Moving soon - is this kind of neighborhood possible in Houston? (Spring: apartments, rent)

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by houston-nomad

Walnut bend, maybe?

Lakeside Estates and Walnut Bend are significantly above the OP's budget. North of I-10, they're still close to city center and east driving distance to the galleria, but costs are significantly less (mainly because of high school zoning, but they're still 6 years away from that. The area is improving and values are rising as construction in the EC and Memorial City continues.

[cheryjohns]

Bear Creek Village or the Colonies (Jamestown Colony, Charleston Colony, etc.).

[StoneOne]

Many thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I'll check into the areas that everyone mentions.

Although we prefer single family homes, we would be open to townhomes. We'd also be open to condos that are pet friendly and have other young families, but I know those tend to be hard to find in a lot of areas.

I have heard that areas in The Woodlands, Sugarland and Katy are nice, but I suspect I'll come to regret the commute...

As for the purchase budget, that could go up to $230-250k in theory, although the problem is that we have a house in the Chicago area with an FHA mortgage. We don't plan to sell it for some time, at least until we either build more equity or prices recover substantially. In the meantime, we are planning to rent it out and cover most all of our expenses. While we're pretty confident we can do that, getting a second mortgage will be hard until we have a stable lease history built up on the Chicago house. And I think we can't get a second FHA mortgage, which kind of rules out $230-250k (we'll have enough for 20% down on a cheaper home, but not at the $230-250k level).

On another note, is seller-financing popular or recommended in the Houston area?

[Shipresa]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Bear Creek Village or the Colonies (Jamestown Colony, Charleston Colony, etc.).

Or Copperfield as well. The OPs work area, unless he can be more specific, is not EC. Katy, Sugarland and Woodlands would be terrible commutes. Tons of options for single homes closer to the work coordinates and at that budget.

Jersey Village? Is that where your work is? Willow brook? Champions would work too. If you work north of 10, I'd recommend living north of 10. Then access to 290 to inner loop is easy for entertainment.

All depends if OP is really in EC or indeed at the near beltway between 249 and 290, which is not EC.

[StoneOne]

Originally Posted by Shipresa

Or Copperfield as well. The OPs work area, unless he can be more specific, is not EC. Katy, Sugarland and Woodlands would be terrible commutes. Tons of options for single homes closer to the work coordinates and at that budget.

Jersey Village? Is that where your work is? Willow brook? Champions would work too. If you work north of 10, I'd recommend living north of 10. Then access to 290 to inner loop is easy for entertainment.

All depends if OP is really in EC or indeed at the near beltway between 249 and 290, which is not EC.

I've been told the office is considered EC, but maybe it's further north. It's in zip code 77064, very close to Jersey Village. I think it's either in or very near the West Sam Houston Business Park. Going there for the first time this weekend for a visit.

I've been looking a lot at rentals and homes for sale in the 77077 and 77079 zip codes. Seem to be a lot of reasonable options there, and I like the fact that there are big parks nearby.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by StoneOne

I've been told the office is considered EC, but maybe it's further north. It's in zip code 77064, very close to Jersey Village. I think it's either in or very near the West Sam Houston Business Park. Going there for the first time this weekend for a visit.

I've been looking a lot at rentals and homes for sale in the 77077 and 77079 zip codes. Seem to be a lot of reasonable options there, and I like the fact that there are big parks nearby.

Parts of 77043 are also worth considering and you can get more house for your money there.

[texsn95]

We live in Deerfield Village and love it. Check out some of the houses on HAR. 7 miles from my BP office in the EC on I-10.

[EasilyAmused]

77064 really isnt anywhere near the EC, which if you look at a map runs along I-10 basically from the Beltway due west to around Highway 6.

Either way 77077 and 77079 will work, but do expect heavy traffic during the commute. Pay attention to school zonng in 77077, some are better than others.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

77064 really isnt anywhere near the EC, which if you look at a map runs along I-10 basically from the Beltway due west to around Highway 6.

Either way 77077 and 77079 will work, but do expect heavy traffic during the commute. Pay attention to school zonng in 77077, some are better than others.

77077 is all HISD with 3 elementarys I believe (Askew, ashford and bush). While bush is considered the best, I haven't heard major issues with the other 2. I'm pretty sure anywhere in 77077 is fine in regards to schooling, as none of it is Alief.

[glorplaxy]

Lol, since when is Copperfield even remotely walkable?