Manvel Area Reviews (Houston, Missouri City, Pearland: apartments, rental market, homes)

[jlaxrb]

Hello everyone. I have just been reassigned to a project that's located in Freeport, TX. My wife (who is expecting and due in July) and black labrador will be moving with me. We have looked at places to rent and would like to keep our commute to around 45min maximum to the Freeport area. With that it looks like Manvel is a good middle ground for us and has some very nice homes for rent. A couple of questions I have are:

1) How is the Manvel area, specifically the Rodeo Palms area? Is it safe? Would you recommend living there for a stay at home wife and future child? It looks like its a very short drive to Pearland/Houston so I wouldnt be worried about stuff to do, just want to know if its a safe area as my wife will be staying at home.

2) How is traffic on highway 288 going South to Freeport? Google is saying it will take about 45min however thats without traffic. To me it shouldnt be too bad since you're going in the opposite direction of everyone going into Houston but want to double check.

Also if anyone has any other suggestions on places to live I would greatly appreciate it. Right now it just looks like Manvel/Rosharon would be strong possibilities due to commute time and being close to Houston and all it has to offer.

Thanks so much for the help!

[DanielWayne]

I see it as a tradeoff between daily commute frustration vs the joys of proximity to Houston. If this is a daily drive, I'm not sure that Manvel to Freeport is something most people would deliberately choose.

I always hear positive things about Lake Jackson.

[jlaxrb]

Thanks for the response. If the commute is truly 45min away that doesnt bother me really. Its essentially the afternoon commute that would get old, trying to get home to family, etc. The problem with Lake Jackson is that theres no homes for rent, let alone any 3+BR apartments either. We would prefer a home with a new child on the way and especially our dog, however the only homes that are available seem to be in the Manvel/Pearland/Rosharon area where commute time would be 45min+.

[davidtk]

I live in Pearland, not far from Manvel. Traffic on 288 south of Hwy 6 is pretty light regardless of time, so you shouldn't have any traffic issues barring an accident. That's a pretty lengthy commute though. Lake Jackson is a good suggestion above. They have a lot of stores and restaurants.

I don't know anything about Rodeo Palms other than it started off as a high end development but had to change to 'regular' homes. I've driven past it many times and one thing I didn't like is that there's nothing nearby if you want to get gas, groceries, a bite to eat, etc. If you're only renting and are okay with the location, seems like a good option since you aren't really committed as a renter.

[asonnier]

We are in Silvercreek and Manvel. We are super close to Pearland.
We love it. You would likely not deal with traffic unless there is an accident.
You will like Manvel.

[hbcu]

just think Missouri City 1985...that's Manvel....your not having any traffic out there

I remember when Rodeo Palms was built and they had big plans....at the time, wasn't enough new money out there and they quickly sold off the lots

I'm not that old but I remember when 518 was a bumpy ride to pearland from 288 and the other side of 518 was a dirt road that flooded

[jlaxrb]

Thanks everyone for the help. The rental market in Lake Jackson/Clute is just so picked over right now that nothing is available and we need atleast a 3+BR home/apartment and those are all full. This has pushed us to look at the Manvel/Pearland area as there are much more homes available to rent, and the commute is the next closest to living in Lake Jackson. I would definitely prefer Lake Jackson but right now it isnt looking realistic. I appreciate everyones help though, it sounds like Manvel/Pearland is sounding good though!