Cost of apartments in Westheimer/Galleria area? (Houston, Pearland: lease, high crime) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

cauliflower18 · 03-02-2008, 11:09 AM

[SIZE=3]Hi Everyone,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]I'm from Michigan and am considering moving to Houston. I know the cost of living in Houston is low compared to other cities, but I am from a small town and need to figure out whether or not I could afford to live here. I'm primarily concerned with the cost of renting an apartment. I would work at Westheimer and Fountain View Drive, and would like to live as close to work as possible. Being a young single female, safety is also key for me. I'm not concerned about size, a would be perfectly happy in a tiny studio as long as its safe and close. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]What range would you say I can expect to pay? I'm thinking my budget is about $700 per month, could I find something in that range? Also, what area is Westheimer/Fountain View conisdered to be a part of? The Galleria?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Thank you for any help you can offer![/SIZE]

EasilyAmused · 03-02-2008, 11:18 AM

Yes that part of town is the Galleria. But for safe and nice, with gated parking and security, your're looking at 800 and up.

Some of the apartments on Fountain View have been redone, they're nice but more expensive now. Some are seedy. There's a new Alexan a little farther down San Felipe, but I think it's going for 950 and up.

The Mirage is a good one for that area.

texan_176 · 03-02-2008, 12:34 PM

You can rent a house in northern Westbury (about a 10-15 minute drive from the galleria) for about $1200 a month. That whole Galleria area is a major business district with heavy traffic. Even in an apartment with gates and security you have professional criminals that do their business of breaking into cars and apartments. There is also a very high population density there so no one really knows anyone and there is great potential for crime.

If you don't know anyone in the city then rent there for over $800 (for a 600 sq ft box) like the other person said but find a roommate and rent a house further to the south in Westbury once the lease is up. Northern Westbury is pretty much all residential and lacks the low rent high crime apartments and you do see a few homes for lease there. Just make sure you work out with the landlord who will cut the grass, do repairs, pay the water bill, etc...

Find a roommate and you can get a garage space for your car and private backyard for $600 a month in a 3 bdrm house that is 1800-2000 sq ft.

Visitor2007 · 03-02-2008, 03:18 PM

Do you drive and have a car? If so, you might want to consider living further away for safer and cheaper apartment.

cauliflower18 · 03-02-2008, 04:15 PM

Thank you all for your help! Its nice to at least have a number in mind, even if it is higher than I would like.

Yes, I do have a car. What other areas would you recommend I look into for safer and cheaper apartments?

Visitor2007 · 03-02-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cauliflower18

Thank you all for your help! Its nice to at least have a number in mind, even if it is higher than I would like.

Yes, I do have a car. What other areas would you recommend I look into for safer and cheaper apartments?

How old are you?

Have you look into Medical Center and Pearland?

tstone · 03-02-2008, 06:51 PM

Med center is not going to be any safer than Uptown. Just look at crime maps online and you'll notice that both have more than their fair share of crime.

For safe on that budget, I would really look into a place in Bellaire or West U with a roommate. Or maybe something inside 610 like Upper Kirby/Greenway areas. That way you're centrally located to basically everything. I think you could find a safe & nice 2 bedroom for about $1300-1400.

But a 1 bedroom for $700 is cutting it close in that general area, which is relatively high-rent to begin with. Without a roommate, I'd up my budget to about $900.

cauliflower18 · 03-02-2008, 07:00 PM

I'm 23 so if I could move someplace where there are younger people that would be ideal, although cheap, safe and close to work are most important.

I think pearland is still too far away, but I'll look into medical center a bit more... thanks!

tstone · 03-02-2008, 07:03 PM

* CHEAP
* CLOSE TO WORK
* SAFE

More often than not you're gonna have to choose 2 of the above and leave one behind.

cauliflower18 · 03-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstone

Med center is not going to be any safer than Uptown. Just look at crime maps online and you'll notice that both have more than their fair share of crime.

For safe on that budget, I would really look into a place in Bellaire or West U with a roommate. Or maybe something inside 610 like Upper Kirby/Greenway areas. That way you're centrally located to basically everything. I think you could find a safe & nice 2 bedroom for about $1300-1400.

But a 1 bedroom for $700 is cutting it close in that general area, which is relatively high-rent to begin with. Without a roommate, I'd up my budget to about $900.

Opps I posted before I read your suggetions... thank you, I think I'll look into the areas you suggested.

I don't know anyone in houston so I'd really prefer to find a one bedroom but that might not be possible... do many people find roomates online through places like craigslist?