Moving to Houston from NJ; Need location help. (Sugar Land, The Woodlands: HOA, house prices)

[garycoz]

Although it is not set in stone yet, I have an opportunity to move to Houston in early 2007. I have never been to Texas, but the way the job goes, I will get last minute notice and have to kick it into high gear. The office is in the area of I-10 & I-45, so my commute would be to downtown daily. I have 2 young kids as well.

I was hoping someone could help me with an idea of where to look for homes. We are looking for a nice area with convenient shopping and etc. Good quality schools are important, and the shorter the commute the better (I heard I-10 & I-610 is a killer area). Housing costs in NJ are pretty high (so are taxes). What areas are good within a reasonable commute? How are taxes?

Thanks a million! Gary

[INTN]

Gary:

We maybe relocating as well, as with you not set in stone. We also have 2 kids. We have a friend in Spring, TX and he says that is the way to go. According to him stay to the west side of I-45 (I think because you want to be in the KLein school district). House prices are GREAT from what I have seen so far. Although it seems most neighborhoods have a HOA fee (something I am not used to) and the taxes are higher than I am used to as well; however, they do not have a state income tax so all school funding comes from these.

HTH

We plan on taking a road trip over the Easter holiday to make sure we even like it. But our friend loves it.

[honeyinhouston]

Originally Posted by garycoz

Although it is not set in stone yet, I have an opportunity to move to Houston in early 2007. I have never been to Texas, but the way the job goes, I will get last minute notice and have to kick it into high gear. The office is in the area of I-10 & I-45, so my commute would be to downtown daily. I have 2 young kids as well.

I was hoping someone could help me with an idea of where to look for homes. We are looking for a nice area with convenient shopping and etc. Good quality schools are important, and the shorter the commute the better (I heard I-10 & I-610 is a killer area). Housing costs in NJ are pretty high (so are taxes). What areas are good within a reasonable commute? How are taxes?

Thanks a million! Gary

Consider Cypress-Fairbanks School District....new homes off Hwy 290

[Datmar]

Gary,

Garden Oaks and Oak Forest would be a great place to live. This is an older neghiborhood weith great trees. Homes are being torn down and newer homes in the $400-$600,000 range are being built.
We are minutes from the Galleria and out 15 minutes from Downtown. I moved here about a year ago and I love it!

[jnbstark]

If you are working downtown your best bet would be taking the bus. There are several park & ride locations in the suburbs of Houston where you can park your car and ride the bus. Commute time is very minimal because the buses can go in the HOV (high occupancy vehicles) lane and it works out well. As far as schools go, I would look at www.har.com and view the school information posted there. It will give you population details, test results and all kinds of helpful information. As far as specific areas that are really good with schools are Katy, The Woodlands, some schools in Sugar Land. It really all depends on the kind of lifestyle that you have. Good luck.

[philster001]

I live in the Cypress Fairbanks area on beltway 8 between 249 and 290. It is convenient to shopping and most freeways. The taxes in general here are on the high side and most neighborhoods have home owners fees that can be from several hundred dollars to over 1000 a yr. But there's not a state income tax so I guess it balances out. This area has good schools too, so keep this area in mind.

[houstonhomes]

I would say Spring or the Humble area which give you great schools and easy access to 59 easily the best freeway in houston traveling from the north. Some of the neighborhoods that are zoned to great schools are Fall Creek, Eagle Springs, Summerwood. mod cut
Best wishes

Tre

[SuperPollito]

Originally Posted by garycoz

Although it is not set in stone yet, I have an opportunity to move to Houston in early 2007. I have never been to Texas, but the way the job goes, I will get last minute notice and have to kick it into high gear. The office is in the area of I-10 & I-45, so my commute would be to downtown daily. I have 2 young kids as well.

I was hoping someone could help me with an idea of where to look for homes. We are looking for a nice area with convenient shopping and etc. Good quality schools are important, and the shorter the commute the better (I heard I-10 & I-610 is a killer area). Housing costs in NJ are pretty high (so are taxes). What areas are good within a reasonable commute? How are taxes?

Thanks a million! Gary

I hear the Woodlands are nice.

[txdemo]

Hope they found a place by now.