Where to Rent - Houston (Sugar Land, Post: rentals, lofts, crime rate)

[fanlinxun]

I am moving to Houston in the next couple of months and would like to rent somewhere for at least a year before buying a home. Preferably we would rent where we end up purchasing so our children (ages 6 and 8) don't have to change schools twice. Some considerations:
- Working downtown and want to minimize commute
- Interested in being close to a Chinese community (to the extent there is a cluster in Houston)
- Annual income ~ 200k
- Our current home value is about 400k, but I assume we could go higher if needed (Noted because I have noticed some areas where we could afford to rent but perhaps not to purchase)
- Finding a high quality elementary school is our top priority
- My wife does not work, so a high "walk-score" would be a nice bonus

Any thoughts?

[BillBallish]

Originally Posted by fanlinxun

I am moving to Houston in the next couple of months and would like to rent somewhere for at least a year before buying a home. Preferably we would rent where we end up purchasing so our children (ages 6 and 8) don't have to change schools twice. Some considerations:
- Working downtown and want to minimize commute
- Interested in being close to a Chinese community (to the extent there is a cluster in Houston)
- Annual income ~ 200k
- Our current home value is about 400k, but I assume we could go higher if needed (Noted because I have noticed some areas where we could afford to rent but perhaps not to purchase)
- Finding a high quality elementary school is our top priority
- My wife does not work, so a high "walk-score" would be a nice bonus

Any thoughts?

You can choose to rent in any residential buildings such as Bayou Lofts, Franklin Lofts, Hogg Palace, Hermann Lofts and Post Rice Lofts if you want to minimize or as much as possible avoid commute. There's Montessori School where you can enroll your kids. Houston is such a nice place to live. The median household income in Houston is $48,322. The cost of living (% of national avg) is 89% and crime rate is low.

If you want to get a good deal in finding a place to rent, I suggest you ask a Realtor in the area or someone who is knowledgeable enough about rentals.

[emirate25]

heights

[shanv3]

I am not sure of a exclusive Chinese community but the area bound between Westpark, 59 and 610 loop has a lots of Asians and Hispanic population. There s even a Chinatown there. But with your income and budget range, you might consider moving elsewhere.

[Ashl10]

Sugar Land but your commute might take a little longer going downtown!

[jerbear30]

I would say Sugar Land would be the best suburb choice. Closer in, you could look around the Meyerland area. Neither is a lock for excellent schools but you'll be ok for the most part. Schooldigger.com has boundary maps and rankings of schools.