League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood? (Houston, Pearland: apartment, rentals, house)

[cm729]

We're looking at those areas and maybe Pearland - don't know where I'll be working so if any of these have nearby jobs in the area, it would be great to avoid the commute. Looked into Kingwood but there was an article on overcrowded schools there. My dd needs special services which are usually harder to get in overcrowded schools.

Are most neighborhoods pretty safe, decent high schools? When I was looking at rentals in Clear Lake and League City that had mid-range/lower rents and I was wondering if its because they're older units (w/out a lot of the luxury "perks"- we can live without them)or rougher areas? Can anyone recommend a neighborhood?
Any that are more walkeable to stores/mall? We really enjoy walking around so sidewalks would be better, a lot of suburbs don't have them.

[modster]

I wouldn't count on the "pedestrian friendly" environment. The greater Houston area with very limited exceptions, is a car-centered, car-dependent city. It just is.

I would check the individual schools out b/c even within good school districts, some schools are more desirable than others.

Bellaire and Lamar are the more popular ones within HISD. I don't know about Friendswood or Pearland specifically.

The major employment centers are going to be Downtown, Galleria, Medical Center, Greenway Plaza, Greenspoint & the "Energy Corridor" off Eldridge & I-10. Pearland would probably get you closer to more of them.

Older suburban complexes can be very misleading also. They can be surprisingly rough, even in areas commonly perceived as "good" parts of town. It usually helps to drive them at night to see how they feel after dark.

[marysally]

I lived in Friendswood for 10 years and Clear Lake City for 20 so I guess I am a pretty good authority on that area. Both are very nice safe areas with excellent schools. Clear Lake High School where my son graduated is excellent with many National Merit Scholars. There are parts of Clear Lake City where you can actually walk to a drug store, library, etc. I know that because I lived in a house that was easy walking distance to those places. As far as the apartment rents, it is probably because they are older with fewer amenities. I honestly can't think of any really bad areas in Clear Lake City or Friendswood. CLC was a "planned community" developed by Friendswood Development which is the land dev. arm of Exxon back in the 1960's.
As far as jobs, that area has grown tremendously in the last 5 years and there are many opportunities in the area. Neither I nor my husband or son ever worked outside of the Clear Lake area. It depends to a certain extent on what kind of work you are looking for. If it is medical research, then yes you will have to go to the medical center. There are several hospitals in the immediate area, just not research hospitals. NASA and contractors are major employers in the area. You don't have to be a rocket scientist or engineer to work there either -- they hire lots of secretaries and such. Also lots of school districts so they are always looking for teachers. Many nice restaurants and shops that are always looking for help -- just depends on what you want to do!

[cm729]

modster,
Thanks for your input, I agree most of the area is oriented to cars or at least the part I saw (that was years ago and I'm sure its only grown more).
I really appreciate your posting the areas where you're most likely to find work, that's very helpful. Houston is so much bigger than where we've been living, you might find a general area but within that there are sub-neighborhoods. It can get pretty complicated to figure out.
Thanks again,
chris729

[cm729]

marysally,
With all the years you've been in that area you must know it very well - thank you for sharing your knowledge. Hopefully I can find out more about that area in Clear Lake City, it sounds like what we've been looking to find.
We like to walk but I also would like my kids to be able to get around a bit themselves too. It works better if they have a destination to walk to Since my background is Administrative/Clerical, there would be a chance I would be able to find employment in the area and so would my oldest. Here at least, even with an interview it can take a month before you actually start and I would think I'd need to show employment to get a rental. So I'll probably try some temp agencies.
I appreciate your thoughts that its pretty safe in that area - I had thought so but you know far more after living there than I do. Thank you.
chris729

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

I've lived in Clear Lake for 11 years, it is a nice area and about as safe as you could be in Houston, but you still have to be careful not to let your guard down.