Moving to Houston metro (Spring, Katy: apartments, rental, how much)

[Bos2Iah]

Howdy! Potentially Moving to houston around falloween time . Need good elementary schools and would commute to city centre area couple of times a month. Planning to lease initially but eventually want to buy a home close by and budget upto 700. Please suggest . Coming from bustling boston.

[timtemtym]

City Centre as in The Beltway and I-10? That area is called Memorial City, a district in the city of Houston. That's in the Spring Branch school district which is pretty good.

Are you looking for an apartment? I'd assume you are looking at a house rental if you're planning to buy in the 700k range.

Do you want something Boston-ish (urban) or more Texas-ish (quiet single family)?

Do you want a master planned community? Newer, older/established? How much commute are you ok with?

That area is really patchy and can go from upscale homes to funky old apartments.

[Bos2Iah]

Originally Posted by timtemtym

City Centre as in The Beltway and I-10? That area is called Memorial City, a district in the city of Houston. That's in the Spring Branch school district which is pretty good.

Are you looking for an apartment? I'd assume you are looking at a house rental if you're planning to buy in the 700k range.

Do you want something Boston-ish (urban) or more Texas-ish (quiet single family)?

Do you want a master planned community? Newer, older/established? How much commute are you ok with?

That area is really patchy and can go from upscale homes to funky old apartments.

Initially just an apartment to scout over things. I am looking to stay closer to work and want some relief from commuting . I m mostly remote but would still require some office visits . We prefer a big single family home not far from the city.

Boston core is small but its made of small suburb towns with single family homes. I m wondering if that is possible here too.

[SugLandDAd]

And where is the office? Downtown, or City Center? (which isn't downtown)

[Bos2Iah]

Originally Posted by SugLandDAd

And where is the office? Downtown, or City Center? (which isn't downtown)

City center

[gwarnecke]

If schools and proximity to work+the city are a priority, and you don't mind an older home, I'd look into the 77079 zip code, Memorial Bend, Frostwood, Spring Valley Village, and portions of 77055 zoned to Valley Oaks Elementary. Note that the $700k budget may be a bit tight, especially in Frostwood or Spring Valley Village, but you may find something if you're patient.

If you want a bigger/newer house and don't mind a longer commute, look at Briar Hills, Parkway Villages, Barkers Landing, and maybe Green Trails if it isn't too far for you.

[timtemtym]

If you want an apartment to get to know the area, there are nice ones between Eldridge and Highway 6 from I-10 to the Bayou. Moving south of Buffalo Bayou puts you in another school district. The Spring Branch district is better out there. East of Eldridge, the apartments get a little dicey even though the homes are very nice.

I believe there are apartments right in City Centre that are new and nice. You definitely will want to rent for a bit to get to know the area and let the crazy housing market cool off.

If you go west of Highway 6, you get into the Katy school district which is good south of I-10.

There are also some newer apartments east of City Centre, specifically the ones behind the H-E-B (your new favorite grocery store) on Bunker Hill just north of I-10. That area is pretty cool too. It would be just one exit from your job, and the area has nice services.

[TallGreengrass]

You’re smart to rent first. Scope things out and get a feel for the city. Who knows, you may be enticed by the suburbs. You hear the siren sing once you have kids and it gets louder once they approach school age LOL. Maybe not. There are cute neighborhoods near City Center if you want a shorter commute.