Suggestions for job searching and neighborhoods

[Vicman]

If you work in West Houston, Cinco Ranch may be a great idea!

EDIT: I also found: http://www.har.com/cs_singlefamily.htm

Some of these ARE, in fact, in Houston ISD - They are zoned to Westside HS. First, though, I would ask people who go to Westside and/or people who teach over there if the school will remain the same or similar as the neighborhoods age. I believe Westside is considered to be good now, but I do not know if Westside will "age" well.

Some of the houses are zoned to Alief ISD - You would probably not be interested in those houses.

[kenyata]

You helped me tons, thanks...

Originally Posted by rhmgp2006

We are from San Diego and moved here two years ago. We are in our mid 30’s with two kids that are 5 & 7, so our criteria is probably similar to yours. I do not have to commute to work, so that was a factor I did not consider. Overall, it was a great decision and my wife no longer has to work. I joke that she gets to live the resort lifestyle.

Since you have young kids, your best bet might be a master planned community
http://www.har.com/masterplanned/dispsearchEn.cfm?commid=15&subdivision=GRAND%20LAK E%20ESTATES%2008 (broken link)

I did a ton of research on the web, and then we came to Houston and spent a week looking around.
www.har.com/indexschoolfinder.cfm
www.har.com
www.psk12.com
www.homefair.com
www.relocationessentials.com
www.houstontx.gov/oem/v3.jpg (broken link)
www.hctra.com/system/map.html

Things I learned:
1. Texas has there own set of retarded mortgage laws, so use a broker or lender with an office in Texas.
2. A lot of home construction is done on the honor system with the builders doing self-inspection, so be sure to have an independent inspector take a really good look at the home (new or resale) before you buy it.
3. Your cost of living will go down so much, that when you see your bank balance you will stress out wondering what bills were not paid.
4. Texas does not have income tax, but property taxes are higher, and property tax varies by neighborhood.
5. Newer homes (<5 years) are MUCH more energy efficient, which will save you a TON of money on utilities.
6. Houston does not have zoning laws = big problem.
7. Flood plain = higher insurance premiums.
8. Houston is a buyers market, so negotiate 15-20% off or walk.

Oh BTW we bought in Cinco Ranch. We have about 25 kids on our street that are about the same age as ours. In the summertime they all go to the waterpark or beach club together just about everyday.

Good luck

[Brittnw]

I went to Lanier and Lamar not too long ago. If you do pick this area..which I have no idea b/c it seems a little out of your budget.. Lanier for one is a great school and so is Lamar. The only thing is if your child is in the regular classes not advanced it's going to be predominantly black and hispanics but in the vanguard/IB classes it's mostly white. I was in both and I had great teachers at Lanier..but at Lamar you can only be in IB (advanced) to have good teachers...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanier_..._%28Houston%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_H..._%28Houston%29

If you lived inside the loop there wouldn't be much of a drive if whoever is working downtown! I love it here but it's not suburbia.

[Vicman]

River Oaks and West University were WAY out of Applebutter's budget, since her budget is 150K

And my sister went to both school's Vanguard and IB programs and liked them

Originally Posted by Brittnw

I went to Lanier and Lamar not too long ago. If you do pick this area..which I have no idea b/c it seems a little out of your budget.. Lanier for one is a great school and so is Lamar. The only thing is if your child is in the regular classes not advanced it's going to be predominantly black and hispanics but in the vanguard/IB classes it's mostly white. I was in both and I had great teachers at Lanier..but at Lamar you can only be in IB (advanced) to have good teachers...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanier_..._%28Houston%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_H..._%28Houston%29

If you lived inside the loop there wouldn't be much of a drive if whoever is working downtown! I love it here but it's not suburbia.