Re-locating to west houston for under $250k. (Spring, Katy: big house, neighborhoods)

[jrauck]

Hello everyone! Long time lurker here, finally decided to join the forums!

My SO and I are relocating (relocation package) from far east houston to west houston within the next few months. Unfortunately neither one of us know much about the west side. We have driven over to the west side to check out much of the area, but it's like a wild goose chase trying to decide on an area. We also can't talk to a realtor yet, as we have not officially received the relocation package (only looked at the benefits), and that's one of the caveats.

We are not super picky, as we want to stay around 230's, and know that the pickier we are, the more difficult it will be. We are willing to go up to the 250's, but prefer to stay a bit below it. Due to the relocation package, we cannot build a home, although we can purchase a newly built home. We are also not opposed to a fixer upper, as long as the neighborhood is relatively nice/does not flood.

We would like to be somewhere that doesn't flood, which is why we are hesitant on any of the cities in west houston without some research.

The SO's company is moving between i10/99 so we would prefer to be within 30 minutes of that area, regardless if its N/S/E/W of that location. I am currently working NW houston, so I plan on finding a job (in IT) on the West side as well.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! Also if you have any questions or suggestions feel free to throw them at me.

[shanv3]

Instead of the suburbs and spending your life in car, you should look at 77077 zip. Decent area that is closer to the city and there are homes in your budget. Most areas in that zip survived the flooding. Also there are many homes sold as is, so if you are prepared to spend some money, you may get a great deal on big houses.

[K LoLo]

I'm in 77043. I like it. I'm a big fan of Spring Branch. Closer to I10 is generally better than closer to 290. You might be able to find something in the Spring Shadows area. Really good neighborhood.

I'm not sure what's between I10/99, since that's essentially a corner.

[SK115]

Based on your job locations, I would recommend Katy and Cypress. Depending on where your job is, you might not even need to switch jobs. 99 runs directly from I-10 to 290, and there are many neighborhoods in Cypress that should be in your price range.

It's becoming harder and harder to find homes in Katy south of I-10 for under 250k, so you might look at North Katy.

[LocalPlanner]

Please clarify "between I10 and 99". Those are intersecting highways.

[NigerianNightmare]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Please clarify "between I10 and 99". Those are intersecting highways.

I think he means intersection of.

[jrauck]

Originally Posted by shanv3

Instead of the suburbs and spending your life in car, you should look at 77077 zip. Decent area that is closer to the city and there are homes in your budget. Most areas in that zip survived the flooding. Also there are many homes sold as is, so if you are prepared to spend some money, you may get a great deal on big houses.

While I like this area, from what I have seen(just on the internet anyway), is there are homes in the 230-250k price range, however they all look like they are in rough shape. I don't mind a fixer upper, but that would be difficult when the prices are already at the top of my budget. I'm going to check out this area today however, because the internet does not always represent a neighborhood well.

Originally Posted by K LoLo

I'm in 77043. I like it. I'm a big fan of Spring Branch. Closer to I10 is generally better than closer to 290. You might be able to find something in the Spring Shadows area. Really good neighborhood.

I'm not sure what's between I10/99, since that's essentially a corner.

Same goes with the the zipcode posted above. Is this the case with the houses, or are there the occasional diamonds in the rough?

Originally Posted by SK115

Based on your job locations, I would recommend Katy and Cypress. Depending on where your job is, you might not even need to switch jobs. 99 runs directly from I-10 to 290, and there are many neighborhoods in Cypress that should be in your price range.

It's becoming harder and harder to find homes in Katy south of I-10 for under 250k, so you might look at North Katy.

As far as the job change it will possibly happen regardless as I am a contractor, however it would be nice to be in between North/South houston. I personally dont mind a bit of a drive, although I just dont want both the SO and I to have a long drive if we are able to move relatively close to her job.

I have looked north of i10 and seen some neighborhoods that look nice, and are in our price range such as Kings Crossing and Ventana Lakes, however KB Homes, and some of the builders that are starting in the 150s scare me a tad bit. I don't mind cheaper homes surrounding me, but I would prefer not to be in a neighborhood where I'm close to the top of the budget.

As for clarification on where the SOs company will be, it will be very close to that intersection, just slightly north of i10.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply so far!

[DJboutit]

Meadows Place on the Southwest side is a nice area in you price range might be a little far for you

[elnina]

Originally Posted by K LoLo

I'm in 77043. I like it. I'm a big fan of Spring Branch. Closer to I10 is generally better than closer to 290. You might be able to find something in the Spring Shadows area. Really good neighborhood.

I'm not sure what's between I10/99, since that's essentially a corner.

It would be very hard if not impossible to buy a house in 77043 for under $250K, and I wouldn't recommend anything around
or north of Hammerly (sketchy), or west of loop8 (flood)