Add to Our Searching Please (Houston, Galveston: rent, mortgage, neighborhood)

[lace323]

Hello,

We have been searching through older posts and reading to get a picture of how the suburbs of Houston will fit us.

Hoping you guys will give us some current additional info on the factors central to us:

Youth Girls Soccer - We have an academy level player that plays up in age. Soccer is her complete passion in life so we will need to be near an elite youth soccer club

Quality middle and high school - all 3 of our kids are in advanced classes above grade level so keeping them challenged is vital

Enjoyable Beach - We moved to Charleston, SC in part for the perk of its beaches. They are the most calming thing for me. It is pretty clear the beaches most near to Houston do not compete with those of the Carolina Coast, but are there beaches where you can go sit and enjoy the sound of the waves and breathe fresh air and maybe play in or on the sand?

Now for the huge problem, we need to find us a place in an area that provides some reasonable package of these for around $1,300 a month in rent / mortgage with 4 bedrooms preferred.

Looking forward to hearing from you guys. Let me know of any questions.

[mikeyyc]

I think it's here;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasyland

That being said, you need to decide what is critical and focus on that. My guess is that the budget is the least flexible, and the areas that offer the best schools and activities are really well outside that budget number.

Additionally, the beach is really a getaway, not part of Houston proper. Bolivar/Galveston/Surfside are more like day getaways than a primary residence for most of Houston.

[azzo]

Galveston, while not Carolina beaches is accessible from any suburb in Houston. It is usually at most a two hour commute. Some areas of Spring/Klein fit your description, though 4 beds in that price range may be a bit of a challenge that feeds to any of the better school districts in the Houston area.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and welcome to Houston.

[lace323]

Thanks Azzo.

My fear is I will be sacrificing my love of the beach to get everyone else what is needed. I am hoping for a little something tho. Just a spot to go relax and enjoy the sounds and views. I am very flexible to make things work.

[texas7]

Look in league city. You will have great schools, a more
Coastal vibe and a 30 Minute ride to Galveston. While not gorgeous as in postcard beauty, Galveston has its charms unless you are very negative. Sand is brown and thick and water is brown (silt from Mississippi flow) but on cold days it can take on a greener hue. Great fun at monthly evening art walks.

[DSL_PWR]

Originally Posted by texas7

Look in league city.

^ this.. or Katy.

[texas7]

League city would Put op in a good school district plus close
Proximity to coast for weekend visits. She or he could
Get to galveston in 30 minutes from
League city. Katy is way far from
The coastal areas.

[Houston321]

I agree that Clear Lake or League City are your best bet. Why leave where you are? Seems you are setting yourself up for disappointment. The roadblock I see is getting a 4 bedroom for $1300 per month in a good area. Unless you have a huge downpayment for a home, $1300 won't get you much in a good neighborhood. It will get you more in a bad area.

[ToyYot]

What about work location? Commute will be a big factor too.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by texas7

Look in league city. You will have great schools, a more
Coastal vibe and a 30 Minute ride to Galveston. While not gorgeous as in postcard beauty, Galveston has its charms unless you are very negative. Sand is brown and thick and water is brown (silt from Mississippi flow) but on cold days it can take on a greener hue. Great fun at monthly evening art walks.

OP don't focus on beaches. (BTW: I am glad, you don't expect mountains - some people are "shocked" about how flat Houston area is. )
Beaches around here are not nice at all, but you might find a spot that is less than ugly....
Some days there is higher than normal levels of fecal bacteria, and feels like a swimming in a toilet. Most other, people are just stomping along brownish-gray sand to take a summer dip in the tepid, murky Gulf waters that play host to jellyfish and strings of seaweed.
YES, there is the seaweed AND the trash:
Thousands of Adopt-A-Beach volunteers remove an average of 500 tons of trash each year from Texas beaches.
Since 1986, more than 476,000 volunteers have removed 9,000 tons (more than 17 million pounds) of trash from Texas beaches and estuaries. <<< WOW!!!

which is the nicest galveston beach
10 Of The Best Beaches In Texas To Visit This Summer