you won't have to worry about too much of a commute. I have been to Houston many times. I love Houston, but the traffic is pretty crazy.

If you like an urban environment with unique, hip neighborhoods then anywhere from Uptown Houston to Downtown will be great for you. Of course west and NW Houston are great areas as well.

I lived in So Cal (i.e. the LA and San Diego metro areas) for several years and Houston, to me is a Texas version of LA, but that is not a bad thing, IMHO. I think that you will end up liking Houston very much (except for the crazy humidity! lol.).

[EasilyAmused]

Here's the deal most don't want to admit or accept:

If you live more than 18-20miles from downtown (which puts you a few miles outside the beltway/second loop), you are looking at rush hour commutes around 45-60 minutes drive time,plus or minus a few minutes....to your EXIT. Rush hour seems to be from 6:30-9 And 4:15ish-7 in most directions. There might be some rare exceptions to the above, but it just a rule of thumb to go by went looking at burb x.

15 miles and under can be done within 25-30, with the outer limits having to use some creative/alternate routes at prime rush from time to time. Fortunately within 20 miles of downtown, the larger side street system is available in some directions. You start getting further out and you are at the mercy of freeways.

[feufoma]

Why not live in central Houston? Most things warranting any consideration will be found there. My commute to downtown is around 5 minutes with traffic. My family loves living ITL!

[piyf]

Live as close to downtown as possible.

[vegankris]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Here's the deal most don't want to admit or accept:

If you live more than 18-20miles from downtown (which puts you a few miles outside the beltway/second loop), you are looking at rush hour commutes around 45-60 minutes drive time,plus or minus a few minutes....to your EXIT. Rush hour seems to be from 6:30-9 And 4:15ish-7 in most directions. There might be some rare exceptions to the above, but it just a rule of thumb to go by went looking at burb x.

15 miles and under can be done within 25-30, with the outer limits having to use some creative/alternate routes at prime rush from time to time. Fortunately within 20 miles of downtown, the larger side street system is available in some directions. You start getting further out and you are at the mercy of freeways.

Best advice ever here on C-D! Simple, short and accurate.

Living close to work makes all the difference in QOL here in Houston, so maybe you shouldn't dismiss living in the loop just yet. Explore all the interesting neighborhoods and maybe you'll find one you love.

[MikeyAusmus]

Originally Posted by baseballfan1

Hi, I am relocating from Los Angeles to Houston in one month for work. My commute will be to downtown. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what city to live in? I've researched some and found some nice areas outside of Houston (Katy, The Woodlands, Sugarland, Humble, (how is Spring and Pearland to live in?)). My issue is the commute. L.A. has horrible traffic. I would like to keep it around 30-40 minutes or less if possible. How long is the morning commute from these cities to Houston? How is it in the evening for the drive home? Anyone have a favorite surrounding city? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sounds like you want to stick to the suburbs. If so, the best freeways for commuting into downtown would be US-59 the Southwest Freeway, IH-10 the Katy Freeway and US-59 the Eastex Freeway. That being said, Katy, west Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Humble, Kingwood are great.

If you want to look at places in the city, The Heights is a great area!! Super close to downtown, tons of great restuarants, bars, and all the amenities the city has to offer.

Welcome to Houston!!!

[baseballfan1]

Thanks so much for the info! Would you say from these cities the commute is about 30 minutes...ish both ways during rush hour?

[houstonfan]

^ No, not during rush. None of the suburbs are less than 30min during rush. Fallcreek may be your best bet (Not really sure but I think you'd be in the Humble ISD but it's still a houston address?)

[texas7]

Your shortest commute (timewise) would be Humble or even Kingwood.