Moving soon - is this kind of neighborhood possible in Houston? (The Woodlands: real estate, rental)

[StoneOne]

I'll likely be moving to Houston with my wife and 8-year old daughter in the next 3-6 months, and we're hoping to find a neighborhood that has the following (in no particular order of importance apart from schools):

• Solid public schools (elementary is initial concern)
• Older small-to-modest size houses in walkable neighborhoods with mature trees
• Reasonable commute to energy corridor (office will be off Beltway 8 about halfway between Rt 290 and Rt. 249)
• Biking and running trails nearby
• Reasonable travel times to Inside-the-Loop destinations for entertainment
• Young families and young professionals

We are probably looking to rent at first (large 2BR or standard 3BR with a budget of $1200-1600) and perhaps buy after a year or so (single-family house for $120-180k)

I know our budget is probably a little low for many desirable neighborhoods inside the loop, but what would be some good areas outside the loop that meet the criteria above? People have mentioned Westchase, Jersey Village, Katy, Sugarland and The Woodlands, although I feel like the last three might be too long of a commute.

[hbcu]

The area behind baseball USA? Off Kempwood I think

[DejaBlue]

The area you'd probably want is roughly around Spring Branch/Memorial but as far as buying that budget isn't even a little close.

Play around on Houston Real estate, Houston homes, Houston Realtors: HAR.com with your budget. Renting you're good but buying not really.

[DJboutit]

If you can afford $230K to 250k you can get a nice 2200sqft to 2500sqft 3-4 bed room maybe even a remodeled on in Westbury just outside the loop on the South West side

[Lost_In_Translation]

Sherwood Oaks provides most of what you want.

To a lesser extent, spring shadows, shadow oaks, royal oaks, and some smaller neighborhoods nearby provide decent elementary (not great middle and high schools currently though).

[txdemo]

I'd recommend Robindell - elementary school is McNamara. Unfortunately, middle and high schools aren't considered very good at all.

Mature neighborhood with mid century homes; active civic association; relatively safe; nominated in 2009 by real estate website swamplot as Houston's Most Underappreciated Neighborhood; in 2010, the Houston Press nominated Robindell as one of Houston's Most Underrated Neighborhoods.

[EasilyAmused]

If you are willing to go the townhouse route, you can get everything you want in either 77024 or 77079.

I would go with Hudson Oaks in 77024 and Georgetown in 77079. Your rental and purchase budget works in those and all your boxes checked. Both complexes are loaded with families, Georgetown more so, and zoned to excellent schools k-12. 77079 is in the EC for the most part with miles of park biking trails.

Westbury Or RObindell during rush hour is not reasonable in my book trying to get to and from the EC. Besides his work is up by 290/249 and the beltway.... Thats not the EC and would be 45 minutes from those areas. Heck Champions is closer

Looking closer,even the EC areas might be a good 25 minutes some days

Maybe try Copperfield

[ToyYot]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Besides his work is up by 290/249 and the beltway.... Thats not the EC and would be 45 minutes from those areas. Heck Champions is closer

Looking closer,even the EC areas might be a good 25 minutes some days

Maybe try Copperfield

My thoughts exactly, surely there's something closer to work in that price range. Lakewood Forest is on budget and has an exemplary elementary and middle school. Maybe someone from that area will have some better ideas.

[houston-nomad]

Walnut bend, maybe?

[txdemo]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Westbury Or RObindell during rush hour is not reasonable in my book trying to get to and from the EC. Besides his work is up by 290/249 and the beltway.... Thats not the EC and would be 45 minutes from those areas. Heck Champions is closer

You're right.